WIP Photo study

[Obstfelder]

WIP Photo study from this. I spent a couple of hours so far I think.

Trying out some new texture brushes. I want the brushstrokes to resemble the fabrics in the reference image. I have a ways to go before I achive that.

Crits are welcome.

[Obstfelder]

Worked a little more on this. Might just call it a day and move on.

Fun to use the texture brushes more. It turned out very rough because of it, but I sharpened it in some areas at least. I found some new brushes that I think I might continue using too.

[Obstfelder]

Starting on another study from this. I'm trying to build the base shapes of this with the lasso and gradient tool and then adding only the small detail with brushes.

[Artfix]

I think the first one could be nice if you tighten up the face. Leave the rest loose and when you tighten up the face, it'll look sweet because of the comparison.

As for the second image, you would probly have a much easier time doing a graphic approach using adobe illustrator. Personally, illustrator makes me want to throw my computer out the window, but it does better at graphics, once you learn it.

[Obstfelder]

Thanks Artfix!

I think I will do that, and get some nice sharp lines in there. It's easy to get caught up in the fun of textures and forget about focus.

I've used illustrator quite extensively for graphic work, but it's so slow.
Doing studies with gradient meshes or something like that would take me 10 times as long as doing it in photoshop. So unless it's for an actual client or project that needs giant printouts I don't get into it.

I wanted to explore some techniques in PS that would make it easier to make some thighter shapes quickly. If you know of a way to work faster with illustrator I would be very interested though

[Obstfelder]

I worked some more on the face. I think I like it better, but now her hand seem a little too rough in comparison. Might have to fix that as well...

[Shorinji_Knight]

That last one looks good. You have captured the personality that was missing in the earlier version.

[Black Spot]

I think you're doing okay with this one. Keep on pushing it.

[Obstfelder]

Made some smaller updates to this. Haven't had a lot of time for this lately so the only changes are to the proportions of the face.

[Obstfelder]

Worked some more on the second study today. Trying hard to correct the inital proportions to match the photograph and loosing the speed I wanted. Moving stuff around also makes everything look very dirty.

I've been trying to use quickmask to speed up the process of making soft selections that I can fill with color but it tends to take more time than just going at it with the paintbrush.

I feel like I've been learing a bit about picking the right colors at least. It's a bit off from the ref. but closer than I have done on some previous ones.

[Capt Surge]

Use harder edges brushes ditch the soft round

[Obstfelder]

For everything? Don't you think combinations could work? I'm actually using more lasso tool and gradient tool here than brushes, but I guess what you are saying is that the edges arent hard enough?

[Capt Surge]

no, on the second one the arms have this very airbrushed look and generally its best to avoid that look, maybe take a hard edge and lower the flow instead of using the soft brush.

[Obstfelder]

I know what you mean Yes I will sharpen those up.

Thanks for clarifying!

[Obstfelder]

Got a bit of work done on this today, but progress is slow. Now at least there is a little more detail in there. I've been comparing it more closely with the reference and I've placed the hands a bit off. The colors are also too patchy on the arms, I'll try and fix those things next.