Christmas procrastination? Get yo gift tags here!
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Christmas procrastination? Get yo gift tags here!
You're all kinds of awesome, Hero.
Thanks!
Goofing around led to this.
He works hard for the money!
Also, I approve of ballsack chin.
Nice Bacon!
Got a scanner for Christmas, so I'm going to make an effort to put sketches up a couple times a week.
This one is from last night.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...2&d=1262187215
wanted to rep Bacon but couldn't =(
good stuff!
few more pencil doodle stuffs...
I'll rep for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hero
Another motif series waiting for color:
Screwing around on the wacom. As usual it turned into something gross and horiffic. Pretty cheesy too, but I had fun with it. =)
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...1&d=1262849423
Getting a great sense of mass/volume from the doodle. Seeing how well painters transfer from traditional to digital media always make me jealous I didn't stick to that in art school.
Thanks man, getting accustomed to the tablet has been some of the most fun I've had with a new medium ever. I'm about to seriously hit Painter and learn the impasto brushes. When done right It is super fucking realistic looking. I'll throw up a couple more digital things I've been playing with when I get the chance.
And screw art school, go get some acrylics some big brushes and prime a piece of plywood. Just go to town on it and work WAY bigger than you do in any of your digital/pencil character work. It is liberating. If you don't like the end result re-prime it and do something else.
I have problems with acrylic. Mostly finding the right paint/water ratio. Sometimes getting it too thick makes for fun textures, but too thin is almost always a pain in the ass. My friend uses them straight out the tube with no water and gets some fun stuff. My attempts at that have always failed rather bad.
In that sense, my new attempt to paint in PShop like its 'paint' has been an interesting and exciting experience. Although I'd work more with acrylics if I had the money budgeted on what will be basically wasted on fumbling around.
Well, In that regard acrylics are the best to experiment with since the paint is dry in less than 10 minutes if you aren't hitting pallet knife levels of thickness. You can paint over mistakes in the same session as you made them.
I'd recommend just starting with straight paint. if you are trying to cover a big area, add a very small amount of water and see how far you can spread the paint without it becoming too translucent. Just keep adding a tiny bit at a time.
Another cool thing about acrylics is that you can make a big wash of color, let it sit for about 1-2 minutes (or longer depending on how thick the paint was, go for when it is starting to feel tacky) then you can use your brush loaded with clean water or a damp rag to work backwards into the layer of paint. This can be good for adding an overall shadow tone then removing your highlights. Also splattering water drops all over then wiping can give some neat random effects. Stuff like this is great for just getting something down when that blank canvass or paper is staring at you. I start a lot of my stuff this way.
I haven't used acrylics in 7 years, I really need to change that. But I do love oil paint...
Love those colors, JM.
guh, oil.
If it weren't for the smell, price, need for a well ventilated area, and how long it takes me to setup/cleanup, it'd be so much more fun...
I'm about to start my first oil painting in about a year and a half. Yeah, the drying time is what kills me about oils. I really like the consistency and feel of it though.
Almost forgot Copic markers...
Too bad it's only a bunch of grays and three skin tones...
Hey, I like the grey scale stuff!Quote:
Originally Posted by Hero
This is a scratchboard self portrait I did for the last show I was in. It is kinda messy with lots of pencil marks and stray scratches all over, but I did it in one night the night before the show. I still like how it came out. I just got access to a big enough scanner to get a good copy of it, so here it is.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...1&d=1264542124
Woah, intense! That's really great!
One is a doodle I did to make a friend laugh when he was down, and is based on actual events.
The other was a doodle I did a few months back at church when I was feeling kinda down.
Quick scratchboard question, JM, since I've rarely used them. I assume you lay your image out in pencil first, do you work directly onto the board or do you do it on paper and then use tracing paper to transfer cleaner lines? Can the pencil marks then be erased later without messing the board's texture up?
I've used several different techniques to lay down marks for scratchboards, I always use a lead pencil and make the marks as lightly and sparingly as possible because you really can't get it off later. What I try to do is only mark areas that are going to be taken off with the incisions from the SB tool. When making my first incisions I use the pencil marks as light marks, keeping the SB surface at an angle so I can see the light reflecting from the pencil marks on the matte ink.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dunlap
In the past for anything I don't feel comfortable freehanding I'd do a printout of the image I need in the proper size (not hard to do since SB's are generally pretty small.) Then I'd take an exacto or razor and cut portions of the outline making sure that I don't cut any outline all the way through. Then use it as a layout for your pencil marks. You could also try to rub graphite on the back of the image and transfer it that way, but you will probably make nasty impressions into the surface of the ink when you press hard enough to transfer the graphite. The ink and clay underneath is pretty soft.
If you can get a hold of some scratchboard nibs and a decent nib holder you won't regret it. The plastic holders that come with certain SBs or the bottom of the line models can really mess your fingers up after using them for long periods of time. I got a really great wooden nib holder at a specialty pen shop that feels really nice. I've had the tip of my index finger go numb for days after extended SB projects using a shitty nib holder.
Fixative is also good for when you are done. These things are pretty fragile, getting bad scrapes can ruin a piece. Also the board can be soft so if you drop it you can easily crush the corners.
Let me know if you have any other questions. Not enough people use these things. =)
Here are two more quickies. Did both of these for some friends, they are separate portraits, But I scanned them next to each other just to save time..
These were bought as clayboards and I applied the ink myself. Once dry I treated it like a normal scratchboard. This method is good for when you know you want a lot of negative space, it can save a ton of scratching.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...1&d=1264573061
I like how they look like part of the same piece!
Thanks, they are married and I wanted the pieces to go together.
Damn JM, amazing stuff!
(and TNL won't let me rep you. Lame!)
Thanks Hero!
A page I finished yesterday from my sketchbook (moleskine, 3x5 I believe). Mechanical pencil, copic marker and white acrylic for highlights.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...2&d=1265165458
:O
I guess I'll take that as a compliment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dunlap
You should. I love that sketchbook stuff.
For anyone not checking the gallery show thread:
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...8&d=1265344265
AWESOME!
Haha, nice.
I finally drawed something! It feels nice to have inspiration after so long of not feeling like drawing anything. Drew these at work last night. My Micron pens are dying so they're a little sketchy, but you will get the idea. I will be interested to see if anyone can figure out what the one that isn't obviously an elephant is. Finch, I'm looking at you buddy.
Cool hellifant! Crazy screaming eagle!
OWL IT IS AN OWL
Christ you're fast! Also: incomplete answer. Also: thanks bout fant!
Yes it is a very rude great horned owl, btw.
Those are pretty snazzy. I didn't know you did drawrings.
Thanks bacon! I actually really wanna make that into a T-shirt and send it to all Rude Owl members, I think it would be kinda awesome.
Also: http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/s...ad.php?t=47230
This great digital painter made his Ryu lineart available, so spent tonight coloring it up!
Might start painting again this Summer. Also: sculptures.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...1&d=1267640968
I feel in my heart that that is not a cup of coffee, but a cup of brontosarus blood. I approve.
(it totally is)
You should absolutely start painting and sculpting once you have the room! I'm going to bug you if something doesn't show up this summer.
Here is my first attempt at some really comic style stuff. It is from a Valentine's Day card I made. Done in Illustrator. Pretty off the beaten track for me, but I enjoyed making it.
Mang in love.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...1&d=1267674112
I have a whole collection of drawings of this guy (Mang). They are all done on post-its and feature him in all kinds of situations (Pilgrim Mang, Spaceman Mang, Action Cop in the City Mang etc). I could scan them If you guys would like to see more.
I love that stubble! The colors burn my eyes!
Good! That was the intended effect. It would have been more psychedelic if I had had the time. =)
A) Print on felt
B) Blacklight
C)>?????
D) Good times.
http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/20...y_HeroGear.jpg
Done for a character design group on DA.
Edit: tossed in some concept sketches for good measure.
Momma said knock you out - MAKOTO gunna knock you out!
Your guy is copying my guy's pose.
Nice work man, especially the Makoto.
You psychedelic dude trumps Goku any day.
Also: A GENTLEMAN APPROACHES
Makoto SAID, Knock. You. OUT.
Shave your neck, Mang!
Dudley says, "stay classy"
I dig the Duds.
Did this today during my breaks at work, still in progress. Trying for the Scratchboard effect. Used Photoshop and a wacom.
Click for full size
Looks good! Nice job keeping the bridge of the nose so well defined.
Loving it!
She's quite the backstabber...
That's great man. That and Mokoto are my favorites. Duds had a bit of a sad look to him, needs more arrogance.
Quick robot doodle that I liked. Photographed and PS.
Hey guys! Another page from my pocket sketchbook. Enjoy.
Click for full size
Nice work man.
Jef~ Digging the bot. Red one is pretty intimidating.
Hey JM, that looks awesome! You should do more less realistic figures like that.
Thanks Cigs!
You should post some stuff up, or at least send me a link to some of your stuff, I haven't seen anything new in years and I'm quite interested to see what you are up to.
I wish that angle wasn't so severe...Quote:
Originally Posted by JefmcC
Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hero
I'll see if I can scan it instead.Quote:
Originally Posted by YellerDog
CoolQuote:
Originally Posted by JMHey guys! Another page from my pocket sketchbook. Enjoy.
Click for full size
Thanks Jeff!
Here is a self portrait I did last night. Only used one brush in photoshop and was using visual reference only, no layers or painting on top of the ref. Trying to do more stuff like this and to get looser on the tablet.
Click for full size
*Edit* I guess you guys can click on it, SIMG tags don't seem to be working.
Ok guys. Here is the final ink piece that came from the sketchbook pic I posted earlier in the thread. I simplified the background and reworked the face. There are a lot of little touch ups where the tooth of the paper made it a bit difficult to get everything filled in propperly. I might go back and do that in photoshop later, but as for right now, the only PSing going on here was a contrast adjustment.
9 x12 ink and brush on watercolor paper.
Click for full size
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...1&d=1269053585
My daughter has been on a ninja kick lately, so I sent her this. The reply I got was
"I LOVE it!"
haha, that's awesome!
*bump*
Done for a friend - some rivalries going on up in here!
My brother is applying for a job as game designer at the big event in Las Vegas for the WoW Card Game (he's really into the game). As part of the process he designed some cards with an analysis of how they affect the game progress and balance, so he wanted me to do some art for them. Since he knows the president of the company personally (Cryptozoic, not Blizzard), I thought this would be a good opportunity to a) have family in a position to get me a sweet gig or b) at least have someone that matters see my stuff.
Good luck to you and your brother! That would be pretty great.
That does sound like a nice situation! I hope good things come of it.
Yeller! Put the controller down and make something! Street fighter will will still be there when you finish. =)
Animating critters this week! I'll post everything up here. :D
Workin' on a little project while I rebuild my website/demo reel stuff. :p
Working on branding for a new Canadian hosting company. They like it a lot so far, and I like it a lot because it's fun to do AND because it has a lot of built in brand awareness (no other hosting company has a theme like this, they're mostly just dry tech jargon oriented):
I'm still working on the overall tone the rest of the support artwork should have. Generally it's going to be very "magical" arctic in feeling. I'm pulling in a lot of Samurai Jack for inspiraiton. For instance on the website we're going to have an image of the yeti riding a narwahl that's violently breaking through the ice on a frozen-over lake with the caption "LET'S BREAK THE ICE!... etc". I love it when companies do something to market themselves properly from the ground up. So much is ass-backwards when designing (Can you do a brochure? Oh... hmm can you do us a new logo now even though you just did a brochure based on the old one?)
I kinda hate the gnome proportions from WoW. I really struggled with this one, trying to get something that looked anatomically plausible but still cartoony and consistent with the game. I wanted to make sure it was colorful, though, and realized how much light reflection colors I'm ignoring, but just ran out of time and will, really.
Drew: Ooh, you posted while I was. At first I was like, bleh, but then looking at it for a bit and the intended usage I warmed up to it quite a bit (ironically). That sort of cute/hip simple approach, instead of the tech jargon and industrial/modern detail overload, has been going around a bit with cell phones but I don't think I've come across it for web hosting. Lucky for you, looks like you get a chance to illustrate all sorts of neat stuff, like the narwhal you mentioned. I have no idea how much of that you get to do normally, or if it's just typically type and boxes, but still.
Yeller: Are you doing your inking and coloring for a stick graphic in Flash? I've heard of it being used that way, but for the most part I detest the program. Give me Illustrator or PS any day, but I guess it is all about what you are most comfortable with.
That is a cool Gojira for sure. He should be fucking up metro city from final fight/SF4, maybe work in the building with the haggar statue on top. =)
Drew: That is really cool, I dig it and it will definitely set them apart from the competition. You are lucky to have a client that can recognize that.
Fury: That is cool too, but I never think of gnomes as sexy type things so handling a female gnome that way seems off to me. ( I totally understand that my gut reaction to this subject matter is not at all in line with a WOW player's perception.) Great rendering and coloring regardless.
Up here WIND kind of has a funky colour usage going on, but other than that Rogers and Bell are pretty corporate-focused with their messaging and artwork. Bell recently made a change to a softer, more "modern" font for their logo (and use of their blue colour) but the overall message is still very corporate. I don't often get to doodle pictures and stuff. Once in awhile, because I'm semi-competent at it while most designers are completely lost. Same thing for web and stuff. I'm a good "floater" because I can do OK in all aspects.Quote:
Originally Posted by FuryFox
But overall general layout & design is more my specialty.
Can't wait to finish that narwahl picture. I love the copy writing going on with it. The next step is to make sure their functionality and user interface is customer-focused and tech-forward. JQuery, Ajax, PHP, HTML5, CSS3, etc. You can't put a sasquatch as your brand and then follow it up with sub-par service.
It always takes time, and long pitches and brand hand-holding meetings to lead them to the right approach.Quote:
Originally Posted by jm
OH MAN that's a rad idea!Quote:
Originally Posted by JM
I'm a big fan of inking in Flash (mostly because I really like the way you can pull and push the vector brush strokes to your heart's content), but coloring is always too cold and stiff. I'll probably go into PS to do the colors for it, unless I go for some monochromatic scheme.
Also, Flash is really dumb about importing template .PSDs, so I don't quite trust it to keep the printable dimensions properly. I'll just export the "ink" layer into PS and go from there.
--Hey Drew! I like that. I kind of wish they'd let you go super-weird with the proportions on the character (what I think of when I think "Samurai Jack"-style, I guess), but it looks like a fun campaign! Good work!
--Fury! That hair is NUTS!
Drew: Here in Vancouver Telus and Koodoo both have pretty cute ads, but I haven't really done any research to see if it permeates their whole brand. Rogers and Shaw definitely have that stiff, corporate dreck.
JM: I don't think gnomes are considered sexy, even by the WoW crowd. The commission was for a "flamboyant" gnome enchanter, either sex, but I got from the description that he really meant 'eccentric'. I tried to make her a little witchy and free-spirited, not tied down to anything in game or lore. The loose blouse was going to reveal some extensive tattoos, but it was something I should have had in the original linework because I couldn't get it to mesh doing it after the fact.
Oh yeah Koodoo has the luchador nowadays. Oddly enough I applied to the agency that does the Koodoo ads awhile back and brought my Luchador posters with me in my portfolio. Coincidence?
Probably, yeah... actually.
Couldn't you use a PNG and import that for your template? I'm not sure how sophisticated you're going with them but PNGs hold alpha channels and aren't that much larger in size than GIFs.Quote:
Originally Posted by YellerDog
Ideally some kind of flat work would have been keen. But it still has to work as a friendly accessible mascot, too. I may be able to get away with some of that in the background, but then I run in to the trouble of making the sasquatch fit in properly without popping out too much.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yellerdog
I got that vibe from her. Kind of a... witch / hippie or something.Quote:
Originally Posted by Furyfox
That's cool. I get the vibe you were going for. She does have a prankish quality about her. Agreed that the hair is nuts. You've got great detail there without going overboard. It is entirely too easy to go way too far way too quickly when working digitally.Quote:
Originally Posted by FuryFox
The trouble I'm having, and I realize this is just me being green on the non-animation aspects of Flash, is that anything I import to stage is indifferent to my document settings.Quote:
Originally Posted by Drewbacca
I'll probably import my layers individually into Photoshop and flop 'em on top of an unaltered template, color, export BMP, go get a Lami-label printed that way.
http://driph.com/words/2009/02/howto...tz-fightstick/
Do you have illustrator?
Nada. Not yet. My "legit software only for work" initiative bites me in the ass yet again!
Why did you buy Flash, and Photoshop and not just the entire suite?
Still running Photoshop CS.
Holding out for the CS5 suite, waiting to see if it's worth it. (Flash CS3 is more or less perfect for work, CS4 was fucking awful.)
Well here is some new Mang fun.
These guys are all on their way to Belgium with some friends on vacation. They are industrial sharpie on vinyl stickers. I'll come back with photos of the belgish walls that get vandalized with them. Sorry if they are a bit big.
Click for full size
Click for full size
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Hahaha I love the tiger one.
Character design reminds me of a way more deranged Duckman.
Guy and sign were drawn for a work-related article. All the extras (tones, bg, type treatments) were done for fun!
Awesome stuff going on in this thread, kudos to all.
Here's some stuff that's unfinished. Should be able to get back to it after the new job:
Reminds me of the "You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do" Futurama construction guy!Quote:
Originally Posted by Hero