a humble sketchbook - NOV 12 update

**Bubs** · May 11th, 2008, 03:16 AM

I really like the African Warlord one.

**algenpfleger** · May 11th, 2008, 03:55 AM

Oooh that last one is awesome.

She doesn't really seem to lean against the wall though. Maybe push those shadows under her back a bit more, making them a bit darker and also a bit more saturated. Same under her butt I think, on the ball, and under the cat. Shadows in diffuse light tend to be darker in the middle, because there falls light from every direction, so the outer border of the shadow gets kinda soft and in the middle it gets darker.
Err, I don't know if that did make any sense...

**Buckster** · May 11th, 2008, 03:46 PM

really nice colours in the last piece mate and I love the relaxed expression. I think that the leg closest to the viewer is a tad wonky, fix it!

Very nice piece

Cheers

**DeKal** · May 11th, 2008, 05:03 PM

AA-ron - thanks man. i know. but im really trying to not let that bright light drown out my anatomy and skin texture..it did in the face and hand but i fixed it thanks to these great comments ive received
rawas - thank you
Ketka - thank you
kidult - some people like the blonds with big boobs..id rather the brunette with an ass hips and thighs
Idiot Apathy - aww man. much thanks bro....i know exactly what you mean and you just motivated me take care of that issue..same thing happened with that hand as well..i think i took care of everything here..let me know
bubs - thanksman
algenpfleger - made perfect sense..i touched it up a bit..im border line overworking this here so didnt wanna fudge with it too much.
Buckster - ha..thanks man..but i think im leaving the leg alone.. it doesnt bother me and i think the imperfection gives something to the image..plus ive fucked with everything too much already...thanks again though man!

thanks so much to everyone.. i think i took care of most of the issues let me know.
im too lazy to do a face close up comparisons but just take my word for it. i used an earlier version without the blue light and more detail..

**GeistDel** · May 12th, 2008, 09:32 AM

Once again Dekal... Good Fucking Job. You create some of the most visually compeling women, I have every seen. have you ever thought of doing a pin-up calender. That would be pretty interesting.

**Dynamike** · May 12th, 2008, 10:07 AM

I like the third version in post #295 more because I think the more mononochrome look is looking better than the colors you added in the new pic.

**DeKal** · May 12th, 2008, 06:36 PM

GeistDel - so much appreciated man. id love to do a pin up calender if someone commissioned me to do it. but i do so many girls on my own time im trying to expand my subject matter. but like i said..money talks.
dynamike - i know what you mean..we'll see

some more stuff..hope you all enjoy

**UCT** · May 12th, 2008, 06:59 PM

environments on last page are sick. I like your style Dekal

AND that last one above, whoof!, eerie

**algenpfleger** · May 13th, 2008, 09:06 AM

amazing update man, that foggy swamp environment is dope.

**GeistDel** · May 13th, 2008, 09:19 AM

Hey DeKal, do you use the smudge tool to help in your rendering or do you just use meticulous brush strokes. Also where are you trying to expand your subject matter to. I been seeing your environments and you doing some good work there. Keep it up.

**DeKal** · May 15th, 2008, 06:36 PM

UCT - thank you man
algenpfleger - thanks bro. im workin on em
GeistDel - i use the smudge tool sparingly so yea the painting is pretty much all brush strokes. i really wouldnt use the term meticulous. it has a negative conotation and the painting process is something that is anything but negative. i would describe pointilism and similar techniques as meticulous. my style is more impressionistic and the brush strokes are enjoyable to me. espeically when im messing around with all of the unique and powerful custom brushes in ps. even though 75% of my paintings are done with a more conventional brush.

shitty update but its all i got for now. i turned that character into some kinda mechanic type dude. ill try to push it further later. no ref, so lots of issues. whatever.

**Buckster** · May 16th, 2008, 07:58 AM

I like the simplicity of those last environments mate, really cool feel to them.

Sorry but too tiered to feed you crit this time, I'll try to make up for it on a later note ^^

Cheers

**MonkeYoakum** · May 16th, 2008, 08:40 AM

Great Sb, keep up the nice work. Was hoping to see this one finished. Cheers

**Giorge** · May 16th, 2008, 01:31 PM

God DAMN! every time I enter your sb , i'm stunned , i really don't know what to say that hasn't been said, love the life-model sketches , trough the hand is the way to one's soul. Sketch!Paint!AMAZE!

**Suira** · May 16th, 2008, 01:54 PM

Awesome stuff as always Jeff, always nice to see your work.

Well, even though I'm faaaaaaaaaar away from your amazing level I found an issue on this wip:

http://conceptart.org/forums/attachm...1&d=1210539770

The left's hand perspective is not bad but the volume given doesn't convice and well, I think it's too curved , I mean, we all can curve so much the hand but I think it should be more relaxed so it fits more with the rest of the body's position, taking that away, amazing wip!

**Nizza_waaarg** · May 18th, 2008, 05:53 AM

enviro's are looking so good man. Only thing i can really find to crit is on that last dude u posted, kinda looks like his torso is getting a bit thicker the lower it gets (as it gets down to his legs).

Really awsome art and your paintings are as sick as ever

.

all the best

**kidult** · May 18th, 2008, 12:23 PM

Great updates and love the spray work!

**Ash888** · May 20th, 2008, 02:49 AM

Your drawings inspire me every time, you don't disappoint.

**DeKal** · May 20th, 2008, 03:14 PM

Buckster - thanks bro..always like hearing from you
MonkeYoakum - thanks man..you will. im almost done with it
flamable - a million thanks. comments like those are why i keep posting
Suira - really appreciate the feedback man. i looked over the hand issue for a few minutes and it really doesnt bother me. theres always so many things that bother me in my work that it gets overwhelming for me. so when things seem to work i try not to think twice about them.
Nizza_waaarg - thanks man. no ref for that character so these things happen. i actually think that issue adds to his occupation as a futuristic working class handyman type dude.
kidult - thanks man
Ash888 - thanks ash..i try not to

just a couple portraits. the first is partial ref. the second is a commission so obviously reffed.

**Ash888** · May 20th, 2008, 03:36 PM

Both the lighting and expression in this last portrait are subtle and excellent.

**anjin** · May 20th, 2008, 03:54 PM

I like the last two portrait...

**AsaB** · May 20th, 2008, 03:54 PM

Hey man, thanks for dropping by!
And wow, I've missed so many great updates in my absence! Everything is so darn jaw-droppingly beautiful. Your portraits are among the best I've seen, you've got such variety and dynamic in the expressions and facial features. The last two look good, I love how you do lighting. The girl kinda reminds me of a young Angelina Jolie gone wrong, haha

Those eyes just stare right through.

**Mark Bot** · May 20th, 2008, 03:55 PM

man those portraits are hot.
minor crits:
first portrait blends into the BG a bit (could be intended, generally not a big deal it's just hard to tell what's going on in her chest area at first glance)
second portrait's hand flattens out at his wrist.. probably due to the relatively even treatment of highlights.
super sweet though, i'm just nitpicking.

**DeKal** · May 26th, 2008, 11:13 PM

Ash888 - thank you man
anjin - thanks
AsaB - really really appreciate all that. thats hilarious. angelina jolie gone WRONG... i started with a ref of her but put it away real quick and finished without it.
GusTheRobot - much thanks man.. i agree with you on both accounts. i fixed the hand because it was a commission but the female face was just a study so i let it slide.. thanks though man.

bunch a stuff. another commission, a live painitng i did and sold that night, and some life drawing.
funny with the live painting. i did it in a real dimly lit bar so i thought all my values were right..sold the painting, and now when i look at the picture when i get home i notice all my values are too light. and her nose is fucked up too..oh well..i got paid!

**Ash888** · May 27th, 2008, 12:23 AM

The female portrait feels off.
The right eye is a little high and the nose not being as defined as the rest of the features feel awkward.
Her head feels too tall, but that could be an illusion caused by the background.
These new profiles are great, especially the last one.
I love the new boxing painting, but even with perspective the forearm in the foreground is slightly too big.
I am still very impressed every time you post, so post again soon.

**DeKal** · May 27th, 2008, 01:34 AM

i already noted that i did the female face in a dark bar. ill add that i did it in under an hour and if it were up to me, i would work on it more. i was drinking and smoking weed, and talking everyone. it was at a damn bar. this dude bought it and that was that. i always encourage critique, but nitpicking can be annoying sometimes.
and your quite wrong about the forearm. its perfect.

**Ash888** · May 27th, 2008, 01:43 AM

I did not read the caption, Sorry.
Only trying to help, but you know best when it comes to your work.
I am a fan of your work and I did not mean to nit pick.
Good luck.