IOW #1 - The Banner

**~KJK~** · August 1st, 2011, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Nyctalgia

Gosh darn it, what does it even mean?

it does not translate too well, but roughly it means broccoli dog or something similar @_@ dont ask why

**grenogs** · August 1st, 2011, 02:49 PM

Things are looking quiet so far, seems to be more chat than actual images. Anyway a quick wip from me

Ok, i just started adding colour to the original idea, changed a few things around, only to realise it really wasn't working, the actual IOW text wasn't big enough, with very little impact. So i've scrapped this idea, and gone for a much more simpler approach. Got to change the text, not reading to well at moment.

**l'Aria** · August 1st, 2011, 05:25 PM

snatti: Thanks! And nice sketches -- I like #3 best

AdrianNagorski: Interesting idea, but if I were you, I'd try not to get bogged down on details when you start it in Photoshop. Focus more on getting the perspective right this early in the game.

SeanMcHaney: I like the angle you chose to draw this from, but the anatomy of (his) right hand and arm is looking a bit wonky, almost like his bones are broken.

grenogs: I'm liking the book cover concept

Curious to see where it goes. I'd check your anatomy, though. His torso is looking a bit short.

Some progress:

**scorge** · August 2nd, 2011, 07:06 PM

Hello fellow IllOW contributors. Did some thumbnails today, slightly generic probably. But, they are after all only thumbs. Looking forward to what happens in this great new weekly challenge. Here's what I've got in the sketch phase.

**SeanMcHaney** · August 2nd, 2011, 10:31 PM

Here is where I am now. I am trying to work textures and a bit more dimension to my images, advice is welcome!

**Dreoilin** · August 3rd, 2011, 07:47 AM

Yay yay I've been so excited for this challenge to start!! Haven't had much time lately, but I'll sacrifice sleep to try and get this done! Just an ugly sketch so far... Arghh already I'm outclassed, mine is very simple- not a cool scene like everyone else is doing...

**rumpenstiltzkin** · August 3rd, 2011, 11:29 AM

some nice ideas so far

i must say i like scorge ideas, but the bottom right one is really cool!
also, Dreoilin, i had a similar idea, very mucha inspired, i just never got my ass to it yet, damn school and final project D:
but it looks great, hope you have time to finished that one

i hope at least to join the party with some sketches, but probably no time to do anything finished

**Ofidian** · August 3rd, 2011, 02:12 PM

I am working on my piece as well. I will put it up eventually XD. Till than here are some comments.

Sean: Best way to get some texture is to just to take time to put it all in. It can help to put in some textured overlays from a free site though only rely on them for a starting point.

Dreoilin: In the current look of things I would actually vote for yours. Your illustration incorporates the perimeters of the assignment best. Keep working on it

.

Scorge: You have some create concepts there. I love the text on the bottom two illustrations.

Tempest Haze: I can see a lot of potential in the final product. You have some great colors in it so far.

grenog: I love that you are putting the rules in the illustration. I can't wait to see your images once you start rendering.

**l'Aria** · August 3rd, 2011, 02:58 PM

Almost done with rendering the characters

**SeanMcHaney** · August 3rd, 2011, 03:19 PM

Every one is looking great!

I need some help with mine. I am trying to do a shaved head on my character and I am struggling to make it look good. Any advice anyone?

**l'Aria** · August 3rd, 2011, 03:47 PM

SeanMcHaney: I'd use a small hard round brush (1-3px, depending on what resolution you're working in), use the "Brushes" menu (this is in Photoshop, I'm not sure what it is in other programs) to adjust the scattering, then adjust the layer's opacity to your liking after you've applied the brush. I typically do this for stubble, so I don't see why it wouldn't work for a shaved head as well.

**ArtFish** · August 3rd, 2011, 04:02 PM

Dreoilin I love the mucha inspiration of yours actually, and I think it would work really well as the banner. Mucha is one of my faaavorite artists and I think it works really well. Watch the expression on the girl though for when you start making the image more final, it's a little... harsh/blank at the moment... not really the words I was looking for but I hope you know what I mean!

Grenogs I like the book cover idea, but I think the original idea could work well too if you work with the colors more and make the text more legible. Either way I like your ideas, very simplistic in a good way

Scorge liking the thumbnails a lot so far, just make sure you figure out how to include the necessary text as well!

Tempest-haze I see a lot of potential so far, but your male figure is stiff looking at the moment (something I always have trouble with myself >.>) Also I'm not sure how you'll be painting the rest of the scene but that sun (yes?) is really bright and it really draws my eye away from everything, especially because the males elbow is a line right to it. make sure you have something to balance it out so as to draw the viewers eye around the piece in the way you intend!

SeanMcHaney interested to see where that is going!

Snatti digging the sketches! watch the figure on the left in number 3 if you go with it, looks like she's getting cut off a bit awkwardly at the moment. Interested to see what that big creature/machine thing looks like when it's fleshed out in number 1

And now that I've critiqued everyone let's see if i can get my butt in gear to actually do something myself...

**SeanMcHaney** · August 3rd, 2011, 04:19 PM

Ok got to get ready for work, so I am done for the day. I know I need to work more on the stubble on the head, thank you for the advice on it!

**grenogs** · August 3rd, 2011, 07:58 PM

Thanks for your comments guys, much appretiated. Sorry i haven't done the same back yet, but i will soon.
Sean: don't forget to look for some good reference shots, good reference is often key to many a good illustration, especially for human anatomy. Also consider how light and shade is going to effect your character. If your having trouble looking for good lighting shots as reference, download a free copy of daz studio or something similar and play around with lighting effects.

**NickyBeats** · August 3rd, 2011, 08:11 PM

oooooooooh a new challenge! and the chance to be represented on a challenge banner?!?!?!?!?! oh yea! im in!

**DImanic** · August 3rd, 2011, 09:27 PM

I've finally got somewhere, it's taken ages to pose and draw and draw and pose (tehe). Aiming at her being a 'hot' geek! May exaggerate the pose more, quite a bit still to do. She's holding pens and brushes in her right hand, thinking of using a mobile for the rules but will think a bit about it. Need to centre her on the banner I think.

Some great ideas and work happening already.

Dreoilin: My favourite so far, looking forward to seeing it develop

Scorge: I'm liking the botom left and the top right too. Have you thought yet where the rules would go on each one and how?

tempest-haze: developing nicely, the guy looks a little distant, I wonder if he looked at the viewer would it connect more?

Grenogs: Loving the little guy writing the rules and I like the water colour style too. looking forward to seeing what you decide to develop.

**grenogs** · August 3rd, 2011, 09:45 PM

Another update lol, changed the manikin position, i don't actually own a proper wooden one, so i've had to set something up in daz to get the lighting right. not perfect but does the job.

**DImanic** · August 3rd, 2011, 09:52 PM

grenogs: that's looking really cool, love it.

**LA-Fairy** · August 3rd, 2011, 10:23 PM

Grenogs and Dreoilin, love the concept.

I dunno if I will make it this week. well digitally anyway. Our ac is broke, so my room is a stiffling 90 degrees fahrenheit, just hooked up my tablet to the emergency laptop and since it is widescreen, my tablet feels soooo ungh. Having to repull and all. The funny thing is, if i install the tablet, it doesn't work, if I uninstall it and click it in, it works. LOL
Wish me luck.

**NickyBeats** · August 4th, 2011, 12:00 AM

WIPPITS

**Jri** · August 4th, 2011, 08:00 AM

Not much to see in my first WIP/sketchbook page, but I thought I ought to put one in. I thought I'd pay a tenuous homage to Escher. It's still pretty bare bones - but I like the little bit of type at the top. I wanted to lay it out in a sort of postcard style.

**LA-Fairy** · August 4th, 2011, 05:37 PM

I managed to sit infront of a fan in my 90 degrees fahrenheit hot room and got this much done. Still needs text and I want the rules to appear as a spell casted....
It suppose to look like a ripped out fairytale book illustration... I hope I am going the right way.
First wip, with sketch and reference fix up

and what I have so far.. whoops there is a comma before the period..
The head needs to be repositioned a bit further back, or I shall just redo her head into a profile, and see her eyelashes to give her a bit more arrogant feel.... I dunno

**Misplacedhippos** · August 4th, 2011, 07:48 PM

What I'm working with...
Right now it's watercolour with digital on top. I might go back and refine the watercolour more

**NickyBeats** · August 4th, 2011, 10:20 PM

misplacedhippos - hey man, just wanted to say that, while it looks like a very promising image, i think the layout of it is very similar to the teen challenge banner. the colors and composition are amost the exact same, so you may want to switch it up a bit.

**SeanMcHaney** · August 5th, 2011, 12:14 AM

I think I am done for the night.

**Misplacedhippos** · August 5th, 2011, 12:59 AM

NickyBeats- Hmmm thanks, I see what you mean about the layout. The C.O.W. banner has somewhat similar colours as well, the blue, red/orange complements. They just go nicely with this forum background colour, not sure now. Composition wise, I see vague similarities but rather different shapes -character on the left, movement to the right- is there something more than that?

**Kitten Poker** · August 5th, 2011, 02:44 AM

Gregnogs: at the moment the words for the rules don't look square to the border on the paper....... Otherwise very cool ^_^

**kurios** · August 5th, 2011, 10:12 AM

@Dreoilin I really like it. It's looking good.

**zephyri** · August 5th, 2011, 09:30 PM

Couldn't resist getting involved with the start up of this activity! (think it's an awesome idea to seperate it from Chow!). Did a quick doodle yesterday to help out a friend with a piece she was doing, and came back to it today and realised it would make a cool banner! A little cliche perhaps, but my favourite images have always been cliches that were done really well! Hoping to continue that with mine.

Here's the original sketch, the mock up and the current state of linework. Text could be changed if it's a bit small. Trying to decide how to go ahead with colour at the moment.

Dreoilin, yours is very much up my alley.. love the art nouveau style!

Grenogs: love the idea behind yours too

Scourge: I love the tractor one, has a real sense of story to it!

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