Good Saturday evening people; I'm going to be playing a lot of Zelda:LTTP over this weekend, and just generally relax down. It's been a busy week. Thankfully this past Thursday I got an urge to once again pick up my acrylics, b/c quite honestly I've been getting a bit tired of being on the computer all the time for my artwork purposes. In fact, this could be a turning point in how I carry my art out forward for the foreseeable future.
Truly, I'd rather not talk much about it, but let's just say I'm nowhere near done w/ my traditional painting yet. Never said I was, and I really love the sense of 'freeness' it provides. So, here's a few paintings (alla-primas) I did over the past few days, w/ a very small title and description for them. The constants in these paintings are, quite simply:
-Galeria paint: Crimson, Ultramarine, Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Burnt Umber, Mixing White, Titanium White, Ivory Black. That's it.
-Paper: Forget the specific name, but it's Canson brand, likely 200/250gsm, linen sort mainly for watercolor, but obviously I wasn't doing watercolor techs here.
-Brushes: Mainly my flat 5, sometimes my short and the fan brush for parts of one picture.
My goal in doing these was to rediscover my interest w/ traditional painting and my acrylics, which sorta died down a good deal over the summer. In retrospect it's probably b/c they were a bit beyond me and I was too methodological w/ them. Maybe I'm too methodological w/ painting in general, so it was a very pleasant break to just grab the brush and lay the strokes where they may. Each picture follows a basic idea of small palettes, and I did most of the mixing directly on the support. If I could learn a bit more about how these colors interacted w/ each other and which ones could form good palettes together, I was set. And that's what's happening.
The Boy: The first one done. Used a three-color palette of Earth hues. Wasn't focusing on peak retention or strokes as indication of movement and energy. Reminds me of Ed off Cowboy Bebop x3.
StaringMan: 3rd one done; flesh tones are always a bitch, but in this case (and for the others) I had a general idea of what colors to pick up on the brush and in how much a load. Also, since there was no attempt at precision it went pretty well x3.
Icy World: 2nd done; worked a lot w/ Ivory Black. Black's usually shunned w/ traditional painting but I'm not stupid and latch onto common myths for the hell of it. If used sensibly it can work very well for mood. I'd love to have some Mars Black around to see how these two differ. Also worked w/ what I would Consider Payne's Grey, and a sort of purple; can't remember exactly which purple I mixed up tho.
FruitSet: One of the last done yesterday, really just wanted an excuse to use up the rest of the paint on the palette. This and the rest below more or less shared the same palette set-up, but that will probably be obvious even w/o me mentioning it.
ThatGirl: I guess these are the same women, different hairstyle notwithstanding. I like the bottom one much more, just wished I gave her more of a damn face!
TheBird: Out of the alla primas here this one's my favorite. Got to do a lot of neat peak retention tests and use brushstrokes to indicate energy and composition in most details. That was always an issue w/ me before; using brushes ill-suited for their job, and not playing enough w/ depth. I'm over that problem now ;).
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So as you can guess, I have plenty more of these to get around to doing. If things pan out soon I'll be buying back up more paint supplies, b/c now it's really dawned on me, I can't go w/o traditional. Blessed as I am for what I have been learning digitally and continue to learn there, I'd feel a bit cheap w/o my brushes and tubes of paint. Of course, each of the two have their own merits and use, so I'll continue doing fanart digitally (in terms of painting it) but will be taking a much greater initiative now to do original pieces traditionally.
Speaking of fanart, I have a new post for my Alita pic, and some sketches of Cerula (aka Daymn She's Fine!):
After a little more clean-up and inking I'll finally get to painting her on Monday. Eager to try a few new things w/ her, mainly dealing w/ transparency. I'd also like to attempt not using the lines so heavily (I started the process of that w/ Bilstein), since a lot of lines is starting to be counter-productive to my process. As for when it'll be finished,...welp, before the holidays sounds about nice (there a couple other pictures to work on too, but I might skip coloring them in favor of just inking).
Cerula is one of my favorite BAA characters; she's powerful, has heart, cunning skill and intelligence, and most importantly, a nice pair of bosoms ;). Oh, and she's a vampire, but not of the lame Twilight variety. Playing up on sex appeal aside, I dunno if I'll proceed w/ finishing these ones out, or just proceed to other renditions of the girl. The "sketch" mentality is taking over my whole process, and I'm not making it a mandatory note to finish up every picture I draw out anymore, just do what I feel like (but of course having some sense of direction along the way). Seeing as how I do like how the one on the left looks tho, I will most likely finish her up, before maybe drawing her in proper canon outfit or w/e.
Okay, that's it for my update. I'm off to cook lunch and watch Eatman and ATVOTOMS. Stay warm, awesome, and edged. Until next time, l8r out.
Good afternoon you all; the middle of the week is upon us and you know what that means...yep, nothing much lol. Who ever REALLY goes into Wednesdays expecting them to rock their world? Oh but don't feel too bad; I'm here to try and inject a small dose of X...and not the kind to lead to wild kinky night you-know-what [if you're looking for that try the blog three jumps forward ;].
There are a few pictures I'll be posting. Well, more like a few sketches and some progress for my Bilstein image. I could mention about the shitload of other pictures being worked on, but for me art is more the process of showing, and everything else is either too little or too far completed to show off today. Anyway, now that such has been established, let's cut to the 'ish.
I've been doing some massive reading on the Battle Angel Alita graphic novels since a while ago, as I attested to in the previous blog. It's good-fashioned cyberpunk sci-fi seinen [I think it classifies as seinen, since it-in my opinion-is a little too complex and violent at times to be shonen, even if most of those injured or kill are cyborgs...cyborgs got feelings too ya'll] and was something I had been wanting to get the full story on since seeing the OVA some years ago, and again just recently. If you haven't already, check them out, especially if you're hoping James Cameron's adaptation will live up to the source [I'm hoping so, squarely off his work on the Terminator films...oddly I still have zero interest in watching Avatar, maybe the material doesn't strike a strong enough cord w/ me just now].
Before too long I knew I'd wind up doing some Alita sketches, which is what I have here posted above and below. They aren't anything special these sketches; still trying to work out varying issues of perspective and anatomy, only using a recognizable character this time. Since these ones are sketches, there's no telling if I'll complete them or not, but if I do I'd rather save the final versions for some sort of sketchbook. In fact, that likely will be the new plan w/ this; post w/e sketches are around for the week and finish them for inclusion in some form of something later on down the road. That way I can do new sketches for each week rather than reposting updates.
I will, tho, be posting some more progress for this sketch as it's turned into a full inked and colored image. Alita is quite gorgeous, but it took me a volume or two to really notice. And those pouty 'octopus' lips just make her even sweeter to me. There was one graphic in the extra stories graphic novel where Alita [in some revealing short-shorts] is posed ready to battle a quite formidable nemesis. The pose and overall composition and foreshortening work on it inspired me to try a recreation of that image, my own way, and altered enough to not look like a copy. It'll also give more good practice on many things, too numerous to mention.
I just started drawing this one yesterday admist completing the Avatar image and working on other pictures [not to mention attending to ho-hum chores and duties], but so far we atleast got a head and upper torso defined xD. Still figuring what I want the full shot to be in terms of a background, lighting, color etc, but for now I'm just gonna concentrate on getting the pencils laid fully by Friday. If it's alright, I might start uploading progress at each big step w/ this picture, just to give an indication of how my process is like, altho I know there will be quite some hurdles along the way that could make that impossible, but oh well, it's worth a try.
As for this big lug? Well he's still waiting to get finished, but one thing Mr. Bilstein needs to understand is that he's possibly the most complex-designed character I've ever tackled, and stupid me had to throw this overly extravagant chair into the mix as well. I have had some lousy luck in finding really good reference shots for him, so some details are being made up, others taken liberty of, etc, but there isn't any major compromise in that regard. I wanted the chair to look more Egyptian, but...well, meh, I could use some studying of Egyptian architecture sometime if in case something like this pops up again. Full-blown work on this one probably won't start until I finish the Mai image this week, but once it does, it should go by fairly quick, hopefully just a week or so, which would complete the dude right on time.
So that will finish the updates for this week. Well, I will upload the Mai image btwn Saturday and Sunday, so this technically isn't it. But until that time comes, I wish the best of prosperity for everyone out there, just so long as you do what you love. Truly, life isn't worth a damn if you hate what it contains for you day in and day out. Oh, and put down the Iphones for a while eh; Jobs wants you all to stop texting him so much in Heaven already.
What's up everyone; if you didn't watch the GOP debate last night, you missed out on some good arguing. These candidates (the majority of them) may not have any concrete answers but boy can they entertain w/ their bickering I assure you. And Ron Paul actually got shown more face-time instances than fingers I can count on one hand, so there was some progress in any case x3.
Also, must say I'm seeing why everyone rates Samurai Champloo so highly. I'm four episodes in and plan to watch the rest of it about daily. I said this already too, but, Eatman '98...underrated. Third ep's much better and sophisticated than the starting two, so if you're that odd person who saw it way back when, just the first ep and thought "eh", I urge you to stay w/ it and wait until the 3rd to see if you feel the same way ;).
Okay, well that's all for the small chat. Let's get on w/..more small chat. But this small chat has pictures w/ it too, so yay!!!
I still haven't posted anything up on ConceptArt.org, but that'll be changing this Saturday, when I put these sketches-among others-to my scrapbook there. Since I get the feeling fanart isn't liked very much around there, I'll be sticking w/ non-fanart pieces, which is just as well b/c getting any serious opportunities would come down to much more than how well one can recreate a popular pre-existing character. These sketches are being done for various reasons; to study anatomy, to study and improve stylization, to try different body types and ethnicities, and to get back to non-human stuff. B/c I love backgrounds and props and scenery as much as the human body and regard them as highly in terms of a good finished piece that emphasizes any amount of scenic composition.
The plan is to keep doing these sketches for an hour or two everyday or every two days; I just wanted to have an ample number of them for when I post to CA. Meanwhile some of them will get inked out and some of those will be colored l8r down the road; nothing epic, just exercises to improve in my artistic capabilities and try out new interesting things w/o the bother of having to do deadline for some project or commit to a preexisting set of rules.
**Note: Tad darker than the working file, gotta fix 'er up on that**
I started painting this one first but of the two it's further behind (tho I did make a note to finish the following picture first anyway). Basically, everything I did w/ the Chun-Li picture that worked is being employed here, but I'll also be looking for any opportunities to improve on certain aspects. In particular, I could've done more interesting shading and coloring w/ the clothing in that picture, and maybe some texture work as well (it's not like Corel doesn't have the brushes for the job), so on those fronts I hope to make amends here. I also want it to just look more solid, lively and technically accomplished, so I'm taking careful note and attention to the technical aspects of it as well.
**Note: Tad darker on the bg than the working file, I need to fix that**
Avatar's almost done; I went ahead and fixed around w/ the dome earlier today and some more shading in the skin. Also learned the limits of one of my chosen colors on the palette as far as how much it can go w/o resaturating, so the darks I have here are about as dark as I can push the picture in terms of overall value, which, ironically, works out great. Still tho, it's something to especially consider for future pieces. I'll be making sure the Mai picture matches (and exceeds) what's gotten done here but seeing that a lot of complicated stuff is being dealt w/ here is really improving my confidence. There are maybe three pictures sitting around waiting to get painted, but they were way too ambitious for me @ the time to start on. I feel a bit more up to tackling them now (and yes the Blue Mary picture is one of them), but they'll have to wait until these two and Bilstien are finished.
Speaking of which, here's the S.O.B now. Went through SO many iterations just to find something I could say I liked. I wanted a pose that wasn't just him standing around, but some of the other ones I came up w/ were either off-character or too disjointed for him to pull off (I mean, he's a big dude and isn't quite a gymnest either). Eventually I just settled for this one of him in his mighty chair holding his sword. It's unbelievably rough @tm (barely gotten started), and I need to have it done by the end of the month, so here's hoping I can switch to this one for a few and finish it fast enough to resume the other two pics and have 'em done by the end of next week (which, technically, should be more than possible now).
That will conclude it for updates this week. Once I get the CA.org situation organized I'll link to it here, and I will also be posting some work on Pro-Spec finally by the end of the month, starting w/ the Chun-Li picture (unless I draw and paint another one before then, most likely I'd roll w/ the new one), even tho that blog needs a lot of design work done regardless. Oh well. Anyways I hope you all like the update and I'll see you next Wednesday w/ more stuff. 'Till then, l8r out :)
Happy Sunday everyone; this weekend has been filled w/ not one, but TWO birthdays, back-to-back. Saturday's was my nephew's 9th bday, where I did what I could and entertained him and the neighborhood friends outside w/ my collection of PS2 games and the assistance of a fellow neighbor. Altho the sun threatened to melt the system and television away, we found a method to deal, and despite the rambunctiousness of the children @ times it was pretty fun overall, cake & ice cream and all. Today's one of my older sister's birthday, a lot more low-key and she probably will be treating herself out to some fun w/ friends, but all in all happy b-day and good wishes there too.
As can be imagined, I'm either too into other things or too tired to post up anything anywhere this weekend, and I wanted time to relax from that, just for a couple of days if could manage. Progress is coming along very swiftly w/ all the new art projects, altho I have yet to start my Bilstien contribution (and that's gotta be done by the end of the month). There's been a major influx in new sketches, mainly to put on CA.org, but I will probably eventually ink and color some of them, depending on the mood. Either case it's neat to be able to find some time each day to work on these sketches (I only call them sketches b/c they aren't inked and colored), it has REALLY been helping me get quite better and more open in concepts chosen. Quite liberating actually, since there's no need to stick to the concepts of a well-established character, and it also gives time to sketch out some cool concepts that may or may not ever be taken in other directions. That being said, I'll dump the sketches near the end of Friday, but they'll likely be up on CA.org earlier.
Wednesday I'll post what's been done of my Avatar and Mai images, and a rough for Bilstien. Depending on what happens Monday (I need to head out and get some supplies and handle another delicate manner, altho I don't HAVE to do them on that day,...it could be put off until some other time in the week tbh), I might be able to finish one of those aforementioned two by then, or at least that's the hope. Since I've gotten a pretty damn good hang on the tools and the process that fits me, tho, they're getting done much faster than expected.
That's all I gots in me for today; if you haven't yet, I'd recommend checking out the Gunnm/Battle Angel Alita graphic novels. Very good stuff, and I hope Cameron's adaptation lives up to the energy of the source material, and is atleast as faithful as the 90s OVA was (given that, the OVA took some giant liberties). For w/e reason I find Alita to be pretty cute, battle tendencies and all. I just love her spunk and she's got a pretty sexy fit body to boot x3.
Hey everyone; today's feeling almost too good to stay cooped up inside, so I might go see a buddy of mine and just relax w/ 'em. However, while sitting around on the computer inbetween looking at various nothings and cooking lunch, my eldest niece bought to me a very cute little drawing she did w/ markers (Crayolas, I'm assuming; hell if I ever could get this level of clarity out of them) on writing paper. I think it merits some exposure, and so I present The Sunshine's Geisha..
Just goes to show you that a passion for art and creative endeavors can begin at any age; she's just eight years old and already experimenting w/ color in a fashion most of us probably didn't start doing until we were teenagers or later. It's interesting in seeing how a child interprets color, b/c I think they have a natural affinity and raw eagerness in them that we naturally lose grasp on as we become adults. Sure, we can learn all we want about color theory, temperature, harmony and concord--and I'm certainly not saying an adult's understanding of advanced color properties is never utilized to stunning effect (or that studying those concepts is hurtful; in the end it's a more beneficial route of knowledge)-but sometimes all the theories and studying, all the formulating,..it can rob us of our ambition to just "let go" and be childish in using color to accidentally stumble on some fantastic mistakes.
In any case, at least children don't become so pretentious and serious w/ their works as to seem cold, uninviting and overtly analytical of others and grossly overestimating in their own abilities. As adults we unfortunately take on those qualities (even in miniscule doses) naturally as we understand the concepts behind the talent more concretely. I think there's a saying in "too much knowledge can be destructive"...I'll just probably leave it there.
Okay, off for lunch and enjoying the rest of the day. Hope to post a WIP of a current painting or two over the next several days. Everyone just enjoy the weekend and kick it mad stylin' like (oh the horror in the infidel's meager attempts for teh "coolnez" x3). L8r.
