"PAINTOVER PLEASE" - painted crits on demand - with Steven Stahlberg

[CGriffin]

Hi, Steven! I can't tell you what a wonderful thing you're doing, in offering much-needed advice! So here I am, grovelling for such.

This image will be the cover for a pdf. (aspiring to hard-cover!) game for a small gaming company. They are persnickity, and when it all comes down to it, I have to do what they want, but in the meantime, I think the piece is suffering from lighting issues and could use some real drama. Help?

Cris

http://www.crisgriffin.com/images/June_AtDsample.jpg

[GustavoAccioly]

Hello,

My name´s Gustavo Accioly i am from Brazil and i am amazed by what you´ve done here.
I was jus t wondering if you could paint some of those sketches i did some long time ago.

I was never able to sucessfuly paint those and some of my other sketches,
so i´ve stop drawing and painting for about 3 years. Now, i am trying to get it
back with matte painting and stuff.

I am posting 3 images, so you could choose one you like ( or all images :rolleyes: ) to paintover.
All of them are sketches, but if you could give it a try, i´ll really appreciate.

Thank you in advance.

Sorry about my english, i hope you understand me. :)


Images :

http://www.nexusrpg.com.br/TEMP/alienkind.jpg

http://www.nexusrpg.com.br/TEMP/head-metal-plate.jpg

http://www.nexusrpg.com.br/TEMP/distorted-spray-can.jpg


Really thank you for your time and attention.

Gustavo Accioly

[AinodiEpuitora]

Thanks, Mr Stahlberg. Btw, could u tell me more about why u choose the dark color and eliminate some elements(like the rocks and tree). Thanks a lot

[Stahlberg]

could u tell me more about why u choose the dark color and eliminate some elements
Sure,
well to me the colors you had before were really way too strong for realism. Add to that the fact that the sky is day or dusk, and as such must always be brighter overall than the ground.
I removed some elelements because they are totally unnecessary to what you said you were trying to communicate with this image... you wanted a big sky and a big dragon juxtaposed to a small defenseless character, putting rockwalls and huge trees in there takes away the focus from where it should be, and makes it feel like the small guy is safer (he could hide behind them). Although I may have misunderstood your intent. If you really want a tree in there, I'd recommend a much thinner trunk, a bit bent, perhaps S-shaped and not too contrasty so as not to attract too much attention/focus.
The sky could perhaps be brighter but I thought the whole mood should be a little scary, not happy and bright... but that's finally up to you of course.

[Stahlberg]

The rocket-balloon:
note - I recommend Google Image to find reference of clouds from above


http://www.androidblues.com/POP74.gif

The game cover:
Nice image. Though normally I wouldn't help out with commercial work, it's in the rules :) but ok this once.
note - I recommend the woman to be either larger or lower, as atm the perspective is a bit wrong and she looks like she's standing on a higher level than the man.
Also, the lighting on the characters isn't matching the background at all, I think you did that on purpose but the fog in front of them seem to be tying them to the background and then the lighting issue becomes a bit confusing visually.
http://www.androidblues.com/POP75.gif


The alien mutant thing:

http://www.androidblues.com/POP76.gif

[GustavoAccioly]

Oh my God. It looks great and alive :applause:

I´ll follow your trail and see what i can do whit it.

Thank you Steven :thumbsup:

Gustavo Accioly.

[slickgreekgeo]

That was amazingly fast, thanks for the help, appreciate it.

[Jasperscow]

Thank you very much! Google images is fast becoming one of my top resources.

[mlru]

Hello Mr Stahlberg,
I have a more theoretical question: When you first look on the images you're about to overpaint, what are the guidelines you use to do a revision? Is it creative inspiration or do you analyse them in a way? I know, there's a lot of theoretical guidance concerning perspective, lightning, proportions, compositions and other things, so I would be interested in the way you approach the work to be done. Is it in a more intuitively or analytical way?

Hope I could make clear what I mean.

Anyway, this is a real great and instructive thread!

[Gabe]

Hello Steven

Here is my last painting.

The goal was to make it as believable as possible, but I never use reference for anything more than the initial sketch if I need it.

I need to practice painting more from real life.

Any critiques or tips would be greatly appreciated.

http://home.comcast.net/~gabe687/creature_for_crit.jpg

[CGriffin]

Sorry, Steven...I didn't see that bit about non-pro work only. But believe me, this is only marginally pro. More 'on spec' than anything. Both me and company are weaving our ways through the quasi-psuedo-semi-pro arena of rp production. Nonetheless, you were spot on with your observations, and I thank you whole-heartedly for the advice! You so rock, dude.

[Stahlberg]

When you first look on the images you're about to overpaint, what are the guidelines you use to do a revision? Is it creative inspiration or do you analyse them in a way? I know, there's a lot of theoretical guidance concerning perspective, lightning, proportions, compositions and other things, so I would be interested in the way you approach the work to be done. Is it in a more intuitively or analytical way?

That's a good question.
You can break down the overpaints in two extreme categories, obvious and not obvious... and then there's of course a range between the 2 extremes where most works fall...

The obvious is the overpaint which is easy to see what I need to do. There's no need to hesitate or to think much, I just start working on it. These are the ones with obvious issues, the most common ones being (as I mentioned before) too 'busy', colors too strong, composition not optimized, lighting inconsistent or non-existent... (all of course assuming that the artist is going for a realistic or naturalistic look)

The other extreme: I look at something, and at first it looks fine, then as I keep looking slowly I start to see things I want to change. This would be largely intuitive, but then I can confirm my suspicions using some analytical 'tricks' like tracing the perspective lines, tracing the direction of the light, etc... and the best 'trick' of all: going to Google Images for reference. :)

edit:
quickreaver - thanks, glad to be able to help.

.

[Stahlberg]

Gabe I'll do your paintover in a little while. But meanwhile, here's a good opportunity for me to explain the importance of reference, and how I use it.
I usually search Google Images, and select bits and pieces of images that I think can be useful in the process. Here are a few I found in a few minutes, you can probably find more if you search longer.

Reference for the stripe pattern:
http://www.lioncrusher.com/images/tiger_white.jpg

Reference for the front of the head (nose):
http://www.cob.tamucc.edu/waheed/Teaching%20Aids/The%20Bull%20Run.jpg

Reference for the head/mane:
http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/dms/fapm/personnel/tom_b/2004-lion.jpg

Reference for general bulk of body:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4986764

Reference for pose of real lion, too floppy for a bull but mix with the below:
http://www.cohsoft.com.au/nature/gallery/l/liona.jpg

Reference of stylized lion pose, too stiff but mix with the above:
http://www.africarving.com/lion/lion_lying24-9d1.jpg

Reference for horns:
http://www.photo.net/photo/pcd1645/sheep-curly-horns-44.4.jpg
http://www.woollydesigns.com/s_tales/images/horns.jpg
http://www.sheep101.info/horns.html

.

[Stahlberg]

Here's the overpaint, I changed the contrasts of the image which I thought was a bit too low (easy to tweak in PS), changed the brassy yellow to a warmer yellow (just my personal preference, again easy to do in PS), changed the perspective a bit, the pose also, I made him more solid like a bull, because it seemed you were going for something halfway between a bull and a lion in the body... the horns are perhaps a little too ram-like now but those striations I found helpful to show the shape...
I didn't make full use of references in this suggestion, I leave that to you


http://www.androidblues.com/POP77.gif

[Junpei]

wow great work! i'm surprised you are able to keep up with all these, i hope your still doing it by the time i put something together for you to crit/paintover.

[Bu3D]

Ufff... I see this thread all days, and I so addicted to it xD. I want to say that I´m studying Fine Arts in Valencia (Spain), and here I´m watching more explains than another painting-class of my school (in one year); and more corrections, paintings, commentaries... much more than 3 years in fine arts. This could be for a lot of reasons... Maybe digital painting are so faster than traditional painting... but only a few teachers tell you things so good like here. I´m think that to have time to thinking about an image, correcting it, and posted here, this is a good method to say the correct answers to the "pupils". Sometimes , teachers in school are in a hurry to answer questions, and they forguet that is necessary to meditate and think about many things about an image/paint/illustrate.

Maybe I´m exaggerating, but I feel like I tell you. This last lion-goat, are impressive. You are teaching a lot!

So I will still watching it, and I will put some images (I posted 3 yet, I don't want to capture attention). When will finalize this thread?

Bye :)

P.D.: I write in english better I can, I wish you could understandme. I find it dificult to write in english and I spend a lot of time to wrinting it! xDD

[Stahlberg]

Thank you guys. :) I was hoping that the overpaints would be helpful to more people than to just the one person who asked for it, so I'm very happy to see some of you finding it useful.

I will keep this thread going as long as I can, as long as there's a CGTalk and as long as people keep sending in submissions. Of course I may be forced to slow down now and then, for travelling, ill health, technical problems or temporary work overload and such, but I will always come back.

[Gabe]

Man, you did it again!

This is such a big help for me and other artists.

What I was thinking when I made the drawing of the lion / goat /..... creature.

I was trying to keep the contrast down, because I see that one of the most obvious problems with the works posted here is the contrast being too high.

But now think I have a better understanding of the limits on both ends. Too much contrast and not enough.


For the horns, I was thinking of mixing a Ram's shape with the Bull's texture = Laziness on my part was part of the reason for that :rolleyes:. The Ram's horn texture looks a lot more interesting though.


For the body I was thinking of something like a Lion / Bull / Hyena. Big torso, small rear end.


OK, well....

Thanks again. :thumbsup:

[Stahlberg]

I was trying to keep the contrast down, because I see that one of the most obvious problems with the works posted here is the contrast being too high.
Aha, I see - well good thinking, and I'm glad that at least someone is listening to me and trying to put stuff into practise. :)
In that case I may have gone a bit too far with raising the contrast... but it's easy to take it back a notch in PS, play with the contrast and brightness until you find a comfortable level.
Note that it usually seems to look better when black is raised in value, rather than when white is lowered... play with Curves in PS on some images and you'll see what I mean.

.

[Gabe]

I'm interested to know how you do these so quickly.

If I try and make a change like the one you did to that Lion / Ram image, it would take me well over an hour.


Is there a way you could do at least one video capture of an over paint.

Or post a small tut.

I know it would help improve work flow for some of us.

[Stahlberg]

Ok, I'll wait for a suitable subject, and do some step-screengrabs and take some notes on the process. I'm afraid a movie might become too huge, but I'll experiment and see.

[Opeth]

Hi guys.
I just found this thread and am very excited about it.
Stahlberg, applause. You've done some really cool stuff here and your dedication is inspiring :)

This is the last image I've made and probably one of the first ones to actually use a proper BG etc.
No reference used except for the basic geography of the BG (it's supposed to be more or less a certain place in Scotland I've been to).
The colors are a little problematic for me - the skin shading is a drag and the lighting could probably be better.
Any help and tips would be most appreciated!

http://www.slight-shift.com/Old/bocS2.jpg

edit: Despite the writings on the bottom, this is a none commercial image! :)

[Aruyinn]

Wow Steven, this thread is such a gift to this community! I sadly didnt see this earlier.
Thanks for all the time and work you put into this.

I have also a piece I´ve been working on and off for some month now, and while I already got some very good tips, I then went totally stuck on the anatomy of the priestress- not beeing able to give her a convincing realistic look =/ Also I have problems with the light on her, since overal it should be more "foggy" with not a strong light
Ah, and reference was used for the pose can link if wanted =)
To the piece itself, she is going to sacrifice the dragon baby, which makes her very sad but due to a contract that was done ages ago between mankind and dragonkind she has to do this.
I wanted her to be yet very sad but in a noble way - overall I wanted her to have a bit of a priest-like grace even if she is halfnaked ;)
The mood itself I wanted to be magical/mystical, with fog and gaze in the background and the dragons in the back are sort of a honor watch

It would be totally amazing if you could find some spare time to help me with such a great op =) because I really want to tell this story i had in mind for that piece =)

http://www.wip.hagarun.de/opfer.jpg

[EricCartman]

Hey Steven,

I've been your fan ever since I got into 3D which was about 3 years ago. Here is my "problem". I've finished this piece last year I think I was was just wondering how would you change the mood of the "painting" as this is 3D recreation of a 2D painting called "The Old Cupboard Door" painted by William Michael Harnett (1848-1892). I hope you'll find it as a challenge and I am looking forward to the end result.

Keep up the awesome work.

http://features.cgsociety.org/gallerycrits/7518/7518_1131660500_medium.jpg

Sincerely,

[Stahlberg]

Dude I wouldn't change a thing about this! Seriously! It's not in need of an overpaint! :D
Besides, I can't find William's original online so I can't tell how closely you've succeeded in copying it, but just from looking at this one image I'd say it's fine like it is. What is it you don't like about it yourself?

.

[EricCartman]

I tried to copy the modeling. I did make the "golden statue" but since I haven't done a lot of organic modeling I left it out of the final render. Well I am not really looking for anything specific. It would be just interesting to see your approach to it.

Here is the original:

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/00012/00012D29.jpg

[Stahlberg]

Well, now that I compare them I find the color balance slightly more aesthetically pleasing in William's version, the blue painted door goes very well with the blue paper and the yellow, whereas the green is ok but perhaps not as suitable as the blue... William's door is also darker at the bottom, brighter at the top, a minor thing perhaps but it brings a little more dynamics to the image... again, I'm sorry to have to say - I can't make this better by overpainting, I'm not as good an artist as Williams, so my advice would be to follow his lead, rather than mine. :) And in any case, as I mentioned, the first version of your copy is already a very good image which I have nothing to add to.

[Stahlberg]

Here are two more. Sorry no step-by-step this time either... it kind of blocks the creative flow to have to think about anything else except the actual brush-strokes if you know what I mean... :) I'll try to do one in the future.


http://www.androidblues.com/POP78.gif



http://www.androidblues.com/POP79.gif

.

[Gabe]

Hey Steven

Not sure if you want posts of what happened after your critique, but here's what I did.

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=3649437#post3649437 (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=3649437#post3649437)

Still didn't use any reference, but in the future I will.


Thanks again

[Opeth]

Hey man, Thanks!
I really like what you did with the enviorment and the face.
I'm learning ALOT from this thread!

[Aruyinn]

thanks alot steven! no problem with not seeing step by steps here, the op itself really helps me further =)

[Stahlberg]

Not sure if you want posts of what happened after your critique, but here's what I did.
Sure I want them, everybody feel free to post them! :)
I like the changes you did. :thumbsup:

[kazziu]

Hi mr Stahlberg, it's me again.
I'm painting my first big, major piece. I'm at the moment where i should start the detailed shading of the skin and enviroment but i can't find a final look in my head(the hair is a pain in the a.. aswell),here's a cut out, this painted over would give me a real boost forward how to do the rest, i have to admit that i wanted to achieve a vallejo style shading, yeah lol... but your version would be even better ! Could you look at the face anatomy and hair aswell... :D

http://www.fitflash.nazwa.pl/fit_folder/diva.jpg

[Anatoli]

Hi
Thanks, for your comments to my work, it is very necessary for me, among my colleagues in small Siberian city there is no worthy artist what to give good advice.
I shall necessarily take advantage of your offer on " PaintOver please " - painted crits on demand.
I shall make it after the termination of competition CGChallenge XIX - The Journey Begins (3D).
Certainly, I understand that I do not have chances to borrow any prize-winning places, but nevertheless shall wait the terminations of competition. :)

Thanks

My work: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php? t=350690

[clodhopper]

http://reedcasey.com/sketch/bombrider3.jpg
Hey Stahlberg, I'm sketched the left leg several difforent times and I'm still not getting it, could you help me out with the anatomy please?

[spiderworm]

I love this thread.

Will you help me fix my obviously broken painting?

http://tellim.com/random/Home_Away_from_Home.png

Thanks a ton.

spiderworm

[Stahlberg]

Ok here are the two latest overpaints

http://www.androidblues.com/POP80.gif

.

http://www.androidblues.com/POP81.gif

[arte-i45]

Hey Steven,

Thanks a lot for putting up a thread like this, I really enjoyed following it! Now it's time for me to jump in, if you don't mind one more I'd like to see/hear your critique on this:

http://www.primatestudios.com/temp/evening_lady_small.jpg

Thanks again!

Matt :)

[kikhu]

hi Steven!
can tou help me with this?i dont know what to do with the background and the atmosphere....
thanks in advance!!bye

[dini]

Hello, excelent thread, excelent idea you had.
Could you take a look at this pic, too? It's just an imperial patrol cruising around. Made it with 3ds max.

[kary]

Sure I want them, everybody feel free to post them! :)

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=373683 I really appreciate the input, it helped enormously.

There are a few more things that I could do for polish (a lot of things break in the high res), but I'm satisfied that the biggest issues resolved and it is to a point I'm happy moving to the next one :)

[johnymuush]

Guys this is so wonderfull...Thank you mr . Spielberg ...

I was wondering till when will this last ? I will definetly join these days ...

[notpill]

I will keep this thread going as long as I can, as long as there's a CGTalk and as long as people keep sending in submissions. Of course I may be forced to slow down now and then, for travelling, ill health, technical problems or temporary work overload and such, but I will always come back.

Spielberg?:)

[safari-chris]

Hey Mr Stahlberg, this is my recent render/WIP for the girl you critiqued a month ago. I was going to pose her as a statue, but I wanted to see if i could do something a little more. She belongs in the era of medival times, and shes a former princess who travels around outside of her kingdom. I am going to add a BG to it, like a castle foyer, with her leaning on a pillar; the background will be a painting in PS. so, have fun Mr Stahlberg :)

and thanks again!,

Christopher C. Sosebee

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/1849/progressshot207wl.jpg

[Stahlberg]

Cool, Kary! :)

Here are the three latest:

http://www.androidblues.com/POP83.gif

.

http://www.androidblues.com/POP84.gif


.

http://www.androidblues.com/POP85.gif

[kikhu]

wow!thank you very much!!

[dini]

wow, thanks, could you please tell me what did you do to the big planet? It looks so much better.

[Stahlberg]

Sure,
I pulled the terminator (the band of twilight) closer to the edge, and made it more reddish, since the atmosphere down there will have mostly sunset or sunrise colors.
I also curved the terminator a bit more gently.
I made the lighted part of the planet closest to the sun brighter, bluer, and made sure there weren't any spots that were too dark in that area.
Lastly I lightly darkened some clouds to make the transition from light to dark smoother, since there was a big mass of clouds lying right across the transition, making the transition too sudden in a certain area.

Here's an awesome reference I found online, much better than my feeble attempt:

[johnny79]

I'm not sure if this one is done or not.
my main concerns:
1. The girl in the corner should be at least slightly in shadow, she's not the focus of the image and I want her kind of mysterious.

2. The ground. They're walking over autumn leaves...I'm not sure if I should go into more detail, or if so, even how I would go about it.
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3597/2284/400/into-the-dark-semifinal6-26.jpg
please feel free to address any other issues you may see.
You're the man Stahlberg, you must be building up a ridiculous amount of good karma here! Thanks!

[arel]

hi, Steven..

first off, thanks very much for this thread, i already learned a lot from it..

if you have time, please take a look at my image, what bothers me here is the background, i.e. the lighting of the background and the relationship between the background (these sandy stones, stairs etc.) and the actual ground. just can't figure out how to make it all more consistent. of course, if you have any other suggestions i would be very thankful. so here's the image:

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3719/ghosts9wx.jpg

thank you in advance.. :)

[LDiehl]

See below.

[notpill]

This (http://notpill.cgsociety.org/gallery/374973/)is my final image "Powered by Stahlberg" :)
and this (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showpost.php?p=3605685&postcount=209) is the post with the paintover on my wip.

[Stahlberg]

LDiehl your image doesn't seem to load properly, maybe it got interrupted or corrupted

notpill, cool! I really love that robots head... :)

[Kudha]

i know something wrong wit this
i just cant figure it out.....
that left hand had been painted over and over.... and still very bad

thanks alot mr stahlberg

http://www.jumawut.com/images/works/gambar/OldGodam.jpg

[Stahlberg]

I changed the range of tones on her skin, warmer in the shadows, cooler in the highlights, and lengthened the far arm a bit, tweaked shadows a bit.
Excellent image anyway, love her expression.

http://www.androidblues.com/POP86.gif


I'm not sure about this one, since it's quite stylized and that's always a very personal choice... but I tried to de-emphasize her as you mentioned.

http://www.androidblues.com/POP87.gif


I corrected some anatomy issues, and played with the light

http://www.androidblues.com/POP88.gif



This is a very nicely painted image, but I did some tweaking of the light, and one of the arms. Also, purely from a design POV, if this color choice is up to you and not to someone else, I'd suggest a different combo than bright red, bright purple, black gold and silver... how about simply red black and gold? Or even better, black and gold?
http://www.androidblues.com/POP89.gif


.

[Kudha]

sweeeeet.......
now i see something wrong wit the light....
hmmmm

cool, its like having an art teacher online....:bounce:

[arel]

thank you so much, Steven.. now i know how to make it look better, thanks a lot!!

[Runecaster]

I'm at the point with this one where I am just not wanting to work on it - I need a break or something. So I thought really good fresh eyes can take a look at it and catch my mistakes I am just not seeing anymore.

http://www.aequinox.com/paintings/concepts/defiance_wip17.jpg

This isn't 'close' to done - I still have to work on the pipes, clothes, ground and sky and what not -- but I'm feeling blocked, ya know? Anyway, any help you can offer is MUCH appreciated.

[StefanStavrev]

Hello Mr. Stahlberg

I am a big fan and would be glad if you would like to paint this , so i get some idea for texturing.

http://www.slibe.com/image/a9581548-FINAL_11_jpg/

Thank you for this wonderfull thread.Hope one day we can repay you :)

[JonM]

Wow I cant believe your still doing this! this is so cool :)

Anyway this a 3d model with some post work done in photoshop. this idea sort of just came to me and I thought it was a very strong concept, but I don't think it came out as a strong piece.

I was trying to go for realism and I know your a master of anantomy so I figured this would be good to help out the image a lot, because I am not very happy with it and I don't know why.

http://jonmdesign.net/3d/horseguy/wip4.jpg


Maybe it needs a new background too? Maybe the concept is just not good? I don't want to scrap this project so I figured maybe you can help me save it :)


Thanks so much!

[Stahlberg]

StefanStavrev first you have to tell me more what you want the piece to communicate, right now it's very dry and un-emotional so I can't really guess. :) Do you want a scary cold dark wet environment? Or a bright happy environment with strong colors? Are you going to put something in that environment, like a character or two, or are you simply showcasing an environment, for your showreel?

.

[StefanStavrev]

"Do you want a scary cold dark wet environment ?"

Mr. Stahlberg can you read people's minds ? :)

That is what i want, yes :)

No characters in it,just enviornment.

If you need more info tell me :)

[Gabe]

OK, here's another one I did today. (Brad Burns from Virtua Fighter 5)

Goal = Practice gray scale rendering.

I was trying to stay away from 100% black or white, but still keeping a good range of shades.

Not too bright, and not too dull.

I used a reference for the initial sketch and light block in, the rest was winged.

The main thing that bug's me is how the stubble doesn't look quite right.

I'm just messing with the noise filter in Photoshop, the dissolve brush + different layer styles and opacity settings, blur here and there and it's done.

Here is my basic technique.
Sketch, blend, repeat over and over......................When it I'm happy with it, I get to the hair, eyes, wrinkles etc.

Every so often, I use the liquefy filter in Photoshop to adjust the shape of the drawing.

I use the pinch brush to clean up edges and blurry areas.


If you spot something that needs improvement I'd be glad to hear it.

Thanks :thumbsup:

http://home.comcast.net/~gabe687/Brad-burns---WIP.gif

http://home.comcast.net/~gabe687/Brad_burns.jpg

[thegreensquid]

This is a great idea, and will probably be the only place where I'll actually post work. I don't do well being told whats wrong, I'd rather be shown. It's how I learn, I'm visual. (surprise surprise.) So my supreme thanks for this thread.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/8172/commandershadowsuncolorbymorga.jpg
758x661 (I hope that's alright.)

Just trying to portray the powerful Alien Female Leader of the Tau trudging infront of her battleforce. She's in the desert (obviously, I hope.) and its' really bright and hot but it doesn't phase her and her lower legs sort of sink in to the sand and as her legs rise to make another movement the sand drips from her legs as the winds slightly whips up stray particles around her. That thing off to the right of her is supposed to be a drone goin really really fast.

My goal is to make this somewhat recognizable, even to people who don't know who or what she is. Someone told me "it could use some refining." but I'm not exactly sure what to refine, and I just don't want to dive in and do stuff haphazardly.

(that's the best I can come up with for description and what I'm going for.)

[arte-i45]

Hey Steven,

Thank you very much for going over and critiquing my image. I greatly appreciate it. :bowdown:

Matt :)

[Stahlberg]

Here are the five last ones

http://www.androidblues.com/POP90.gif

http://www.androidblues.com/POP91.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP92.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP93.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP94.gif

[thegreensquid]

Huh, never woulda thought that. I actually learned something from this. You rock hard... like diamond.

Thank you my good sir. Back to work!

[xBlattodeax]

I did some painting this days, and as always i get in trouble with damn details! Can u give me some very special tips about doing good details on this example here:

http://www.frozen-brain.de/tongue.jpg

Should look a bit scary/ugly...uhm...maybe disgustingly..
Maybe u can add some saliva between teeth and tongue...
THANKS A LOT
Hope u can reply soon!
Regards,
Yours Blattodea

[Runecaster]

Thanks so much for your time Mr. Stahlberg, sent you a PM with additional information regarding my image. Appreciate the time you took!

[Stahlberg]

Here's this one again, I tweaked my overpaint a bit after Runecaster showed me the reference for the woman in the image

http://www.androidblues.com/POP90b.gif

[LDiehl]

Guess my post got lost after I finally got the image working (really odd, I've never had Photoshop corrupt an image before). So here we go again. This is to be the cover of a small press fantasy book. I've worked it to death and am still unhappy with the lighting, anatomy, and perspective. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


http://www.ldiehl.com/wip/knightswish17_lauradiehl.jpg

[JonM]

ah cool, thank you for your time steven! I will go back and change it. This is helping me learn the figure and anatomy!

[Gabe]

Thanks again

I can see a real difference when I blur my vision.

The paint over you did looks more 3D, even when blurry.

[architectus]

Some of these paint overs are cool, I bet it is good practice as well. It looks like the Rembrandt thread is closed down, bummer, it was why I joined the thread, however there is much to enjoy here, I am here to learn.

If anyone can help me out, let me know what I can do to improve my style, this was done with photoshop.

I used the gride technique to get eyes, hat, etc in the proper places.

If you wish to do a paintover that would be great as well.

Also, being new to CGtalk, does anyone know if there is a way I can check my latest forum post, that way I can easily come back and check who responded and such?

Rembrandts Titus.

http://www.manfacedgods.com/rembrandttitus.jpg

[Stahlberg]

Also, being new to CGtalk, does anyone know if there is a way I can check my latest forum post, that way I can easily come back and check who responded and such?
Yes, in your CP, Control Panel. You can also subscribe to a thread, and get an email message each time there's a post in it.

[Bu3D]

Hello Stahlberg. I want to say again that I´m learning and enjoying a lot with this thread :)

I was painting one character. She´s like a woman assassin. I was trying to aply all that I have learned here. I had got some problems with anatomy, and I was sorting out some things. Now I have more troubles with anatomy (abdomen and other parts that I can´t do better), and with the enviroment. I´m searching about a textured enviroment, some ambiental colours, and maybe some fog iluminated by the two points of light. But I don´t know what is the better elecction, and how to make it!

I attached the original image, and other two with some improves.

Thanks and bye!


P.D.: Scuse about my english. I don´t know if people understand me... Is it ok?

[chisheng]

Stahlberg... to interact with such a great artist as you.. its a rare opportunity. I'm glad that you do so much for the community. Keep up the good work, and for those artists that are posting... keep painting. =]

Thank you

[deadlyorc]

Wow, your art is amazing, as are all of your paintovers.
Anyway, my picture needs some improvement, and i'd like to see what you could do

I'm going for an elvish feel to the picture (in case that helps at all)


(if picture doesn't show up, the link is http://ic1.deviantart.com/fs11/i/2006/191/1/d/Serenity_of_the_Forest_2__by_deadlyorc.jpg )
thank you

http://ic1.deviantart.com/fs11/i/2006/191/1/d/Serenity_of_the_Forest_2__by_deadlyorc.jpg

[peetsbeets]

I've been working on this piece for a long time now. This is supposed to be a city that is constructed within the canyon to keep it from the harsh winds on the dune surface. Also the semicircle structure at the top is a sort of dam that holds back water to form a dam and the water falls into the city. However, as you can see, the upper part of the canyon/cliffs and "lake" doesn't really fit and I'm no longer sure how i can finish this piece.

Suggestions or paintover would be greatly appreciated :thumbsup:

http://projectixce.net/projects/photoshop/Canyon-City.jpg

[Stahlberg]

deadlyorc, I can't see the image and it says I don't have permission when I follow the link

[deadlyorc]

This link will work.

http://www.deviantart.com/view/36108238/

thank you

[Donzz]

This is a wonderful thread! Well, this is my entry for a C.O.W on CA. The theme was orange leviathan. I had an idea of a monster from a kids scary-tales, who eats children if they are bad :)
The problem is I have very little experience painting water and sea actually so I'm kinda unhappy how things came out.
I'm looking forward to see what a pro can do with this. Thanks!
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8513/levi40fh.jpg

[Georges]

ciao Steven,
thought i move better here. i am not sure so it is my first post at cg. i ilke to know what do you think what can could be done better :
do not care about the sharp corners around the ear etc this sort of things i can see . i have to delete some edges there.
the lashes are temporary. i am still not sure with the hole thing. around the eyes at the 45° ??
just want to know if it is ok for you before i dive into texturing. no problem to model a other week ....
Georges


http://img431.imageshack.us/img431/5616/paintover6xh.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[Stahlberg]

Here are 3 more, I know I skipped a few but I'll do them later. Been a bit busy lately, and I'm going to Singapore tomorrow :)

architectus, I finally had a good look at your image, and even tried painting on it, but I soon found I wasn't making it any better! :D I really can't find a big fault with your image, I like it very much. The style of the obvious brush strokes would disappear if I start to fiddle with it... not sure if I have any advice as to improving it either. sorry I couldn't be more help...


http://www.androidblues.com/POP96.gif



http://www.androidblues.com/POP100.gif




http://www.androidblues.com/POP101.gif

[thegreensquid]

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5091/undeadhorsemanfinished28rz.jpg

I'm at a point where I know there's more I could do, but I'm not sure exactly what. I'm also not sure how to describe what I'm going for. The subject is hopefully obvious (undead mage readying a fireball as his undead steed rears up.) I suppose I'm going for a rotting flesh and exposed muscle and bone look for the characters. And an overall feeling of power from the mage.

[Stahlberg]

Two more, including one I missed earlier

http://www.androidblues.com/POP95.gif



http://www.androidblues.com/POP99.gif

[Stahlberg]

One more, before I go :)

http://www.androidblues.com/POP98.gif

[xBlattodeax]

wow, thank u very much Stahlberg ... i just cant get enough of that stuff, how did u do that o.O its amazing what a few details can do... but how can i handle the details :) Am i using to blury brushes?!...

[peetsbeets]

Stahlberg, I just wanted to add to the many thanks for taking time to fix my 'piece', and add your interpretation to it.

[deadlyorc]

Thanks for the paintover, it helped a lot. :)

[Bu3D]

Thanks Stahlberg! :)

[MastahUK]

Wow, this thread is amazing! Great job so far Stahlberg, I hope you can continue to do this for a long time!

I'm relatively new to digital painting, this being my 3rd or 4th proper attempt. I decided this time to paint over a scan of a rough sketch of my girlfriend, but I'm stuck as to how to paint the hair (auburn/ginger/brown in colour). I'd really appreciate any tips, and would be interested to see if you can amend any mistakes I may have made on the face.

Thanks!

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9618/roz1h4cd.jpg

[Stahlberg]

MastahUK I can't see your image?

.

[MastahUK]

Thats odd, normally have no problems with imageshack. Never mind, here is a version where i attempted some hair that I have uploaded to my own hosting.

http://www.pcucreate.co.uk/roz2b.jpg

Something just doesnt quite look right. Stuck for a background too - I don't want anything at all complex, just something that could show off the portrait a bit better than plain white. Thanks again.

[pritch]

I'm at a point with this where I'm not sure exactly what direction I want to go. I know there are anatomy problems for sure. I also could use some advice as to how to keep the energy of the looseness while bringing it to a more final polished state. As a friend of mine put it the other day he said "I really like your quick sketches more than your more polished stuff."

Anyway, I appreciate any help or advice you could give me. Thanks Mr. Stahlberg.

http://www.pritchslapped.com/art/GoldenAngel.jpg

[JensDenker]

steven stahlberg, thanks for taking some much time for us.
it's an great idea so i'm finished modeling with my head just to show to you. if you have any suggestions or if there's something wrong or if i have to improve some areas more please let me know.

http://static.flickr.com/62/191082870_6959f415fa_o.jpg


Thanks!

[olle]

Did a portrait but im not happy with it. Dont really know what i have to change though. Sorry for my bad english.

Here it goes:

http://www.animate.se/files/male_blyerts_682.jpg
http://www.animate.se/files/male_blyerts_682.jpgv

[Stahlberg]

Here's the next one:

http://www.androidblues.com/POP102.gif

[Stahlberg]

Two more

http://www.androidblues.com/POP103.gif


This one I really don't know what to do with, I can't just add a background without knowing what you want to express with the image... so I just polished the hair a bit. :)

http://www.androidblues.com/POP104.gif

[Georges]

the millimeter work again. your eye is simply amazing. i could see there is some work to do,
but i did not know what exactly.
thank's
Georges

[Epsilorn]

First of all I have to say thanks a lot for your time. I'm following your work since long time and it's great you gave us this opportunity.

Then it's my painting: it's my first (and last) finished work made completely on my PC.

http://www.cgnetworks.com/gallerycrits/165104/165104_1119378273.jpg

I like it, but surely You could make it better.

[kazziu]

Hi mr Stahlberg, I have a simple question, how would you improve my latest image?? I had response that her head is too small..? How would You paint the rocks she's standing on??
And the background, maybe darker?? I would like to see your vision of this piece.Thanks !!

http://fitflash.nazwa.pl/space/nebula-godess-finalmini.jpg

[Stahlberg]

kazziu, so what do you want the viewer to feel from this image?
Is it simply "Wow, pretty woman!" or is she something more? A witch, a femme fatale, a maiden in distress, someone dangerous or someone in danger? What are the things around her, in the background? Electrical discharges? Nebulas of space? What are those strange ring-shaped things on her heel?

[JustSayOzzy]

hey there

really great idea :thumbsup:

so, here I come with my first matte painting tryout..I'm pretty proud of it - as it's mostly handpainted (except the trees, the rocks, and the reference for the head), though I do think it's a kitsch..oh well:)...from my point of view it is finished. It should represent some kind of ancient mayan sacrifice for the god of Sun, or someting. As I dont have an artistic education, unfortunately, I cant say what's missing/wrong/whatever but I'm sure (or it's only me?) that something is wrong over there...so may I kindly ask for your help? Should I add the hi res image(1600x1200) ?
Thanks :thumbsup:
http://81.181.155.240/laur/1_resize.jpg

[kazziu]

kazziu, so what do you want the viewer to feel from this image?
Is it simply "Wow, pretty woman!" or is she something more? A witch, a femme fatale, a maiden in distress, someone dangerous or someone in danger? What are the things around her, in the background? Electrical discharges? Nebulas of space? What are those strange ring-shaped things on her heel?

OH Yes , for now it's that trivial "Wow what a pretty woman with cool background behind her" feel, I know a master can squeeze alot out of such a simple topic, for instance:
http://www.fitflash.nazwa.pl/space/Boris2.jpg
Please edit my post and delete this image if it's not right to post it here !
Back to the topic...Yes those are nebulas, and yes those are "strange ring-shaped things on her heel".Now don't tell me You can't improve a painting of a sexy girl mr Stahlberg :twisted: :D :P

[Stahlberg]

Ok. :)

I'm a bit busy right now but I'll get around to everyone in time I promise.

.

[JustSayOzzy]

Ok. :)

I'm a bit busy right now but I'll get around to everyone in time I promise.

.

thank you, sir ! :bounce:

[Aldarion]

This piece is heavily inspired by the Lineage II universe and portrais an Orc fighter in the snowy hills training/fighting or doing some such activity. Probably will not change the pose of the character , but hints on lighting and composition (and general faults of the image) are VERY appreciated. Thank you.

Orc (http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/338/frozenorcwm2.jpg)

[Stahlberg]

Aldarion, sorry but I don't know what to fix in your image - it's already so good! The composition, no crits, wonderful use of space... the anatomy, looks fine to me. The lighting? Perhaps some slight overexposure on the snow, but that's nitpicking. The details of what such an orc should look like, I have no idea since I'm not familiar with the source material.

Five more:

I looked at some birdwing reference

http://www.androidblues.com/POP105.gif

The nasolabial fold usually continues down curving round the lower lips, and there's often a fold coming out from the corner of the mouth downward, crossing the nasolabial fold
http://www.androidblues.com/POP106.gif

I think it could be good to make this a bit less symmetric and centered
http://www.androidblues.com/POP107.gif

.

http://www.androidblues.com/POP108.gif

.

http://www.androidblues.com/POP109.gif

.

[xBlattodeax]

After ur last overpainting of my doodle i thought, WOW how did he do that ... now i got anotherone for you. I still posted it in forum jet, under another thread, but when i look on it, i think there is something really really unfinished! I want to get this cute Ratthingie more polished ... It should look a lil bit stupid, lazy ...maybe u have also some idea for background...

thanks for ur time and on more time THANK U FOR UR LAST OVERPAINT ( can i pm u, for getting some tips&tricks?! )

http://www.frozen-brain.de/Nippold.jpg

[pritch]

Thanks Mr. Stahlberg, I really appreciate it.

[AdekCG]

Hi Steven,

This thread is awesome.

I have modeled a head but I am not sure whether the face anatomy is correct or not. I would much appreciate your suggestions.

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/5606/rzutyvh8.jpg

Thanks a lot!

[Pongo]

First of all I just wanted to heap some praise on you for doing this. Just observing this thread has helped me improve.

It seems that the most common thing to be corrected is the rendering of light and how it forms and builds the shapes. I used to think that a lot of my work looked flat because I was not using enough value range, but it is actually the opposite. By using subtle value changes, and putting the values in the CORRECT PLACES the form is so much better. Which leads me finally to a question,...

Have you got any tips to help see and understand how to draw this light better? It's a bit crazy, because I can see what I am doing wrong, yet I keep making the same mistakes over and over by drawing my generic lighting to everything. Also, Have you ever made any .WPE event files for opencanvas that show the process of painting a bit more?

Thanks again,... this thread has been very educational for me.

[Stahlberg]

Thank you. You're absolutely right about what is the most common type of mistake, and understanding that is usually half the battle.

Have you got any tips to help see and understand how to draw this light better?
This is the crux of it, the million dollar question for those of us who want to draw and paint better... how to see better?
I think there's only one way, and that's physically doing it, practising it. There's no tip I can give how to do it better, just tips on how to practise it better. I recommend simple shapes at first, like this:
http://www.androidblues.com/sphere.jpg

Then gradually more complex shapes:

http://www.androidblues.com/egg.jpg

Eggs on paper are in fact perfect to start with.
First paint one, then two, then crack it, peel it halfway or whatever... you can have hours of fun out of a couple eggs, and then you can have them for a snack. :)
Also add cones and cylinders (easily made from paper and a bit of tape), anything white or light gray you have at home... because you need to save the color for later. First try to nail the tones. Dealing with color at the same time will be too much.
To try to confuse your left brain (which is the one telling you to apply the "generic" tones), turn the reference upside down. Try to let your right brain take over, that means no distractions, maybe play music you feel you can be creative to, don't rush and look at the clock etc... relax. Have fun with it. :)

[architectus]

this thread is very cool, it is nice to see all the newer works you helped along. I have a piece I did about 5 hours. I am thinking maybe I should darken the whole thing up, maybe make a more moody sky, not sure, maybe sun set?

Right now it is kind of an overcast day. I was thinking maybe a real setting would be cool, like an average day, with this super-beast in it. Now that I look at it I think maybe something more dramatic, let me know your oppenions, and if you wish to do a paint over for your ideas feel free to, it would be much appriciated.

http://www.manfacedgods.com/forums/pinkmouth.jpg

[Elsie]

I'm jumping into the fray :D . This is such an awesome thread, very generous and encouraging to us all!

Link because its big size: http://www.ailsamacpherson.com/images/wip.jpg

[slex]

hello and what a great threat!!! thanx!

the scene is my very first attempt in the 3d world. i tried hard to come along with a good mood but my skills are to incomplete yet. i will be very happy if you overdraw the image with some brushed thoughts.

the title is: the girl that had to hold the moon forever.
mood of the girl: she is a little bored about this issue.
overall mood: strange, funny and sad at the same time

thank you

http://blenderartists.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1789&d=1133992800

[paperclip]

Steven! I'm happy that this thread is still going, it's such a great idea and very generous of you to give your time to help us all!

I'd like some pointers with the lighting for this painting- as you can tell, it's at the 'detailing' stage, but I don't want to go too far with the detailing without first making sure that the lighting etc is OK. What do you think?

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i58/clippy06/gorillasinthemist-4.jpg
cheers,
clippy. :)

[Tithrem]

Hi,

I just found this thread and think its just awesome and have to post a few pics of my own i just couldn't get the shapes and lighting i wanted so maybe a redraw can show me what im doing wrong and how to possibly improve it.

I hope you have time to do them all :D
Thanks

here is one I call Archinale

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6388/archinale0pi.jpg

[Stahlberg]

No, I think I'll just do one of them. :) The first one, I guess is most suited to this process.

i just couldn't get the shapes and lighting i wanted
Since I don't know what you wanted, and the subject is so far removed from what we see every day, it's hard for me to help. Can you tell me more about the image? I'm guessing it's a huge creature swimming underwater?

[eddieellis]

Hey man, im a big fan of your and really could do with some help.

I recently posted a thread in the gallery which didn't go down well with people. Personally i thought it was one of my best works todate and got really disheartened with the rating in which i recieved.

Please could you give me any advice on my pic because i really could do with some help.

http://www.ellipages.co.uk/wip/3dw/demonhigh2.jpg

Sorry about the size of the render,

[eddieellis]

duplicate post deleted

[Tithrem]

No, I think I'll just do one of them. :) The first one, I guess is most suited to this process.


Kewl one is one more than I expect :D


Since I don't know what you wanted, and the subject is so far removed from what we see every day, it's hard for me to help. Can you tell me more about the image? I'm guessing it's a huge creature swimming underwater?

Yes your right the creature is based on a whale with a few differences, its shape is obviously different, its size should dwarf that of a blue whale, it live very deep in an ocean but in this scene it is near the surface so you should be able to see caustics and sun beams shining through onto it. Is skin is smooth and shiny but ofcourse has lots of thing living on it which may or may not be shiny and smooth. Above the ocean it should be a windy sunny day.

Hope that helps you help me :thumbsup:
and Thanks agian!!!

[edit] almost for got it has long hairs all over its body, maybe i will post my concept drawing so u can see how it all went wrong :D

[edit] added concept drawing just cause :shrug:
http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/4755/dscf0027jt4.jpg

[Anthonie]

Hello Mr. Stahlberg.
First of all this thread rocks big time.

I have seen all your changes on every page in this thread and from what I can conclude is that you balance out contrast but also colors. I have seen many art pieces that have so many color and brightness differences but after your paintover it falls together. Now I know for what to focus. But Mr. Stahlberg what I was wondering. Can photoshop somehow tell you wich colors are in some kind of same contrast/ brightness? Since it's easy to use colors
that have a too high/low brightness and contrast. I know u have it all in your eye and brains
but is there a tip to make that go easier?

And then here is a piece I drew a little while ago.
What I wanted to achieve was a group of meteors crashing into the earth. In this case
some of the meteors are crashing into a city.
First of all from what I saw you doing at some other pieces was that you made the areas
that didn't recieve light, to grey.With a small very bright highlight.
But somehow I'm a bit to scared to use strong highlights. and well in my case I also
didn't make my areas grey/dark. it's more like "turn green into a darker green in a same amount of brightness". What my point is in this piece of mine is that I wanted to make the city very bright and the further from the city it turns darker and darker.
-I think my colors are not in a consistent style
-also perspective might not me completely accurate
-and dark/light is not strong enough.

Now it's not like the main point is the city/meteors. I hope you can explain me a bit of the
different color brightnesses and how I could learn to have a better grip to that.
thanx Mr. Stahlberg

http://student-kmt.hku.nl/%7Eanthonie/paint%20over/paint%20over%20image1.jpg

[Stahlberg]

Can photoshop somehow tell you wich colors are in some kind of same contrast/ brightness? Since it's easy to use colors
that have a too high/low brightness and contrast. I know u have it all in your eye and brains
but is there a tip to make that go easier?

The best way is to skip color altogether, and focus on tone. You can do that very easily in Photoshop by making a painting desaturated or monochrome. I often do that myself -paint in grayscale first, add color later.

As for your painting, I'll get to painting on it later, but for now I can say that the sky needs to be darker to see the glowing meteors. In fact, since you say you want the city to be bright but the distance darker, you could have that kind of darker grey stormcloud thing happening, against the sunlit city, that always looks very nice.

[primativ]

I have a drawing I started but never was able to get to come together colorwise. The pose and the anatomy are be a bit wonky too.

Can you lend me a proffessional hand?

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b22/primativ/centurioncolor.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b22/primativ/centurioncolor.jpg

[InKraBid]

Hello, after seeing your OPs, Ive found that theres just so much left to see..
And now, I also see a few things that I can do to improve this painting, but I really want to see your version of this before I make any changes.

This is a motif that has followed me for a long time, and I just cant seem to do it justice...
It is a picture of a young elfling (I picture her about 24) that has snuck off in the night and is dancing around in some kind of human sacred place where shes not allowed to be.
Dont know if that was well explained, but I think you get the picture.
Suddenly she swings around the statue and there you are... Shes never seen a human male before and is intrigued.. She is supposed to have a playful, curious look, and the environment needs to be giving out a more sacred look..
If you could give some professional pointers or an OP, I'd really appreciate it, it means a lot to me :)


http://images.artwanted.com/large/93/5518_321393.jpg

[Stahlberg]

Here are 7 of the latest ones:

Thithrem and Anthonie, it seems I skipped your pictures, sorry I'll do them next.

.

http://www.androidblues.com/POP111.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP112.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP113.gif



http://www.androidblues.com/POP114.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP115.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP116.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP117.gif

[eddieellis]

wow, that is awsome man... thanks you very much :thumbsup:

[Anthonie]

Thanx no problem Mr. Stahlberg ^^

[paperclip]

Steven.....holy crap! Your paintover is great! Thanks so much!


Just wondering....how far can someone take your advice without it being too 'rip off-y'?

Thanks again, you're the master. I'm still rather shocked as to just how much better it looks.

cheers!

clippy

[architectus]

thanks for the paint-over, you gave me some good ideas.

[M1KES]

Hi Stahlberg! I really admire your work and skills! Anyway, i am trying to do a potrait on photoshop of my girlfriend but i am having alot of dificulties. I am a major photoshop beginner, and don't have that much experience.

Anyway here is my work so far:


http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8357/testfb3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)


So as you see, there is still alot to be done, just the problem is it does not look anything like the original photo. It looks like a diferent person. I was hoping you could point out what is wrong and what corrections it needs in shading and lighting. Here is the reference photo:

http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=testreferencezb6.jpg

[Elsie]

Steven - thank you so much! I wish I could send a big basket of cookies your way :D.

[slex]

thanks mr. stahlberg.

its a cool and useful lesson.

your invest is really great.

[Stahlberg]

Here are 5 more

http://www.androidblues.com/POP118.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP119.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP120.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP121.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP122.gif

[primativ]

Thanks for the help on the centurion pic. The anatomy problems especially with the shield arm are more obvious to me now where as before I just knew sometyhing looked a bit uncomfortable about the pose.

This is a great opportunity for us aspiring artists, thanks!

[Anthonie]

Hi Mr Stahlberg.

Like I thought you would. you make things more in a tone area wich is cool.
And now the comets there in the distance are definetly the main point. I should focus more on that in the future.
So I'm happy about the results and I definetly learned things from you. Now I have to make them realizable by practicing that what I've learned.
All I can say to you is thank you very much.

[sums]

Steven, This is a painting that i completed about a year ago and was never satisfied with the anatomy of the creature, please help me rework the anatomy to bring the painting to a more believable state. I also have a few questions, do you use layers or selections when you paint?, and approximately how long would it take you to finish a painting like "jealousy?"

Thanks for you time, your work is really inspiring.
best regards Aaron Summerfield

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/xtrememizery/creature.jpg

[HuiTzu]

Dear Steven, I don't know how to revise and make this painting look better. I have encountered some difficulties in lighting, shadow, ambient,legs, background... Please help me with it. I really apprecite it.
Thank you very much!
Sincerely yours,
Hui Tzu

please visit the following link:

http://blog.sina.com.tw/libica/article.php?pbgid=5857&entryid=77752

[HuiTzu]

Dear Steven, I don't know how to revise and make this painting look better. I have encountered some difficulties in lighting, shadow, ambient,legs, background... Please help me with it. I really apprecite it.
Thank you very much!
Sincerely yours,
Hui Tzu

please visit the following link:

http://blog.sina.com.tw/libica/arti...7&entryid=77752 (http://blog.sina.com.tw/libica/article.php?pbgid=5857&entryid=77752)

[pitiwazou]

hi Steven !

Thx for this post, it's very interesting.

I have this character and I try to create a good picture with him, but, I'm just a modeler and, I d'ont find a good ambiance and color for him :(

Can you help me plz ?

The picture

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/6682/ogrev2034an5.jpg

And a screen of the viewport.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6982/ogrev2013em0.jpg

[jonone]

GREAT thread
it helps every1 alot:)
heres two pencil work i did ;trying to find the right colors mood for them in color ,but i find it kinda difficult atm:(maybe u can find the time and do abit of over painting pls:)

http://jonone.cgsociety.org/gallery/376014/



http://jonone.cgsociety.org/gallery/376022/

hope they show up^^.if not theyr first 2 pics in here http://jonone.cgsociety.org/gallery/376014/
Thanks in advance!
Cheers

[M1KES]

Wow steve, it really looks fantastic. Thank you alot. I admire all your hard work put in to this.
I know you all busy with all these paintovers but could please you tell me how did you make the colours of her skin merge so perfectly and giving it that soft aspect? And how did tou make the hair also look so smooth. Sorry for the nuscence. i'm just a beginner, and aspire to learn more.

[Tithrem]

hey Stahlberg,

Thanks a ton you have really helped me see how to redo my lighting. Dont ever stop! :D

[Stahlberg]

how did you make the colours of her skin merge so perfectly and giving it that soft aspect? And how did tou make the hair also look so smooth.

I use the smudge tool a lot for the hair, you just have to drag it along the path of the hairs, not just randomly all over... I also had a brush I use for hair, consisting of a few dots, which gives a multi-streaked stroke, a few light touches of that brush at the end helped. For the skin and face, I smudged a bit too, also some airbrush lightly applied... the secret is in sizing the airbrush properly for each stroke. It can't be too small or it won't leave a smoothing effect just create bumps... and of course it can't be too big either. You have to keep alert and keep changing controlling the size. And remember, many light strokes are always better in such cases than one single harder stroke. :)

do you use layers or selections when you paint?
Yes, I do, quite a lot, but usually very temporarily - like a more advanced kind of selection tool, or an easier and more flexible way to undo things.

approximately how long would it take you to finish a painting like "jealousy?"
That took about 1 week, but not straight through, I had some breaks and did other stuff. :)

[MikeTheHunter]

Hello, Steven

first of all - as a lot of people n the previous pages - I'd like to thank you for what you're doing. It's a really great thing that you do here. Even just looking at those works it gives an idea of how to think, what could be achieved with a few simple brushstrokes. And helps a lot those of us, that have no art education and are self-tought, like myself. :)

I've been following this thread for some time and decided to assk you for help. I've been painting this for three evenings now, and I'm just not quite happy with it. I wanted to make a symbiotic-kind of relationship between the creature and the rider, two intelligent species working together. The dragon was to be kind, intelligent, the rider fast, athletic, tough. I played a bit with composition, took some iguanas for reference, but I... don't know, something's not righ, something's missing. Maybe the colurs are off, I don't know. I would like to know what would you change to give it a mood and that all would "sit together" properly.
http://michalmatczak.com/images/Nowe/1-small.jpg

[kowalski]

Hey Steven,

I just started this peice in Painter 9 and i hit a brick wall with lighting. Usually i go for a standard down lighting but i was hoping you could show me possible dynamic light angles that would help this peice.
This guy is like a ghost type character and i was going for a rubber/plastic feel for his skin, i also didn't want to add to much detail to his abdomen area to go along with non living them.
Any tips with painting textures ei: Skin and shiny metal for the for the Knife would be greatly appriciated.

http://www.pseudohuman.com/ghosty.jpg
i would also like to ask which program do you use most and which brush tools are your favourites/most usual?

Just seeing the transition between Orginials and your touch ups is an awsome training tool, keep up the great work.

Thanks
Dan

[Wexter]

HI Stahlberg, im Chilean and i have read this entire post. i find great that u are so caritative with the emerging artist, thanks for being a GREAT person. really! U should write a book man, with all your techniches in digital painting. Or make a tutorial PDF o whatever. Do u have any threaths where u explain the brushes that u use? Maybe is a posibility that u upload u Brushes sets? Thank u again Man, u are not egoist at all, this is something to remember, an Artist called Stahlberg, the best virtual digital arte techer in the wolrd....SImply GURU!!!

[thegreensquid]

I'm learning alot from this thread. The learning is exponential, and I'm really enjoying it.

Anyway, here's a new thing
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7674/achsenplantwipcolorhl6.th.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7674/achsenplantwipcolorhl6.jpg)

I'm not sure how I can put what I'm trying to get across. I guess I'll just say the backstory. This character (who's dressed kind of like Nomak from Blade II.. only with hair and an ok complection) is on a planet that has been split in two, but is being held together by this ginourmous plant (made up mostly of vines). He has made his way through the root system and found it's core. There should be a sense of discovery but also ominousness.

[abeld3dg]

hi! Steven,this is my latest work!i call it grandma!she loves to knit a sweater .i wanna represent toon-realism style. realistically texture and cartoon shape.
please give me a little advice and thanks a lot!

[Zephyri]

Hi Steven, this is such a great thread, it's been a learning experience just seeing how you deal with all the issues brought up here. I have a piece I'd be grateful if you could cast an eye over. The thing I am struggling with is the atmospheric depth of water. I want to keep the characters fairly clear, but I can't help but feel like they don't look like they're in water and I've tried a number things like changing the colour and softness of the edges, but I feel like I'm chasing my tail half the time. Being a master of depth and atmosphere, I'm hoping you can help. I originally had a big fishy looking monster at the top in the dip between the characters' tails in the background (you can see it in the link to the WIP thread in my sig, if you're curious). My thanks for your time.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e241/arithonslove/merfolk8.jpg

[Aldarion]

Once again I turn upon your advice, Steven. Would love to hear any kind of advice with the image, anything that can help it, mainly the lights and materials and stuff like that, since the char is not posable at all.
Here's the now working link :
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/1328/frozenorcls7.th.jpg (http://img47.imageshack.us/my.php?image=frozenorcls7.jpg)

[Stahlberg]

Four new ones:

http://www.androidblues.com/POP123.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP124.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP125.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP126.gif

[Karnator]

That dwarf looks phenomenal. I gotta say Steven, I've been a long time fan of yours, and this thread is brilliant. I imagine its enjoyable for you as well as being great to watch.

I just have to post an image to see what you can do with it..
http://karter.fdns.net/dan/pics/3d/davros/dof.jpg

Keep up the good work, I hope you find time to add some more characters to your main website too

Dan

[Stahlberg]

Three more

http://www.androidblues.com/POP127.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP128.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP129.gif

[HuiTzu]

:) :) :) :) :)
Thank you,Steven.I really appreciate it.:love:

[Stahlberg]

Thanks!

Karnator, what is it you don't like about this, what are you trying to communicate (what's happening there)?

[Karnator]

Ok, I'll try to give you as much info as I can.

Its a still from an animation I am working on. Its basically a madman, locked in a room, giving his big speech on global domination. Your usual stuff :)

I'm currently unhappy with the lighting, as I feel the foreground is very disjointed with the background - something I notice you are very good at perceiving. I tried to do a bit of tweaking but I wasn't really happy with the results.. Maybe it needs to be darker... But then I lose some of the nice SSS and contrast on the face...

More than anything I am just curious to see what you think could give it more depth. You know how it is - you stare at something too long, and you stop seeing it the way fresh eyes of others do.

Anything goes, I'm just really looking forward to seeing you at work, and give it a 'visual criticsm' if you will...

[kowalski]

Steve,

Thats superb man, i love the gold texture on knife, and the lighting is exellent.

Thanx so much

[InKraBid]

Hello again, thanks for the OP. I'll probly keep the antlers and horn, but the mood is just right :)

http://www.androidblues.com/POP119.gif

[Stahlberg]

I'll probly keep the antlers and horn,
That's cool, I just had problems painting around them :)
(Though I do think the antlers may be slightly too big)

[dini]

Hello Steve, could you repaint this pic? I made it a while ago, the planet in 3d Studio max, the nebula in photoshop.

[sums]

Thanks steven, i appreciate the time you put in to each of our pictures.. The changes you made are great! when i get some time to finish it i'll repost.

[Stahlberg]

dini, that image looks pretty darn good, what exactly do you feel is wrong with it? Do you want increased realism?

[velinje]

Once again I turn upon your advice, Steven. Would love to hear any kind of advice with the image, anything that can help it, mainly the lights and materials and stuff like that, since the char is not posable at all.
Here's the now working link :
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/1328/frozenorcls7.th.jpg (http://img47.imageshack.us/my.php?image=frozenorcls7.jpg)

For starters don't use other peoples art as your own background. --> Henrik Holmberg's Mountain Base. (http://henrik.cgcommunity.com/gallery/cgpainting/html/mountain_base.htm)

[StefanStavrev]

Mr. Stahlberg

I had an eye infection so i was away of the pc for these 2 months or so.

I just saw what you have done with my picture.I like it a lot.

Thanks a lot :)

[Aldarion]

For starters don't use other peoples art as your own background. --> Henrik Holmberg's Mountain Base. (http://henrik.cgcommunity.com/gallery/cgpainting/html/mountain_base.htm)

Yes, don't use other peoples art as your own background unless you have their permission.

[dini]

hello steve,

well I don't realy know if there's something wrong with it, I thought maybe you'll find something that needs to be fixed or to improve its quality, but if from your point of view it's ok I'm very glad :-)

[thegreensquid]

Thanks alot for the overpaint. I know I didn't follow the "if there are 4 that haven't been painted, then wait a bit before posting" rule on that one, so it's mucho appreciated.

Mind if I ask, what brush/brush settings you used to get that texture?

[pitiwazou]

thx steven ;)

[Stahlberg]

Thegreensquid, that's made from a default texture in Photoshop, like this:

[Stahlberg]

abeld3dg, your image is very cool and funny, no big things to change in it. It looks a bit unfinished, with the outlines visible in some places, and not visible in others.

The knitting isn't correct though, the grip is wrong and there should only be one string coming out from it. See links below for lots of good reference on how it should look:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/knit.php
http://www.agoodyarn.net/KnitImages.htm

[jonone]

Thx alot Steven for taking the time to fix my dwarf:) it looks GREAT!
doing a great job here
cheers

[Stahlberg]

Three more:

http://www.androidblues.com/POP131.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP132.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP133.gif

[Karnator]

What can I say man.. You're a champ. I'm gonna go home, do a bit of ZBrushing and relighting to try some stuff out :) Thanks heaps

Dan

[Aldarion]

Thank you very very much. Don't know where we'd all be without your kind help. You're a blessing ! Really thanks Steven.

[Zephyri]

Thank you Steven, very much appreciated, now I can go and finish it! And I knew it'd be something straight forward that I'd never even thought of!

[kirigoi]

Not a fan of Doctor Who then, Steven? I think Karnator should have mentioned his picture was of Davros, as you've lost some of the likeness (such as his oversized cranium, big black lips and weak jawline). e.g. davros7.jpg (http://www.doctorwhoworld.org.uk/Images/sitegraphics/davros7.jpg) MolloyDavros.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:MolloyDavros.jpg) davros.jpg (http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/images/2005/03/15/davros_dalek_resurrection_terry_malloy_400_400x300.jpg). I've no other crits at all; your paintovers are amazing and its surprising how much they improve the originals as the changes are often very subtle.

I just wanted to say thanks for doing this for the CGTalk community. I don't do as much painting as I should, but I'm tempted to start again solely to contribute to this thread. There's a lot more people reading and being inspired by this thread than just those submitting paintings. :thumbsup:

[Stahlberg]

Not a fan of Doctor Who then, Steven?
LOL no I guess not... never really quite 'got' it I guess. :)

[Karnator]

Not a fan of Doctor Who then, Steven? I think Karnator should have mentioned his picture was of Davros, as you've lost some of the likeness

I'm gonna take a wild stab in the dark and say you are kirigoi, based on your avatar :)

Having said that, I didn't wanna tell Steven too much about the character, as I thought it was irrelevant. I was just curious to see how the image could be changed by someone not constrained by the actual likeness.

Incidentally, Steven have you played with ZBrush at all? As you most likely know, it can do some mind boggling things, and I think you would be able to add some amazing detail to your already impressive 3D characters

[Anthonie]

Ofcourse he has tried it:P

[abeld3dg]

thank u very very much Steven! now I can go and finish knitting ! the image u supply is very important to me!

[Stahlberg]

Yes I have, but I decided the navigation while modeling was too different for me, used to Maya as I am. I'd be having to learn, unlearn and relearn navigation in both ZBrush and Maya every time I switched. Some people boast as if they think that's fun or something, like it 'keeps them on their toes' or whatever, I don't see it that way and I just can't understand that viewpoint. The important thing to me is the creating, anything that gets in the way or slows me down, how can that be a good thing? I'm kept on my toes enough by the continuous challenge of learning about anatomy and art. :)

I recently got on the Mudbox beta team, MB is completely different in philosophy - copied Maya navigation and hotkeys completely. So there's not that problem for me anymore. I love it, though there's not that much use for the amazing level of detail it can do, with beautiful young healthy humans, especially women. It's best used for muscle-men, monsters and similar things.
Here's a link to my first test in Mudbox.
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showpost.php?p=3730850&postcount=42

[Karnator]

Brilliant - I was wondering how similar Mudbox was to ZB. I nearly signed up for the beta yesterday, but wasn't sure I'd be accepted. Thought I have a question if u will permit.

ZBrush will not really let you alter your underlying geometry, eg welding, splitting verts etc. Can you do this in mudbox? And/or change UVs?

[Thomasphoenix]

Hello Steven,
This is something I painted in the 15 mt sketchathon thread, would like to make a full color painting of it, am clueless how to go abt it, I would be indebted to u if you could do a paintover on this one and give me some tips on going from b&w to color(I have seen this is an approach u use in some of ur work ).
Your paintovers are brilliant ! The sense of light and color u have,is amazing!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/thomasphoenix/sketchathon00005.jpg

[Stahlberg]

Can you do this in mudbox?
No, and I don't feel there's a need for that anyway... there's already brilliant packages such as Modo that do that much better. Although who can say what later versions will bring.
But please guys I think that should be the last Mudbox question I answer here, they might kick me off beta if I talk too much about it in public... :) I'm sure you'll have all the answers soon, one way or another.

[Stahlberg]

Here's the latest one:

http://www.androidblues.com/POP135.gif


(I could probably do a better job with this one, if you showed me the reference you used.)

[Stahlberg]

Leaving tonight for Sweden, to return August 20.
I can post, but I can't do overpaints over there, so...

PLEASE DO NOT POST NEW ART FOR A FEW DAYS
:) Thank you

Smorgasbord watch out here I come.

.

[Thomasphoenix]

Thank you! It really does come alive as it is :) , Im just attaching the link to the original reference like u asked,http://img365.imageshack.us/my.php?image=x1pvbu1psflfnrguzwhxb1silhtxse3.jpg

And How do you blend the tones ? I assume u are using photoshop!

rgds

[Stahlberg]

How do you blend the tones ? I assume u are using photoshop!

Yes, it's photoshop, mostly the smudge tool. :)

.

[Anthonie]

whoa the smudge tool. never thought about that!
Normally when I have a light bleu and dark bleu and I want to blend it then Iget the colorpicker and pick the light or dark bleu and then 50% valeuand then draw to make a bleu that is between light and dark blue. This is what I learned myself.

Hey Mr. Stahlberg A problem of mine is that I have problems rendering something clean.
I don't know why at this stage but I just have problems. Can u tell me some ways of rendering your 2D pieces? The way I use is the way I just told.
Is smudging one of your rendering techniques? and what kind of brushes do you use while rendering?

Thanks in Advance Mr. Stahlberg

[Stahlberg]

Can u tell me some ways of rendering your 2D pieces?
Is smudging one of your rendering techniques? and what kind of brushes do you use while rendering?

I start off the way you do, then I use smudging a lot. Another method, if I want it to be superclean, is to finish with some very gentle airbrushing, but then you have to be very careful, with the size of the brush, and the exact color, and apply it very softly.

[pacee21]

Hi my first post so go easy been reading through this and really quite amazed at what you can do to help! only just found this site and realise i have a long way to go!

so i have a couple of pictures id love for you to help me with i have one purely photoshop painting of a BMW Z4 trying to give it a dramatic effect with the focal blurring and the water rain and fog effect

my second is the limit of my 3d modelling sofar! its a modelled RAZR V3 face on modelled within CATIA V5 and then rendered in maya 7.0 and mental ray, at this point i dont think i can progeres any further on my own so any help pushing me forward would be amazing

(ive been learning Maya on and off since february)

many thanks if you can help!

http://server2.uploadit.org/files/spanan-ainfoglow.jpg
and
http://server3.uploadit.org/files/spanan-v3_low.jpg

thanks again

[RalphDamiani]

Amazing thread. =) I'd like to see what can be done to this one, as I'm finding everything way too red. But yet how to preserve the sunset mood and draw other colours into the composition? I think there's also too much information there, and the characters aren't standing out with the sun drawing so much attention. Thanks, and fantastic work.http://xs305.xs.to/xs305/06334/derekfinal_web.jpg

[Stahlberg]

RalphD, I think you're right there's too much information here, which leaves the viewer with many question marks. For instance, why is the guy handing a sword to a demon? He doesn't seem to need the sword, as he has already cut off someone's head... a brief explanation might help me to advice you on this. Otherwise it's a really cool illustration.

.

[RalphDamiani]

You got it right Mr. Stahlberg. It's based on a comic book story in which the green guy you see (whose name is Derek) has been fighting for years using that sword. The author asked me not to expose much of the plot, but putting it in short terms, I wanted to portray "the end of all things" when Derek gets his job done, kills his nemesis and after the battle (which you see below) he sends his sword and the head of his enemy to a burial site high in the mountains. The blooming tree and the flower in his other hand symbolize peace.

I understand that paintings like this should be enjoyable regardless of your knowledge of the source material (Alan Lee's LotR paintings for instance), so I'm hoping you could give me some advice on how to improve the composition both technically and aesthetically.

Thanks for your attention. =)

[HoangQuan]

Hi Stahlberg!
I post my Artwork here, hope you can help me out to improve it. I 'mnot good at anatomy, so, you can se..the hand, arm, back..all of them are so bad >"<
Just paintover it anytime you feel free...I'll wait for you! Thank you!^^
P.S: this girl was drawn base on a character in my comic, she has 2 hands, one is black and one is white^^, the one you see is black :)
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/4073/fairy1lz7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Stahlberg]

Hi everyone
I'm back from vacation now, so you can post images again if you like.

so i have a couple of pictures id love for you to help me with
Well I only do one at a time from each artist, so I'll pick the first one in this case, hope that's ok. :)

.

[hpslashluvr]

I need to take a photo ref for the lighting in this picture...so far obviously it is all wrong. If you could help with lighting and anatomy that'd be great. Her face is supposed to be kind of fat like you would see in old paintings.

(the face on this pic has not been updated...this also had been upsized from a previous version so ignore a lot of the fuzziness):
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/7281/colorwlighting004kd5.jpg

i also "fixed" the face a little from that picture....so if you are going to paintover the face, please examine the one on the right.
http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/9683/facecomparete6.jpg

Thank you so much!

[SulaMoon]

Hey Stahlberg! Its me... again ^^

I have been trying to understand color theory, the warm/cold combination and how to use it.. but.. hehe, do not make sense at all.

I think the result wasnt that terrible, but it totally lacks contrast! Can you help me with this?

Thanks!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/SulaMoon/gente-planta-02.jpg

[Stahlberg]

I have been trying to understand color theory, the warm/cold combination and how to use it.. but.. hehe, do not make sense at all.
I'm not sure what kind of warm/cold combo you're looking for, partly I guess because the image is confusing in this aspect, as you say... :) maybe you can show me another artwork that has the kind of thing you're going for?

it totally lacks contrast! Can you help me with this?
Often a lack of contrast isn't all bad, here for instance I don't really mind it... but if you really want more contrast, you can play with Curves in Photoshop, it's very flexible quick and interactive.

[Splinter]

Hi, I'm new to the site and would like to know if now is as good a time as any to post a piece of mine to be painted over. I saw this thread and thought what a great idea. I have a piece that has been sitting around for a while. That particular piece could use some input.

[Stahlberg]

Yes, sure, you can post it here. I'll get around to it eventually. :)

.

[Splinter]

Well here it is

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/Johnc_Ism/PaintOver.jpg

[UrbanKunoichi]

It appears that the guidelines for submitting images only until there are four in queue has been shot?This thread is absolutely brilliant--only to be expected from an artist of your skill. I've learned much from just looking at previous entries. You now rank as my second favorite artist in the world (sorry, but I've got a near obsession with Linda, she's what got me into digital painting in the first place). I absolutely love the anatomy style you use for your characters--a plausible exaggeration reminiscent perhaps of the Vargas girls?

A few days ago I "finished" a portrait of Gemma Ward... I use the world finished cautiously because I've tweaked the hell out of it and do not know what else to tweak but something is simply missing. My reference was extremely small so I couldn't see the actually details of the picture at all and had to pretty much guess most features, but the original picture had an emotion to the face that was exquisite--a look I seem to have totally lost. I didn't want it to be exactly like the reference but I would like for it to have an expression; after seeing your animation "Do you ever fight with your boyfriend?" I have no doubt you could nudge me in the right direction. I realize that there are quite a few pieces waiting at the moment so I will be quite patient. Thank you very much and I apologize about my tendency to rant!

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5317/gemmasmalljs1.jpg

Reference: http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/8828/481jq.jpg

[UrbanKunoichi]

Splinter, is it alright if I comment on the painting as well? Personally, I think that the image looks somewhat weird because not everything shares the same light source--the character seems to be lit from in front of him while everything else falls under the dim light of the moon behind him. Try darkening him, lightening the edges of his wings, and putting more of a blueish tone on the rest of the painting. Also, your moon just seems a tad too big... Maybe you should google some images of moons--they don't quite look like that. Also, while the concept is really interesting, the weight of your character isn't balanced. It looks like it's sitting on something behind the wall that doesn't exist, and being pulled on by the wings as well, is doomed to fall backwards. Perhaps more of a squatting position where he leans forward quite a bit would work a lot better. Nice work though, I can't do full body stuff for the life of me.

[Splinter]

Thanks Urbankunoichi,

I didn't actually think about those things and I see what your saying so those suggestions can and will be put into consideration. As soon as the revising processes takes way.

Thanks Again!

[Stahlberg]

Four new ones.
For this car, I'd like to point out that no reflection can ever be brighter than what it reflects. Also, it's not a good idea to have lots of white areas if you want a colored light (like the back lights) to stand out.
Another note: the dark areas on the windows don't seem to exist in the reflected environment, so I toned them down.
One thing I didn't do, which you can try, is to make the red light reflect off raindrops that pass between the lights and the 'camera'. In real life you'd see reddish streaks there, instead of the whitish streaks elsewhere.

http://www.androidblues.com/POP136.gif


On this one, I worked on the lighting mostly, to get more of a realistic sunset or sunrise light. I also removed the tree, sorry if that's part of the story but maybe you can reintroduce just a branch or two, otherwise there's a risk of making it too 'busy'.


http://www.androidblues.com/POP137.gif


Some minor anatomy and shading tweaks.


http://www.androidblues.com/POP138.gif


I lightened the darkest parts, and darkened the brightest parts, and toned down the saturation. I also blurred/smudged the face a bit, to get that old oil painting feeling.
(But note that the lighting is still not the same as in the old oil paintings, which were usually done in a studio with large windows letting in sky-light but not sun. This results in very beautiful diffuse light. The light in this image is more 'modern', as in a photo taken by sharper indoor light.)


http://www.androidblues.com/POP139.gif

.

[shyamshriram]

Hello Sir :) First of all thanx a lot for this AMAZING activity ! i was looking at this thread from few months, its great for learning many things..finally i've decided to post one of my painting (my first so called detailed work).... im doing this from ages..from more than 2 yrs i guess..but im still not happy with lots of things...especially the anatomy and lighting..im too confused about the light source..now im thinking that since shes sitting on the moon..the main lightsource should be the moon..well..im not sure..you are the one who can decide whats best for this :)

im posting the close up as well..


http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/7046/honeycopyclyp9.jpg










http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/6594/honeycopyhq9.jpg


Thanx again :)

Regards

[Stahlberg]

SulaMoon, I skip your image for now, hope you don't take it personally because it's not, it's very nice, I'm just not sure what to do with it. Maybe you can tell me more what you would like to do with it, see my other email about it earlier. :)

Two more paintovers:

http://www.androidblues.com/POP141.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP142.gif

[RalphDamiani]

On this one, I worked on the lighting mostly, to get more of a realistic sunset or sunrise light. I also removed the tree, sorry if that's part of the story but maybe you can reintroduce just a branch or two, otherwise there's a risk of making it too 'busy'.


Fantastic lighting, Mr. Stahlberg. It seems I need to study some sunset imagery as this is the mood I was aiming for in first place. And the tree isn't missed at all, as I see now. I'll rework the entire thing as suggested.

I have a question, if you don't mind. Some people I've shown the image to have pointed out that the character's head is not looking very natural, as if he's facing both the viewer and the daemon at the same time. What would be a natural pose for his head, following that body language?

[Stahlberg]

Glad you like it! :)
The head pose, well if you note, I did cut out and rotate the head a little, but I think you could do a bit more. Turn it a little away from us (as you mentioned) and more towards the demon. A similar angle to the demons face, except reversed, would be better I think.

[hpslashluvr]

hey mr. stahlberg! THANKS SO MUCH on helping with the color scheme, it really does have that old painting look that i was going for. i didn't think smudging the face would help so much.

i did want to know any thoughts you have on the actual light coming in through a door onto her though...where you think it would fade out and things like that...ppl have been telling me it is too unrealistic but i'm not quite sure where to start. i suppose the light on the floor would fade away...would the edges of the light be sharp though?

[Stahlberg]

any thoughts you have on the actual light coming in through a door onto her

The main problem you have in your original is that the blacks of the lighted part of the painting are too dark, in fact 100% black. Hardly any material would be so dark in this situation, and especially old paintings won't have any 100% black areas in them at all. Dust, cracks, varnish that turns milky with age, and the fact that there probably wasn't any 100% black in the painting even when it was quite new... Only a crevace or deep hole might be so black under direct strong light.
check my tweak to see what I mean, and the difference it makes.
As for the shape and edges of the light, what you have looks pretty ok to me. But if you're really serious about this image, you should try shooting reference, just so you know for sure.

[HoangQuan]

well, thank you so much Stahlberg!^^

[Splinter]

Thanks for your help Stahlberg. I really do appreciate it.

[SulaMoon]

SulaMoon, I skip your image for now, hope you don't take it personally because it's not, it's very nice, I'm just not sure what to do with it. Maybe you can tell me more what you would like to do with it, see my other email about it earlier. :)



Dont worry Stahlberg! Im a bit busy too, I should take my time and try to explain it.. just cant right now.. hehe. Writing clearly in English can be such challenge! :D

[Mervs]

Hellos Mr Stahlberg! I've been stuck with this picture for some time. The lighting has been made it difficult for me to get the right colour. Its basically a character standing in some ruins with the sun just behind her, with whats left of the roof blocking some of the sunlight from reaching her. The ruin she is standing in has a biege floor , so I'd guess it would reflect some of its light back up to the character. Problem is, with the harsh light coming from the top, and the reflected light from the bottom, I find it very difficult to get the right colour for the darker areas., espically areas like the armpit or the little creases in the armor. Here is the picture:


http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/4854/testing001yl1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[architectus]

hello again, looks like you been busy cracking these out, fine job.

I have another if you find the time. I am just wondering what you would do to this piece to make it look more complete. I was thinking I need to add more highlights to the characters and darks on the other side. I would like to see what you do with it, thanks.

http://www.manfacedgods.com/forums/marduk2.jpg

[CronoWing]

Hi Mr Stahlberg,

This is my first serious try at a landscape and I was wondering what you could with it to let it look nicer and fix the errors I can't see. Thank you
http://cronowing.com/troep/omgeving.jpg

[theflash]

I have seen the previous paintovers and they were awesome and full of knowledge.

I am working on this 3D boy character and at some point I get lost of proportion in the bottom part of body. I am learning anatomy right now in my drawing classes. But still I am learning so I have difficult time knowing what should I modify to make it believable. I would really appreciate if you can help me on this. Thank you very much you are really generous.

[Stahlberg]

theflash, the proportions look reasonably ok, especially considering he looks a bit cartoony now and people in cartoons can basically vary their proportions a lot, it's basically up to you. But if you want solid realistic human proportions why not use the old daVinci drawing called Vitruvian Man, it's very near perfection. Here's a link to a recent modeling contest here, based on that image:
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=386629

[theflash]

theflash, the proportions look reasonably ok, especially considering he looks a bit cartoony now and people in cartoons can basically vary their proportions a lot, it's basically up to you. But if you want solid realistic human proportions why not use the old daVinci drawing called Vitruvian Man, it's very near perfection. Here's a link to a recent modeling contest here, based on that image:
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=386629

Thanks Stahlberg. Yeah I think I will go with a little non-standard anatomy for my character. But I was targeting him to be roughly 6 heads tall. I have modified some area of my character, but still I think he is almost the same size tall. I would appreciate if you can just have a look and see if you see something wrong, even for his cartoony feel. Thanks for your precious comments.

I will definitely have a look at that thread.

[InKraBid]

Hello again mr. Stahlberg!

After your OPsession on my work (the elvling with antlers) I had a rush of inspiration, and got a lot of my old paintings colored properly, once I saw what my problem with colors was.. So, you've been a great help to me, and I'm very thankful for it.

So, now Im posting this picture, that in my mind is pretty much done. it's got sketchy linework, but I like that rough style in a painting - thoughts on that would also be appreciated. How much to leave in and out..

I hope that you can help me again, and it would be great to see how you would improve this..

http://features.cgsociety.org/gallerycrits/45458/45458_1155750693_submedium.jpg

[Stahlberg]

theflash, the body looks ok, of course I assume you plan to add clothing to it.
The face is very mask-like and simple right now, so much so it looks very unfinished, which means I have no idea where you want to take this... it would be easier to judge with eyes, teeth, hair and proper textures and shading on. As I mentioned in the first post, I prefer if you post an image that is as finished as possible, that means, nearly finished... just that last little bit I might be able to help out with. :)

[embryotic]

Hello Mr Stahlberg - your works are totally inspirational and this thread is a great token of your generosity to the community here!

if you could point out the issues with this i'd be very much appreciative

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/941/castleintheskysmlkz6.jpg

hires 1600x1200 (http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9800/castleintheskylgect5.jpg)

I feel theres a lack of depth, something about a lack of values I dont quite grasp, colours and texture feels muddy.
??

[Stahlberg]

InKraBid, that looks very nice, as you say, it could well be finished like this. But if you want me to paint over it, well my style is less drawing and more painting, :) so I'll just paint over your black lines if you don't mind. That's not really part of my commenting, it's just the way I work.
As for the mood, I think I get it, mostly - dark and gothic right? But, what exactly is going on in this image? It looks like she's sitting in a partially ruined sepulchre, with a werewolf walking by outside. What is she holding in her hand? Is she the master of her domain? A victim of some curse? Is she evil, or just angry, or perhaps both?

.

[InKraBid]

Hi, and thx again for taking the time :)

She's not necessarily gothic, more like mystic fantasy, but I guess a bit dark, yes.

She's the master of her domain. She is a guardian of the old ruins she sits in, probably there is some great secret below in the catacombs of the ruins, something like a grand rune\glyph of her species or an ancient creature\monster... that kind of thing.

The crystal ball in her hand is to signify that she fights with magic, summoning creatures (like the werewolf in the background) or just doing killer spells.

How she feels and what she's like.. She's a bit enigmatic, so you cant really "read" her. I guess she has that "will rip you to shreds if you make a wrong step" attitude, but she is more of an almighty protector than anything else.

I think thats about as good as I can describe it. And of course, you do your paints your way, never mind my lines :)

[theflash]

theflash, the body looks ok, of course I assume you plan to add clothing to it.
The face is very mask-like and simple right now, so much so it looks very unfinished, which means I have no idea where you want to take this... it would be easier to judge with eyes, teeth, hair and proper textures and shading on. As I mentioned in the first post, I prefer if you post an image that is as finished as possible, that means, nearly finished... just that last little bit I might be able to help out with. :)

Well about the face.. yeah it's kinda unfinished sorry for that (though I want to make him more of a chubby cute boy).. But as I wanted to take precautions as this is my first complex 3d modelling and it's for portfolio so I posted a bit in advance... Thanks for the comments, it will surely help... May be I will post when I am done with all features. Thanks you rock :thumbsup:

[Stahlberg]

Two more:

http://www.androidblues.com/POP143.gif

.

http://www.androidblues.com/POP144.gif

.

[DDS]

Hi Mr.Stahlberg. I did this for the last cgchallenge. I'm not happy with lighting, and I thing the mood could be more cool.

U can see the thread here (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=322566)

Story is the guy is being treated by his people like a monster...one day evil comes and offers him to turn to the dark side...he accepts...and his journey begins, after killing everyone in his village :)

Can't wait to see how u improve/change it!! I'd like if u could keep the detail on his armor visible, as it took a lot of work :D
Thanks a lot!

http://features.cgsociety.org/gallerycrits/13858/13858_1152257408_large.jpg

[TimonQ]

Hello Steven
I've enjoyed watching this thread. I've done everything I can think of to this piece. Any thoughts or suggestions would be fantastic.

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/64/pygmyattack8bgmode3poyk2.jpg

Here's the general story and feeling I'm going for:
"Hearing a noise down the hall the brave adventurer readies his sword and looks back for a split second, long enough for this little prankster to pop out of a hole in the wall to dispatch our unsuspecting hero."

Main light sources are the guy's torch (offscreen) and hints of a general eerie ghostly blue/green glow (cinematic lighting!). The rock is generally greenish. This area is called "the jade crypt".

[shyamshriram]

WOW !!! IT'S AMAZING !! Thanx a million Sir !! :buttrock: Shes looking gorgeous now..i liked the way u tweaked her face and the lighting is just PERFECT now :scream:

Btw...do u think the anatomy is ok? (im asking about that girl sitting on the moon) i dont want to bother u more....just curious...i know u r spending presious time of urs for all of us...

Thanx again.. :)

Take care

Regards
Shyam

[architectus]

thx, omg I cannot believe I did not add the glow from the sword to his body and surroundings. That is what happens when you add an object last with out thinking.

You gave me a lot of ideas, I will paint over and see what I come up with, I like how you did the clouds.

Although, with the ground I wanted it to look like they were surrounded by large dunes, so you cannot see the actual horizon, but maybe I should make a break in the middle just a tad. Or on the left by the sunset, that would look better.

If you want I can post the reworked piece, just to show how much you helped me, I already know it is going to be much better after I finish it.

[Stahlberg]

Btw...do u think the anatomy is ok?
Sure, it's perfect. Lower legs seem a bit long, but that's a common idealisation that artists do to beautiful women.

Here's another one:

http://www.androidblues.com/POP145.gif

[Stahlberg]

with the ground I wanted it to look like they were surrounded by large dunes, so you cannot see the actual horizon
That's cool, in that case keep the horizon where it is but make sure to draw the large dunes in proper perspective, as if they rest on a common flat grid, do it with lines first so you can see through them and get a better idea of perspective. The way you had it before the ground looked a bit twisted, because the perspective was slightly off. :)

If you want I can post the reworked piece

Yes, sure, go ahead.

.

[Mervs]

Thanks you so much! I'd never imagined it would change so much! I'll try to work on it. Once again, thanks man!

[Stahlberg]

Three more POPs:

http://www.androidblues.com/POP146.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP147.gif


http://www.androidblues.com/POP148.gif

[architectus]

alright I reworked the piece a bit, this is what I cam up with.

http://www.manfacedgods.com/forums/marduk2.jpg

[shyamshriram]

Sure, it's perfect. Lower legs seem a bit long, but that's a common idealisation that artists do to beautiful women.


Thanx again..yea now i can feel the same thing about the leg..maybe i can tilt her toe upward..right now its looking too bent...not natural...thank you Sir..will try to fix that.

:)
Regards
Shyam

[hpslashluvr]

hey stahlberg, i know that this sounds really stupid...but how did you change my picture? I tried just desaturating it a bit but it doesn't quite look right.

(I did the picture with the lady sitting with a shaft of light coming in on her)

[Stahlberg]

architectus, that looks better, but I recommend to work a bit more on the background. If you remove the characters (select them and copy/paste to put them on their own layer, then hide the layer), you'll see that the sand dunes are a bit fuzzy and transparent looking.
References are also important, here are some particularly relevant and beautiful ones I selected:
http://earthsciences.syr.edu/Weyhenmeyer/Sand_Dunes.jpg
http://www.people.ku.edu/~mohd/photos/beautiful%20sand%20dunes.jpg (http://www.people.ku.edu/%7Emohd/photos/beautiful%20sand%20dunes.jpg)
http://www.whereisjennifer.com/media/SoenkeSandDuneSunset.JPG

hpslashluvr,
I did several things to that part of the image, in no particular order:
1. I desaturated
2. I raised the blacks up to dark grey, and the whites down a tad, by twiddling the Curves
3. I painted some median skin color into the very strong and white highlights, to minimize them
4. I blurred and smudged a bit, especially the relatively sharp shadows

[embryotic]

Thankyou so much Mr Stahlberg!, I can take so much from that! Brilliant! :thumbsup:

[architectus]

hey thanks, that second link almost looks like my landscape, I shall work with it.

[bearfoot]

hey steven

i would like u to cast an eye over my image..

i have tried to add an illustrative graphic feel to it but i feel it lacks a little
composition or direction..

i will texture the creature of course and maybe add more ribbons to it also.

many thanks for your time and efforts

http://www.bearfootfilms.com/wip/2.jpg

[Stahlberg]

bearfoot, can you tell me more about the action - what's happening here? Is he moving through the space, or floating there? Is there fire and/or explosions behind him?

.

[bearfoot]

hey steven

well basically the creature is supposed to be moving horizontally in an attacking pose / strike with the background symbolising death and blood and horror and evil and stuff ..

thanks a lot

[InKraBid]

..So, after having seen your OP, and working a bit with my own ideas for a remake, I sat down and made this, the Satyr Guardian.

http://features.cgsociety.org/gallerycrits/45458/45458_1156883848_submedium.jpg

I am very pleased with it, and Im grateful for your OPs, I actually didnt want to do the crystal ball glow, cause Ive already done that on another pic, but you convinced me :)
Thanks again, It's really been inspiring, and this has spurred me on to finish quite a few of the pictures in my storagefolder, I hope that is inspiring to you.. :)