Christoffer's path to greatness!

[Klungsama]

Hi people, My name is Christoffer and I have a story as well as a goal to reach, for those interested. Here I go: Since my grandmother first thought me to draw Donald Duck, I've allways been interested and fascinated by art. I drew some here and there ever since.. some times with a couple of years in between, but the interest for art has never disappeared. I had to choose between art-school or general-school when I was applying for college.. and since all my friends went for the general one, I did to. I've never had really supportive parents, which I think is also a reason I never chose the art-school at that time. Anyways, after college I had to choose a university. So I had a talk with my parents, and they thought I should study economy. And since I didn't really know what I wanted at that time other than study art, I went with their wishes and applied for business & administration studies at this University. Sooo, what now huh? I'm in a deal with a couple of people where we are building a business which probably will do pretty good with the proper engagement. I have a wonderful girlfriend which loves me to death. I have good grades in an education that most likely could help me reach far in terms of earning money.. But I'm frustrated and not very happy, for some strange reason.

Today, 1.April.2009 (of all days, lol!) I decided to quit the partnership, I've decided to break the line of study to my masters degree in business & administration, I've made a pretty though decision of moving from my girlfriend (not breaking up though!) in order to go to a university up-country where they have the school I want to attend, and just go with what I really want to to.. STUDY ART! I'm not at a very good level right now, so you might be wondering why I choose to do this drastic move. Well, it's all thanks to the podcast of Bobby Chiu, and the helpful and awesome story of Cole Eastburn.. exactly the inspiration I needed to make the move I knew was right for me all along. I've just noticed this forum, but it looks like you are a group of very talented and nice people, exactly the kind of crowd I'm looking for I'll be studying here and there until this summer, until I'm finished with this semester at university, before I step it up and study art hardcore every day all day for as long as it takes to reach the level I need.

I said I had some goals, and they might be unrealistic right now, but the ultimate goal is working with Blizzard before I start some sort of teaching for those who want to take the same path I do today. After 2 years at the new school I'm applying for (if I get in, that is) I will work freelance for as long as it takes for my skill to reach blizzard's standards, and then take it from there. I know this might sound a bit extreme to have such a goal, but I know I can do this (ever have that feeling?). And yea, lol, I'm not really a very serious guy when it comes to everything else, so please excuse the “tone” in the text above

So I'll just post a few things I've made so far.. They're crappy as hell, but I feel it's a start.

(but first, I'm gonna go read the forum rules, Just to be on the safe side I'll update as soon as I have done that).

[Klungsama]

So here are some of the things I've done so far.. Have mercy, haha!

[Camara]

Follow the path,man!!You are doing it great!!!!Color is solid in that two anime style pics,but there are some anatomical issues on them!!Try to make some studies to learn abput anatomy and read some color tutorials,it will help you a lot!!!

[the ANGRY filipino]

I'm with what Camara said.
Follow the path man, and then rock it!
It will be tough and there will be times when you will question yourself and your ability ( I know I question mine..) but at the end of the day, it's all up to how much you put into improving your art that will determine the outcome.

[PxelSlayer]

It takes a lot of courage and faith (and some madness as well ) to turn your life upside-down and start fresh. The potential is there, the colors you use - amazing! Shows you have what it takes About a year ago I did the same, enrolled in somewhat artistic college (fashion design), figured they are not going to teach me what I want to know, so I`m on my own again, but hey! I took the leap of faith, and didn`t regret it...yet! One just can`t fight that inner urge for expression through art! It always wins, this way or the other.
I wish you all the best in your future adventures, knowing it will be a journey of your life. Enjoy every second of it! And now, get busy! More drawings, please!

[Klungsama]

Thanks a lot guys, really appreachiate the kind words!

So as I said in my first post, I only have some time here and there, and usually not more than an hour or so at the same time, so I'll just be posting whatever I have time for.

Here are some scribbles from today, I have to go to work now.. the security job.. very "fun" job Lol

[Tortuga]

looks good, try to use hard edge brushes on photoshop and not using around 60% opacity brushes while making the actual object.

[Klungsama]

Today I've sent in my application for the art school I want to attend, here are my subissions..

task 1a: Draw something you want to eat
task 1b: Take a detail from 1a and put it into a context that makes it uneatable
task 2: Make a funny version of yourself.

And the last task was about picking out artworks I liked and didn't like and then explaining why.

[Klungsama]

Hey!

So I've started to read up on this book by Andrew Loomis, and it's been a good read so far! I try to draw a lot while I read, so I'll just post some of the stuff I did today in between reading.

[Klungsama]

A new day dawns!.. or afternoon's.. Anyways, I have a new WIP going It's actually an old WIP I had no clue where to take, or what to do with.. So I'm just playing around with it. Here she is:

[Klungsama]

There are WAY to many awesome sketchbooks in here.. man, wish I could just watch'em all and see everyones progress! But yea, that's not possible, haha. Still, I think I use way to much time surfing the sketchbooks in here than I do drawing That's not good.. lol.

So a small update on the WIP.

[Klungsama]

Posting a small update on the WIP Actually, I'm calling it done.. maybe I'll pick it up when I'm a LOT better

[Klungsama]

Some sketching from today

I'm finished with my economy exams now, and can hereby enjoy the summer and do as much art as I want to! And after summer it's art-school!

[spaztastic]

hey these are looking good. I would suggest doing some gestures from photos to help you get the anatomy issue under hand. http://www.posemaniacs.com is a great resource for that. also the molten core workshop is going to be going into head structure one piece at a time. we'd love for you to come join us.

[Klungsama]

Thank you very much for your comment!

I will look into the anatomy stuff, I try to read loomis and follow his lead as a starter, and when Im finished with this book I will continue on to something different

What is the molten core workshop?

Here is another sketch from today. I spent about 3 hours on it

[spaztastic]

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sho...53#post2283553

that's the link for the molten core workshop. it's really helpful.

[KarylGilbertson]

Great start man! Oh how I love hearing stories like that... very inspirational. Anyways, you have a long way to go, but it's not impossible! You've already got a good start, and if you keep working hard I don't doubt that you can make it happen.

Keep studying anatomy, and fill sketchbooks as fast as you are physically able with drawing from life.

Cheers!

[Emil_J.]

best of wishes for your new path, hope it works out well for you!
I only see digital work, do you have some traditional pencil drawings as well? if not, try do some, it is a good exercise.

[Klungsama]

Some studies of the eye for the molten core workshop

Spaztastic: Thank you for that! I think that workshop will improve my skills a lot! And also it's much easier to study when doing it toghether with someone

Ookck: Thanks! I will definatly reach a high skill-level within the next two years! *EYE OF THE TIGER!!*

Fumble: Thank you I have pencildrawings as well, but no scanner.. I will try to get some pencils up when I start at the new art-school after summer

[Lakeland]

Working for Blizzard is a nice idea, however you would want to poke around blogs of various Blizzard artists and ex artists.
Like every big company, Blizz has a very strong sense of style for various products. That pretty much kills an artist. From what Ive read, Blizzard is more in need of crafters than artists. Take World of Warcraft for example. One style that was created by one man, and another 30 "artists" copying it for the past 5 years (or more if you take in consideration the pre online warcrafts). There is a blog of one of the CAs that worked for them and resigned just because of having his hands tied with the style boundaries... Soo ...Becareful what you wish for

[Klungsama]

Thanks for the comment Lakeland

I know what you're saying.. It's really hard to imagine, at least for myself, where I want to end up since I dont have my own style, and I dont have any real skill yet.. So with experience I guess I'll figure out if it's really the place I want to end up or not. All I know right now, is that I got to start somewhere, and having a large goal to reach, really helps me strive more than if I just did it for the heck of it, you know? I've been digging into comics etc as well, but I'm really more of a creator, not a copycat, so guess I need to take that into consideration

Anyways, any experience anyone has, on what kind of carreer choices you have out there, feel free to fill me in!

I know for sure that my ultimate dream would be to just draw stuff I want to, and people would like it, and then buy it But yea, wishfull thinking only goes so far, hehe.

[Klungsama]

School is started, and I've been focusing on portraits and caricatures on my spare time.. Soon we'll start with live drawing with models, and I can't wait!!

[andres333]

You need some studies of structures so you can avoid proportion issues.

[jatherip]

some pics in the first post look totally like bobby chius stuff edit: just read that you listened to his podcasts ^^ now its obvious why
i recommend two things though: posemaniacs and nudes: www.posemaniacs.com
characterdesign.com
and photo studies! just search some google images and copy them!

[Klungsama]

Long time since I've been in here, hehe.. Got a few charachters that I'm working on Feel free to comment on the progress so far.

[Klungsama]

Two new digital paintings