Noah's little sketchbook (03.29)

[ThomasM]

hey man this sketchbook is looking awesome! I love that you manage to show a decent level in so many mediums: pen, digital, traditional, you got it all! Keep it up

[Noah Bradley]

papervampire: Thanks! Glad you like looking through it all.

ThomasM: Thanks, man! I love diversifying mediums. Might be better to stick to one, but I'm more comfortable jumping around.

Another elf girl:

[Noah Bradley]

These things are fun to paint:



Been feeling a lot more confident with my edge control in these latest portraits.

[Noah Bradley]

Self-portrait.

[Noah Bradley]

Another self-portrait and a quick speedpaint.

[Noah Bradley]

More self-portrait fun.



My friend broke his clavicle recently on his drawing arm, so he got some other people to try drawing with their off hand. Did this little sketch with my left. If you've never tried it, take a shot at it. It's a novel experience to say the least.

[Noah Bradley]

Sorry for the delay since my last post. Went on vacation for a week and took a much-needed break. But now I'm back to cranking out art with renewed vigor.

Here's a plein aire study I did yesterday. Acrylics on board, 7x6"

[Noah Bradley]

Another plein aire effort. 6x7", acrylics on board.



Been working on some portfolio pieces lately, as well as some pencil drawings from my head (kinda like in my first posts on this sketchbook... except better). So more later.

[Noah Bradley]

I should really be updating more often... *sigh*

Here's a few thumbnail sketches for the latest ArtOrder challenge.

[D.C.]

Love the mix of lighting in these last ones. The composition of the first thumb looks great . Your traditional pieces are looking good as well. Just some from a noob.

[Noah Bradley]

Thanks, D.C.!

Another elf girl. Wanted to play around with painting flesh.

[knut-]

Really great enviros. I find the colors and brushwork really interesting, very natural as the objects you represent. Keep it up.

[Helltroll]

Lighting's pretty nice on the ArtOrder sketches, and I like the portraits, although I think you could push some of the values on the colored elf girl.
Your plein airs are pretty damn killer.

So you're at VCU? I'm going down there in the fall. Any advice for an upcoming freshman, or what its like down there?

[RaphaelLuebke]

wow these acrylic studies are fantastic not that they only look great - they really move you to these places !!

[Noah Bradley]

knut: Thanks! Enviros are really a newfound joy of mine. Just about a year ago did I start doing them, and I've loved it ever since.

xbert: Glad to hear it. If you've never tried it, I highly recommend getting some acrylics and going out painting.

Helltroll: VCU, eh? That's great! I transferred in, so all that I know about freshman year there I've heard from friends. Apparently you'll have to slop through a whole lot of horrible assignments, wacky teachers, and dumb classmates, but you'll make it through. Any idea what department you'll go in to? I'm in Communication Arts, so if you need any more details about that specifically, feel free to ask. Also, when you get down here, let me know if you want to hang out and draw some. Always glad to meet another CAer. Good luck and keep in touch!

[Sebestian]

Wow, you have some really nice paintings! can't wait to see more.

[Helltroll]

Yeah, I'm hoping to go into Communication Arts. I'll look forward to meeting you!

[Noah Bradley]

Sebestian: More paintings? I'll get right on that. Thanks.

Helltroll: Sweet, man! Looking forward to it.

Since it's my one year anniversary of digital speedpainting, I thought I'd get back into it. Had a blast doing this. It's nice not having to worry about finish/rendering for a change.

[Noah Bradley]

Got out and did a little painting today. Acrylics on board.

[staticpen]

It was a pleasure to browse these 7 pages, man. I'll definitely be coming back!

You've shown a lot of improvement, particularly with facial structure. Keep those portraits coming! (and your enviros are great, too, obviously :p)

[Noah Bradley]

staticpen: Thanks! Improvement's always hard to see when you're in the trenches, so to speak, so having this sketchbook here to chart my progress is a great source of encouragement. And the great people that comment on it, too.

If anyone's interested, I've finally got a blog! I've already posted a few examples of my process of making images. Figured some people might find it interesting.

At long last, the pencil drawings return! Woo! I've been looking for a new way to go about designing enviros lately, so I came up with first doing a drawing in pencil and working from there. So far I've just got a few drawings down, but I already like where this is heading--can't wait to start painting. I've also got a few character drawings I might have to paint up when I get a chance. Enjoy!















Just noticed, but happy two year anniversary of this sketchbook! Can't believe it's been so long.

[staticpen]

Yeah, pencils! Glad to see them. A lot of cool stuff in this batch. One of your overhead enviro sketches here reminds me a little bit of some village studies by Mattias Adolfsson. He's a master with line if you've never heard of him. Check him out here and be instantly inspired!

[Noah Bradley]

Thanks for the link, staticpen. That's some awesome stuff that guy has. Definitely inspired now.

Another character sketch.

[Noah Bradley]

A wasp sting has left my drawing hand a little worse for wear, but I'll recover. Here's the current wips of those character concepts.

[jcole60]

If it's alright, I'm using the Sunset speed-paint as my Desktop, it's fantastic! Sorry about the wasp sting, that must suck.

[staticpen]

I've still never been stung by anything. I count myself lucky!

I'm most interested in the last two. The first one lacks any sort of direction for me, like it's too simple. I can't tell if he's a fierce warrior or a simpleton who found a sword and a shield and doesn't really know how to use them. For me, the facial expression and pose keep me from fearing him. When you think about nature, things that curve in on themselves are in positions of submission or defense, such as how a dog's tail curves underneath, or how some desert animals and bugs roll into balls when attacked. On the other hand, bears and gorillas stand upright when posturing, and cobras perk up and spread their hoods to threaten. I realize the anatomy of the creature creates the spinal curve, but that's what I mean about the pose. By moving the angle around you can find one that allows you to keep the anatomical structure while still sending a character message more clearly. Basically, I get mixed signals from the concept right now... should I be afraid of him or feel sorry for him?
Digging the other two, though, man. The girl is poised and the layout is quick to the point. With the water creature, though, the first thing that came to mind that could pop it to the next level was glowing stuff in the tentacles, like a jellyfish.

Keep up the good work, man!

[Noah Bradley]

jcole60: Glad to hear that thing's going to good use. Enjoy.

staticpen: Y'know, I was just thinking a week ago that it had been ages since I had been stung by anything... Figures. Thanks a ton for the input--definitely plenty to think about. I've finished up the bride image and posted it elsewhere, but still have plenty of work on the others. I really like the jellyfish idea for the tentacle dude... that could work.

My rough colors for a couple of those enviros:

[brenthollowell]

great stuff in here man. love the thumbs!

[Noah Bradley]

Thanks, Brent!

First pass of opaque painting:

[Noah Bradley]

Been working a ton on those enviros and needed a break. A couple speedpaints to serve as thumbnails for potential oil paintings I'm planning to do.