Grand Space Opera 2D Entry: Eric Truong

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1098713199_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1098713199_large.jpg)

Just some preliminary sketches and conceptual ideas.

1. A gigantic spaceship hovering over an ancient artefact protect by some natural Earth elements rising out of the ground.

2. A robotic jet fighter sent to protect the only human existent city from invasion.

3. The big landing collision of space pods.

more to come...

[Ichthus]

Thats pretty good, love your clean lines. I prefer the second concept. I think itll look cooler though if there were more than one protectors, it kinda has an anime feel to it.

[JTD]

I’m all for combining concept 1 and concept 2. I love the perspective of the bot coming straight at me but I’d also like to get a glimpse at what he is attacking.

[idiot box]

Nice, I like the lines, keep it coming!

[ecura]

Thanks for the comments, this is my first time of entering an illustration competition so it’s a challenge and a big learning curve. I will keep those suggestions in mind if I do happen to progress those concept further. Stay tune coz I’m just about to upload a few additional sketches. They are still basic line drawings but any feedback is most welcome.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1098965916_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1098965916_large.jpg)

Still early day's, here's the next additional concept sketches.

4. A gun head attached high above skyscrapers on the lookout of any enemy aircrafts and surprise attack.

5. Peace keeping unit sent to maintain law and order before an outbreak of war escalate.

6. A speed chaser, flying at high velocity through a canyon in the hunt of capturing spy ships holding secretive information. It's a must catch or else...

7. Submarine deployed to dismantle water mines in fear of sabotage to high-speed information cables. It’s the new era of world information sharing and communication.

[MoonVisionStudio]

I think they are all good, but 1, 3, and 5 have the best "grand" feel for me.
Good Luck!

[screamingwing]

Man
like the bot but doesn't look dramatic or grand enough in that head on view. Would put him in larger scale shot like 1 and 3.
Good luck.

[element5]

Your concept drawings are great, keep up the good work :thumbsup:

[V_Shane]

#3 certainly has the biggest feel for me, it has alot of contrast potential.

[Ranath]

number 3, I'd pick that, keep that nice angle

[ForestBlue]

Yeah the view from number 3 looks the most epic of the set, very nice concepts, though really digging the line work.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1099398126_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1099398126_large.jpg)

Trying to further emphasise GRAND!

8. The epic shot of a big battle for power. A gigantic spaceship explodes in mid air, losing control before it hits the ground while being impounded by many jet fighters.

9. Further development from concept 3. Only a few minutes to spare, fighter planes attack space pods, trying all they can to avoid the biggest crash landing. The consequence of them failing would be very devastating.

[cgtalkmember]

very nice sketches and i like that meteor looking thing :thumbsup: its death from above lol

[deaderthanred]

looking very grand indeed! nice start, keep up the cool work :bounce: cant wait for updates

[ebrowning]

Hey,
I like the last two in that in that they really push a sense of scale- in the last one you might show one of those cool victorian atom bombs actually hitting the ground, which would push the tension a little bit. That way the viewer KNOWS this isn't a food drop. Unless it is, I'm assuming they're "bad things".
You're drawings are great, can't wait to watch what happens over here.

[RaresH]

Interesting concepts. I'd like to see how you carry it further. Incorporating a contrast between organic and not lends a little drama to the image. If you have access to modeling programs it may help your perspective, something to consider when executing your final composition. The larger your ships the more you need to consider how you can incorporate detail, depth and compositon to bring the sence of style out.

Good luck. I'll see around. a

[ecura]

Firstly thanks to everyone who has place in a comment, always great to hear from anyone of you.

Ebrowning: Coming to think of it, that Victorian atom bomb does seem to look like some kind of food drop hee hee. I will definitely take up your suggestion or do something to avoid anyone else thinking that when I come to doing my next phase of updates on that concept.

Rares_Halmagean: Yeah I’m trying to create a style that could be mix it in with the old and the futuristic time frame or something from out of this world on concept number 9. Finding something that has not been done before is a challenge so I will require a little bit more of an exploration on that one however does make the image a little bit more interesting huh. For this 2D competition section I will not use any 3D software. I don’t have any problems with anyone using a 3D application as a tool to get the correct proportion and light etc (I'm a big fan of 3D). However I will stick by using my visual skills to achieve the final composition. I personally think there is a lot to learn and it would be more rewarding doing it the traditional way even if it is not perfect. Thanks for your suggestion.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1099819006_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1099819006_large.jpg)

It's in colour.

10. One of the grand ideas further developed from concept number 8.

[Speaky]

Hi Ecura, it seems to be progressing well. I like your concept thumbnails, all good ideas there, and a great idea to number them! I think your latest pic shows promise but it doesn't look very epic. I think what's causing that is the overly basic shape of the main ship. Any big ship would be constructed of many different sections of plating and have areas of greater detail, cosmetic damage and so forth, stuff to make the eye believe it's looking at something vast.

Btw ... I know where you are coming from on your '3D or not 3D' decision. I was also of a mind that I'd keep it purely 2D, perspective with a ruler etc. I kind of reconsidered though, thinking that to deny myself a tool for the sake of artistic purity didn't sound too clever really! I would absolutely recommend taking the time to learn perspective drawing, I did, and it's a subject that becomes more fascinating as you begin to 'get' it. Just don't talk to me about ellipses and circles... still a pain! I wonder if the GSO challenge is the place to do this learning though, as it does take a while, and might it not be best to use every weapon in your arsenal to produce a killer piece here, and separately set out to learn perspective at leisure for use in the future? It's only a thought, I respect anyone who has the dedication to learn the basics! Keep it up! :thumbsup:

[Hillartsympho]

good work so far. I would consider adding some reflection of the explosions to the surface of the ship. good luck!

[ecura]

Speaky: Your advice will surely come to good use as I am planing my next phase of doing a quick render of concept no.#9 much like this one with the addition of those helpful feedback. I know this one is far from being perfect but I guess it will give me a good basic indication of which ideas to go for the final milestone or either scrapping them both if something better pops into my head. None of the concept has been set in concrete yet. Hee hee I’m slow on it but will eventually get there.

Your work are soooo fantastic… always wanted to be as good as what you could do but then again I’m still an amateur in this field so I'm very happy to get advice from the pro’s. Your use of 3D application to set the basis of your work looks very convincing however I’m still glued to my 2D thoughts for this competition (not that there is anything wrong with your thoughts, its more to do with me who has this stubborn mindset). I guess I’m also using this opportunity to build up my illustration skills since it’s my first time to do something so in depth and detailed. Once this competition is completed I will probably take some of these developments on to a 3D application to spice up my skills around that area.

Hillartsympho: Thanks... its all about details!

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1100343700_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1100343700_large.jpg)

Here is a rough colour version of concept number 9. Just comparing with the other ideas to see which works better or if there is a need to go back to drawing board for more brainstorming. There is more to improve on so any suggestions feel free to drop a comment. Will be designing the space vehicles in the next phase. Stay tune for more...

[ecura]

Okay here is just a short synopsis of what I intend to work my image towards. The chemistry in the sci-fi flick might not make any sense but thought having a story will help ease while doing the concepts.

In 2035, the Zephyr organization known to produce high-tech military equipment formed an alliance with governments around the world in a secret project. Code name Destiny is a formula discovery allowing mass volume of oxygen to be condense and be stored in a small containment for a first step Mars life experimentation.

The Zephyr organization deceived the government and secretly expanded their collection around the globe, extracting majority of the air we breathe in the greedy for power and control. Now 64 years later what is left on Earth is the grand city of the Zephyr kingdom. Outside the fortress city is a deserted wasteland toxic by the lack of oxygen in the atmosphere. People have been forced to live indoors, shelter with degree of controlled air supply. Those who were lucky escape to the Lunar space station and the people left behind were force to work under Zephyr, expanding there kingdom and powers beyond any means for exchange of oxygen. At the top of the world, the Lunar space station is the only hope to save Earth and its human race from slavery.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1100791062_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1100791062_large.jpg)

Back to the drawing board and here is just a few more environment concept base on the story I have posted up in the thread.

12. Pipeline running around the Zephyr kingdom and aircrafts ordered to hunt down the people trying to escape to the Lunar space station.

13. One of the reactors where Oxygen is stored and controlled. It goes deep underground.

14. Another concept of the fortress city deep underground. Building built above and below each other with Oxygen pipelines running around.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1100934674_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1100934674_large.jpg)

Some concepts on the Zephyr combat vehicles. Trying to focus on a solid form showing its strong military characteristic.

15. Jet fighter missile launcher - average speed and capable of firing missiles quickly with heavy impact. Ammunition runs out quick which will require to fly back to base for reload.

16. Aerial laser fire - Fast moving light laser fighter capable of cutting through most armour machinery with a single shot but has reliability problems and can not take in heavy gun fire.

17. Infantry transport carrier - Solid and can go into stealth mode but carries no weapons of any kind to defend its self.

18. Airship tank - An explosive shooter packing a heavy punch on enemy machines. However its slow to fire and is limited to a few rounds of shot. Solid and can take heavy load of gun fire.

[element5]

I am keen on number9 concept and the number 16 Aerial laser fire. The big ball ship could be closer and only see part of it. So we can see the surface detail, we dont need to see the whole ship because of the ones in the background. The fighter ships can stay that size. This would make these ball ships look huge. The wake of the fighters could be more to the left of us instead of coming from beneath. Maybe the fighter could be number 16 :D

Just my 2 cents worth great stuff :thumbsup:

[AlexKaiser]

Hello, nice progress on your thumbnails. especially those environmental ones. I really like the perspective, and feeling of 13, got a real overhead battleground feel to it. (as if it were quite vunerable and needed protection) I think in your colour sketches you should keep them a little more loose, they have quite sharp lines in them, bringing on a certain flatness, and ridgedness with not enough contrast and focus in them, mainly because of the lighting I think (hope this isn't being to harsh), but your thumbnails are wonderful, and full of great potential, keep up the good work. 15 and 16 are well funky vehicles.

[SideAche]

I like the composition in #3 :thumbsup:

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1101124613_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1101124613_large.jpg)

Some more Zephyr vehicles. These one are smaller in scale and are used to aid other larger vehicles in a combat.

19. Communication tracer - This is a spy communication vehicle use to listen in on to enemies communication or worst it can disturb them by sending virus to the channels.

20. The sphere devastator - This little machine requires to be drop from a plane at high altitude, it guides itself to the enemy and drops a sphere ball high above, giving a big puncher to the target. Its restricted to holding to two sphere photon bombs and has limited mobility.

21. Vertical jet - Its design to shot down any non moving enemy targets by flying very fast in a vertical position. It still has capabilities flying horizontally by lacks the speed.

22. The hover - A hover spying craft can just about go anywhere relaying visual and sound signals back to base. Its quiet and comes and goes with out any notice.

23. Chemical tracker - This tracks down any deadly chemicals in the air and collects the sample for analysing.

[ecura]

Thanks for all of you response. Going to do a few more concept so that I have something which ties into the storyline. I like a few of the ideas like the pipelines running around, vehical design and some of the perspective angles, but there is nothing at the moment saying pick me! pick me! I'm trying to think of something that illustrates tension in a grand iconic scale (as we all are) without the mass of distruction, a spy hero (from the Lunar space station) which could infiltrate in enemy territory (the Zephyr Kingdom) and ultimately save the world without having to go to war.

element5: I think your suggestion would push that concept number 9 further and make it more dramatic. I'm also on the lines of adapting that concept to the story I have place in the thread (changing that ball of fire into a cyan colour exploding in mid air releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere, a technology developed by the Lunar space station to save the world, however in saying that it may lose its grand feel.. something to think about and to play around).

AlexKaiser: Your advice is not harsh at all. I do agree with you that my colour concept can be improved and your suggestion does definitely help and give me that guide to make it better. So if you have any critics, its all for the better. Thanks.

SideAche: Yep I originally like that concept too.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1101470569_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1101470569_large.jpg)

Some concepts of the Lunar spying vehicles.

24. Stealth jet - Fast flying craft, capable of flying low to the ground without being detected on radar.

25. Aero jet - Hard to target versatile jet. Ability to move fast and freely with the use of its flexible tail.

26. Small stealth jet - Can infiltrate enemy territory without being notice and escape at high speed if detected.

27. Silent craft - Disguise as a Zephyr combat vehicle, capable of getting close to enemies secret location and tapping into it's information system for a long duration without being traced.

[Ozanosfer]

Great designs ..Love your ships..Wonderful Concept and Desing...I want to see the crew of the starships..
Good luck!...

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1101526377_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1101526377_large.jpg)

One of the Lunar stealth craft spying on the Zephyr headquarters. Trying to depict the big city while also showing the outer skirt of the deserted area.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1101561730_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1101561730_large.jpg)

29. This is the Destiny machine that the Zephyr kingdom gains power over civilians by using it for mass collection and storage of oxygen. It inhales the oxygen by releasing a chemical substance high up into the atmosphere and then compressing the compound in a stable state before it gets contained. Hidden in a hole deep underground, the Lunar stealth crafts are sent on a mission to reverse the extraction.

[ecura]

Hi Ozanosfer, thanks for placing a post in this threat. I'm running short on time to draw the crew of these vehicles but I'm not ruling them out as well. My core focus at the moment is to find a concept which I can develop for the next milestone. I think I am on track with it and will have it posted shortly. Stay tune!

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1101816080_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1101816080_large.jpg)

30. Another concept of the Destiny machine activated to collect oxygen from the atmosphere. The first batch of the Lunar stealth craft are sent to reverse the extraction.
The main focus of this piece is to show a beam warping the clouds and to highlight the surrounding environment. I think particles in this concept can be played on a grand scale as it is further developed, getting close to selecting this idea for next milestone.

[AirbORn]

Interesting concept! I like the idea and the composition. I look forward to more updates! :)

[ecura]

Thanks AirbORn!

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1102121779_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1102121779_large.jpg)

Same concept as the previous one, only that this is in a vertical format and shows more of the beam highlight's. I'm still in favour of the horizontal because it shows more of the surrounding area. Anyone dropping a message in my thread let me know what you think?

[adonihs]

Wow such patience to draw that city! Id go mad, but wow you totally pulled it off! Very cool perspective and sleek designs! As mentioned, cant wait to see more!

[V_Shane]

Pretty intense, is that some severly hard rain coming down?

[ecura]

adonihs: Thanks for the comment and support.

V_Shane: Hopefully I will be able to push it to be even more intense as I progress further. Those white streaks suppose to be rays of light shining through the clouds, hummm needs more work, but a rain effect could be something cool to try out as well. Thanks.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1102604200_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1102604200_large.jpg)

This is a preliminary line art work, more to be worked on. I plain to have the background environment, particle beam and spacecraft on separate layers which will allow a little bit of freedom later in the colouring WIP. Still more to be developed on this environment so will be adjusting things here and there to the details.

[bolchover]

good to see your progression of ideas. The line art work looks strong, and the concepts are effective at creating the feel for what's going on

[rodrigogua]

wow, excellent job. i like the concept, the story and the sketches so far. keep it up!!!

[Tranchefeux]

Whouaah which details, I await the continuation, good road

[BlueEyeLizard]

Great concept. Can't wait to see it with color.:thumbsup:

[KaleN]

I like it! Very clear and easy to read style. Good luck!

[ecura]

I originally wasn't going to post that line art because it wasn't complete but I'm glad I did. All your nice comments gives me the encouragement to push further, so thank you so much. I'm currently working on an update of the line art, but while in the process something clicked in me to try out another perspective. Its the exact same concept but looking at in an even more grand scale as I picture it as the one to go for. But its all visually imagine in my head, so I decided to jump back and work on a quick rendering. All will be explain shortly when I have it up loaded. For those who are waiting for the detailed line art I will have it up soon with the new perspective adaption. Well I guess I will have to since I don't have much time left to spare.

boichover: Thanks thanks. Its good that you can see what is happening, I was being to worry that some of the elements losing it.

rodrigogua: finally some one likes my story, hee hee I'm happy about that. I'm not really good in story telling, the chemistry behind all this is most likely unrealistic but hey its a sci-fi world huh... so anything is possible.

Tranchefeux: Thanks, always good to get a comment from a great artist. Nothing beats the amount of details you have place in this challenge and other work as seen from your website.
Hey if anyone who is reading this and have not seen Tranchefeux master piece you certain would be lacking in a lot of details. Do check it out, http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=178449 its super detailed.

BlueEyeLizard: After having spent so much time in the concept development stage I, myself can't wait to see it in colour. Thanks.

KaleN: Thanks, to be honest I'm not to sure if the last up of line art I posted was my kinda style, I thought it was a bit messy because I usually do up my illustration quiet tight on an A5 sketch pad and then scan it at a reasonable resolution. However for the case of getting ready to layout the foundation to get the final artwork at the size require for this competition I did scan it in high res which the lines weren't as crystal clear how I usually have them looking. However I will have it cleaned up for you viewing.

Thanks everyone.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1102950358_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1102950358_large.jpg)

33. Okay I am jumping back on the concept phase to do a quick rendering before I switch to refining the line art. I could only visualised this in my mind, so I though I'll give it a go to interpreted to an image. Its the exact same concept as no.30 but through a different perspective.

I feel quiet strongly about this change, one main reason behind this is that I want to put the viewers in a journey (a though with some kind of connection with the element name "Destiny" in this story), travelling through the clouds to get the glimpse and feel of the complete story.

The image has three main elements. 1.Beam of light something that will stand out as being surreal and specular (will experiment in creating particles in the Colour WIP phase). 2.The surrounding environment of the Zephyr city, a kingdom with buildings spread beyond the horizon overcast by the clouds above. 3.The Lunar space craft in its dynamic motion, entering into the Zephyr territory to reverse the cycle of Oxygen collection.

On a technical front, creating the particle effects and clouds will be most challenging. Any suggestion or critics, I would be very interested to hear from you.

[Hillartsympho]

this is going well so far, i would suggest more variation in the arrangement of the ships in space. do you thing they could come from more than one angle? maybe from the left side too? could there be one that is much farther down (like closer to the earth) below the three that you have now? have you ever flown on a plane and there was another one flying below or above in a different direction? thats sort of what i mean.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1103033195_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1103033195_large.jpg)

34. With this version I added a few minor touches. The Lunar spacecrafts wing has been slightly altered to give it a speedy look. I've also position the individual crafts for more depth. Also included are some of the Zephyr protecting vehicles (design came from no.7 concept, thought this suite well for what I wanted) hovering around the Destiny machine. I'm quiet happy with is general idea so I'm going to press on finalising the line art.

[ecura]

Hillartsympho: Thanks for your suggestion. As you can see I have tried to give it a little bit more depth in this version. The position is not yet fixed as it has somehow change the way I wanted the clouds appearance. I could probably go on forever making minor positional adjustments but I probably stop it here and spend more to it in my next phase of Line Art. I have also tried the spacecrafts coming in from different directions but it was too confusing to get the story across to the audience. Your handy advice is definitely a signal for to improve on the concept, I see added potential in this. Many thanks!

[Lovliebutterfly]

I agree with Hillartsymphoon about the "variation in the arrangement of the ships in space". I think the scene would look more dynamic if ships were coming from different angles. I like the colour scheme though. I looks cold and crisp.

[ecura]

Lovliebutterfly: I have tried placing the spacecraft coming in from different directions but too me it look messy, there was a lack of balance in the image which made it difficult to convey the story. This was my main point of sticking to the spacecraft coming in from one direction. I total agree that it makes the image look more dynamic following these sets of rules from the suggestion. Its possibly that the one tonal value in this rough concept is the cause of this messy look and feel. I will have to explore it when I add colour in the later phases of this challenge... more to play with. Oh colours, I haven't yet decided but thanks for the nice comment and good suggestion.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1103345545_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1103345545_large.jpg)

35. This is the line art of the environment. Rather then flooding the plane with buildings as I originally intended, I've decide to take the option of adding another dimension. These buildings sits on a construction platform above ground level which I've created open hole patches revealing the skyscraper's lights deep below.

Certain part of the environment will obviously be covered up with elements yet to be placed, I'm sure details will be lost but in saying so it should be much more easy to work backwards and allow me the flexibility to move elements around or resolve unexpected problems that may arises later in the other phases. Hopefully I have this right, since I don't have a tablet do to corrections on the fly it will be quiet a hassle to go back to the drawing board and sketch things by hand and rescanning them.

Okay next up are line art for the spacecrafts and the beam of light.

[element5]

Looks as if you have everything under control...no crits here :thumbsup:

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1103542368_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1103542368_large.jpg)

Here is the complete line art I will use as a reference for the Colour WIP milestone. The background, spacecraft and the light beam lines all sit on a layer.

[ecura]

element5: With the final date drawing closer, I hope I have everything under control.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1104030029_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1104030029_large.jpg)

37. Here is just the start of the form I am trying to get on the background environment. The number of buildings I want to show does bring a few challenges at this stage. I could simply paint over what I have in the template, but this method can be a bit time consuming. The other alternative I would be in favour of is to do the building blocks in a 3D application, its accurate on the perspective, detailed with the lighting and shadow cast and probably quicker. But since I want to challenge myself in the 2D world I'm sticking to the grounds of using a 2D applications and working from there.
To start off I've change my colour setting to Grayscale. My computer process a lot quicker when I come to having a number of layers in this mode. A few different building blocks was designed and then scattered around using the line art used as a reference. Then a selected area were copied and paste onto other locations to speed up the process. I've not overly concern about the repetitiveness here, since certain parts will be covered by the mid ground and foreground elements. Now I have the basic foundation of the buildings I can merge certain layers together and switch back to RGB mode to apply my preliminary colours.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1104137562_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1104137562_large.jpg)

Finally here is the start of the colour WIP. Still in its early stages but quiet please with the progress. For this backdrop environment I'm thinking of using dark composition colours orange and blue. The light beam which will be applied later in the final stages of development will lit up the scene so it makes sense to leave it dark. At the moment I'm in search for an effective method to lay down the details on the building, mousing clicking to do up any lines is a bit difficult without having to go to the drawing board and scanning it in. Any suggests would be greatly appreciated. Still thinking, thinking, thinking....

[walrus]

Ecura - It's lookiong nice! The colors in the latest post look like a good direction. I really like how you're incorporating the 3D in this to make the buildings work. You didn't post a shot so I'll ask: Did you also build the main dome as a 3D structure? It feels like it's at a different angle from the buildings, not quite the same perspective. I guess that wouldn't happen if it was all built in the same 3D world, but I thought I'd ask because it's just looking a little off.

Anyhow, best of luck with it!

-mike

[ecura]

Walrus: Many thanks for pointing out the perspective not matching. I was beginning to ask myself the same question yesterday when I was working on it and now you have confirm it. Lucky me, I think this shouldn't be a big issue to correct since I have the building blocks sitting on a layer I can shift it to an angle quiet easy. Hopefully that is the case. I will also consider tilting the perspective of the whole image slightly to an angle to give that dynamic look and feel while I'm at it.

Everything up to what I have done is all in 2D. The main dome structure was rendered in Photoshop using the line art as a guide. As with the building blocks that too was done in Photoshop shown in my previous upload (no#37), maybe it wasn't interpreted clearly how this was achieved, sorry me an my bad English skills. Basically I made one face, duplicated it, shifted it and filled in the side areas. I step and repeat a few of the block and finally combine them all to make the structure I liked. I guess this is probably where I went wrong in getting the perspective correct.

Had I have done this in 3D it would be a much simple method, just draw up the faces and extrude it, I could have more complex building design with curves and shadows. I know I'm a silly to do it the long way but since this is a 2D challenge I thought I should stick by doing it all in 2D and learn in the same time.

Thanks once again for placing a comment, it does greatly help point out a direction to work towards.

My other challenge now is to work out an effective way of applying the details to the building without having to go into each individual one and mark out the lines. Any suggestion, anyone?

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1104590063_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1104590063_large.jpg)

Here is another update to the environment background. I've added details to the buildings, would have like to do few more of these to reduce the repetitiveness but as stated some of the other elements still needs to be put in place so its most likely going to parts of it.
It was more difficult then expected to correct the perspective between the dome and the city building. My original plain was to skew the buildings but this didn't work, it looked so slanted on an angle it just didn't look right. So I ended up rotating the dome, this is probably as close as I could get without having to go back to the drawing board. Next up is rendering the spacecrafts and the light beam. Once this done I will jump back to the environment to add the shadows, lighting and make a few corrections.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1104673717_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1104673717_large.jpg)

Some updates with the Lunar spacecraft and cloud effects added. The light beam and Zephyr vehicles still to come.

[Tranchefeux]

Hi,
Of your project well I like the framing, I think that a key of
blue would be well to enrich the hue, flat for me the uses of
the 3d devalues your work.

[ecura]

Tranchefeux: Thanks for coming back to place a comment and your thoughts. Humm yes I definitely take your advice on putting blue somewhere in the image, maybe on the beam of light.

I know what you mean about the 3d look that devalues the artwork. I guess this technique was developed make things easy on my side with the tools that I have. Its also something different to experiment. I would like to have it looked more lose but every time I target my mouse to draw a curve or hight areas of details it just goes off. So I've end up building blocks and applying clean line details (using the path tool) to those buildings directly in the 2D application world. I could do it by hand and scan it in but this would have taken quiet sometime going back a forth. Not sure if a graphic tablet would help, most likely it would allow more freedom of movement having played around with it in my local computer store but I'm saving money on that so at the moment I'm just stuck doing the digital art with a mouse. Oh and if anyone has a good recommendation of which tablet I should get please let me know. I have my cravings on a Wacom PTZ-630 or the PTZ-430 smaller size if I don't have the budget.

An alternative solution to loosen the image up is to place lights over the buildings, maybe this will pull back the sharp clean look and blend the image together. I probably don't have a lot of time to play with it given the deadline is soon coming but if you or anyone have an alternative solution please advise, always great to learn from other thoughts and suggestion. Its something to improve even after this competition. Many Thanks.

[stefuse]

hi !

good graphic style !
continue like this....

stefuse

french jedi

[Ashton]

I like the colors and graphic quality, it reminds me of the Batman cartoon. Those spaceships look similar to these manta ray things in a movie called Sky Captain. That 1950s period is a great ref point imo.

With all this work it looks great on screen and then you print it out and bang, there goes the color.

Nice work.

Ashton

[ElFuego]

the perspective is still a bit out of focus but great improvement from the previous perspective drawing. It's really organic (the spaceship and the dome) and partly very Technological (the skyscrapers) It's like two civilisations live in same planet. There is also some tension between the dome structure and skyscrapers...maybe some neighbourly warfare? :)

Work on it a bit and you have a winner!...well atleast 1st runnerup :)

[xeNusion]

there seem to be some problems with the perspective, especially at the dome.

[ecura]

Thanks thanks thanks.

stefuse: Thanks for the nice comment. I will surly continue on to improve what I have, so be sure to keep your eyes open.

Ashton: From what I have seen of the trailer "Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow", the movie has its unique characteristics. Wanting to watch it but only to be release here in early Feb. I was not satisfy with the spacecraft in the early draft of this concept no.33 (thread 38), so I continue on the development looking back on my sketches, mainly concept no.25 and no.26 (threads no.33). What I ended up was this spacecraft looking like a glider, cross between a bird and fish. It was the perfect match to convey my story (short synopsis on thread no. 25). I will recap and uncover more details of the story on my completion of this project. Oh and being a graphic designer, I fully understand your point of view when it comes to printing. I'm not a printer fan either but hey let's admit to it, if there is no printer in this business we wouldn't have books, posters, magazines and a whole list of goody references. If someone can develop an affordable WYSIWYG printer that will definitely save our hard work and efforts. But given that we have this freedom to go wild with out imagination on this competition, why not go about being innovative and not worry too much about the printing side of things. Thanks.

EIFuego: I will have the beam of light coming out of the dome structure (The Destiny machine). This will spice up some action. BTW many thanks for the nice comment, would love to get a good result in this competition. Having seen so many great work, it would be hard to believe I could match the standard, I don't think I have the skill to meet on that level but I'm doing my best and working on it. Wherever we land ourselves lets not forget that we are all winners as well. We take away a good learning experience ready to apply it in future projects. Given this is my first real illustration competition I certainly have found that. Its challenging and very rewarding to see the end result.

xeNusion: Humm I sense its not perfect yet. I will apply the beam of light on top the dome structure (The Destiny machine) and see if it takes away that focus of that in correction, from there on I probably will make the judgement if it requires fixing. Thanks for pointing it out and leaving a comment.

[daadaa]

hey, there, what you got isnt bad at all, you know you could just draw a few buildings and then just copy them across your city? and also dont think just because you have a mouse, you wont be able to draw well, a few months ago before i got my tablet i was drawing with a mouse, it wasnt bad, just took alot of getting used to, the only thing ur lacking if you use a mouse is the pressure, which is very useful but you can make do without it. All i can say is just work at it and soon enough youll find that it isnt all that hard afterall.
So keep working at it, and im sure it will turn out great! :thumbsup:

[Lunatique]

There's a lot of dull grey in the image right now, and I think if you added some hint of color (think in terms of White Balance in cameras)--maybe tilt it towards blue, violet, or green, the image will be more pleasing visually.

[ecura]

daadaa: Thanks for the handy tip, silly me I should have thought it that way, I always had my mind fixed on using the flat template and painting the details over and so forth. Oh well a lesion to be learnt. You are right about using a mouse, I think its difficult but I guess that's why we develop techniques and find different ways to master it. As the saying goes the tools we have are amazing, it lies in how creative we are to bring it in good use. I will definitely find my ways around it and keep working at it. Thanks for opening my eyes wide open.

Lunatique: Certainly agree with you on that and will surly work on it, many thanks.

[xeNusion]

http://www.xenusion.com/pics/temp/pers.jpg
i hope this helps abit.

[ecura]

xeNusion: Thanks so much for posting that example. Though I have already corrected this perspective in my recent updates. I will try and apply your theory to seek out the problem since its still not perfect. Sometime working on an image for quiet sometime does make the eye lose focus on the obvious in correction. Having people like you posting your thoughts and suggestion does make a big difference. I have to say a big thanks to you all for do that. THANKS!

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1104932743_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1104932743_large.jpg)

Just to give you a glimpse of the progress, the Destiny machine (dome structure) has began its phase of oxygen collection (its in the story). Its not finalised yet, still got a few billions of dots to put together in the extraction. I have also tinted the clouds toward the cyan blue, though I'm not sure if this has overpowered the orange combination. Surly its better then the flat grey I origanly had (a tip thanks to Lunatique). I guess everyone is now pretty much busy getting their master piece ready. Good luck and hope everyone can get it in on time without too much dramas.

[xeNusion]

Sometime working on an image for quiet sometime does make the eye lose focus on the obvious in correction
mirror your pic from time to time and take a look at the mirrored version.
it helps alot to get some "distance" between you and your work and it makes it easier to spot the errors.

[Snotblow]

ah....there's going to be lots of drama for me if I don't get my butt in gear....but you're well on your way to being finished....kudos

[ecura]

xeNusion: thanks for the tip once again. I agree its a quick and effective method. The other way to go about it is to take a step back and work on something else, while your mind settles down often coming back, the fault could be spotted. But this is a time frame issue and since the deadline is always yesterday I guess your method plays well under these circumstances. thanks.

Snotblow: Not finished yet. Still got a lot to do and improve on. Hope all goes okay for you.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105020836_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105020836_large.jpg)

Here is another version of that light beam I have been testing. Its getting close to what I want as being spectacular but then again something else might pop up and surpass what I have here. The spiral flow still needs adjusting but roughly this is the general look and feel. What do you guy's think of this so far? working or not working?

[se7en-z3r0]

I think this has already been pointed out but the bottom left corner is way out of perspective with the rest of the ground plane. Excellewnt rendering so far - the detail work in the buildings is amazing.

[MDN67]

Great picture i love the energy spirale it's a very good realization your ship is great too the only critic it's on the city perhaps the building have so the same form, good work

[ecura]

x_se7en_x: Yep there is something wrong with that dome structure. Will try and rectify that when I get around to it. Before I do so, I thought I should do the testing on the light beam just incase I run out of time. Thanks.

MDN67: Thanks for the response, I think I'm getting mix response with the buildings in this image. For different reasons, some like it and some dislike it. I personally would like to improve on it, but I'll see what time frame I have left to work on. To be honest I ran into trouble creating curve forms and fancy structure with the technique used but I guess it also played out well with the story I had. Relating back to the story, the city of Zephyr has a military background so I thought it makes sense to have this structures in solid block forms similar looking to each other. Same applies to military equipment having distinctive similarities to different models. Would you agree?

[MDN67]

I'm agrre with this concept but in your project the military building is so big than they are like a city, but it's true the military élément are uniform

[ecura]

MDN67: Oh I think I may have not explained it clearly, those buildings are actually skyscrapers which forms a city built from the Zephyr rulers who actually has a history in military development. Hence their design have the influence of this uniformed solid block styling. I'm glad that you picture it as city, at least this says I'm on the right track. I hope I have explained it properly.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105167509_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105167509_large.jpg)

Looking back at my previous upload on a lower resolution screen setup, I notice the billions of dots did not work quiet as well as I had first thought. The beam of light was too granny and didn't flow fluently. So this time round I took the direction to test the use of lines. I think the flow of these lines adds dimension, as well it allows the eyes to flow to the main focus point which is the light beam. So far I am quiet satisfied with this outcome. Never can be certain what may pop up next. Any suggestion or comments?

[blakbird]

If you can finish it at time it would be one of the shortlisted works I think. Good work, go on.



If you like please check my entries. I need some comments.

http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=197505

Thanks.

[Aethyrprime]

Very intricate design you have here Eric. Very nice work. Keep it up!

[Lovliebutterfly]

I prefer the last version. Looks more dynamic! Colors are coming up nicely! Keep it up! :)

[ecura]

kuzgunoglu: With all the rush you probably haven't had the chance to look at some of the other work in this challenge? It's simply mind blowing, but I do sincerly appreaciate your very nice comment. I will keep working hard at it. You do too.

||) |V| |^|: Thanks, so near yet so far. Got a few more details to put here and there.

Lovliebutterfly: Thanks for putting in your personal perference. The more I think about it the more I tend to focus my eye on the is new update. Its more softer and easy on the eye. I do agree the other one has a more dynamic approach but its probably not in my favour at the moment because it take away the other elements in the frame which loses the story for me. hummm I have a good think about it.

[jlbanchick]

Love the new light beams!

Your composition is great. The only thing I can say about it is that it has an overall flatness to it. It seems to need just a bit more contrast overall and it will be great.

Looking forward to seeing the finished piece.


My Space Opera (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/grandspaceopera/view_entries.php?challenger=5574)

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105253826_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105253826_large.jpg)

Some may have mix thoughts in the way how I did my building but anyway I thought I do a run down on the technique I used. (preliminary technique is also shown in thread 62). Also here is a comparison I have done while playing with the building lights. I think I will stick by using the orange red version, for every reason it works better and connects back to the Destiny machine (dome structure). What do you guys think?

[ecura]

jlbanchick: Thanks, I will work on it. I think the added building lights will help lift up the overall image.

[cgkrusty]

The city is looking awesome!

Sure hope you're using the spacing adjust on you brushes in Photoshop to get those lights.

Nice work!

[ecura]

cgkrusty: The space adjust on the brush setting wasn't effective in tight areas. So I actually potted those lights individually by mouse clicking. Don't worry I didn't go mental and did it to the entire scene. It was done in a small proportion and then duplicated to fill in the other areas. I then went back in to cleaning out the lights landing in the wrong position. Thanks for liking it, will have the full image uploaded shortly.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105271569_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105271569_large.jpg)

Here is the full image of the city lights. I have slightly adjust the Destiny machine (the dome structure) so its perspective is better balance. I'm now actually cross between adding the clouds or taking it off. It's covering some of the city depth I have below the platform and also causing a problem in the colour scheme. Its turning that orange reddish building surface to something a little murky. The other toss of having the clouds is that show depth between the sky and the city. Its also another touch of an interesting element to have. Aya, a hard decision.

[Lunatique]

That blue really makes the piece come alive. Much more vibrant now.

[ecura]

Lunatique: Thanks for your helpful tip on the blue. Its much better now huh but not too sure if that cyan colour is the right choice or maybe a slightly darker version. Will probably do a few more quick test and see the outcome.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105370783_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105370783_large.jpg)

A few additions to the image. Extra lights plus two Zephyr Airship, will probably add another one in rear of the Destiny machine (the dome structure). Also trim down the platform a bit so the backdrop of the city below could be seen slightly better.

[YeeWu]

It looks really good! I especially like the blue tendrils you have in the beam of light.

I was kinda wondering though, wouldn't such a bright blue light source effect the Destiny machine and the buildings a little more?

[blakbird]

Your picture is nearly about to complete, still I have so many things to do.

City scape appearance gets better and better. The hue of the color red is also good for the flying machines. Can you add some seams or lines like real aircraft wings (you know what I mean).

[walrus]

Ecura - It's looking really nice, and the details on the city are terrific. One area that I'm having a little trouble with is seeing the red ships on the orange backdrop. I feel that they read a lot more clearly when they were warm with a cool backdrop, as in your images #43 and #45. But there are other ways to contrast them as well, such as value and saturation. I hope that you will find a way to make them read better. Good luck!

-mike

[NathanielWest]

You've done a great job here. I like your colors, and you've handled the blue beams very nicely.

The perspective of the buildings is bothering me though, and I think the lighting could be more dramatic. Right now everything has the same level of intensity, and the highlights are all equally strong. Some faint areas, which aren't so lit up would add a feeling of those beams really glowing. And the ship in front could use a little darkening to pull it away from the background. Almost silhouetting it may work better. Overall, this is really strong and you're on the right track. Keep it up!!

[ecura]

Thanks every for their valuable comments and suggestions.

YeeWu: Yep, I will need to add the shadow and reflective lighting to take the whole image further. This is where the bright blue reflective light will fall on the city and other objects in the path. Was thinking of applying that in the final colour once everything is in place. It's good that you picked that up, thanks.

kuzgunoglu: Thanks for the nice comment again. Do your best, its a lot of work in such little time but definitely rewarding to see a final outcome. Keep at it and hope to see your completed work. Do you mean putting on those patch of lines on the new airship I have near the Destiny machine (dome structure) or the red spacecraft up in the air? I'm actually thinking of putting some organic patterns to the red spacecraft, the art nouveau style to make it looks as if it was from another era.

walrus: Red and orange is a very close blend which is difficult to read when it is mixed. But I found the blend of the lights works better if the surface of the building was in this warmer colour, it brings out the whole image alive along with cyan light stream. Though I do agree with your thoughts and will have another look. I still want the spacecraft to have that strong red but will tweak the building contrast. There will also be a slight blue tint as a sight of reflection to hit the surface from that light beam, maybe this will change things. Might also play around with the two other airship next to the Destiny machine (dome structure).

Nathaniel West: The perspective has been quiet difficult to get right, I think I'll stick to this since I want it slightly slanted to get the dynamic vision of this city along with the strong light beam. The light intensity can be much dramatic but I'm not sure how much more I should really push it, I personally don't want it to be too hard and have it as a solid form. Though you are so right that all the intensity is on the same level. Maybe the new light reflection of that light beam will sort things out. It requires balance. Many thanks for your valuable suggestion.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105459217_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105459217_large.jpg)

Okay need an opinion. I have been playing around with the city surface colour and I have 3 possibilities. I have my pick which I'll keep it to myself in case it gives any influences. So which do you think works best? I still have yet to work on a lot of little fixes but its pretty much there. Many thanks.

[walrus]

While the top of the three choices makes the beam the most readible and is the warmest, the spaceships are the least readible in that version. (But, if I'm not mistaken, you've still added some blue fog so that they read better than your earlier post.) But #51 is a bit chilly for me, and so #50 might be a good compromise. One thing to think about, though, just as a possible idea: You're working here with three different colored city buildingg, but you may not necessarily have to make it all of one or the other. You could also fool around with having a subtle gradual left-to-right blend for the hue of the city: That way you could keep it warmer on the left (so that it matches the colors of the Destiny Machine and the cool-colorerd beam looks good on it) but have it fade to a cooler color on the right (so that the spaceships read better on it.) Anyhow, just an idea... Good luck!

-mike

[GaeasHerald]

The orange one is good. I agree with walrus on the gradual mix. Maybe you could add some strong highlights to help it read better without compromising the color of the city :shrug:.

[praguer28]

Eric Truong has entered the Grand Space Opera 2D.

Challenge Page (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/grandspaceopera/view_entries.php?challenger=4673)

Latest Update: Coloring WIP: Colour opinion


Okay need an opinion. I have been playing around with the city surface colour and I have 3 possibilities. I have my pick which I'll keep it to myself in case it gives any influences. So which do you think works best? I still have yet to work on a lot of little fixes but its pretty much there. Many thanks.
i like the first one. stronger colours... very good job!

[ecura]

walrus: Your so clever to come up with this idea, I will try that out. Thought I'm not a big player on different colour scheme on one component but never know it might just work out. The clouds below the spacecraft was actually added to balance the intensity, every thing in that image took an important role so thought that might tone down the image. I might take it out depending how well the city colours goes. Many thanks.

Gaia's Herald and praguer28: Thanks guys, I originally wanted to go for the green tint because it was a slightly complementary colour to that red and with the blue and orange it was the perfect mix of colour combination as I first thought. But going back to the intensity issue it probably doesn't work all to well. I will take up walrus opinion and see what it turns out to look like.

[Lunatique]

If the city is too warm, it'll shift too close to the spaceship, and you might lose the sense of depth/seperation.

I'd say, desature the city in the first version by 50%, then change the city lights to all cool lights, then randomly change some of the lights to warm lights.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105541280_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105541280_large.jpg)

I'm not to sure about you guy's but I think this is probably the best colour combination I could get. Maybe just a little too much green on the lights at this stage but I will get around that tomorrow. Still need to fill the backdrop lights on the city below the platform, apply a bit of depth of field so there will be a better balance on the focus point and a few touch ups here and there. A big that's to Walrus, Gaia's Herald, praguer28 and Lunatique for the thoughts and ideas.

[ecura]

walrus: after a few attempt working on the idea you suggested I just couldn't get the look and feel right. I seem patches of colours were forming on the build surface. But never the less thank you so much for the input. Even it didn't work out it was worth the try and of course I still think your clever. Many thanks.

Lunatique: A very big thanks to you. At times when I'm stuck you come up with this great solution. I'm not too sure if this is how you imagined it, but it seem to work by me and makes logical sense, since lights can be in different colours use to uplift other parts of the image. Still needs a bit more work on it but its a great comprise to keep all the important colours within that frame. Many Thanks.

[walrus]

Hey, no prob, it was just a wacky idea, the sort of thing you can never know if it'll work until you try. But nonetheless, things worked out well: I think this new version is the most readible one you've done yet. Both the spaceships and the destiny machine beam all read well on the city backdrop. So good work! Not much left to do, it seems!

-mike

[MDN67]

Great work, finally witk the light, the building are not like the same, the energy spiral is always a good concept

[Lovliebutterfly]

The colors are working nicely together. I think some buildings in the city might do with some less brighter lights - maybe a bit more blurry to break the constant sharpness of colors that you have right now in the city.

[Tranchefeux]

Hi, The addition of your effects of lights blue are cool and
improves your images, I could suggest you benefitting from this light
to light like second light the vessels and one can the environment
good luck for the end.

[ecura]

walrus: Yep, finalising it. Hopefully making to the end before the last minute countdown.

MDN67: Thanks, it has been a big challenge to get the lights working right. But glad its coming together.

Lovliebutterfly: Agree with you. I will try that, it breaks way from the constant repetitive patterns. Thanks.

Tranchefeux: Not quiet sure what you want to say in the post but thanks for dropping by. Is it something about adding lights to the vessels?

[blakbird]

Getting better and better, go on. I meant before some patch lines over the wings, yep. I think you must work on the closest aircraft to make it seem a little bit more realistic (BUT NOT MUCH) .

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105721144_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105721144_large.jpg)

This is pretty much it. I filled the back drop city lights and reconstructed the spacecraft wings. In addition I have push the intensity of the light beam a little stronger and made some minor fixes here and there. As a last option I have decide not to put in the Zephyr airship, its probably better without it since I want three main elements in this frame. The Destiny light beam being the most important, secondly the Lunar space craft and last of all which ties the whole piece together is the backdrop city. Just going to have a good night rest and have everything set up in the morning.

[Aethyrprime]

looking nice, the stylization is very nice on your work. Keep it up!

[ecura]

kuzgunoglu: thanks for your suggestion of adding patch lines to the wings. I've decided to take the Lunar spacecraft a little bit further with a new wing and some art nouveau lines to uplift styling.

||) |V| |^|: Humm just double checking what else needs to be done at the moment. I think its pretty much it. Thanks.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105777097_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105777097_large.jpg)

Thought I run through a few close up before submitting the final work.

Destiny theory: This one is the process of the Destiny theory in action. Oxygen is collected from the lights rays released into the atmosphere breaking up invisible chemical substance and compressing them for mass collection.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105777239_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105777239_large.jpg)

The Lunar spacecraft: The first batch of the elite Lunar spacecraft sent to the Zephyr city to reverse the charge of lighting rays and end the destruction on the global environment.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105777356_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105777356_large.jpg)

The Destiny machine: The machine that generates the lighting rays for Oxygen collection. The machine that releases the light rays into the atmosphere.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105781492_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105781492_large.jpg)

After a few months in the making its finally completed. A big THANKS to all of you for placing a comment and giving me valuable advice. Its been tough but I have learnt so much and enjoyed placing every pixels on the canvas. Being my very first digital illustration challenge I have already gone beyond what have initially expected. To see this finished is definitely big rewarding. Good luck to all the contestant.

[ecura]

The Destiny synopsis
In 2035, the Zephyr organization known to produce high-tech military equipment formed an alliance with governments around the world in a secret project. Code name Destiny, its a formula discovery allowing mass volume of oxygen to be condense and be stored in a small containment for a first step Mars life experimentation. The Zephyr organization deceived the government and secretly expanded their collection around the globe, extracting majority of the air we breathe in the greedy for power and control.

Now 64 years later what is left on Earth is the grand city of the Zephyr kingdom. The Governments who help discovered the formula were are force to retreat to the Lunar space station before Zephyr ruling became unstoppable. In Zephyr world of control, people are force to stay indoors and work as slaves for the exchange of oxygen. There home and work is in one building space, those who had connect to the power holders where the ones who could afford to socially step outside an open environment. On top of the world, the Lunar space station is now well prepared to reverse the cycle and save the environmental catastrophe and its human race from slavery.

[ecura]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105838629_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/4673/4673_1105838629_large.jpg)

I couldn't help myself but had to jump back onto working the final piece as the clock ticks to the end. Just cleaned up some of the green lights patches in the backdrop below the platform and also had a go with the cloud effects around the Lunar spacecraft. Probably to incremental to be notice. All done, even the tiff image has been uploaded.
Many thanks once again to everyone for their help and professional advice, couldn't have got this anywhere else. I can now take this learning experience and apply it to many other future work. Best of luck, hope everyone will go away being a winner.

[Aethyrprime]

Fantastic finale Eric. You have done an excellent job throught. The concept is very futuristic. It has a certain idealness to it. The colors are great, the image has a nice depth to it. Great job!:thumbsup: :applause:

[blakbird]

Great work. Well I agree with some people about that you have made enough good work as far as a piece which would be published as a cover of a cartoon albume.

It is a kind of feast of color.

[ecura]

||) |V| |^| and kuzgunoglu: Many thanks for putting your thoughts, suggestions and encouragement while I was in the progress of working on this challenge. Without it... it would have been quiet difficult to reach this far. I am still amazed about the intensity that goes on around here. Not only have I learnt so much but in the same time I find it enjoyable looking at the so many other fantastic work and seeing how things are done.

[blakbird]

Thank you for your compliments.
Good luck

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