Newborn: from dead ends to new beginnings...

**graphicgolem** · June 8th, 2009, 06:54 AM

Below will be final work, WIP to follow...

I am done with this one - hope I still got a job tomorrow...

**graphicgolem** · June 8th, 2009, 10:06 AM

Its a boy! Is this baby coming through from another dimension or is it the fruit of a massive engineering project? Just a quickie to get started.

**pearlyking** · June 9th, 2009, 04:44 AM

I'll go with 'fruit of a massive engineering project'. Will be interesting to see how this goes from now on.

**Nickillus** · June 10th, 2009, 10:23 AM

It has an epic feel already, graphicgolem.

**graphicgolem** · June 10th, 2009, 11:56 AM

Here's another in a more humorous vein...

Thanks for the comments on the spacey one although I dont really have a strong back story for it - and it never works for me unless it does.

**Nickillus** · June 10th, 2009, 12:20 PM

Haha.
I'm not sure if it would be more worrying if that thing on his (?) head were a weapon of mass destruction or his man parts!
Intresting idea either way.

**Baron Impossible** · June 11th, 2009, 05:27 PM

Man parts, Nick. It would be more worrying if it were man parts.

That image did make me laugh, though, and I'm rarely amused by intentionally funny pics.

**graphicgolem** · June 12th, 2009, 07:23 PM

Hey after days of tinkering with the concept I think Im starting to feel the groove or maybe Ive lost the plot - anyway heres one more. Since ArtRage is so popular I thought Id take a look and Ive fallen in love...ahh!

**graphicgolem** · June 13th, 2009, 05:54 PM

Setting the scene now and starting to get the players into position.

**graphicgolem** · June 15th, 2009, 06:52 PM

Update - added some colour with a big roller in ArtRage...almost like the real thing the way the paint smears and mixes.

**Baron Impossible** · June 16th, 2009, 08:09 AM

Another ArtRage convert, excellent. Nice initial colour choices though I'm not sure what's happening yet.

**graphicgolem** · June 18th, 2009, 08:41 PM

An update, lost some work when ArtRage crashed and it was looking just how I wanted it too - no matter couldnt seem to get back what I had done but seems to be getting closer to my original idea.

**graphicgolem** · June 19th, 2009, 08:56 PM

Changed things around a bit as it was getting a bit busy and the concept was getting a bit lost. Have I lost the plot? Any feedback crits/gratefully received.

**graphicgolem** · June 23rd, 2009, 03:55 PM

I am pretty much stuck, after many attempts I am no closer to resolving the composition/concept probelms in this and as no else seems able to comment on it either, I am going to try something else. I've got a couple more ideas, maybe things will become clearer after a break from this one.

**Black Spot** · June 23rd, 2009, 04:05 PM

This was the best version. I don't know if you can go back that far, but it held a lot more promise than the later versions.

**Baron Impossible** · June 23rd, 2009, 04:49 PM

I like the one in post 10. If you lost the original just upsize the JPG and work on it as you would as rough concept. That one has the best mood and overall colour palette. The dim sun (sounds like a Chinese dish) is very atmospheric.

**buffichar** · June 23rd, 2009, 04:51 PM

woah. I'll have to get back to you when I regain the ability to speak.

**graphicgolem** · June 23rd, 2009, 05:25 PM

Black Spot, Baron,buffichar - thanks for the feedback really appreciate it - I probably will come back to this idea, but it has been gving me a brain ache with the all different versions Ive tried (I have only posted a few of these to spare others). Truth is Im not really sure what is going on. After a breather it may seem like it wasnt me that painted and Ill be able to see what needs doing. Cheers.

**graphicgolem** · June 25th, 2009, 07:26 PM

Some thumbnails for the next piece...

**alesoun** · June 25th, 2009, 08:41 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...m/newborn7.jpg

This image looks more like he's being destroyed than that he's being born, but I don't know what you're coming from. Good luck, anyway.

**shamandalie** · June 27th, 2009, 12:27 PM

Those are some good thumnails.

For some reason, i like the 2nd post most. You could clean it up a little more and see where it goes from there.

**graphicgolem** · June 28th, 2009, 07:46 PM

2nd WIP going into colour next. Working in GIMP at the mo as using masks to separate foregorund/midground/background elements (ala Mandryk) and get composition right. Will flatten next and go into Artrage to start painting...any thoughts always welcome.

**Baron Impossible** · June 29th, 2009, 08:37 AM

I like it, looking like a very solid concept. You may need to crop a bit later, especially on the left. I think the background / foreground contrast is working well, making for a good composition.

**Nickillus** · June 29th, 2009, 12:04 PM

Oh yes. I definitely like this last idea and the way the composition is going. Nice one.

**graphicgolem** · June 29th, 2009, 08:41 PM

Thanks for the feedback Baron and Nickillus.

Artrage update: the boys face looks a little too scared at the moment - I will try and fix this later - should be more wow than argh!

**graphicgolem** · June 30th, 2009, 12:47 PM

I wasnt happy with the development in Artrage so I have gone over to Photoshop to try and fix things - I feel a bit of a fraud for abandoning Artrage but I guess it can take a while to get used to a new tools.

**Puck** · June 30th, 2009, 10:31 PM

That last one is presented really well - nice composition and the lighting and colour really suits the old fashioned wind-up robot - like those toys made of tin from the 50's. If you really nail that boys face and his expression it will be a great piece.

I also like the humorous one with the nuclear robot! I think that's got potential - something both funny and a bit dark can be very powerful if executed well.

**pearlyking** · July 2nd, 2009, 05:40 PM

I really like this new piece a lot more. There's a touch of the pinocchio story about it, and after all that's about bringing something to life! Looking forward to see how it progresses from this point on.