PS' Mentoring Madness_Fully Illustrated

[smugbug]

Mentee: Earendil

What we'll be working on: Composition, colors, value and line work (when warranted). Also, components of good storytelling.

While I will do my best in keeping this structured, I will however be certainly taking advantage of serendipitous moments of inspiration. We will begin with thumbnails and roughs. I also need to work my own discipline in using thumbs - they are helpful and do cut down unnecessary work later on in the cycle.

I'd love to begin with something simple. I've been looking at cloud formations lately and have some wonderful shots I took this past weekend from our property. Thought they'd be excellent reference to use for a couple of warmup pieces for this thread.

I do have to upload them first from the camera - I have two in mind to use. Until then, here are some inspirational pieces from a couple of artists I've been looking at. This is for you Earendil! First up is Ryan Jones:




Next, Todd Harris:




As I've said above, more later! We begin today!

Earendil: please, for the benefit of this thread - list your weaknesses and strengths and what you wish to get from this whole mentor/mentee thang. Thanks, man!

[Earendil]

Relative to my overall skill level, I'd have to say my strengths are: value and composition/balance. Weaknesses: Depth, line, bad tangents (is that a redundant statement?), color, and spending too much time on details.

This mentor/mentee arrangement will help supplement my foundational studies, while being in line with my focus which is environments/storytelling. Ideally, we'll both use our strengths to push each other further in our studies.

I like the Ryan Woods piece, although it seems odd the ape would be looking away from where he's jumping.

Todd Harris - great fantastical color scheme and design!

I'm at work, so more later!

[Earendil]

Here are some thumbs.

The upper left quadrant was from reference, and the rest are without. I tried to experiment with different lighting situations and contrasts.



I'm still spending way too much time on these. Only the bottommost two are around 5 minutes.

[smugbug]

Good start, dude!

I'll comment first as my pics are STILL uploading.

Lots of pics I took, I did /Yoda impersonation.

You got the gist of thumbs. With thumbs you don't necessarily need to display perspective (or linear perspective), but give the idea of depth with values. Specifically, light, medium and dark. And with shapes: small, medium and then large.

And I like how you got:

darker--->light (great way to show depth of field)

As for time, you're right - not a lot of time to spend on these. However, now we'll create thumbs with atmosphere and a sense of space. Now, at this point, don't worry yourself about detail - just value. Here are five photos - create six thumbnails with these five. That means you can use these as guidelines in the composition thumbnails. 'K? I'll do this, too - because not only do I find these fun, they're helpful! (NOTE: we'll choose the best out of the bunch and move forward with that piece - that's the plan).

[Earendil]

Here are 3 out of the six. Just to clarify, I'm using the references as guides, not some "combine and create" methodology?

[smugbug]

E: Sorry for being so late to this. I've been sick, was getting better and then boom, I got hit again and then it set me back on my own work!

Awright...I need to ask you - what brushes are you using in PS? I know these are thumbs and an idea of values and perspective is only needed. And I see you have the idea of shapes; however, the spattery look is throwing me off.

Are you using the rough round bristle and/or charcoal brushes? What brushes do you gravitate towards more often?

Here's a couple of samples of my skies. Both of these are in PS, btw! For the sake of this discussion, I put the second one into B&W. Both were really quickie/speedie thingamajigs, btw. I used the hard and soft brushes, finished with airbrush. Nuthin' special.

[Earendil]

I'm using the chalk brush from Whit Brachna's downloadable. It's incredibly versatile, but I'm trying to indicate texture/leaves in a thumbnail by "patting" the brush multiple times. That's probably what's throwing you, and also something that I shouldn't be doing for thumbs...I'm just not sure how to indicate trees in a thumbnail.

I gravitate towards soft brushes normally. If you've ever seen Nox's downloadable, that's usually how I start out from a thumbnail. Vague/blurry. Sharpen sharpen, detail. Right now, my favorite brushes are a variable round for different stroke thickness, soft round for lighting/blending, and this new Brachna brush because it's dirtier without being out of control.

[smugbug]

Well then, okee dokee. I should check out that brush since I've downloaded Whit's tutes.

Hey, let's try something COMPLETELY different, eh? I know you were working on DEEP and I'm attempting to (the EOW), as well. Do you want to just get right into that stuff here?

We'll throw out samples back and forth, if you would rather keep your planned submittals under wraps. That way we can get into techniques that will help the final pieces. How's that?

[Earendil]

Sure, but so far I've just been trying to come up with a concept/world that's interesting and hasn't been seen. I'd like to submit a short story or Act 1 of a story to POW, and the designs/concepts to the other CHOW, EOW, etc. Just trying to get something original and not stupid.

Here's one sketch.

[smugbug]

I like the sense of scale and depth in this! Watch your values - a lot here is traveling around mid-value area (and I know it's a sketch).

Is that a statue to the right? Also, what's the story here? What are you trying to tell?

[Earendil]

Our crashlanded intrepid adventurers are encountering/discovering this archway/passage, and evidence of civilization. What lies beyond here? You're right about the midrange, that whole right side is going to get it. What's mysterious if you can see everything?

Yes...that will be a statue/THING, but here's where I said "boy, I want to investigate this civilization more...what kind of designs? shape patterns, etc" annnnd so I justf put something there. I want more architecture there than "archway", but I need to know more, and that's what I'm in the process of doing.

[smugbug]

Our crashlanded intrepid adventurers are encountering/discovering this archway/passage, and evidence of civilization. What lies beyond here? You're right about the midrange, that whole right side is going to get it. What's mysterious if you can see everything?

Yes...that will be a statue/THING, but here's where I said "boy, I want to investigate this civilization more...what kind of designs? shape patterns, etc" annnnd so I justf put something there. I want more architecture there than "archway", but I need to know more, and that's what I'm in the process of doing.

The top of the entry way there would be darker. That's something I immediately noticed. You know, what would be cool since there's a statue, are carvings or really old columns lining the cavern's wall and ceiling.

And sorry for being late to this party once again....trying to get work and working.....don't recommend it. I do recommend being independently wealthy. Ha!

Ya know this scene would also work if it were a DEEP underwater cavern entry. Just a thought.

[Earendil]

Yeah, there are a variety of ailments valuewise. I'll try and post an update tonight as well as another thumb.

[smugbug]

Yeah, there are a variety of ailments valuewise. I'll try and post an update tonight as well as another thumb.

Cool. I'm going to be posting up some landscape thumbs, too. That will be later...today (after midnight now! Time flies!).

[Zeldrak]

Hi, my name is Andrew, I'm 17 and I'm from Portugal. I'd like to be mentored as well, if possible. My strengths? I guess I don't have any remarkable aspect, i know my way around anatomy, simple perspectives, and clear lines. Weaknesses: I usually get stuck when hiding a body part, i am still unable to make decent backgrounds and landscapes. The list goes on.

[smugbug]

Hi, Andrew.

Could you post up a couple of examples of your work?

I've been treating this whole mentor/mentee thing as pretty organic and whatever needs that require addressing. However, it's mostly about digi work.

We've been focusing on storytelling. But hey, whatever I can help thee with. I've got the time for one or two more mentees.

[Zeldrak]

Silly me, forgot to post examples

I really want to get into detail with environments and visual storytelling, which is pretty much what you're mentoring. Your assignments aren't that complex, so i think i can pull it out


this might probably be the only clods i ever drew, so it's basically the only good background sample i have. hope it's enough.

[smugbug]

Cool - thanks.

Let's start with this piece, eh?

First, like how you captured the rays and dabs of sunlight. Let's remember a few things about clouds:

They do have both soft and hard edges.
They're not always "cotton ballish"
Even remember how clouds/sky play into your storytelling of the scene and how the eye moves about in the composition.

So...
*What are you trying to convey in this piece?
*What are the objects in your piece trying to tell me, the viewer?
*What are those objects?

[Menasha-ashd]

Hello, I would be very happy to have some guideance during the summer, which is what I want to get out of this thang! Hmmm I feel practice is some thing but haveing help from someone more knowledageable would be great I would assume. *nods*

Ill do a short introduction... My name is Dylan and I am from Canada. I am entering a local art institute next fall and I am very excited for that! At this time I am not 100% sure what field I am interested in, but I have lots of time to figure that out. For now I hope to learn and understand the fundamentals of visual art, so I can display my ideas in an effective way.

What I do know is I enjoy createing illustration over fine art, my definition of both is vague haha, but I feel illustration leans mroe towards the subject of the piece rather then the forms of it. What I mean is illustration is suppost to say somethng precise I think..

Here is the lastest example of my work maybe not the strongest however the most realavint I feel. A friend and I are creating a Role play for us ths summer and I am makeing a few characters for the roleplay. The basic story is set in an alternate universe where we have migrated away from earth and now live on a forign world. In the long journey to get there we have lost most of our technology and basically we are starting over, with a more modern twist.

That's what I tried to communicate, but I feel it's a little weak hehe!

Nothing is all to strong I feel, but I think my best skill at this time is color. I'm weak in value, line, composition and I guess the subject, can't think of anything else though...

After lunch ill get to work on your assinment since I'm working in my school Multimedia lab all day... Skiping math review hehe...

[Menasha-ashd]

For the assignment... drew from one of my photo's of clouds since I take alot If I should show you the original I will.

[Earendil]

Here's an update. Sorry for the lateness. Now, I should have free time to work on this.

[smugbug]

You've changed the large sculpture, eh?

I love what you have so far for the water. Nice ripples and really good capture so far for the values and "feel" of water.

Questions: Are those lights/markers at the top of the cavern entry and lower part of the scene? What I liked about your first version was what looked to be like some sort of vines at the top of the entry - you know, giving a sense of mystery and age.

What I always think about when it comes to cavernous spaces is "The Goonies". Don't know why, but the cave in that film (and the fact that it was filmed on the Oregon coast), was the perfect eerie cavern.

I also liked the idea of some sort of sculpture in the "lobby" of the cavern - acting both as a watcher and challenger ("enter at your own risk...muahahahaha").

Thems are m'thoughts......

[Earendil]

Hmm, the lights on the bottom serve a function, but the lights around the cavern opening...I think I'm trying to decorate it for the sake of decorating it. Rework. And I'm going to seriously lay out a perspective grid because things are not lining up.

There will be a recognizable figurative sculpture attached methinks....what kind of figure it will be, is still being worked on.

Never saw The Goonies.

[smugbug]

Hmm, the lights on the bottom serve a function, but the lights around the cavern opening...I think I'm trying to decorate it for the sake of decorating it. Rework. And I'm going to seriously lay out a perspective grid because things are not lining up.

There will be a recognizable figurative sculpture attached methinks....what kind of figure it will be, is still being worked on.

Never saw The Goonies.

Your assignment: The Goonies



I wanna see what you've done...have you submitted?

[smugbug]

For the assignment... drew from one of my photo's of clouds since I take alot If I should show you the original I will.

Hey! Okay...here's something I think would be best for you to begin with. I will add though, that that first attempt of the sky is certainly nothing to sneeze at! Good beginning!

It may be best for you to start with simple forms and light/shadows. Same rule applies in both traditional and digital when informing visually on shape, volume and depth.

Try observing forms and how shadows and light play. I'll attach an example. Now, do six 2x3 or 3x4 thumbnails that show light source, reflective light, cast and form shadows. I have a sphere, cube and a cone at home for reference - but I've also gotten from a crafts store, wooden spheres and cubes for less than a dollar. If you can get those, that'll be seriously helpful. If not, see what you can find around your home to use.

Some rules to remember (and you'll notice during your observation):
*Cast shadows are darkest at the closest point of origin and fade as they get farther away. Also the edges of the cast shadow are more defined at the darkest areas (and become less defined as they fade).

*Form shadows do not have as defined edges. They'll help you in creating a sense of dimension to the shape as well.


Keep the shapes simple.

[Earendil]

Your assignment: The Goonies



I wanna see what you've done...have you submitted?

Nothing submitted. It's all design document/research at this point and I know it's late so I'm trying to come up with a good plan of attack so I can have at least some things done for each category. I can post some of my writing/ideas, but ultimately the folks are looking for pictures I'm not sure that image from earlier fits within the framework for my story, and I probably shouldn't have drawn it until I had a better idea of the world I was creating. Once that's done (soon), actual designing/drawing will commence. What do you think of this approach?

[Menasha-ashd]

Hey! It may be best for you to start with simple forms and light/shadows. Same rule applies in both traditional and digital when informing visually on shape, volume and depth.

Keep the shapes simple.

Ill get right on that!

[smugbug]

I'd like to welcome Tipa and Azalin as mentees. Welcome!



I'm going to have to say...that's it..No More Mentees!

Mentee list as it stands now:

Earendil (dude, what you gotten me into!?!! )
Menasha-ashd
Zeldrak
Tipa
Azalin

[smugbug]

Nothing submitted. It's all design document/research at this point and I know it's late so I'm trying to come up with a good plan of attack so I can have at least some things done for each category. I can post some of my writing/ideas, but ultimately the folks are looking for pictures I'm not sure that image from earlier fits within the framework for my story, and I probably shouldn't have dr -awn it until I had a better idea of the world I was creating. Once that's done (soon), actual designing/drawing will commence. What do you think of this approach?

If this approach works for you and has worked for you in the past, I'd say go for it. However, I'm a bit different as I'd start with one image and build a story around that and take it from there.

Keep it simple, too. I wonder if maybe you should just start with one image as it seems you're becoming overwhelmed with all these ideas in your head? It's something I do, too. So to keep it simple, I begin with a gesture or image and just take it from there. Even begin with a character and build the world around him/her. Tell his/her story. A "day in the life of..." or something akin to that.

I don't necessarily think of an idea or ideas, but story. What is it I want to convey? That'll be the point of the picture, conveying your story (and I know you probably know that, but even I need a poke to remember!).

Sound good to you?

[Azalin]

Hi everyone, glad to be part of this mentoring thread. hope we can learn a lot from each other, and keep us motivated.
So thanx again Pratricias for accepting me here.

So here´s my frist thumbnail from the first exercise (more to come), and another digital couds study from another exercise i found on 2d Artist Magazin (really recommend it!), think it was the first release where they have tutorials about the elements.

As you can see on my thumbnail i havent quite learned how to do trees yet so they look more like rocks than trees. I´ve done it in Painter (i suck at PS) with some Chalks bits of Charcoal, D. Airbrush & some others for the "tree" texture.

and the last one is Digital Portrait study done as well in Painter using Charcoals & blenders.