SB, random experimental updates *,,*

[Mila]

Very inspiring sketchbook. You've come a long way!

[project_razor]

How do you get your perspective so tight? I'm trying to master (or get half decent at) environments and your SB has given me some great ideas.

[VirgL]

Good day !
I did some sketching this morning with a couple of friends, some crazy stuff as usual.. had a lot of fun with large sharpies today.

project_razor: Hey whats up, I guess you just need to know how to work with vanishing points and horizon line.. once you know how to set them up properly, its all about sticky to that.. dont assume that you can eyeball stuff unless you are really know what you are doing. In some of my images I did a 3d base to nail complex perspective before painting ( the atrium one with the guys jumping done ). Thats one thing I really like about more organic environements, perspective become mores a problem of scaling of shapes to create depth, rather than properly placing cubes in perspective, for complex architectural stuff I like to start with 3d if I can create it fast.. otherwise you need to spend a day creating the lineart and its not really efficient, unless your good at this, which im not.

Heres an exemple of how I set up a perspective using the polygonal shape tool, you should try it out.



Mila: Thanks a lot , this SB is getting really old =(

Sebastian: Hehe thanks !! Too bad those images I could show are reall;y not my favorites in all the stuff I did during last year, cant wait to show them all.

n1frit, shyamshriram, Piemonster: Thanks a lot for watching guys

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Some stuff, first one is from ref, im really having problems spending more than 30 mins on a sketch...

LArge Sharpie and Brush Tip markers

[Luckers]

I like the second one with markers. In the first one its a bit too clear where the shape of the object ends and the background begins. While with these dark sketches I think you might be looking for that to be less clear. Also because in that one it looks like his face just stops half way in the shadow. (I hope this makes sense)
Thanks for showing that perspective tool. I've been using some pre-made brush for it. But that doesn't always work the way I want to.
Take care

[Peipei]

Awesome! I especially love your illustrations the most!

[VirgL]

Luckers: Hey ! Glad you like it, the first one was from ref, I think thats why the shapes look better Not 100% sure what you mean though, you mean more pf the face should have been in the dark in the second one ?? Or are you talking about the marker strokes that are visible on the scan ??

Peipei: thanks, me too , lol ! the pencils still look awful.


Heres a study.. not 100% happy with it.. I think its one of the first time I do that kind of portrait study from a movie. Its really fun once you get into it, the hard thing for me was the subtle value shift in the face. Tried a few new brushes while doing it, smudge with fingerpainting on is really cool...
Im also really wondering which is best, doing the studies with the ref next to the painting in the same document, or, putting the ref on the 2nd monitor. It may sound stupid, but the fact of having them both in your field of vision ( working on 1 monitor ) seems to change the way I analyze the ref. I seem to analyze more 2d shapes this way, rather than really analysing the form of the subject. Not sure how to say this..Anyway, as always, crits are welcome.

Happy Valentine day, wish you all a good time hehehe

[Luckers]

Hey virg, I already thought I was a bit blurry with my words while writing it. Gets difficult sometimes when English isn't your first language.. What I meant was indeed the marker strokes wich are visible. They cut out of the shape of the face, because you can see that the long horizontal marker strokes wich are used for the dark background are also used for the shades of the face. I hope that clears it up.
I really like the last study. I think you did those subtle value changes in the face really well. I don't have the luxury of 2 monitors myself. But I understand its nice to have the 2 pictures close to each other instead of 2 monitors. When you keep looking left and right you might indeed be more tended to only pick up the general composition or a small detail instead of the fields.
The only crit I have is that the little bit of light at the right side of chin annoys me. the black shade wich you painted over it with a really small brush adds to much detail in there, and brings the shade up front. But I'm afraid I don't have a very useful crit
Take care

[JakehC]

love the scratchy effects!

[Mawh]

This is a very enjoyable sketchbook. Nothing very constructive though... sorry...

[VirgL]

thanks for the comments !

Luckers: Hehehe ok , yeah I agree that the strokes are visible !! Should have worked that up in photoshop to hide them hehe.Thanks for your crits, its good to get people feedback.. I was lazy when it came to that beard, I must stop being a lazy ass.

1 hour doodle..
why the hell do I always end up drawing stuff like that.

.. anyway, back to drinking wine and eating miss vickies

probably more pertinent stuff to come soon

thanks for dropping by

-Virgile

[Luckers]

What a lovely doodle
I really enjoy the techniques you're using. Great mix of them. I usually end up forgetting there are more than one, and just use one tool for the entire painting! Doh xD
Enjoy the wine...

[Vladimir Gasai]

cool stuff keep it up

[Bakker]

Nice bird

[GEB]

Thanks for th ecrit dude. What you say makes sense, I'm currently trying to sort out my brush work which I hope will start to make a difference in that area. Big fan of your work so I really appreciate your input. Input? I sound like johnny 5...

[Sebastian Gromann]

great study in 576# ! the fur works very well!
i'm just curious, but how many images like those on the last page are you doing approximately within the game production ? is there any rate? are you also doing, props, creatures, etc.? sorry if its an awkward question!

[htkpeh]

haha
the bird is cool,very cool

[n1frit]

Freely brush using! Awesome) Post more works!

[Mr.Ebony]

Love how much life you bring to ink drawings with such a few strokes. *follows* And your digital paintings are ace as well, of course!

[VirgL]

hello.. havent posted in a while, figured I could at least reply to people.
And since posting without art is a sin, heres 2 sketches I did today from ref, trying new stuff...

So I started a new job, im now at WB games in Montreal. The studio is great, and its amazing to be part of a team of concept artist.. also had the opportunity to try the cintiq, after 2 weeks I switched back to the old tablet.. no way I could work as fast without my keyboard. I will probably stop posting for a while. Keep drawing everyone
Cheers
Virgile

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Ebony, n1frit,htkpeh: thanks a lot !

Seb: Hey friend, sorry for not being really active lately, works takes all my energy, i check your sb often , your on your way to greatness. To answer your questions, a complete concept takes usually 2 days.. but a lot of whats on the previous pages took longer, because of all the back and forth with the art director.. sometimes the feedback takes a while to arrive so you need to start something else on the side. At the moment im working on a lot of things, props, vehicules, enviro, layouts.. a lot of things out of my comfort zone so i need to work my ass to keep up with the pace. But basically im happy because im currently practicing the design part of concept more than the illustration side.. which means a lot of quick sketches that convey an idea rather than spending a week on something.

GEB: hey hope your doing well, its all bout experimenting without being affraid to do something and trash it after. Johnny 5 hehehe memories

Bakker, Vladimir: thanks

Luckers: Thanks man, keep up the good stuff. The way I see it, you need to always reconsider the way you work, techniques etc.. hope your doing well !

here is some 30 min painting from ref + some ''inking''

[Step]

Amazing sketches!

[NickyBeats]

looking good man!! joker looks mean! haha

[kingkostas]

Sorry for the bump but had to say thanks for the info and the inspiration

[VirgL]

hello folks,
Sorry for the lack of updates.. Its been a while. I pretty much stopped being active on CA.
If you ever want to keep a track of what im doing I started a blog that I hope to update on a regular basis.

http://virgileloth.blogspot.ca/

See you around