Extraction Challenge: WIP II

So, I can't believe I've been working on this for a little over six hours now and am this far in already. Time has really flown, but I think I am gonna call it quits for now, and for the sake of my hand. Time to sit back, relax, and have a beer.  So ttfn!

The original sketch and a cleaned up tonal application to the sketch, leaving the airships blank (so I don't over render just them,,,,I am getting wise to my own vices). To do this I have 3 separate layers on multiply using the same near sepia color at different levels of opacity. I also used a hard round #5 eraser at about 12% opacity to erase out some of my light values.

Here I am pushing the tonal ranges a bit more, and finally adding in some life to the airships. Still using the same base color over multiple layers set to multiply, and varying the % or opacity per level as well as 'brushing out' tones with the eraser set to 12% opacity. 

Finally I am sampling some colors here and using a mix of overlay and normal layers to 'wash' in my colors. I am sure there are better ways to color an image, but so far this is what's working for me, so I can't complain. I do plan to lower the saturation of some areas in the future. 

Above is the photo I am using to base my pallet on. Normally I love to use this color pallet, so seeing it in nature is awesome.

Extraction Challenge: WIP I

Hey guys, it's been a bit since I posted anything on here. Relocating to Ohio and getting ready for Gen Con Indy 2011 as well.

Since the last post I started on some black and white inks that I'll post once I scan them in. But right now I am working on a concept for a book cover as part of the Art Order Extraction Challenge. This is a real quick sketch I did and then laid some messy tone over. It still needs quite a bit of work to tighten things up a bit, and I am really hopping I will be able to finish this one on time for the challenge, which is due in by August 28th.

I'm really excited to be doing a steampunk themed challenge. I had also decided not to get carried away by adding in any people, since I know that I will probably focus in on rendering them. I wanted to stick to more of a scene with this one, and if I do add in figures I am thinking they will be suggested silhouettes. 

I've pulled some reference together for the air ships that vary from old black and white dirigibles to man of war jellies, and have also taken a long look at  works other artists have done in regards to scenery to try to better understand composition, lighting, and atmosphere. This is gonna be a tough piece to render, but I'm sticking to it. 

On one last note: After reading Justin's post on Muddy Colors the other day, I've been inspired to try out his process of working the same way I would traditionally with watercolors, and slowly building up layers, in photoshop. It's still something I am very much in need of practice with. So stayed tuned for more process of this piece and wish me lots of luck cause I'm gonna need it!

Thundershock Archer WIP II

Greyscale 1

This morning I dropped what I had of the previous night's work into greyscale via Photoshop to take a look at my tonal range and see where I needed to spend time on working today. In addition to this I also looked at my image scaled down at about 700% (the accurate live art of a MTG card) to see if it still held up at a smaller size, which it does. 

Greyscale 2

Once that was done I went into the painting again, making a few quick color choices as in adding in a little pink (what can I say, I love that color!). I've been studying some references I have as I work on this, mainly for handling the lightning. So far it's been the biggest struggle.

After working on this for the day I am calling it time for another break. Yet again I can't believe how quickly this piece seems to be getting done. I dropped it into greyscale to take a look at where it is at the moment, and will probably look at it again in the morning tomorrow before sitting down to work at it again. There are a few issues I would like to address, mainly the darkness around her breast, and above the drapery. I think that it is too distracting and may either  need to be pushed back, or balanced out with a similar treatment at the bottom of the drape.

After day 2 of painting

Above is the piece as it currently stands, in full color. I feel that the adjustments in photoshop are a little closer to how it really looks. I am pretty happy with how it's turning out, though it needs to be addressed in several areas. One other thing that has come to my attention is that I am loosing my whitest, brightest whites. Normally I would use colored pencils, though I am thinking that I would rather use paint. Unfortunately I don't have any, so I am considering using photoshop to handle this. 

Anyways, ttfn!

Thundershock Archer WIP

So I just got back from Origins Game Fair, and have been thinking a bit about my portfolio as it stands, after having gotten some comments on it at the convention. While people commented on how my work has improved from the last time they saw it, talking directly to the AD's as well as some of my buddy artists it clarified that I ought to rethink on what had me interested in art to start with. 

In college being exposed to a lot of artwork and fields spread me out a bit, and while I have some things I enjoy, when I think about those things I realize that perhaps those are only hobbies of mine, even though they are still art. So I plan to refocus my work on what had originally captured my attention to begin with: pieces that could be considered as art for MTG, or novel covers. This doesn't mean I will stop with the art I have been doing, but merely won't be doing as much of it. 

So I started on some sketches of ideas to develop, narrowing in on one I am calling the Thundershock Archer. I'm intending this to fall into the realm of card art, sticking to the formatting, but having some fun with the idea. I'm working with watercolors, on 140lb cold press Fabriano paper (yep, cold press....not my usual hot press).

The above picture is how much painting I got in in just one day, kinda surprising even myself as to how fast I kinda took off. Seeing as it's now time to start making dinner, I thought this would be a nice time to stop for today and take a break. 

One last note: I am still struggling to adapt a scan of my traditional watercolor work over to digital. I find that the saturation and vibrancy, or colors tend to be  off, even with some futzing around. There are some differences in the traditional piece I am still working on in comparison to what is posted above. 

Catwoman Ad: WIP I

Here's a new project I started on yesterday and have continued working on today. Right now I am working in laying in my color, using a mix of flat color like ink working along with a little bit of airbrush for a smoother look. I also dropped the file into greyscale as I am working on it to see the contrast, and already there are some areas I need to keep an eye on as I continue forward with this piece.

This is kinda  just for fun, and I am excited to be doing a catwoman piece since she was one of my idols growing up. I might try to mock this up as an actual label for catnip, not sure about that just yet though. Anyways, I've got a ways to go on this so I better get back to it!

A Quick Update

I haven't been posting as often as I normally do on account of sorting my portfolio and preparing new works to take with me on upcoming conventions. Above is one of many pieces I had started but never really finished, and so I've been in the process of finishing up all of my pieces and working on a few new ones. 

Stepping Out Of The Comfort Zone: CGHub Challenge WIP

Every now and then it's good to step out of your comfort zone when working as an artist. It helps to keep our work fresh but also forces us to continue to grow.

I've always loved science illustrations and biological studies of different species of creatures, yet when it comes time to creating art it isn't something that I regularly try to do. Sure, now and again I will sketch things like this but I've never really tried to render one out.

So I am going to try to make a fantasy creature called the Durosni, a current CGHub Challenge for Creature Planet. Specs have been given in consideration of the creature including environment, what it ought to look like, size, ect. From there I looked at some prehistoric creatures and started sketching, and once I came up with an Idea that I liked I started to do my process and coloring work.

This is all very rough at the moment, and I am working in Adobe Photoshop directly, comparing my hand drawn sketch in my sketchbook to what I am doing digitally. This is supposed to be an insect like creature that has probably recently evolved wings for flight, though they are also areal creatures that can fly I need to be able to demonstrate that. Insects have delicate wings, and since this species is supposed to live in the cold I had opted to give it bird wings at first. But in my sketches I changed over to bat like wings instead.

My reason for this was that the creature is supposed to by asymmetrical and there was also a note that it would be vertical rather than horizontal. With that information I figured that perhaps it would use it's near claw like appendages and prehensile like 'tail' to climb up tress or rocks. From there it would launch itself into the air....more evolved forms might be able to sustain flight for longer. I also liked this idea because if my creature hangs upside down like a bat it might look like a pod if it had it's wings wrapped around itself, to act as camouflage perhaps, the help it ambush it's prey.

One thing that has been a bit of a challenge is that it is also supposed to be able to ram opponents or perhaps even prey. I figured that perhaps it would hod it's front appendages stiffly before it like a deer would use it's antlers. I didn't want to make anything too bulky, which might limit it's ability to fly.

Anyways, a lot of thought had been put into this so far and I started late with the deadline being the first of June, and it is currently the 30th of May. So I'll see if I can get this one done in a day or so.