Grand Space Opera 2D Entry: Cameron Gardner

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1101875197_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1101875197_large.jpg)

I\\\'m entering the challenge a little late I know, but I\\\'ve decided to go for it anyway. I\\\'ve had this idea for a while about a band of travelers having to leave their home planet after an epic battle.

I still need to do concept sketches for the costumes and weapons, transport ships and mother ships. More to come...

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1101875422_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1101875422_large.jpg)

I\\\'m entering the challenge a little late I know, but I\\\'ve decided to go for it anyway. I\\\'ve had this idea for a while about a band of travelers having to leave their home planet after an epic battle.

I still need to do concept sketches for the costumes and weapons, transport ships and mother ships. More to come...

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1101885291_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1101885291_large.jpg)

Sorry about posting my last entry three times, I'm new to this.

Here's a direction for the look of the armor for the warriors. I'm still thinking about how to create the feel of an ancient society that has the capacity to invent great technology and achieve space travel, yet chooses to hold on to traditional ways and culture. Comments and crits please...

[KaleN]

I like Your composition. Looks very cinematic to me. The armour design is a bit to ancient to me. I can't find any modern elements in it but it much will depend on its texture. It may look interesting if You paint it as if it was made of some strange minerals not known in ouer world. I like idea of sugesting some long tradition of your civilizaction. i've olso tried to do do something like that in my entry by joining medival age elements with high tech. Looking forward for transport ships concept sketches!

[bonestudio]

Great composition and very original armor, but I think it's a bit too much heroic fantasy for this contest...

[camtheman]

Thanks for the advise. On looking at it again, I have to agree about the armor bieng too ancient looking. I also like the idea of having the armor made from some sort of minerals or crystals. My original thoughts for the travelers was they were coming from deep inside their planet to come apon a great canyon across time, so I'm thinking about adjusting the original sketch a bit to show that some how. I love your sketch, very fresh! Shows alot of emotion and a great sense of victory. My only crit would be to try to create some more depth and distance, maybe some atmospheric perspective using lighter background values.

cheers! :applause:

[Anime_J]

hey cameron, awesome composition. you did a solid job of having the viewer scan the image, hitting the points of interest. as far as the armor is concerned, it looks good and it should be pretty easy for you to make it more "futuristic." Just throw in some more modern design elements and hopefully it'll be more "futuristic." What are you going to put in the background, where the light is shining through? so far so good though!

[camtheman]

thanks Animie_J. for the background, I'm thinking of having the transport ship to the right of the soldier making it's final approach and reinforcing the eye movment to the warriors waiting at the docking station. If you look closely, you can see the mothership in the distance to the left of the horizon, with other transports approaching her. I'm sure the line drawing will reflect changes in everything as this thing progresses, having a blast so far though, should have sarted sooner! :banghead:

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1101966933_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1101966933_large.jpg)

Here's my sketch for the transport ships approaching the warriors. I changed this around quite a bit and went through serveral ideas. I think I finally arrived at a design that fits with the overall direction of the piece. It's supposed to look somewhat aggressive yet high tech.

Even though the final rendering probably won't show this much detail, I think it's important to go through the design process because it helps clarify thinking and solidify the concept.

Comments and crits please...

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1103086138_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1103086138_large.jpg)

It's been too long between entries, been busy. I'll have to hurry to finish...

Here's my sketch for the mothership. I'm keeping with the somewhat agressive look, built for speed and battle.

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1103086371_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1103086371_large.jpg)

Same ship, top three-quarter view. It will be far off in the distance in my final piece so most of this detail won't be visable, but it's fun to draw anyway...

Crits, comments please.

[AirbORn]

Great concepts! I really like the composition you layed out several updates before. The designs of the charcters are nice too. The ship design is not my fav but since they are not the main focus and are placed in the background anyway, it should matter too much. Great progress, keep it up!! :)

[camtheman]

Thanks, I'm having too much fun with this. After looking back at the original layout, I'm thinking I'll tweak it a bit and work on the characters and costumes more. The tight line drawing should work those details out, that's where most of my hard choices take place. Once I get the final drawing figured out, I do some small color roughs over the top to get the lighting and pallette figured out, then it's crank up the tunes and start rockin baby!

I looked at your concepts-sweet sketching, and nice color, loved your last entry the best it really brings the viewer in and shows action, and anticipation. If it were me, I might think about adding some distant ships, cities, etc. to add to the pull and drama. Nice color choices for sure, keep up the great work.

Good luck!

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1103172579_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1103172579_large.jpg)

Color study 1.

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1103172652_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1103172652_large.jpg)

Color study 2

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1103173545_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1103173545_large.jpg)

Color study 3.

In these last three color studies I tried to explore some different options with mood. By creating separate layers in Photoshop, and quickly blocking in a color overlay and highlight opaque, I can then adjust the hue/ saturation, lightness, contrast etc. I saved out diffferent files and then went back in to each with minor tweaks and color adjustments.

crits, comments on which works the best?

[KaleN]

I like the secend one most. It has a nice uderwater like feeling. Something out of this world indeed.

[giocele]

the green is very 'under-water'...
I prefer the "Color study 3", but maybe you could decrease the saturation a little bit.
what do you think?

[camtheman]

I agree about the saturation. I was really trying to push the mood with all of them to get a quick read. Once I get the final line drawing done, I think I'll try some more subtle variations
on color schemes.

Thanks for the imput so far. More to come... :thumbsup:

[camtheman]

the green is very 'under-water'...
I prefer the "Color study 3", but maybe you could decrease the saturation a little bit.
what do you think?

Well, the underwater feel wasn't what I had in mind, so I might lose the strong downward lighting altogether and go for a more ambient light. I still need to do some research and color studies. For the next phase, I'm realizing I need to spend more time on the characters and give them more focus in the story. I like the idea of bringing the viewer into the image with details, so I think I'll try to create some interest, interaction and storyline within the group as they head towards the docking station.

By the way, love your entry so far, very cool concept and color choice, keep it going!

Thoughts, comments?

[Lovliebutterfly]

I think the characters needs more expressions and movement. Right now it appears as though they are very peaceful in the scene. I don't know if that's the idea, but I think a bit of movement instead of having them all in a line would create more dynamism.

[camtheman]

Yeah, I have to agree. The figures need more rythym, and dynamics. That was the intension on the next revision. have the body language tell a story of excitement, joy, exhaustion from the battle, etc...

[Hillartsympho]

the colors on the second study are the strongest, and maybe you could also try using a transparent violet in the shadows. try to tighten upt he figures and study anatomy, or at least find some photo references for the poses.

[camtheman]

Most people seem to like the blue / green color scheme. Interesting. I'm still working out the details of the costumes and poses, more to come... I'm really swamped with holiday stuff right now but I'll have some time soon.

Keep the crits coming...

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104191352_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104191352_large.jpg)

Here's a character study of the new armor design in action. I have one more to come on the armor design, and then I will start on the final line art...

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104191833_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104191833_large.jpg)

I'm pretty happy with the look of the armor so far. I have some time now to work on the final line art so next post should show all the elements put together for the composition of the final image. I\'m going to spend some time configuring the poses, body language and and hopefully introduce some story telling and create some nice eye movement through the scene.

Thoughts and comments welcome.

[fabianv]

Your ship designs appeal to me the most :D Well done on the concepts too.. they leave me very interested.. I'll be watching you :)

[camtheman]

hey, thanks for the response. I think your work is looking very interesting. Keep up the great work.

[V_Shane]

Looks good, don't lose yourself in the details, get that color WIP going and apply the details to what is perceptable in the final piece (as the deadline closes in rapidly). I had some detailed aliens and realized I was better off adding that stuff in the finals and spent more time on lighting and comp. Goodluck and hope to see a color update soon :thumbsup:

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104489561_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104489561_large.jpg)

Here's some additional figure studies I thought you guys might want to see...

let me know what you think..

More to come.

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104489670_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104489670_large.jpg)

initial sketch...

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104490240_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104490240_large.jpg)

Here's an early version of the idea I had for the armor. I thought it might be interesting to show some early sketches.

Final line drawing to come...

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104490297_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104490297_large.jpg)

Here's an early version of the idea I had for the armor. I thought it might be interesting to show some early sketches.

Final line drawing to come...

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104492401_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104492401_large.jpg)

Final line drawing, comments before color??....

[xeNusion]

very nice but i dont think its that easy to turn your head that much. so the head of the left guy looks abit strange atm.

[jlbanchick]

The charactor on the far left seems to have his head rotated around at an imposible angle. You might want to make it a more believable three quarter view. Other than that I really like the comp. Can't wait to see color!

JB

[camtheman]

His head turn does look a little forced perhaps... I wanted to show the expression of the warrior as he is leaving his home planet after his peoples' epic last battle. I'll see how this progresses during the painting phase, I'm thinking he'll probably receed into shadow quite a bit and his emotion will still need to read, so for now I'm ok with it.

Thanks for the comments, I love your piece. The colors and mood are very well done. Keep going with it. looking forward to seeing the final.

Any more thoughts out there before I start the color??

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104531021_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104531021_large.jpg)

here's my wip color rough. I really like how this is working out. I think the warm colors with cool green shadows makes for a nice direction.

Feedback welcome...

[SideAche]

I have to agree that the head turn is a bit uncomfortable, especialy in armor. You might want to turn the shoulders back just a bit also. The character in the forground and the character on the right have the same body gesture, yo may want to alter one of them. Love your character sketches. The colors are looking good so far.

[LaRoyceJ]

I like the translucent and transparent aspects of your composition. The whole of the piece reminds me of an under-painting ready for the final colors. It is exquisite. I would very much like to see the working in of the definitive colors. Very nice ambience, and depth as well. Your idea to have the main character looking at the viewer, works very well at drawing the viewer into the piece. I would stay with the wet look that the piece has, as I believe that it is working right along with the classic sci-fi theme of your art. Very nice work.

LaRoyce-

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104735068_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104735068_large.jpg)

ok, I re-worked the drawing to incorporate a slightly less painful head turn for the character on the left. Also, I added some details and changed the poses a bit in the middlie ground. I think it's has a better feel overall. Thanks for the complements, suggestions and crits so for from all. I do apprieciate the feedback, keep it coming.

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104823214_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104823214_large.jpg)

Here's the final color image as I have completed so far. Most of the small details and clean-up work is yet to be done. I have managed to stay pretty much to the color comp in terms of lighting and mood. The final image will have more clarity and color harmony. I'm still feeling like it needs something, maybe I'm just to close too it.

Any ideas out there??

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104872692_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104872692_large.jpg)

Ok, I had some time to get away from this thing a reflect upon looking at it again. I made some additions to the foreground, added and subtracted some details and created more of a "Grand Space" feeling. I could even push that a bit more for this challenge I think...

It's never too late to change--

Comments please.

[AirbORn]

Looks great :) I think the lighting in the middle ground is perfect. Very nice indeed. Congrates!

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104957249_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1104957249_large.jpg)

Thanks Airborn,

I wanted to create more emotion and excitement apon the eve of their epic battle and the embarking of the journey to the new world. My thought was to have some figures firing some shots from their swords into the air in celebration. I really haven't created any connection between the old and new in terms of weapons, so this might be a good way to indicate that point.

Too over-the-top?

C&C please.

[ChrisThatGuy]

Um, hard to tell; you post pretty small images. Yeah, I think it works, but maybe if the different swords fired different coloured beams, or just different tints of green.

[camtheman]

Yeah, I keep getting rejected for trying to post too large, what's the secret? :banghead:

[Lovliebutterfly]

Very nice colors indeed! The middle and background are looking good! Nice level of details. Maybe a bit more purple/indigo in the foreground to reinforce the yellow in the back...Anyway, I think it's good so far! :)

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105074237_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105074237_large.jpg)

OK, here's my final pic. I hope everyone likes it. I really appreciate all the comments and feedback. It's an honor and a pleasure to be in this challenge and communicate and share ideas and feedback with the extrodinary artist out there. Your talents, attitudes and incredible work are truly inspiring!

Good luck to all...

Cheers!

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105074379_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105074379_large.jpg)

OK, here's my final pic. I hope everyone likes it. I really appreciate all the comments and feedback. It's an honor and a pleasure to be in this challenge and communicate and share ideas and feedback with the extrodinary artist out there. Your talents, attitudes and incredible work are truly inspiring!

Good luck to all...

Cheers!

[ChrisThatGuy]

Yeah, I keep getting rejected for trying to post too large, what's the secret? :banghead:
Well, for next time: It's usually the filesize, not the resolution that's the problem. Try better JPG compression. I usually use quality 7 or 8 (in Photoshop).

[camtheman]

I think I'm getting the hang of this, my last "Final Color" was larger and easier to read. But now looking back on it, I think I'll make some additional tweaks and adjustments...

Still time left in this thing, so might as well keep going on it. You can just keep submitting your final image and rewriting over the last FTP right??

Any advice from the more experienced challengers out there?? :hmm:

[MDN67]

Hi, very good picture, i like the angle of vision with the troup so far, the impression of many people is very good, great work

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105125041_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105125041_large.jpg)

OK, OK, I thought I was through with this, I guess I just can\\\'t leave well enough alone. I like this left character better, more motion and the better hair!

Crits please. Is this done yet?

[MDN67]

Oh Cameron, change the air or make more détail on, this élément don't good for the generaly look

[camtheman]

Yeah, I know it needs more detail, this is just a quick comp. I'll work on the "real" file when I get home tonight...

more crits please :wip: :wip:

[AirbORn]

Yeah! I like it better with this hair, but it needs more detail. Perhaps a little bit more colour to it also. Not too strong just subtle enough for it to stick out from the armour he has :) Great work!

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105129375_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105129375_large.jpg)

OK, OK, I thought I was through with this, I guess I just can\\\'t leave well enough alone. I like this left character better, more motion and the better hair!

Crits please. Is this done yet?

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105142301_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105142301_large.jpg)

OK, now this thing is starting to frustrate me. I've repainted this to losen it up and add some life to it. I'm going to work on the hi-res tonight and try to capture some of the freshness of this comp.

Jeez, does everyone go through this?

[foane]

if you got several layers in photoshop then I would suggest playing around with the levels...in my opinion is the 'sunny' portion too bright and the 'shadows' to bright as well.

good luck, Francis

[Aethyrprime]

This is an interesting take on the theme. Good job Cameron.

[llllllll]

good tonal, very washed out painting

[camtheman]

I appologize for my last image post. I am copletely reworking the character on the left, the details and the design of the foreground will change. I hope to post something soon...

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105418070_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105418070_large.jpg)

Well, here's my repainted real final image. I ended up re-doing the character on the left completely, as I thought the first was too stiff, and the anatomy was off a bit. The armor in the first wasn't quite what I wanted so I added a different flavor and tried too freshen it up a bit.

The body language wasn't right on the middle figure and it seemed a little too posed and lifeless. I changed some details throughout and color corrected the entire image.

I'm happy with the new version, although I'm sure if I keep going I could work on this forever. For this challenge, I'm happy with my rework and feel satisfied that my vision for the image as an iconic moment was realized.

I want to express my thanks for the comments and feedback from all of the incredibly talented artists out there, it truly was an honor and privilige to participate in the challenge.

I look forward to the next one!

[camtheman]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105418166_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/6/5392/5392_1105418166_large.jpg)

Well, here's my repainted real final image. I ended up re-doing the character on the left completely, as I thought the first was too stiff, and the anatomy was off a bit. The armor in the first wasn't quite what I wanted so I added a different flavor and tried too freshen it up a bit.

The body language wasn't right on the middle figure and it seemed a little too posed and lifeless. I changed some details throughout and color corrected the entire image.

I'm happy with the new version, although I'm sure if I keep going I could work on this forever. For this challenge, I'm happy with my rework and feel satisfied that my vision for the image as an iconic moment was realized.

I want to express my thanks for the comments and feedback from all of the incredibly talented artists out there, it truly was an honor and privilige to participate in the challenge.

I look forward to the next one!

[MDN67]

Ok, now the hairs are nice, good work

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