=experiments, failures, triumphs=

[Zweit]

Sharpening filters won't do you any favors. Try just using a sharp brush and upping the contrast around the appropriate points.

Nice updates over the last few weeks, I especially like the last one and the last B&W thumbnail.

[dierat]

Really love the last image; great sense of perspective through both linear elements and value. The level of contrast also makes it highly attractive. I think it could be pushed even further through use of subtle complementery colors, but it's great as-is. Keep up the good work ^^

[wilkerson]

Thanks for dropping in Limely.

Leo I paint from the back forward using low opacity brushes at first doing loose scribing the I increase the hardness and opacity of the brush as I move to the foreground. I use adjustment layers for colour/value tweaks only (usually) but I could start using them for contrast. I'm still working on a better technique. I threw a smart sharpen on at the end. I'm trying new stuff all the time, its the best way to learn. Thanks to everyone who commented.




"and now for something completely different..."







just experimenting

[wilkerson]

[Cacodaemonia]

The body builder looks great. Nice job with the lighting. That's a lot of detail in those CG images. Can't wait to see more.

[dierat]

Great work on the bodybuilder; the sharpness and confidence in the form shows a lot of progress. For a crit, I think your reflected light may be a little too bright.

[wilkerson]

[wheezy]

I love your updates. You are busting your rump shaker. The truck scene and the body builder are really good. The truck scene is very gritty, like something you would see in a Tarantino film.

[vayne108]

I love your sketches they have a nice gestural aspect to them, and your renders are nice!!

[wilkerson]

[Zweit]

Awesome studies there. That charcoal one is sweet.

[Leo Ki]

Love the lift. Only crit: I'd like to know how high it is! Is it an orbital lift?
In the imagination sketches, you could add some dynamism by playing with the volumes and attitudes, unless you want a hieratic feel of course.

[wilkerson]

Thanks people.
The lift is a space elevator.





The waterfall is referenced from a photo at cgtextures.com.

[Wasker]

nice studies, i like the waterfall and the charcoal one the most. your speedpaintings seem abit fuzzy on the edges though, I believe its because you move over each several times with your strokes. this is not necessarily a bad thing but all your edges seem to be on the soft side, save some sharp ones for the focal points or simply to balance the soft ones.

w

[Zweit]

I agree wholeheartedly with Wasker. The pics in the first image would benefit a lot just by defining the focal point more, like the crystal in that green room. (That is a crystal, right?)

I do like both those and the waterfall, by the way.

[wilkerson]

A character sketch based loosely on James Woods.

[Cacodaemonia]

A character sketch based loosely on James Woods.

I could tell. Those last two environments you posted look great!

[DeeLock]

You've got some great stuff going on in here!

Really accurate and detailed drawing and that last charcoal drawing is really great!

Keep it up!

[wilkerson]

Thanks.
The charcoal drawing actually looks darker/better in person.


I'm just posting to say that today was the last day of class.
Woohoo!
No more school for me. Onwards and upwards.

[wilkerson]

update

[Leo Ki]

Now that you're done with school I hope you'll fill up your sketchbook
I like the waterfall study, but I agree with what people said about having a few sharper elements to draw the eye toward, especially if you want to give your sketches an enviro concept art feel.

[wilkerson]

I am calling this one done.



I will try to put my reel up on youtube soon.

[Mariusz Kornatka]

Hello there!

If I can say something - you use too much of clean colors. If you see on the picture red you pick up red and that's hudge mistake. Try mix colors before you us them.

This one:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/att...3&d=1238955601

it's a promising of the very good painting. Composition is very good and this could be an epic landscape.
But be carefull of creating flora - try to serch forms and colors of the jungle.

Hope my critique was helpfull.

sincerly regards,
Mariusz

[wheezy]

How is life W? Any updates?

[wilkerson]

Sure, I'm always working.

I was inspired by an artist on here I forget his name...he does tons of faces.



I'm still working on this one, I would greatly appreciate any critiques before I call it finished.

[Zweit]

Great update. As for crits, House looks like he's out of focus. The highlights on his eyes, for example, should be very sharp since they're the glossiest things on a face. I think you're very close to achieving a neat depth of field look if you sharpen the way the "midground" (and perhaps foreground(?)) of his face are rendered.

[Cacodaemonia]

I agree about sharpening things up. Also try pushing the highlights on his skin a little more. It looks great, though - I recognized who it was, and I've only ever seen one episode of House.

[juicy]

im liking james woods and house. keep up the good work

[wilkerson]

I'll post an update on House soon.



I didn't get the likeness exactly right but thats ok, it turned out well.

[Leo Ki]

Yes, turns out well. If you feel like it you can put a final touch with a super smooth airbrush to make the bumps and features more organic. Also, maybe, a few tiny reflection dots and lines (unless of course the ref has a very diffuse lighting, but considering the hard shadow on his neck it doesn't seem to be the case). Also, a super thin brush for a few highlights on the hair wouldn't hurt. Keep it up!

Edit: Considering the leftward shadow on the neck, I wonder how his right cheek (our left) can be as bright as his left cheek (our right). Have you changed the lighting or am I just being confused?