Spectacular 2D Entry: Patrick K.H. Lee

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1127646950_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1127646950_large.jpg)

I had a few ideas for the challenge, but this one seems to stick, at least for now. It's a thumbnail I did about a week ago and a colored sketch is on the way...

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1127647376_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1127647376_large.jpg)

Here is one of my first composition and color test sketches, something which I like to do simultaneously. The idea is quite a literal take on the theme of the challenge, but I thought greek mythology never fails to draw my sense of wonder and awe, so I hung on to it. Comments and crits are extremely welcome!

[Pat-Piper]

This is the same image as the previous one, I guess I pushed submit twice by accident, out of excitement! Anyway, this is my first challenge, which I find rather exhilarating and intimidating for me at the same time!

[tarrzan]

dude, great idea and beautiful concept! the one tweak I'd do is either straighten up the structure on the right, or the scenery on the left, right now the bg looks a little too skewed... but your forground element is fantastic, looking forward to more:)

[Korline]

like it, very good shot, dramatic light I would go for that
good luck :applause:
check back for update, later :twisted:

[asparta]

good start you have here...keep it that way...tarrzan is right about the BG, you must be careful about that, and keep same angle of view for all of it...have fun

[galan]

Great! :scream: !!

[bwong]

i think you had more energy in the sketch..

interesting idea though.. lots of room to play around with different symbols within mythology.. that mass of figures is going to be a ton of work!

:thumbsup:

[black-hand-77]

Very interesting concept you've got! And a spectacular composition. I'll also try to keep the second plane as dynamic as the first one. Keep it up with the good works, man and good luck!http://forums.cgsociety.org/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1128623777_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1128623777_large.jpg)

Thanks guys for the comments....I'll keep it in mind through the rest of development. Right now, I'm reworking the composition of the piece, which should become the final line art.

Meanwhile, just to let myself stay focused, I sketched out the Minotaur, one of the characters in the painting. I had probably spent more time on it than I wanted to. It's just your typical Minotaur, but since I wanted the piece to stay pretty classic, I chose not to go too crazy with the design. It may look a little different in the final though. Anyway, comments are welcome!

[gardogg]

Wow, that thing looks really cool!

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1128684044_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1128684044_large.jpg)

I guess this is kind of non-related to the challenge.

This is however, my first time using painter to do any kind of finished work and I'm quite nervous with it.

I did a copy of Michelangelo's Adam just to test out the brushes and working in painter. It's funny how some of the brushes don't do what they were named to do. For instance, to paint in details, I really had to use oil pastels instead. All tips and tricks will be very much appreciated.

p.s. It'll be nice if I can use the same style for my final image, since I had envisioned it as a kind of church frescoe, but that could take awhile....meaning not making the deadline.

[TMArtist]

Patrick,

Great work so far. I share your sentiments about using some of the applications for the first time in a challenge like this. It takes a lot of trial and error, but based on what I see, it looks like you have a good traditional foundation as an artist. So with a lot of hard work and some time, I think you will be able to bring your Painter skills up to par with your natural media skills. Your concepts and sketches look great! I'm looking forward to seeing your stuff progress. Best of luck!

Regards,

[walrus]

Pat - Even though it isn't directly related to the challenge, the head is a beautiful rendering. Nice work. Don't worry, nothing forces you to learn a program like a deadline looming. Not that it's looming justm yet... only on tippy-toes, but still - should be good impetus to pick it up. Good lcuk!

-mike

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1130309647_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1130309647_large.jpg)

I finally got to work on the line art. All the elements are here, all I have to do now is clean it up and start painting. Constructive criticism will be very useful here, thanks!!

P.S. Hi Tony & Mike!! Thanks for the encouraging words, for a while, I really thought that my concept was going nowhere.

[Pat-Piper]

The backstory of the piece goes something like this:

All the greek heroes and monsters were given a final chance to settle their score in a game of "disc", (something which resembles american football or rugby but played with a disc.), which would be played in the Arena of Elysian Fields. The gods had all agreed not to interfere (and so they say.) The game was to be played fair and square.

The winning team would be granted whatever wish they wanted from the gods. The game was not mandatory but most heroes and monsters had participated for reasons of their own. Some for revenge, some for the challenge, but most were just bored with staying immortal.

The heroes included Hercules, Perseus, Theseus, Odysseus, Achilles, Bellerophon and Jason, etc.)
The monsters included The Minotaur, Medusa, Polyphemus, Hydra, Chiron the Centaur, The Sirens, Harpies, Satyrs, The Python and Cerberus, etc.

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1131113207_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1131113207_large.jpg)

Doing something for the first time for a contest such as this can be pretty nerve-wracking. (I don't know if I ever want to do it again after this.)

Anyway, still laboriously working on the final line art. I sometimes feel that it will never be completed, regardless of the deadline. It can get rather distressing pretty quick. Just to get a break out of it, I did this quick color test, otherwise I will lose sight and focus of everything - Including my mind. Should've worked in a more spontaneous manner...hopefully the result will be worth it.

[CryingHorn]

Hey man relax do what you can do, and think you will make it, your painting is great so far, I like the mood, the clouds gives nice snug feeling, keep up!

[Pat-Piper]

Thanks Andrius,

Things are better now, after a little nap....ah....

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1131696034_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1131696034_large.jpg)

Final Line Work...

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1131696179_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1131696179_large.jpg)

Started Painting...

[Pat-Piper]

The Colors came out a bit darker than I first envisioned it. Should I brighten it to make it look more lively and vivacious, or stay with the darker grimmer tone? What do u guys think?

[authentic]

There's a huge ambienc in your work; I like it. Waiting for details to crit a bit more.

[HamsterFly]

Very... Very beautiful colors ! i love that pict
and wait to see details

[Narida]

I just love the coulours. Clouds expecially. It'll be fantastic work. Good luck!

[walrus]

Hey, no one's answered your question yet! Okay, I'll bite:

Yes, I think you should lighten up the colors some. I really liked the color rough you posted at the beginning. It allowed for a really nice value contrast between sky and foreground. Dark and muddy can work in simpler compositions, but you've got so much cool stuff going on. Trying to get it all to read is going to be a big enough challenge as it is without having to wrestle with an overly dark composition too. But that's just my 2 cents.

Either way, as said befor,e you have a beautiful painting style, no matter what you choose, can't wait to see this come togehter...

And you know what I said before abou not having to worry aboiut the deadline looming quite just yet... Well, it's a later now. Get to work!!! :D
Good luck!

-mike

[tAstyBITs]

what a cool and fun concept, I'm looking forward to future updates.

[luke1989]

looks fantastic.

very cool concept. can't wait to see how it turns out.

The church frescoe look is a lot of work but i think it'll really look good with your concept.

22 days to go! Good luck!

<hr>

<a href="http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/spectacular/view_entries.php?challenger=9425"> my entry for Spectacular</a>

PS does this thing support html tags?

[THECLYKE]

very classic looking this image......good luck

[beelow]

Very nice image, yeah you may need to brighten up the color a bit, but really nice classic feel to your painting, good luck!:thumbsup:

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1132035703_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1132035703_large.jpg)

Just feel like it's time for another milestone...the range of colors is there; now it's just down to refining & adding details. It's still gonna be a lot of work, but should be fun!

[Pat-Piper]

Thank you all for all the great comments, it has really been a booster to my motivation in getting this thing done.
Thanks especially to Michael, for your support! The ambience of it was somehow accidental, as I really wanted it to be quite bright and glorious in the beginning. I looked at it for a long time and eventually, after also checking the date, I guessed I was partly afraid that I may not make the deadline if I mess around with it too much, since the bulk of work will be painting in the details. I still like it now, however, hope you like it too!
As for the classic look, yea, I've always wanted to study the old masters for a long time. I guess I have always felt lacking in my classical training in painting and this gives a perfect chance for that. (Of course I'm still painting with a tablet and not with oil paints!) In this piece, I try also to use as few layers as possible and without relying on any color or brightness adjusters.....as I think it really helps to train my eye with choosing colors.

[MoonVisionStudio]

Loving the color so far!

[Squibbit]

excellent work , dude



.

[EricClaeys]

I love the idea, composition, and color - can't wait to see more detail! The knotted bodies look great.

[6800AD]

hey just a quick note....really like the mood and atmosphere you have created so far....keep it up....good luck

[MechaHateChimp]

Hi Patrick,

This is a beautiful sketch. The colors stand out incredibly... even while browsing through thumbnails on the thread page this colors really stood out. Your use of that dramatic camera angle adds great tension and your theme is great. This is one of the images that has really stood out for me in the competition... it looks like you have plenty of work still in the details but I am sure once it is completed it will definitely be even more impressive. Great work and I look forward to seeing further updates. - J

[Nikolay]

Beautiful colors! I like your work.:)

[fia]

I like very much the idea and I am very curious to see the next painting steps and the technique.

I will keep an eye on it...goodluck! :thumbsup:

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1132819502_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1132819502_large.jpg)

Hi Jose, Panu, Eric, Mike, Joel, Nikolay and Kolokouri! First of all, thank you for the wonderful comments and kind words. I am honored to have your presence in my thread, as I know that many of you are great artists and I still have a lot to learn from you guys! So thanks!

I'm still in the process of refining the details of my picture. Phew....it's been hard since I've never really painted anything that required more than a few days work! It's easy to lose interest and heart after a while when your mind is onto other things! Hopefully, the final work will not disappoint too much. The style that I've chosen is also difficult, especially when it's my first time using painter and still struggling with it. Every stroke seems so slow and painstakingly manipulated to get what I want.

Regardless, I'm happy to be part of the challenge. It may sound corny, but the best I learnt from it is not just my painting, but from the community and sharing it with you guys. I am touched by most of what I see here, no matter what the subject or the technique. I feel at home to be among you and sharing the same passion. >sob<

p.s. Btw, sorry for the late response. Even though I visit the forum quite frequently, I'm too shy to bump my own thread when I have no updates.

[Atris]

Hi!
I really like your idea! That's very interesting! The clouds intesify the dramatic plot of the story very good!
And only one remark. It seems to me that your image don't have enough an emotional participation of the spectators! I think you should try to add their emotions!
Keep it up! Very good job! I wish you good luck! :)

[luke1989]

Hello

I've been following your forum for awhile now, great stuff.

Anyway, my main point is the darkness of the shapes, you seem to be loosing a lot of great detail to the blackness...

I'd just like to see more color, i guess.

But considering the deadline, that might be cutting it kind of close...

Spectacular work. gj

[NinjaA55N]

Is magnificent! This one will be so nice to see finished. Will u make it? The colors r killing at the moment and ur concept is very original to this theme. Post updates please :) good luck!

[MichaelCTY]

To be the same HK people , I am very happy to see you attend the challenge. I do enjoy with your Working in progress. it is really like a oil painting . nice concept and the dynamic of the characters, good luck to you !!

[walrus]

Hey, Pat! It's looking really good. Glad you made it to final colors. Will you have any time for a little more polish? Just to toss out some idea:
Some sharper, more specular hilights on the (presumably) sweaty skin?
What about some rays of sunlight filtering through the clouds and towards the combatants? (or is that too corny?)
And what exactly is going on in the lower left - i'm having some trouble reading that section...

Anyhow, no matter what, this looks really nice, and very classical. The palette helps push that a lot.
Good work!

-mike

[Pat-Piper]

Hi Luke, thanks for your support! Yes, it is quite dark overall at this point, since I've yet to add many of the highlights to most of the subjects. I'd say it's now only 70-80% done and hopefully that last 10-20% will give it more polish and clarity! But thanks for the reminder! :)

Hey Blaz, it's great to see you in this thread. I really like your work too, and your use of light and dark is way awesome!! I wish I can reach that level in the future too!

Michael Chang! yes...it's rare that a fellow HK artist appear in these forums! (I guess most of them are just way too busy with work, and I cannot blame them!) I've seen your work and I think it looks promising and very fantastical and creative! Keep it up, I know we will see more of each other's works in the future!

And hey Michael Dashow! Thanks for appearing again in this thread! Just your name alone gives me strength and all smiles! :) As I have said earlier....the painting is only 70-80% done. The really dark part in the lower right/left corner will be brightened for sure. I'm hoping to have detailed pics of each hero posted when all is finished! I'm currently working with 10k res...I know it's insane, but otherwise it's really hard for me to put in any details! And yes I totally agree with what you have suggested. Specular hi-lites are the funnest part and I've been saving that til the end to do, really can't wait!

Only 9 more days to go....I'm really anxious too!

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1133166912_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1133166912_large.jpg)

Just a preview of what the finish look will be like. It looks a bit more cartoony than I'd like, but that's the maximum level of detail I can afford to go at this rate. Ok, better get back to work now!

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1133428406_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1133428406_large.jpg)

One last update before the final I guess...

Really begin to worry....still plenty more work to do...coliseum in the background basically untouched since last update...poor achilles and cerberus still in the roughs, sirens and odysseus not quite there yet...consolation is Polyphemus will get stabbed in the eye again, but by an unfinished Jason. I'm skipping around the image, fixing areas that most irritates me, and it seems endless.

However, I will finish the painting and submit, even if it means sleepless nights over the weekend.

Looking at all the different wonderful entries gives me strenght and inspiration, so thanks to all!

[Pat-Piper]

BTW, need some advice on the completely nude siren.....should I cover her with more cloth? hair? o my god, don't know what to do....heh...just hope that her nudeness does not offend anyone

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1133899558_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1133899558_large.jpg)

1)Hercules:"Yo Perseus, pass me the disc, I'm wide open!"
2)Perseus:"Ugh....excuse me, can't you see that I'm being turned to stone here?" Hercules:"Can someone please help out Perseus?"
3)Bellerophon:....ok, at least you are being turned to stone....I'm already stone! Theseus:"This is embarassing, hope I struck a good pose." Hercules:"Hey Achilles, how about you, can you help Perseus?"
4)Achilles:"Sorry but I can't....I'm fighting this damn three headed dog....it seems to know my weak spot!" Maybe Odysseus can help."
5)Odysseus:"Achilles, I thought I told you to wear metal boots!And I can't help either...I've been put into this terrible sleep spell by the fearsome sirens...it's a tough job being a hero you know, but somebody got to do it."
6)Jason:"Damn Odysseus, leaving me with this one eye monster and the python!" Polyphemus:"No, not my eye...why is everybody always trying to hurt my eye...my only eye. Father..help me father." Hercules:"......"

[Pat-Piper]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1133900634_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/9084/9084_1133900634_large.jpg)

Final Full Image.

[MichaelZHsee]

good job and very welldone final image~clean,crisp and crunch colors u've got!best of luck to u mate~:thumbsup:

[zpapageo]

I cant believe I havent seen this until now. Fantastic! Great funny theme. I love the rennaissance-style color palette. This is exactly the color scheme I attempted, and failed, to capture in my own piece. Very well done. Good luck.

Oh, and the blow-by blow commentary is hilarious

[Fish-KAart]

:eek: Vau!
Veri big great work! Super!As you have strongly worked! Well done !Good lake!:applause:
Good art!:thumbsup:

[MichaelCTY]

Congratz on finishing this patrick,I know you been busy ,final image is great with more details.

cheers.and good luck to both of us:)

[beelow]

:applause: Congrats, I love the way you have painted this image! It has very aged feel to it, sorta reminds me of Peter Paul Rubens, one of my favorite artist! Best of luck to u dude!:applause:

[Pat-Piper]

Sh@ke: Thanks! The challenge has been a real good exercise and I look forward to creating something new and exciting in the future. And best of luck to you too!

Zpapageo: Thanks for the compliment. I guess we all think that we have failed in one way or another. For me, I thought that I had completely "miss my mark" with the style that I wanted to achieve too. Your entry really looks awesome and epic as it is!

FishKAart: Thank you. It really makes my last few sleepless nights of tedious work seems worth it. And best of luck to you!

Michael Chang: Thanks Michael! Yes, I had been busy and just feel very relieved and happy that it's over now.

Beelow: Perhaps that is the most flattering compliment I have ever heard from anyone in this thread. To be anything close to Rubens, even remotely, is unspeakable. But thank you...my heart is soothed.

I'm sorry that I did not spend time in the forum and looking at other entries lately. I guess I'm tired and wish to spend some time away from my computer whenever possible. My back and neck is still aching from the previous nights of work.

However, I want to wish you all the best and I will drop in and check out the finals later! Just from the thumbnails, everything is looking great!

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