The Journey Begins Challenge (2D) Entry: Jacob Bielanski

[OliveBeard]

Well, I'm gonna try and actually get everything in early this time...I actually caught the contest at its early stages at least!

My excuse for waiting to start on this one is pretty straightforward this time...I'm waiting to purchase my Wacom Intuos 6x8. C'mooo-oon tax returns!

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1144122984_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1144122984_large.jpg)

Well, I finally became serious about digital art...and with that, I think I should become serious about the CG Networks art challenge.

When I say "serious", I mean I purchased a Wacom Intuos3 drawing tablet. I formerly had a 12x18 Kurta XGT, but it proved too old and too cumbersome for my modern work (also, the middle of it was broken in my latest move).

So, here's to a new era in my artistic endeavors. Thanks to any who keep an eye out. :)

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1144124749_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1144124749_large.jpg)

Further emphasis on the background...however, as I'm sketching I'm working on my 8th beer today (I'm on vacation) so I think I gonna stop for the night.

[AWaqas]

Lookin great.. But the sitting man there looks so small.. his body sort of shortened I think..

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1144177278_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1144177278_large.jpg)

Yeah, I felt the figure was a little messed up...but that's the beauty of sketching.

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1144323218_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1144323218_large.jpg)

He's a little more fleshed out, w/ clothes and features.

Inset is the "wedding picture" on the wall.

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145047387_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145047387_large.jpg)

Ok, not all of it is "Line Art" but the key parts are, so I'm listing this one as "Line Art" because--to be honest--I generall don't "line" my pieces in.

Felt some background intrigue was necessary. I was wavering between a very empty-and-alone look. I still may go that route, but I think the person sleeping in the background is a good touch.

Of course, that's just me.

[OliveBeard]

Wow, I'm starting to feel like that guy at the party that floats around to a group, hangs out for a minute or two, forces laughter at the joke he didn't catch all of, and then wanders away when everyone starts glaring at him. :)

That's ok...I didn't want to be apart of this CG Group anyway!!! :)

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145283493_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145283493_large.jpg)

I have to admit, when I do a piece I generally don't have a "line art" phase--personally, it seems redundant to sketch something out, and then trace over my sketch.

For that reason, I have done many concept submission, 1 line art, and now I plan to do a BUNCH of "color WIP" submissions.

Trying for a "morning sun" feel with touches of fake "lamp light to provide mood.

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145395292_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145395292_large.jpg)

Trying to hammer out how the light will play across the sitting figure...I feel the best way to acheive that was to remove all other lines after the fact and see if the light in and of itself would define the form...still needs some refinement I think.

[skyisnotthelimit]

Looks great you're a real artist. What a gloomy concept, the lighting is pretty tricky, this would be an interesting image when it is done.

my journey begins (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=329345&page=1&pp=15)

[OliveBeard]

Yay!! Two people have written in my thread! I feel so validated! :)

Yeah, gloomy is definitely the theme; and the lighting is new for me. I've never tried this solid morning-light-through-window-pane-in-a-dark-room kind of style before.

We'll see if it works for me. Thanks again for takin' the time!

[jeromoo]

Hi there OliveBeard. To make the theme more apparent here, have some posters of all kinds of holiday destinations pasted on the walls. The poster directly behind him could the the one he is going to. So we can feel he is waiting for the plane or the train to go there. Just my suggestion.

All the best!

[AWaqas]

Whoohaaa.. thats a difficult lighting you got there.. :eek:

Anyway, thanks for dropping by my thread, Ill have my monitor fixed.. or Ill get the technician killed.. j/k.. :buttrock:

[jammin]

i see you're enjoying the wacom -how's that working out?

can't wait to see more...

[OliveBeard]

I feel so loved! ;)

Jeremoo - Thanks for the input...this personally is going in a direction besides just "traveller", but its definitely something I'll want to keep close tabs on--stay tuned and I think you'll see what I'm talking about. :)

AWaqas - I'll send you one of my spares--do you think you could still do your artwork on a 14" CGA monitor? :) Good luck, and thanks for checking it out. I hope I can pull that lighting off!

Jammin - Checked out your site--excellent design work, but I got some "XBL object" errors when I click on some things...just a heads up. As for the WACOM...its a dream come true. I've done digital work from the day when it was either 8-bit, pixel by pixel, or sketch-n-scan...this is waaaay nicer! I highly recommend them for everybody. My mother just got the 4x5 Graphire and says its fantastic as well (of course, she does mostly photo touch-ups).

EDIT: Jammin', it turns out the issue is my browser, not your website. Sorry!

Thanks again to everyone--I have a history w/ CGNetworks of starting these contests and never finishing them; it really helps to have people interested, genuine or not. :) :thumbsup:

[jammin]

thanks for checking out my site olivebeard. you scared me for a minute with the error thing; sure appreciate you clearing that up.good luck finishing the challenge (i have the same problem, btw)

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145625347_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145625347_large.jpg)

Well, I'm starting to flesh in the background. I did a basic fill with the gradiant tool to get an idea for how the walls will play into the overall image.

I'm also slowly introducing more levels of color to the image ("Orange, blue...I'd like you to meet Dark Blue and 'Cream'," I said).

Bit by bit...I'm working from home today, so I thought I'd start the day off right...by doing ARTwork! :)

Thanks again to all those who have been stopping by. Your interest (and my lust for fabulous prizes) keep me going.

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145629290_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145629290_large.jpg)

I definitely want to use this background figure to tell a little bit more of the story, so I'm hammering it out a little bit more.

Note the kleenex on the floor.

I can't believe I may actually be able to pull that lighting off.

Anyway, enjoy!

[MasonRoberts]

Hi there OliveBeard. To make the theme more apparent here, have some posters of all kinds of holiday destinations pasted on the walls. The poster directly behind him could the the one he is going to. So we can feel he is waiting for the plane or the train to go there. Just my suggestion.

All the best!

Maybe even have him holding onto the plane tickets... or... have them laying on a table or on the side of the couch!

Good luck!

[jeromoo]

Hi there, I think the perspective here looks a little strange. Try working out the proper scales of the subjects in the picture because the main character looks a little too big for the room or the room is too small for him. Will wait for you to flesh out the picture more because it could be intentionally stylized that way.

[Nazirull]

I think you have a great emotional piece....The colors are well representing that. and well chosen too.

The perspective does look abit strange....the main character (the sitting guy) looks so much bigger...I think u should change the lines on the wall of u wanna keep the relative size of the figures so the room 'fits' the perspectives...IMHO.

But really when looking at your colors and strokes, it kinna like OK to go with distorted Picasso-like quasi-perspectives....

Great going mate....keeping an eye on thus one....:thumbsup:

[OliveBeard]

Looking at it more, I absolutely agree with you guys. In all truth, I should've stopped myself in the concept stages because I was trying to put waa-aay too much in.

I realize now that the way I have the vanishing point set up, this is like a super-wide-angle lens...not entirely inaccurate, but awkward looking. half of him is above the horizon, half below.

I think I need to start again and scale back. I want to keep the theme and lighting though...I'm am pleased with those! If I get time, I'll post some concepts today.

Thank you guys so much for the incredibly constructive criticism. Nothing ever comes out perfect on a first draft. :) CG rulz! :buttrock:

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145901070_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145901070_large.jpg)

Ok, I threw around a few ideas, (ok, I sketched a few) and came upon this.

Two things I like about it:

1. The setting is more believable. The architecture from the original centered around the "living room" of my brother's home in Idar Oberstein. That concept had some unusual architecture and--unless I included a floor plan--it would be hard to make the background believable to the general public. Furthermore, I have the bedroom setting, and our focal point is sitting on the bed, instead of the weird random-chair-in-the-middle-of-the-floor-with-someone-sleeping-on-the-couch -in-the-background look.

2. The scope is more realistic. I'm still doing a mostly worm's eye view (which I feel brings out the "1,000 yard stare that much more"...which gives ME a feeling of a journey beginning), but I'm not attempting the super-stylistic ultra-wide-angle perspective.

I'm going to flesh this one to the point of the last (i.e. start putting color shading in), then compare them and decide which path I want to go down--weird stylistic, or straightforward scene.

Your thoughts are ALWAYS welcome!

[Nazirull]

Great study....by how u bring it forward, i think youd figure it out soon or later anyway...:)

I think your stylistic approach is not bad....really....but bring it on babeh!
its free!:thumbsup:

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145972628_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145972628_large.jpg)

Ok, I lined our hero in, as well as most of the background, just to get a good idea for proportions and how everyting would fit together.

It was a pain in the @$$ trying to get the perspective right on the head/face. I'm still not 100% certain I like it, but its looking much better than the other attempts.

A sleeping figure in the background IS forthcoming! ;)

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145988884_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1145988884_large.jpg)

Trying to get the blanket folds and soft lamp light of the sleeping figure just right.

I'm also trying to make the figure's gender seem slightly ambiguous...not because I want to suggest sexuality, but because the figure is only supposed to represent that which is left behind.

Furthermore, I've tried to subdue the saturation on the blue from before. I think this creates a more realistic "dark". Of course, near-black accents will still be added.

I'm still trying to match the "sunlight" color on the main figure (that's why he's not in this one). Looking at the "line" art though, I will say this: his neck looks considerably less strained...more natural, if nothing else. :buttrock:

Thoughts are welcome!

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1146005218_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1146005218_large.jpg)

Waitin' for the wife to get done w/ a meeting in Panera bread. Good news: I got this far. Bad news? She's not done and my battery is about to die.

C'est la vie. Comments welcome!

[Samanthie]

Hi Jacob,
Great concept and style you have here. I would suggest adding more emotion to the main character's face. There is nothing wrong with this latest wip but I liked the image before where he is squinting from the bright sunlight. The room is nearly awashed with the bright light. You can really understand that the main character is not ready to greet the day. Whatever you decide I wish you the best of luck and thanks again for all the helpful comments to my image. I'll be keeping an eye on this one.:)

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1146772256_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1146772256_large.jpg)

Decided a break needed to be taken in regards to this piece. Haven't posted in a while. I'm ALMOST happy with the DIRECTION its going, with the exception of two areas:

1) The head just isn't right. I set myself up for a really weird perspective, and it's hard to pull off a "natural" look.

2) The colors don't seem as dynamic as they were before. I've kindof tried to play with it here. I'm afraid of making it too "fake" (as if someone is just shining an orange spotlight into the room). However, if I make it too "light" than the sunrise effect is lost.


Comments are welcome. 23 days left and counting!

[oceanbluesky]

Hey Jacob, really like your sense of depth and lighting...works very well! Like the emotion you've added to the man's face -- and the shadow behind him is intriguing. Very well composed. Look forward to seeing the final! Good luck!

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147175200_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147175200_large.jpg)

As the old saying goes, slow and steady win the race!

I'm beginning to do solid "filling" of the object within the picture (and not just relying on the highlights and shadows to define them). I thought the red in the blanket was a nice dramatic touch, but I may tone it down just a touch so that it doesn't detract from the foreground.

Thoughts/comments are incredibly welcome!

[Quills]

Hi there - love the contrast of colours / extremes, the guy in the pic does a great job of making you wonder where he is about to go and why. Mystery is always good...

Quills

[Samanthie]

Very nice update and I like the changes you made to his face and to the rest of the room. The red blanket looks good in the image. I don't find it a distraction. Good luck Jacob!:)

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147748816_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147748816_large.jpg)

There's still a few facet of this I'm not liking. First off, the pattern of the uniform is not coming through on the strong light. The perspective was a little off on the background objects. Finally, I'm not sure how much "harsh" light...I'm not digging the half-face thing. :)

Comments welcome, of course. Is there really only 11 days left? Scheise!

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147778170_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147778170_large.jpg)

Sha-zam! I think I like this setup. In fact, I've never used photoshop's "Vivid Light" layer setting. That, and desaturating the "sunlight" layer significantly seem to have given me exactly the morning sun effect I'm looking for.

You know, friends and family have often asked "How do you use photoshop?" and the only way I've ever been able to truthfully respond is by saying that for every thing you "want" to do, there's 10,000 of doing it.

I've been working with photoshop since version 4, and I'm STILL learning how to use this damn thing!

Comments welcome.

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147805764_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147805764_large.jpg)

I'm beginning to hammer out smaller details that will turn the overall composition into a "work of art" as it were.

I'm trying to catch a form of apprehension I continue to keep pushin' the pixels around, but I think I like this face. I'm still diggin' the "vivid light" setting...that is definitely helping to capture the right mood/time IMO.

Comments are welcome.

:buttrock:

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147830006_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147830006_large.jpg)

Just a "step back" from the painting to see where its going. This emphasis is to the left a little.

I guess I should start trimming it down and considering the balance of the whole piece.

Comments welcome! Please!? I'm desperate!! :)

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147868819_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1147868819_large.jpg)

Just sketching in the "wedding photo" in the background a little better. I think that looks more like marine corp than army, but that's ok...its just background...I'll light that firecracker if I have time before 0 hour.

Comments welcome!

[skyisnotthelimit]

This is good, you worked out the lighting pretty well.

I like the one with double chin, that brings out the character strongly, don't know bout the perspective though, not my strong points. Sorry

Yes, photoshop is a alien technology you know?

heh heh, best of luck!

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148736113_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148736113_large.jpg)

I AIN'T FINISHED YET!! Ten hours left in the contest, and I have a Memorial Day weekend/Anniversary vacation to begin.

Haven't touch this in a while (read: stuck in an office w/out my tablet). By the good grace of my loving wife, I've been given this final morning to redeem myself.

Changed the bag at his side. Also finishing up the camouflage. If you have a comment or critique, I can almost guarantee you it will go unheard at this point. :)

Gah! Rush rush! Need coffee!!! :)

Thanks for listening. More coming VERY soon.

:rockon:

[OliveBeard]

...don't know bout the perspective though, not my strong points. Sorry.

Don't be sorry! I fully agree with you, and I'm looking to fix that now...in the next couple of hours. Gah!

Lesson for the future, though...no dual-vanishing point, super wide-angle shots...its hard to balance so many elements being present in a composition.

Anyway, I ain't outta this yet! ;)

:buttrock:

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148747868_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148747868_large.jpg)

Ok, I'm getting closer...adding definition to the "little" things.

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148753953_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148753953_large.jpg)

Well, I don't have a lot of time to play with it anymore. I think this is the layout/color scheme/composition I'm going to hammer down (haven't cropped or added tiny details).

The next submission will be the "Final Coloring". Then I'm goin' on vacation.

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148761297_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148761297_large.jpg)

Well, I think this is it. I want to add drama by creating the blurry background (and covering up some of the half-@$$ed background items). Increased contrast in the front, decrease in the back.

I think this is it. Let me get the word from my wife...

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148763111_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148763111_large.jpg)

My wife did not approve of the portait one. With her suggestions, I hammered this "final" one out, in a Landscape perspective. Definitely captures more of what I want it to capture.

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148765128_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148765128_large.jpg)

I was raised in the military. Not "in the military", but both my grandfathers were soldiers, my father and uncle were soldiers, and ultimately my two brothers became soldiers.

Quite simply, I was inspired by an e-mail I received on November 11th of last year:

Hey everybody,

So I'm sitting here, packing. It's about 10:00 in the morning. [My wife] is still asleep (as per Saturday SOP). In about 24 hours my flight leaves for Kuwait City. Between now and then I have to pick up a few things from the PX, finish packing, muster, make sure all of my guys have their stuff, sit in a gym for several hours, ride a bus for an hour, sit in a marshalling area for about seven hours, "sound off" when my name is called about 23 times, say a ridiculously tearful goodbye to my wife and try to convey to my family how much I love and miss them.

It's gonna be a full day.

By now I think that the older folks know that I love them. It's a little harder for the Niece and Nephews- especially the one that I've never met. How do I let him know? How do I tell [my wife] where I put the will when neither of us wants to acknowledge that it exists? Where the hell are my dog tags?

Lotta questions that I know the answers to, but am having trouble transcribing into english (except the dog tags thing). The weather in Kuwait City is 71 degrees with a light drizzle. That almost sounds pleasant. It probably would be if it wasn't in Kuwait City...

1LT Bielanski


There's a point we all face, whether it prior to a deployment, a wedding day, or that brief painful moment before we leave the cozy bed and our wonderful family and risk it all.

It's the moment when we're truly alone. We see the dawn break on what is ahead and no preparation, no family, no creature comfort can bring you solace. Your mind tells you to stop every time; you contemplate the alternatives.

Soon, the orange light of the low sun will turn white as it passes overhead. The buzz of existence will drown out the contemplative state our mind had previously existed in. We'll begin our day, we'll do what we have to do, and pray--to what ever deity seems appropriate--that we make it back to that comfortable place.

The military--and ultimately, a deployment--was chosen because of my inspiration and because I feel it is the most dramatic incarnation of that moment. Furthermore, I feel that what drives the element of fear and inhibition that exists prior to every journey (whether good or bad) is its unknown nature. I chose not to depict the path before our intrepid soldier, but rather, the subtle hints of what he leaves behind.

Thanks for reading people, and thanks for the contest CGSociety!

[OliveBeard]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148766539_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/10417/10417_1148766539_large.jpg)

Note: this has been re-submitted. I accidentally sent the wrong JPG to this thread as the "final". Please disregard the last "final" post.


I was raised in the military. Not "in the military", but both my grandfathers were soldiers, my father and uncle were soldiers, and ultimately my two brothers became soldiers.

Quite simply, I was inspired by an e-mail I received on November 11th of last year:

Hey everybody,

So I'm sitting here, packing. It's about 10:00 in the morning. [My wife] is still asleep (as per Saturday SOP). In about 24 hours my flight leaves for Kuwait City. Between now and then I have to pick up a few things from the PX, finish packing, muster, make sure all of my guys have their stuff, sit in a gym for several hours, ride a bus for an hour, sit in a marshalling area for about seven hours, "sound off" when my name is called about 23 times, say a ridiculously tearful goodbye to my wife and try to convey to my family how much I love and miss them.

It's gonna be a full day.

By now I think that the older folks know that I love them. It's a little harder for the Niece and Nephews- especially the one that I've never met. How do I let him know? How do I tell [my wife] where I put the will when neither of us wants to acknowledge that it exists? Where the hell are my dog tags?

Lotta questions that I know the answers to, but am having trouble transcribing into english (except the dog tags thing). The weather in Kuwait City is 71 degrees with a light drizzle. That almost sounds pleasant. It probably would be if it wasn't in Kuwait City...

1LT Bielanski


There's a point we all face, whether it prior to a deployment, a wedding day, or that brief painful moment before we leave the cozy bed and our wonderful family and risk it all.

It's the moment when we're truly alone. We see the dawn break on what is ahead and no preparation, no family, no creature comfort can bring you solace. Your mind tells you to stop every time; you contemplate the alternatives.

Soon, the orange light of the low sun will turn white as it passes overhead. The buzz of existence will drown out the contemplative state our mind had previously existed in. We'll begin our day, we'll do what we have to do, and pray--to what ever deity seems appropriate--that we make it back to that comfortable place.

The military--and ultimately, a deployment--was chosen because of my inspiration and because I feel it is the most dramatic incarnation of that moment. Furthermore, I feel that what drives the element of fear and inhibition that exists prior to every journey (whether good or bad) is its unknown nature. I chose not to depict the path before our intrepid soldier, but rather, the subtle hints of what he leaves behind.

Thanks for reading people, and thanks for the contest CGSociety!

[Cyberone]

cool image...
i really like the lighting...very moody and dramitic..
i sorta liked the un blurded one a little better...lol

anyway...
best of luck!!

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