'WIP: Sword In Play'. By Roboman28. WIP = 'Work In Progress'.

The title ‘Sword In Play’, is a takeoff of the expression: ‘Sword Play’. In this case the initial WIP had the Negress Gladiatrix standing over the Roman and both hands holding the sword behind her, as she is about to swing it into an overhead arc forward and down in order to slice her downed opponent in half. Here is the link to that initial WIP: [link]

The problem was the sword was completely hidden. The artist created a fantastic moment of tension by having the entire torso of the Negress Nubian stretched almost backward, as she is holding that sword above her head. Both Alan, the artist, and I, wanted to keep that stretched tension; and we both agreed that the visual presence of a sword was the main point of the picture. So how to incorporate that sword while keeping the stretched tension? Well, the initial render had to be compromised in order to include the sword. And here is the result

Anyway, the point of all this is to show viewers why it sometimes takes a month of collaboration between a vision in one person’s mind’s eye, and the talent of another artist to make it visual.

So we now come to the full meaning of: ‘Sword In Play’, because in this revision, the sword is featured, and ‘In Deed’ in play.

The following shows portions of the writeup from the initial WIP. In the main these back and forth E-Mails are apropos to this picture, and supply a bit of background:

Here is some of the correspondence, via E-Mail, of what it takes to create something like this. We have been working on this for almost a month and this is just the first WIP.

From Drew: “Alan, I have an idea that could stand visual exploring. It’s been done before, but I think can be expanded upon in order to create an even greater ‘Epic Picture’. You already know my feeling about this: ‘Great art begets greater art’.
The E-Mail attachment I’m sending you is one of the great POV masterpieces of all time.
Here is the link to that attachment: [link]

So how can YOU improve on such an epic? Simply this:
1. Reverse the body position of the Roman on the ground.
2. Mainly freeze the POV of the Nubian whereby she is still perched above the face of the Roman.
3. Then modify the Nubian where she has her sword above her head and is about to plunge it into the stomach of the Roman, or have her plunge the sword fully into the stomach. That is up to you.
4. As in the picture, they would be naked; however I'd like you to make them more of a Gladiatrix by adding metal shoulder protectors, with leather straps across their chests, and some sort of ankle protectors, as well as helmets that show the face fully. It is critical that the Negress be frozen at this angle in order to show her full bush completely.
5. The background is fully up to you. Because I don't use the word 'Please', don't consider what has just been written as any form of dictate. It's something to bounce against you, and you may have a better counter-reply. However, I would 'Please' like to be in the loop with visual updates as you are creating this stunner. Drew.”

From Alan: “The attached is my initial version for comment. I will be able to complete it by incorporating your improvements in about a week’s time. Bye for now. Alan.”

From Drew: “Alan, the only comment I can make is: ‘Stunned’. When I sent you that E-Mail attached POV I didn't think the POV stance could be improved upon. And then you created something else, and it is indeed ‘Something Else'. The power of that standing stretch of the torso is awesome. Her holding those powerful thighs over the head of the defeated Roman (and over-the-top) sword is stunning. I'd say we publish it now. However, I might mention that the background arena (used by you before) does take away from the overall quality of the picture - It was good for its time, but its time has passed. That background doesn't take away the drama and visual impact of the render. The problem is not that you have used it before; it's that it isn't as good as the backgrounds you create. Saying that, you can be real proud of this one because it is one of your very best. And in the Gladiatrix genre there is none better in all of DA than you.”

To be continued………….

'Nuff said, Drew
Except to add, here is the link to the DA Site of Roboman28: [link]
Also, here is the DA avatar link to his DA Site: