The Journey Begins Challenge (2D) Entry: Alexandre Cote

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1144969813_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1144969813_large.jpg)

Here's the beginning of my piece for the entry. I had this idea for a little while of making my own representation of Alice in Wonderland. The way I always imagined it, the world and all it's characters. So I just went in photoshop and drew a few doodles for creative process. I came up with this simple concept.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1144970192_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1144970192_large.jpg)

I went on and found some references for my future early linework of all the characters i had in mind. I fond a few usefull website with many old illustrations of Aline in Wonderland. I composed them into a sheet and started drawing.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1144970358_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1144970358_large.jpg)

I started with the Mad Hatter as he's probably my favorite character and I just got me right into it. I got some more Sketches I need to scan and will update soon.

[gigantron2999]

wooohaaa, fantastic linework! can't wait to see the rest of the piece develop!

[Luter]

Hi,

Great references :) and original concept for this theme. It's a good idea, you're on a good way with this I think. You must find your personnal thought in this magical universe and you're on the way. The coloring will be very interesting. You need some new things which can bring here the idea of the journey I think. And after that maybe you could think to the camera, where you could put it, at the bottom, at the top ...interesting :).

(sorry for my english :) )


traduction...lol, enfin si on veut :
Belle ambiance. Tu tiens la une bonne idée et une originalité par rapport a tout ce qu l'on voit. Il reste à trouver les éléments qui sont liés au voyage. Comment les représenter symboliquement....signifier le départ imminent par exemple...ça me fait penser au cirque aussi, les gens du voyage, mais en plus poétique. Bon travail en tous cas et belle inspiration personnelle, bravo.
:)

[Zo]

awesome drawing of the mad hatter! Cant wait to see this piece progress!

[ramy badie]

This is certainly going to be a very visually interesting piece, and it looks like your work so far is good. Good luck in the challenge, it's looking great, I'll be waiting for updates :)

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145033419_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145033419_large.jpg)

2nd page of sketches I did with more characters this time. The white rabbit, the knights, a flamingo and Humpty Dumpty.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145033637_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145033637_large.jpg)

This 3rd page of sketches I went for the Queen and a "card guard" holding Dodo.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145034055_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145034055_large.jpg)

Here's the last page for the moment. I did Alice, Tweedledum and Tweedledee and the Cheshire Cat.

I made Alice sit on a big mushroom like I had planned in my early idea. She's also smoking from the "hookah" but I didn't have enough space to draw it all..i will once in Photoshop.

The tail of the cat will be semi-transparent as it forms into a solid color for his head/torso. I also defined abit of the rose tree just to get an idea of how i could approach it.

[alxcote]

Hey! Thanks guys for the support. I'll upload alot of updates in the near future, stay tuned.

Luter - Yes indeed, my next step is to focus on the composition and the world around her.. the journey of her dreams, wonderland.

alx

[OliveBeard]

Nicely done--I particularly like the new take on "Alice".

Personally, though, I'd have steered clear of a character base that has been re-done before (see American McGee's game "Alice"). It will certainly put a lot more pressure on you, then to invent a new character.

Excellent work thus far!

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145316459_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145316459_large.jpg)

Alright I got all my sketches up to size and started to compose all the characters. Alice being in the center with the background set up to show her journey through the Wonderland. This is just what i came up for now. Next step is researching some reference for the environment and setting up some basic colour themes to the composition.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145502272_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145502272_large.jpg)

Ok this is a bunch of colour and world references I took from different sources of alice in Wonderland. It seems very hard to cature the exact values and colours in the world of Alice as it's composed from all of them. Disney adopted a mix of Warm and Cold colours throughout it's film. Colours which are surreal, yet coordinated in every evironment. The best examples are the shots in the woods where all the colours are colliding.

I also have a few drawings of the "chessboard landscape". I always wanted to incorporate this idea into my final design.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145502415_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1145502415_large.jpg)

Here's my first shot at the colours using my earlier references. This is a very early stage blocking simple colours across the composition.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147126899_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147126899_large.jpg)

Allright, to be honest I think I went too fast on the early process of this image. First I was in school and didn't pay enough attention to the early steps of development. My composition was too spead with too many elements/characters and i forgot the whole purpose of this illustration.

I kept my early sketches but reworked the entire scene. Made multiple thumbnails and came up with a few good ones to final pick this one.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147127066_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147127066_large.jpg)

Here's what I got after the scan and then droped some colors in. I'm also going to wait before adding any extra elements to it. Right now i'll slowly approach my elements and focus on Alice and her world (the Journey).

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147127263_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147127263_large.jpg)

I now imported my old sketch of Alice, combined the both and started to cut in some landscape elements with a few touch of colors. Still very early.. see where it's heading.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147202789_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147202789_large.jpg)

Just worked a little on it today. Leaves and depth of field was adjusted. Also added some more contrast and defined the props such as arrows/flowers/doors/mushrooms and the rose tree.

[Lithan]

The color squeme is very intense...Love your sketches. Good luck

[anzibon]

other than familiarity with the story and character... how does this show a journey beginning? is it alice's journey into drug experimentation?? :)

i would comment on the images, but my jaw is still lying on the floor next to me.
:eek:


great stuff, can't wait to see more.
hope there's enough time for ya,

~B

[alxcote]

Thanks guys,


To me, Alice's journey is a whole lot more than just about drugs. In many ways it is the creative youth and imagination of a young girl. The way she perceives the world and herself throughout this journey.

It didn't take too long after I had read about the next CGChallenge that I picked Alice in Wonderland. I just always felt like it was a great imaginative story that leads the character through a very strange journey and comes out of it in the end. While she confronts many different characters she also discovers herself.

I will also build on this illustration as I go to put the emphasis on "a journey beginning".

alx

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147638248_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147638248_large.jpg)

Just started to add some defined details into the left tree and some doors. Basicaly trying to see what are my limits in terms of colours and the style of colouring. Right now I believe i'll be aiming at something a little more realistic but also keeping the vibrant colours of the world of Alice.

Hopefully i'll be able to find some extra time to put into this and bring another quick update.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147645067_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147645067_large.jpg)

This is just a quick update. Defined the ground a little.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147673305_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147673305_large.jpg)

Just adding details to the right tree and Alice before going to bed. Will continue this week.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147747351_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147747351_large.jpg)

It's starting slowly to take shape. I'm happy with it so far. I'll keep on working on the details on the background, then aim to Alice and eventually add the last characters which i'm still not sure what to do with...but it'll eventually click. I really want to be patient with the last characters in the end, so i'm going real slow and will experiment with multiple alternatives.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147822920_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1147822920_large.jpg)

Just did a small bit of work today. reworked the tree with the painted roses and added a bucket at the bottom. made some cast shadows and took a piece out of the giant mushroom.

[Glosep]

Hi Alexandre, your image looks great, specially for the colors. Maybe anzibon is right about the theme or if looks like the beginning of a jouney but you have a good explanation. Anyway, very cool drawing. :scream:

[BlackDidThis]

I'll be honest... had I first heard the subject without already having a plan on starting a image such as what I have chosen now (My reasons being a whole other story)...
Alice in the Wonderland would have possibly been one of my first thoughts as well.


But I think I would have more what gone for jumping down the rabbit's hole. Mostly for the "beginning" factor.. and the unmistakable movement into the journey.
I'll also have to admit that I can not guarantee that it would be half as impressive as your composition of choice... nor do I think that it would display the immense size of the task in hand that she is to live through with just the tunnel...

Even still... I only hope that you manage to build that emphasis you mentioned to compare to now.

Because the image is amazing and it would only be a pity.
I liked everything ... from sketch to colouring... nothing to comment on that department!

The best of luck!



Black

[alxcote]

Thanks guys,

I also fully understand what you're trying to say Black. I first started this contest when i was back in school. A friend of mine had told me about these CGChallenges and I just jumped in while we were going through our finals and such. So I went through the guidelines pretty fast and maybe I should of thought out my illustration a little more, but it was a pretty sketchy timing. I'm still very busy at this point as well so to me to start this picture for the 3rd time wouldn't be too much of an option, plus I'm starting to like this one.

To go more in details about this specific entry, I do have alot of other elements to add to it in order to fit with the theme. I planned it to do so in the beginning.. in my own sort of way I should say though. But i'll be adding alot more. I'll be making other sketches and designs and then adding on to this composition untill it feels right.

The issue like you said is "movement into the journey" which i do not like as much when it comes to this composition and I "might" redo alice but at this point i'm sticking to this. To me, Alice had a journey of her mind and not so much of an "action of walking into wonderland" but more to feel it. And that's why I had her like this in the beginning.

In any case, if the final picture is said not to fit the requirement I won't care so much. I don't create "art" for the soul purpose of winning something. People who know me will understand.. I just love to be creative and i'm broke so my friend suggested me to do this as a side note.

Thanks for stoping by for 2 seconds and commenting, I wish I could comment as much on other people's works at this time but I'm kinda busy. Anyway, I'll make sure to keep the flow going!



alex

[BlackDidThis]

Originally Posted by Alexandre (http://forums.cgsociety.org/member.php?u=54456);
In any case, if the final picture is said not to fit the requirement I won't care so much...That's the spirit...
I was hoping such.
As tempting as the awards are, I believe that they should more what be the a motivation for making something looking worth the while, and not a goal.

And NO... if I commented on a post...trust me on the matter that it would end up to be never two seconds... If not at least ten minutes to over an hour for each image I have ever posted.
I believe efforts deserve more.

Sorry my time wasted for yours didn't seem concerned enough. And thank you for sparing from yours to provide me with a thorough answer.
Prefering to think that it was a matter of speech, just wrongly used.

Any how... good luck.



Black

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148056336_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148056336_large.jpg)

Just finished the background so i can build up the Foreground next. The last steps will be the characters and last details.

[Ramitxon]

Wonderful image. How can I have missed this one?, great concept, great sketches and fantastic colors, I´m looking forward to see it finished. Good luck.

[rapheal9]

wow alice in wonderland, impressive work dude

regds
rahul

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148073040_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148073040_large.jpg)

Just starting on the foreground, see what I can do with it to strenghten the composition and balance the whole picture. So I added the chessboard in the right corner.. I'm thinking about adding the Rabbit running in that area perhaps. and add a finaly key character on the path somewhere. Also thinking about adding some extra movement to the piece but that's a maybe.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148077188_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148077188_large.jpg)

Here I stoped and thought about my missing characters and how they would link Alice to her journey and the bit lack of movement. The madhatter was my choice for the simple reason that he's my favorite character (along with Alice of course). Him, showing the way to Alice.

I'm debating right about a possible 3rd character in this picture but i'm not too sure how to introduce it. I was thinking about placing a key element in the bottom right corner but I might just add some details instead of a complete character. But if i DO add one, it'll most likely be the white rabbit.

Now i'm off to give some life to the hatter.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148082749_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148082749_large.jpg)

Just filled my Mad hatter with some simple colours. We'll have to see how this turns out.

[authentic]

Marvelous. Colors, posing everyhting is great. Nothing to crit.

[jeromoo]

Really nice sense of colours, depth, perspective and composition! The only crit here is that I would assume that the mad hatter guy is on a journey instead of Alice if I didn't already know the story beforehand.

All the same, your painting skill is awesome!

[alxcote]

Ramitxon/Rapheal9/authentic : thanks for your kind words.

jeromoo : thanks for the crit, i'm working on that right now.


alx

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148136398_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148136398_large.jpg)

Just worked on the Hatter and redid the signs. Also added the last parts of the pipe.

I'm thinking about adding some a queen and peon on the chessboard. Also will add the white rabbit in the end when everything seems right.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148159066_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148159066_large.jpg)

This is a pretty important step here with my pick on foreground elements such as the chess pieces and the "Horse Flies" in the left corner.

I'll go ahead and try finishing these and then look at the entire picture carefully before adding anything else.

I also forgot to mention I added alot of details on Alice and Cheshire. Also added minor details to the madhatter and darkened the character to accentuate the focus on Alice. Also made the right side larger to leave some extra room for Alice.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148165202_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148165202_large.jpg)

Ok, I've done the chess pieces and the foreground details. Also rebalanced the colours for the grounf and mushrooms.

Added some small wonderland birds on the top right corner.

At this point I'll have to try a few different combination of small additions and see if they work out or not.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148270003_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148270003_large.jpg)

Alright, I think this is it folks. I've added the white rabbit and some minor details. Also reworked some of the coloring themes.

I might just wait a little before entering the final image in case there's some touch ups I think of but this is pretty much it for me.

[thePoet]

KUDOS! Yours is definitely one of my favorites of Journey Begins. I saw the talk about whether it follows the spirit of the instructions and I'll say that it does, just not in a common way. When I see the image I am reminded of the bizarre journey she goes on, without you having to show me everything.
Couple of thoughts if you care to consider them. The mushroom she's setting on seems to blend in to the area behind it because they're the same color; maybe change the color (which would also bring attention to Alice).
How about adding some more signs that point deeper into the woods? One on the the right side of the left side tree pointing right and on one of the deepest trees on the right side pointing left. I think it would add to the feeling of journey begins because you'd be able to follow the signs and know where she'd be going.
Great work, and best of luck to you -thePoet

[sebkeb2]

franchement alexandre tres tres beau tu reste dans le meme coin que moi en tk c la quon vois que le quebec cest une ville artistique bonne chance je poste le mien dans 3 jour !!!
revient moi tres bientot mec

[authentic]

This picture is grwing well. For the rabbit I think you can make him a better pose. Especially I think his right leg is too long (even I understand the idea to see it behind the man) And maybe te ears could be a little curved if you want him less like a agressive rabbit. It depends of your idea.

Very cool picture :thumbsup:

[penartist26]

WOW Very nice! i love the destortion of ur images, and great colors also keep it up!

[ahbeejieh]

Man, I love your colors! Your composition's a killer too. Alice in Wonderland's been painted so many times in the past already, but this is the first time I've seen it this way... Looks so cool. Goodluck! Looks like a placer, and if not, probably a choice award :thumbsup:

[artvandeley]

Man, that´s hot! Definitely among my Top 3 of the contest.

I only wih you´d put a little more love in some details, playing with the contrast here and there,the perspective of both the ground and the ChessKing is a little bit off and so forth.
Wouldn´t do any harm i guess. But on the other hand you might as well leave it like it is,
it´s great anyway.
Good luck!

[domclubb]

really well painted and a great representation of alice. at first i dont imediately think "journey begins" but its such a nice painting i don't think it matters much. good luck

[alxcote]

thePoet - Thanks man, i'll see what i can do with the mushroom. Also thanks for the input on the deep signs.. i had a thought about it earlier in the process but never applied it.

sebkeb2 - Hey salut mec, merci pour les compliments! ..et je revient au quebec quand j'ai finit les etudes..alors ca prend un peu de temps. Mais bon.. bonne chance a toi aussi!

authentic - Thanks man, I'll replace the rabit's legs a little i think too, but for the ears i really wanted them straight out.. sort of goes with his facial expression as he's shocked. Thanks for your advices.

nards/ahbeej/artvendeley - Thanks for your sweet comments!

domclubb - Thanks, i'm still working on that.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148320723_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148320723_large.jpg)

Touch ups on the rabit, sign posts on other trees and mushroom colors.

[Daphne HONG]

Your drawing is so great ! The color, composition and atmosphere are really fabulous. Alice in Wonderland is one of my favourite book and you succeeded to show this story with your own style.

[Dalton-Muniz]

Very Beautifull work!:applause: I like a lot, the colors and the characters are great!!

[Slav]

you prolly go to Sheridan i assume? they dont us city folks out there, at the orientation they ran down on OCAD too much for my comfort. Anyways great image my only beef is that the character and the whole image is not original. :-\ i would of preferred to see unique characters as opposed to recycled ones. technically this image is topnotch. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[alxcote]

Daphne/Dalton - thanks!

Slav - I don't think I understand what you said about Sheridan.. you mean you think the people from Sheridan don't like city folks like the ones that go to OCAD? I don't think that's the case, the school will take anyone that is mildly good in arts and that has the money (whether they're from the city or from any other country). If you're talking about school competition well it's the same everywhere with any school, doesn't matter which school it is. But i'm the wrong person to talk to about these things, I care less about any of that.

Back to subject, as for recycled characters, I always felt like I was maybe using an old story but at least representing my own characters, the way I see them. Would call that a recycled story.

thanks for your feedback!

alx

[Slav]

Daphne/Dalton - thanks!

Slav - I don't think I understand what you said about Sheridan.. you mean you think the people from Sheridan don't like city folks like the ones that go to OCAD? I don't think that's the case, the school will take anyone that is mildly good in arts and that has the money (whether they're from the city or from any other country). If you're talking about school competition well it's the same everywhere with any school, doesn't matter which school it is. But i'm the wrong person to talk to about these things, I care less about any of that.

Back to subject, as for recycled characters, I always felt like I was maybe using an old story but at least representing my own characters, the way I see them. Would call that a recycled story.

thanks for your feedback!

alx

i am just basing this on the orientation lecture one of the people did for next school year. i guess he said that stuff because its partially his job to get people to come to sheridan, but that doesnt matter.

well to avoid the whole thing of my coming off a bit blunt i just wanted to say that i totally respect your skills. you did an outstanding job, and that was just my own opinion what would of been nice to see you use those persona's to create your own characters as opposed to your own version of them. anyways i feel like i am getting myself into hot water here so ill just keep quiet. great stuff. cheerio.

[vader]

hi alexandre, great image man! excellent comp and colors. :thumbsup:

good luck!

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148488662_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148488662_large.jpg)

I just cut out some closeups of certain areas.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148490104_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148490104_large.jpg)

Retouched minor details once again, played with the shadows and such.

Tomorow i'll upload the final image.

[alxcote]

Slav - it's all good don't worry, I totally understand. Thanks.

vader - Thanks dude!

[warpy]

fantastic piece, alice in wonder land with some sort of a twist hehe.
but where is the journey ? are you hoping that the people who know the alice story will remember that she is on a journey..
or maybe there is something here that i am missing ?

best of luck, cheers.

[alxcote]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148571379_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11402/11402_1148571379_large.jpg)

Alice is about to embark on a strange and unexpected voyage. She will have to interact with a world created by one's own mind and to face the unknown. One step at a time, the deeper she goes. Making her way through her imaginary world, she will have to overcome the obstacles she encounters along the way. Will she be able to understand the meaning of things and come back home? Alice’s journey in wonderland just begun…

[Slav]

well what can i say. grats on finishing. :) now sit back and enjoy a brewsky.

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