Environment paintings

**Jake557** · March 20th, 2011, 01:02 PM

Hi, I'm Jake. I've been lurking on these forums for a little while but I've always been too intimidated by the quality of work on display here to consider joining. Today however I've worked up the courage to make an account, start this thread, and present my work for ~~ridicule~~ critique in the name of self improvement.

(I appologise for how small most of the images are, they're taken from my blog which resizes them automatically. If it's an issue I can reupload them elsewhere)

**DAMJAN** · March 20th, 2011, 09:22 PM

Welcome Jake. You got some good stuff going on. I see your weaknesses are water, perspective and rocks. Head on over here and get an Instant access to Killer Concept Art Tutorials for FREE:WWW.CONCEPTARTMASTERS.COM

**JeffX99** · March 20th, 2011, 09:39 PM

Yeah - good start Jake - welcome! It's nice to see someone interested in environments. Keep scale in mind - the Mayan temple/jungle piece for instance - comparre teh trees right at the base to the steps...things like that. Bottom one is my fave - keep it up!

**Venger** · March 20th, 2011, 11:14 PM

A good start - though everything's a little static (yes I know its an environment

)

I think you could push it some more, tell us a story about the place rather than just a picture of the place.
Especially with the crashing ship - I get no sense of drama from it, you should provide that with lighting and a stronger dynamic.
A twist of the horizon line, clouds of doom just something to liven it up.
It's a movie, a really good one playing in your mind, pause it and draw it

Quick scribble of ideas below:
Name: dramaticenvironments.jpg
Views: 276
Size: 23.4 KB

**jbrown67** · March 21st, 2011, 11:08 PM

well your color is good for the most parts. The water with the buildings stuck out as a weak piece, not because of the concept, but the rendering. You need to work on learning perspective and value. This is a matter of taste, but i'd say your need more grit in your pieces. You need to work on your lighting. It is fairly dull or plain in your pieces, but if you look at the pros work, almost every piece has radical and dramatic lighting, it is a fantastic tool that will create way better compositions if done properly. Remember the light source at all times, and remember foreground/middleground/background goes dark to light. Keep your values separated... and most importantly, use reference!

**Jake557** · May 14th, 2011, 05:21 AM

Hi again. I was hoping for some advice on my latest piece, something feels off about it but I can't put my finger on exactly what.

**DAMJAN** · May 14th, 2011, 09:42 PM

change the sky color. When environments are cold, they tend to have those dark blue skies. Your opening in the ground should have some snow on it as well as that cold feel (atmospheric perspective) to it. Right now it's like you've pasted it from a different environment. Composition is not that interesting.

**jacobanderson** · May 14th, 2011, 10:32 PM

The large rock on the right should cover more of the opening in the ground, otherwise, the space is confusing.

**Jake557** · June 13th, 2011, 05:53 AM

Hi I'm back, and looking for some more advice.
I started this piece the other day of a meteor crashing into a city, and I'd like to try and and take it to a more presentable level. Is there anything I should revise now while it's quite rough? Particularly in terms of composition and readability.

I'd also appreciate any general tips on detailing.

Thanks