Mike's Little Sketchbook

[Mike Yakovlev]

My name is Mike Yakovlev. Fairly new to the site, so uploading may be slow.

You can check out my more finished work along with processes at MY BLOG.

Enjoy the art.

[Mike Yakovlev]

I think I'm just gonna go ahead and dump a bunch of work I've been doing so that you guys can get an idea of my work.
Also so I don't have to wait before I can upload more recent stuff.

The graveyard, I was playing around with simplicity. I had this comp/color/in my head for a while and I wanted to jot it down before it escaped me.
The frog creature, Police and gang member are for a secondary world I am working on. Taking place on a fictional planet, somewhat futuristic, Blade Runner-esque.

[Mike Yakovlev]

One thing I've been striving to get good at is environments. Since I'm painting digitally I get to play with different textured brushes and photos.
Enjoy this set.

[Rostas]

Man , I love the city enviro. Very nicely done.

The last one , although It was headed in a good direciton. The eyes are bombarded by the 4 long things put right in the middle. I'd suggest cutting those out if you're continuing working on it.

Also for Environments do Thumbnails. If you do those , you'll get more able to manage Mood and Atmosphere and also establish the ground for a better environment.

Cheers and good luck.

[Mike Yakovlev]

I'll definitely try that out.
Thanks!

[palladium]

Welcome to CA. Really digging these, the only critique I've got for you is to use solid brushes more instead of ones with the opacity set too low. It muddies up the colors and creates weird edges that draw a viewers eyes where they shouldn't. I was the same way for the longest time, keep at it. I will be back for more.

[Mike Yakovlev]

took an hour or two to play with shapes and composition. Beginning to play with a new method for finding compositions, where I just make broad shapes/copy paste/re-size and look for a decent comp. I feel I am still lacking confidence when it comes to pushing my dynamic perspective and angles, but I am slowly edging myself into it.
I've been checking out the EOW and using the ideas on there to draw (see what I did there?/i'llshowmyselfout) sketches and get inspiration from them.

[Mike Yakovlev]

I've always admired the silly type of illustration. Flat colors and characters that you don't even know if they are human or not. I guess this was my attempt at it. It was a nice break from all the realistic renders I've been doing.

[Mike Yakovlev]

It seems I am running out of inspiration. Or maybe I'm just getting lazy.
I've been talking to a bunch of small & big time artists lately, and I am getting some wise words. Still find myself not being so eager to create art. Maybe it's a time issue.

I thought I would be uploading awesome artwork and it would look really good, just like everyone else on here, but I've come to terms that I am not that good. So I'll just keep uploading what I can, even if I personally think it's bad. We'll have a nice timeline of my progression.

This one's kinda boring, but I was having a lot of fun with the marks.


I love to work traditionally, but sometimes I just don't feel like setting all my paints up.

[Mike Yakovlev]

Had this really fun idea of a Pirate themes book cover,
I was indecisive between these two layouts.
Which one did I go with?

[Mike Yakovlev]

I'd really love a critique or some comments eventually. Also, is there a way to change the thumbnail for this sketchbook? I think it's a bit boring, it doesn't I didn't know it would be the first post I make. Anyways this is what I chose of the 2 comps to take to final.

SKA-DOOOOOSH!!!!

[Mike Yakovlev]

I've been trying to kick my own ass into doing more work, small or big it doesn't matter

[vayne108]

wow, great start to your sketchbook. I like the roughness of the quick digital pieces.

[Mike Yakovlev]

vayne108: Thanks a lot! I can easily the "rough" part in a painting, but I find it difficult to make it look finalized and clean.

Some Sketchbook stuff.

The lower sketch is inspired by one of my favorite artists, Noah Bradley.


As much as I've painted digitally, this is the first time, I'm painting a landscape or fantasy form my head. Turned out better than I though.

[vayne108]

I can easily the "rough" part in a painting, but I find it difficult to make it look finalized and clean.

what is it that is difficult for you to making the paintings clean? it is the values transitions? or something else?

if it is what I'm thinking it is, their is a simple solution to the problem.

[Cyberman]

Really liking the greyscale digital sketches man, now start filling up those pages .

[Mike Yakovlev]

Sean McClain: Working at it man, working at it. Definitely love working int he sketchbook.

vaybe108: I can't put my finger on it, but I guess I just haven't worked out a proper method for finishing my illustrations digitally. If I start on one layer and do a really rough painting, I can easily capture my lights,shadows, and get a good comp. But then I don't know where to go from there, without losing my broad makes and strong lights & shadows. It ends up looking too tight and stiff. I'll upload some recent "finished" illustrations, so you can get a better idea on what I mean.

[Mike Yakovlev]

I'm happy to be doing actual Concept Art now. It makes me feel professional and that I am actually getting experience for things I'd be doing in the industry. This was for a fictional world I created. Pretty Basic set up, I had a fun time but also a very strenuous time coming up with the design on the beast and it's face.

[Mike Yakovlev]

Work in progress using the characters in the concepts above.

I'd love some words, comments, or critiques on this one, really wanna make it look nice.

[vayne108]

I can't put my finger on it, but I guess I just haven't worked out a proper method for finishing my illustrations digitally. If I start on one layer and do a really rough painting, I can easily capture my lights,shadows, and get a good comp. But then I don't know where to go from there, without losing my broad makes and strong lights & shadows. It ends up looking too tight and stiff. I'll upload some recent "finished" illustrations, so you can get a better idea on what I mean.

Sounds good, can't wait !

[Mike Yakovlev]

Not entirely happy with the final. I may take some time in the future to re do a lot of things

[Joe777k7]

Awesome sketchbook!! Thanks for the comment in my sketchbook! Ill try to aplly some of what you suggested to my works!! Got to continue to learn how to paint so i can do enviroments! Great last update! Its looking really cool!

[Mike Yakovlev]

more sketches. i really diggin this pulp culture style =]

[Mike Yakovlev]

Sorry for the late update folks, but here are more sketches.
Thinking about taking one of those thumbnails to a final painting. I'll probably do some more thumbnails to really nail...down the comp -HA...HA...HA...

[Mike Yakovlev]

Concept work on re-designing The Atomic Thunderbolt into a live action film.
I'm using methods I've seen in other pre-production movie concepts. Using pictures I took myself with photo textures and digital painting to bring certain elements to life much faster.

His power is to create and atomic explosion by punching his fists together. Concept gloves that he could wear, while in combat.


I'd love some comments or critique on if it looks like it could function or if it makes sense.
Thanks!

[Mike Yakovlev]

Having trouble uploading files for some reason, weird...

[Mike Yakovlev]

Horses are weird...

[Mike Yakovlev]

Ok, found what was wrong.
Uploads away!

I'm thinking of taking this comp to final painting.

[Mike Yakovlev]

[Mike Yakovlev]