Using references for clothes, armour and fur

A SKETCH FOREGROUND CHARACTERS

In this sketch two Einherjars (slain warriors in Valhalla) in the foreground are toasting. One is standing and wearing chain mail, the other is sitting and wearing fur and a helmet. They are turned to the midground, so I draw them from the back, and from imagination (without references at this stage).

B TAKE PHOTO REFERENCES

I am taking a few photos based on my sketch of those two warriors. The fur, chain mail and helmet are very useful items from my reenacting days. I am not a slave to the photo, I am using the information that I need. In this case, the fur texture, folds on the clothes, and position of the hand and fingers around the drinking horn (in this case, acrylic paint bottle).

C FINAL PAINTING

I take from the photos what I need, and the rest is painted again from imagination. More armour, beard, knotworks on the axe and belt, etc. I very much like to paint texture on the items, so that they look weathered and used in battles (scars, dents and rust).