Book cover in oils, step by step

**Kir Nuyts** · October 16th, 2007, 05:04 AM

Simply stunning!

Beautiful to see how u don t copy your reference but rather use it as a source of inspiration. U made her more beautiful then she already is in the picture. Thats the way people schould work on HQ pieces imo.

Black_fish:

people like Marko D don't do it, so it seems to me more like a clumsy crutch that ends up producing stiff images.
Nothing very wrong with that cover but it looks always too posed and stiff to me.

I don't think u can compare those two: Marko works for Marvel wich has to be verry dynamic. I don't think Elwell need such dynamic poses for a book cover...
And besides I'm sure Marko uses refs also from time to time. It would b foolish not to do. In the sence that making use of refs. (like looking in a mirror for the hands or a global pose) saves alot of time...

Bravo Elwell! *****

**Dreamworker** · October 16th, 2007, 05:09 AM

Wow great step by step cover painting! Thanks a lot for it

**Bones Weep Tedium** · October 22nd, 2007, 04:45 AM

wow

thanks very much for that fascinating insight into yr practice

**Barkat Ali Hazara** · December 13th, 2007, 03:02 AM

thanks for this post mate...really clear and to the point.

reference kicks ass...kind of a regular horse though

**gustavo desimone** · December 13th, 2007, 08:31 AM

muy buena la forma de trabajar con la referencia pero me parece que t6enes que corregir algunas cuestiones de dibujo como para que la ilustracion este mucho mejor todavia de lo que ya esta

**InvertedChalupa** · December 13th, 2007, 10:35 PM

Ack! What the fuck? I know the whole stars thing is a big fat joke in the first place but cmon! why would anyone rate this thread any lower than a five? I'm guessing some morons think that in order to be "granted" a five star rating they have to meet some sort of mega buff, bazooka lazer canon wielding space marine quota or something... I mean obviously technical ability CERTAINLY doesn't warrant it under that criteria...

**Penumbra** · February 8th, 2008, 11:07 PM

Elwell-Your talent is only equaled by your understated sense of humor in the forums. You have some beautiful work here. What are your current projects (if you can disclose them)?

**Michael Wasik** · February 8th, 2008, 11:23 PM

you're awesome! I saw you lecture in upstate NY a couple of years ago in a library, your stuff is killer in person. this is great, thanks!
one question, instead of doing gouache sketches, wouldn't it be faster to do all the prelim stuff in photoshop?

**halflife99** · March 6th, 2008, 09:58 AM

This was interesting, thanks.

**Gregg** · March 7th, 2008, 07:56 AM

Interesting step by step ! Well done and thanks for sharing.

**albert86** · March 22nd, 2008, 04:20 AM

cool, it looks real good

**Saturns Gate** · April 25th, 2008, 07:32 PM

Man, leagues above me bud!

I cant paint to save my life, well except digital but thats it. You have given me inspiration to get back to practicing real painting where the skills at! Keep up the good work Elwell!

**Ericus** · April 25th, 2008, 08:11 PM

Elwell, this turned out really nice, thanks for adding the process and photo reference instructions, it's always great and interesting to see how an artist works within their steps. great stuff!

**smugbug** · April 25th, 2008, 09:57 PM

Why isn't this a sticky?

ETA: because this is beyond cool and helpful!

**KarylGilbertson** · May 4th, 2008, 03:32 PM

Great great great great. I can't believe I didn't find this thread until just now... Wonderful tutorial, I will try to keep this stuff in mind while making future illos. Thanks!

**nonie** · May 4th, 2008, 09:45 PM

Woo! I wanna do one now! awesome tut, man.

**Elwell** · May 4th, 2008, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by nonie

Woo! I wanna do one now!

I'd like to see that!
To all who have thanked, thank you back.

**Elwell** · May 4th, 2008, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by PatriciaS

Why isn't this a sticky?

Thanks, Patricia, I would never presume to sticky something in Finally Finished. I have, however, posted an edited version in the Tutorials section, with a link back to this thread if people want to comment.

**randolf** · May 8th, 2008, 10:53 AM

Insightful.

**Rares Halmagean** · May 8th, 2008, 12:10 PM

Fantastic rendering Elwell. I do agree with hugenegrophallus that the model could have been posed and rendered to better portray the gravity of the situation.

Thanks for the insight on how you work. I've been meaning to look into finding ways to acquire custom reference like you have for your work. Do you or anyone else know of any links to some good photographers?

**Elwell** · September 28th, 2008, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by lady_kito

it's so nice that you're beautiful enough to be your own model... I couldn't possibly get the proportions well having a reference based on ME lol

I don't know where you got that idea. It's not me. I'm an old dude.

**Serpian** · September 28th, 2008, 03:55 PM

She means, on the inside...

Embrace your inner Beauty, Tristan. I know you want to.

**KenJ** · September 29th, 2008, 06:28 AM

thanks alot for the insight of your workprocess

Does almost everybody first do a underpainting in acrylics to get the overall values down fast?

Been playing with the idea of working in oils myself on top of acrylics, but I'm not sure which medium to use to make it dry... Don't wanna fume up the place with turpentine...

**bharat** · November 3rd, 2008, 05:27 AM

greeeeeeeeeeet.......... work,thanks a lot 4 giving usefull coment on my work

**vayne108** · March 30th, 2009, 04:20 PM

Your process and your work is very inspiring, and the words you give me earlier on the thread about crits. If there is any thing you ever need I would be glad to help.