Available Now: Brad Rigney - A Hostile Takeover

[Sascha Thau]

Yeah, I'm counting the days, too. I've my birthday on the 9th, would be a nice surprise if it js downloadable then. *hinthint*

[MassiveDVD]

trailer's up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjuOGQhotPg

[Ian Barker]

Oof. Can't do 60 bucks. Looks like a great vid though, 4.5 hours is nice.

[Cryptcrawler]

I honestly cant thank you guys enough for all the great questions and your support!

I tried to be all fancy and and answer every question by the numbers but it just became impractical, but I can safely say that just about every base was covered; from form to composition, to lighting and beyond.

If you feel as though you didnt get your specific question answered after watching the tutorial id be more than happy to answer directly here if you would be kind enough to let me know what you'd like me to go over - I want you to feel as though you got your moneys worth.


Best wishes and thanks again for your interest!

[AhChu]

Downloading now, cant wait to have a look see

[AG.]

Judging from the trailer, the tutorial is inspiring and very educational! Would love to buy it one day when I can afford it.

[Sascha Thau]

Good job, massiveblack! Right on time. Will download when I'm finished with work.

[DBMiller]

Great! Will get this Thursday (payday!) at work (faster download). Thanks.

[espaki]

Downloading now...

[Galaran]

Will it be on dvd ?

[alexson]

Awesome video man, very informative! I'm off to play around with the dodge tool now! CC SUX!

[Jason Rainville]

Wow I had no idea this was going to be a really big download that's awesome, I've been waiting for this for a while, great to see it's a long one. Downloading

[MassiveDVD]

Will it be on dvd ?

not for this one, sorry.

[Jason Rainville]

initial impressions (about 3/4 the way through the first vid) WHooooooa that's a new way to work for me That's really weird to see at first, being used to using only brushes. Already a lot to try out.

Also, Brad, the term you're looking for (for painting values but not being greyscale) is.... monotone

[neuroballistic]

Yay, it's here!! As soon as I stop hemorrhaging $$ for the move out east imma buy this bad boy.

[Cam Sykes]

Downloading now, can't wait Thanks to Brad and the MassiveDVD team!

[JOELB]

I have a question, and I apologize if it is obvious, but what resolution and bitrate do you commonly work in?

[espaki]

I'm loving this video so far as well. I've always avoided dodge and smudge, but this definitely shows the value of these tools.

Also, Brad, the term you're looking for (for painting values but not being greyscale) is.... monotone

Monochrome?

[Jason Rainville]

Monochrome?

Mono-shaddapayoface....

(yes monochrome I got the duotone mode in PS on the brain it seems)

[Ludwig]

Brad`s work is wonderful!!!

I have a question, please can someone answer.

-Does he start the tutorial with the thumbnail painting already made as it shows on the video..?..or does the tutorial covers as well the making of the initial thumbnail??....

thanks in advance and thanks Brad and CA for making this great video tutorials.

Cheers

[alexson]

Ludwig - He starts with the thumbnail already done.

[Cryptcrawler]

I have a question, and I apologize if it is obvious, but what resolution and bitrate do you commonly work in?

Im not sure what you mean by bitrate, joel but the specs I pretty much always use for my own work are RGB 300dpi psd's. I only deviate to conform to a clients needs.

I hope that helps

[Ludwig]

Ludwig - He starts with the thumbnail already done.

thanks

[HunterKiller_]

Looks so hot.

Love that character, her arrogant confidence is just oozing out.

[facosta]

Hi Brad,

Thanks for taking the time to do this tutorial. I have really enjoyed watching it and have learned a couple new techniques that I look forward to trying out and applying to my own work.

I also enjoyed watching the progress you have made from your past work. Quite inspirational!

Thanks again for sharing!

[Sascha Thau]

Finally I have had a chance to watch this. I don't like to see those videos sleep deprived. I even took a short nap to be fully aware of what I see.

But first things first...

Massive Thanks to massive black (and of course Brad), for making this happen! After the Giancola videos I thought "they nailed it", they can't get better. But you did! It was a great idea to involve the community and it was great from Brad to answer all these questions. Coincidence or not, the video got released on my birthday and I couldn't have asked for more on that day. THANK YOU!

Now on to Brad...

In your first posts on CA.org you said you don't want to show sketches or how to's of your work, because 'that woud take away the magic'. It's a vaild response, but I'm so happy you became softer on this issue as time moved on.

Okay, I could say "awesome, incredible" and so an and it would hit the nail on the head, but I want to be more specific: To let us all in, showing us how exactly you do your magic was and is a great experience (at least for me). And I can't value enough your honesty and openess about your work. In fact I have to applaud you, when I consider your stance on this beforehand.

The Bonus Material was also really great. I think this should be a regular feature in upcoming videos (if the artists are willing to do this). As artists we all know how (kind of) humiliating it is to show off older work, where we now know for a certain that we failed here and there hard and often. So thanks again Brad, for making this happen. It is greatly appreciated.

For me you are one of the top illustrators in the world. Why? The internet is a great place to see lots and lots of artwork, but I think what differentiates the good from the very best is the skill to create questions in the mind of the viewer, to evoke emotions. Didn't we all ask ourselves where the Death Dealer came from and where he will go? Some people draw pictures of things and/or people. That is okay. I like this, too. Some do it with great technical skill. Cool. But these pictures usually don't speak to me on an emotional level.

The art is made by a great illustrator, when I see places that evoke a feeling in me. When I see people that have a character, where I believe instantly "these exist" even though I am seeing a ork like woman in a science fiction setting.
You succeed in this! And this transcends your artwork beyond most of the other stuff I see online and elsewhere. "How do I blend these colors most effectively" is an important question. Sure. But creating a picture which grabs you by the balls - this can only be accomplished by somebody who puts himself into his art. I don't hink you can teach this, it has to be in the artist. Some have this gift, some don't. At least I believe it is like this.

I especially liked it when you showed your smudge technique and said that you came onto this out of desperation. It's a always a nice thing when people invent new ways of doing things because they feel restricted. Artists are often times hitting a wall and overcoming these obstacles are great moments for everybody involved. When you push through the wall, because you wouldn't give in - it's such a good feeling and the outcome is so rewarding after all the frustration. You could have done something else with your life, by all means. And it shows that digital painting is still in its infancy. I'v enever seen this technique anywhere else. I believe there are a lot more techniques we still don't know of.

One last bit, then I'm shut

I always have a desktop wallpaper which inspires me, pushes me and makes me happy when I look at it because it is a great piece of artwork (for months it was "Above the timberline" from Greg Manchess, now it is "A hostile takeover"). It's the very real promise that when I work hard enpugh I can get to this quailty level, too eventually.

Thanks again, Brad! You are one of a kind!

PS: Slayer!

[cw]

I watched this yesterday, it was a really nice tutorial.

Sir, you have an amazing way of making it look easy! I had to keep reminding myself that you mentioned how many hours you had spent on it in total to prevent becoming too depressed!

I loved your sense of humour too, I get that way when I am a tad tired.

I was 50/50 about the cost but I think it is definitely worth it. It's only the cost of a video game and I'd rather watch this than play a game. It's entertaining and informative.

I also think that the bonus stuff was really good to see. It's enlightening to be shown the progress somebody has made and hear them talk on that topic. Really nice addition.

Thanks again MB and Mr. Cryptcrawler. I am happy.

[Sascha Thau]

To everybody who's tinkering with the idea to buy this: DO IT!

If you like Brads style or generally are interested in painting digitally it's totally worth it. For me one of the best MB videos that I've bought and I've bought many. It's 4,5 hours long and full to the brim with information, so I think 60 $ is a very fair price and (for MB) a usual price (about 14 Dollar per hour). PLUS: you support the artist himself and conceptart.org with it.

Don't hesitate - buy now!

[Cam Sykes]

Hey Brad I can't thank you enough for answering my questions, I learned so much. Also with my future pieces I think I'll be spending alot of extra time because I see that you can learn so much more that way. 150 Hours? Man that's dedicated, and really set the benchmark for me. I rekon I'll be riding this juice for a long time just like you with Frazetta.

[Kitten Poker]

This was ace ^_^ One thing, not really a question unless anyone knows how to fix it. I have liked using the smudge tool for a while, but if I try using it at sizes of 50 or more it can't cope doing it in real time, there is a delay. Not sure why :op