Sketchbook Thread of Grace (Mynti)

[Helen-Baq]

mynti - It's nice to finally see a WIP of yours! It gives some nice insight to how you work. I really like what you have, so far. The colors are nice and I love the few brushstrokes hinting at the face. I'm looking forward to seeing more of it. :)

[mynti]

Thanks Helen! :) Yeah, I don't usually like posting WIPs too much, they're always sooo messy! But hopefully this one will turn out okay, I think I got the basic structure down so far.

[mynti]

Finished my first complete figure study for the anatomy Lesson series :D I'll be posting it on that thread, as well. But here's the finished drawing:

http://www.myntifresh.com/figurestudy3.jpg

[mynti]

Here's also an animation of the way I went about drawing the previous posts:

http://www.myntifresh.com/figurestudy3anim.gif

[mynti]

Here are some older figure studies I did a few weeks ago.. Just thought I'd post and show my other figure study work.. More to come soon :D

http://myntifresh.com/figurestudy.jpg

http://myntifresh.com/figurestudy2a.jpg


Both these drawings are based on the stock images of Justmeina (http://justmeina.deviantart.com/)on deviantART.

[mynti]

Here are some older sketches and paintings from my high school days. I took a bunch of figure drawing classes on scholarship when I was a Junior and Senior during high school, and I loved the classes, I learned a lot. Some of the photograph quality is poor, but unfortunately most of these are sold or given away at this point.

All the works below are done referencing life: either objects or people.

My first Oil Painting, a bust of Voltaire:

http://myntifresh.com/anatomy/Paint002-Voltaire.jpg


An experimental self-portrait done in watercolors on canvas. Very tricky to do, the watercolors don't like to stick very much. I got a washy, crazy feel from it, but the piece was a hit, and was the first I'd ever sold. A much younger me!

http://myntifresh.com/anatomy/006-PurplePortrait.jpg


Portrait of Hannah, a lovely darling:

http://myntifresh.com/anatomy/Draw004-Hannah.jpg


During an anatomy class:

http://myntifresh.com/anatomy/Draw013-Anatomy.jpg


I have done a bazillion (it feels like, anyhow) Watercolor sketches, I love drawing stuff freehand for ideas in watercolor, and translating it later into another medium once I get a good reference:

http://myntifresh.com/anatomy/Paint-008-Sketches.jpg

[mynti]

Hah, Okay, I know I'm going a bit CGtalk happy. Here are a few more old things from high school (5-6 years ago.)

I basically did a lot of art in high school and my first year of college, and then sort of dropped art when I switched to filmmaking and was very very busy. Now that I'm out of school, I've been working more on my art lately.

But here's some more old figural stuff to share. All drawn directly from life, in figure drawing classes.

30 - second gesture drawings:

http://myntifresh.com/anatomy/gestures.jpg

1 hour charcoal and pencil drawing (sorry about the shadow that's cast over the paper when I took the photo):


http://myntifresh.com/anatomy/Draw-Recline.jpg


Some more bad photos of old chalk pastel drawings: (all 30minutes-1 hour each)

http://myntifresh.com/anatomy/Draw008-Pastel.jpg

http://myntifresh.com/anatomy/Draw011-Pastel.jpg

http://myntifresh.com/anatomy/Draw014-Pastel.jpg

[Rebeccak]

mynti,

Welcome aboard! What a great addition you are! :) Lovely to see your first Torso Workshop piece, it has a definite Picasso Blue Period feel to it which is really strong - as well as your Ben Miller pieces which also have a really nice painterly mood to them.

If you might tell us something about your art training and background, it would be a great way to introduce yourself to the community, though it seems you've jumped right in with ease! Great to see, I look forward to seeing much more of your work. :)

Cheers,

-Rebeccak

[mynti]

Thanks for the comments, Rebecca! I've noticed you're all over this place, you're a very hard working girl!

Ben is great. I really suggest if you ever want to hold another life drawing session, to see if there's enough in his gallery you might want to use. It might help the transition to life drawing for some people who are used to working from master's work only.

He's really happy to model and he's thrilled at every figure drawing, so I'm sure he'd be happy about it (I'd be happy to ask him, if you'd like). I use a large variety of stock artists on deviantART, since most of the photographs are taken with artists in mind.

As for my background, I've just picked up drawing again this past year, after a four-year lull, and I'm very happy to be back in the game! I'm emphasizing most of my work around the figure, since that's what I really love to draw - but I also have a strong interest in fantasy/surrealism, and love both digital and traditional mediums.

I've been drawing with my tablet for about 6 months, and I find digital such a new and innovative way to draw, that I've fallen in love with it. There's something great about being able to pick any color you want, regardless of what pigments you have in your oil paint bin! I also love creating my own brushes for photoshop, it's a small hobby of mine.

I'm really loving these online forums and communities for artists - I started sharing my art online at deviantART, and now I find myself here as well. I love critiquing and looking at people's work, so if anyone ever has a question about their piece or would like a fresh eye, just give me a nudge and I'll head on over!

I'm still learning a ton myself, so please, anyone, if you see something lacking in my work, please don't hesitate to let me know! I'm goofy and silly most of the time but my main goal being here is to learn. So be brutally honest, I can take it!

I look forward to being a part of the CG communtiy!

Hugs,
Gracie

[Womball]

These are fantastic! I love seeing the workflow too. I think you could make it as an illustrator someday soon too. Very strong figure skills and a good eye for composition. You majored in Filmmaking?

[mynti]

Hi Womball,

Yep, I majored in filmmaking, because I wanted to try something totally different than anything else I'd ever done before. My focus was Cinematography & Editing, it was a great experience for me, and I try to infuse a bit of my film sensibilities into my art when I can.

I would LOVE to someday be an illustrator, it would be a dream come true! But I have so much left to learn, so for now I'll stick to practicing and creating some more polished pieces to round out my folio :)

Thanks so much for all the support, I've subscribed to your sketchbook thread so I can keep a lookout on the progress of your drawings and your 3D model.

Hugs,
Gracie

[justmeina]

Welcome, Gracie :) . I appreciate your comments about my efforts as a model and wanted to say "hi" and mention that I have already modeled here a couple of times now. And, it was great and I enjoyed it and am happy to help however I might.

[mynti]

YAY! BEN! I didnt know you were on here too!! Hugs, darling, it is so good to see more deviants here on CG Talk too!

Hehe, I should have figured, you're somewhat of a legend!

Cheers, then, and as always I look forward to drawing more of you!

Hugs,
Gracie

[Helen-Baq]

Goodness, Gracie! It's good to have a chance to see so much of your drawings. Thanks for the animation, it's always nice to see how someone works. :) I looove that orange and blue one! :bounce: I'm looking forward to seeing more torsos. :D

[Lurk]

Hi Gracie,

Lots of great art in here. That first one really rocks, thanks for the process on that one. I checked out your site as well, quite beautiful, I'll read those tutorials whenever I get the time.

Keep it up. ^^

-Olle

[Cris-Palomino]

Gracie, it's great to see you here. Some very nice work. I knew that was your self-portrait before I read you said it was. :thumbsup:

Welcome aboard.
Cris

[mynti]

Hi guys!

Lurk: Thanks :) My blog is a lot of fun to write, hope you get something out of the tutorials there :)

Cris: Hehe, well it's good at least that people can tell! I didn't get a great likeness back then, but I was just learning :) I am thinking of doing another one now that I have more of the basics down.

I've been having trouble with this tattoo design I've been working on for a client of mine, mostly because it's a lot of twisting/strange body angles, which is hard without reference photos! The concept that he wanted me to draw:

An angel pulling a man from the earth, while he clings to it desperately. He also wanted an ocean with a starry sky in the background.

This is at the very rough rough stage for me, I'm still trying to get the proportions right, but any critiques would be great. I want to make sure it's beautiful, he's going to put it on his entire back! I think the angel represents the wife he just lost, so it's also very important to him. I don't usually show my work before I make all the corrections but I thought this is the place to get some good feedback!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/PJTat02-1.jpg

[Cris-Palomino]

Gracie...I have a suggestion.

With something that is going to be on the body...work with the structure upon which you are going to put it. If you can, photograph his back...have him sit in a chair, back straight, hands holding the back of the chair (he will be sitting backward on the chair seat). This will give you the back in a good position so you can see where his scapulae and other masses on the back are and you can take them into consideration when you make your design.

I would go to PBase (http://www.pbase.com) and look for birds of all kinds and study the wings...find a position that looks good with your design and his back. Perhaps take Ben up on his offer to do some poses for the man clinging to the earth? (I think I saw him start a thread on this.)

You've got a good start...once you take the guy's back into the equation, it will help you think about your design.

Cris

[mynti]

Hey Cris! Was just going through your thread- amazing work, I'll be posting there after all your stuff sinks in!

I think that's a good idea, I will take a photo of his back so I know exactly where the placement will be of everything.

I know the tattoo artist may change some elements of the design, but I do want to have it be as precise as possible. I might ask Ben to pose, if he wants to, although overall it's so tricky since there's a lot of tension going on between the angel and the man.

I will keep working on it along with my other paintings! Thanks for the ideas hun!

Hugs,
Gracie

[mynti]

Here's my second painting for the Anatomy Workshop: Torso

Quick 2 hour speedpaint, focusing mostly on the torso. There's a lot unfinished but I feel like I got the basic structure pretty well.

022:
MICHELANGELO Buonarroti
Last Judgment
1537-41
Fresco
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/figurestudy004.jpg

[mynti]

A Face study - Approximately two hours. Based on this stock photograph: Hood Four by Armathor-Stock (http://www.deviantart.com/view/31929447/)


http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/cavegirl2.jpg

[mynti]

An older drawing I did a few months ago when I was still learning how to use my tablet.

Stock Photo is here (http://www.deviantart.com/view/14831096/).

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/dreaminpink.jpg

[razz]

You know what, your older painting looks the best if you ask me. It may be that you've spent the most time on it (which I assume you did). You've played with the blue lighting nicely.

The portrait of a girl. I'd like to see more color on her. The right side (hers left) looks flat now. The girl is a bit "dead".

Have you seen paintings of Linda Bergkvist? If not, visit her site (http://www.furiae.com).

[Womball]

Where did you go to school by chance? You are in philly now? I'm going to Uarts in Center city. I like the recent study looks like a blend of comic book style into classical, sometimes the unfinished look is better I think.

[mynti]

Hiya Razz!

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I have seen Linda's work, on deviantART, which was my first online art community I joined.

Yes, the older painting, I dream in Pink, was a much longer drawing (about 10 hours or so) and the recent studies (both the torso and the face) were each about 3 hours total from start to posting.

Mainly with the studies, I'm not trying for a finished piece so much as a quick practice session to sharpen my skills.

I might go back to the face study and repaint, but most likely I'll move on :shrug:

Thanks for the feedback, darlin.

Right now I'm working on three longer, more involved drawings, which I will post when I've made some major progress (right now, they're all in the sketchy phases), but I find doing quick studies helps break up the larger projects so I feel some sense of completing a drawing even if I'm working on much more time-consuming pieces. It keeps my spirits up.

I generally work this way, because if I focus too much on one drawing, I tend to get tunnel-vision and it throws off my desire to finish. I know I'm weird! :rolleyes:

Hugs,
Gracie


And Womball: Hiya!

I attended Tyler School of Art my first year, then switched to NYU for film studies. It got really expensive after that, so I transferred (yet again) to Temple University to finish out my film degree.

Now I'm living in the Philly area, having graduated last year with a Bachelor's. I really want to go back to school for a master's in Art History (I minored in Art History at Temple).

Thanks for the comment about my latest Anatomy Workshop drawing (#22).. I'm not sure if I like that particular drawing myself, but I really am learning loads when I'm doing these studies, which I think is the aim of the workshop, so it's all cool.

Cheers,
Gracie

[Womball]

I think you should check out University of the Arts for that than. The school has been around for 100 years, but it had a different name originally. Very strong fine arts programs as well.

[mynti]

Yes, I actually applied for UArts when I was first applying for colleges, but I found Tyler to be a more open atmosphere and better on-campus housing (Uarts, to my knowledge, doesn't have any).

I'm going to wait a year or so before I go back to school, I'll probably have to do part-time matriculation and do it over a few years. I might not be in Philadelphia at that point, so I'm not choosing colleges at the moment.

[mynti]

Been working on this for about three hours now, from life. (Myself)

Still lots of issues, but just thought it'd be nice to post my first installment here, as an animation of my layers. I've been using more and more layers so I can do these process animations to show people how I work through a drawing.

Sorry about the filesize - hope the view is worth it.

-Grace

http://www.myntifresh.com/anatomy/selfportraitanim2.gif

[Womball]

Really cool animation! I don' think I coudl work that fast. Btw Uarts does have housing for graduate students and freshman and sophmores. Upperclassman are out of luck though.

[Cris-Palomino]

Gracie, I love making anims...yours looks great! Well worth it.

Cris

[mynti]

Hey Womball,

Thanks :D I might consider UArts but most likely I'll be moving before I go back to school.

Hugs!
Gracie

Hey Cris,
Yeah, it's sorta fun actually, and hopefully it shows better how I work. Each piece I approach differently though so it's hard to nail down a specific "style" of working for me.

Cheers,
Gracie

[mynti]

Lastest update to my self portrait:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/selfportrait03.jpg

[rasmusW]

hey grace!

this is really lookin good. the eyes on your self portrait, looks very alive and real.
i'll sure check back later.

btw. -i love those animated gifs, they really helps alot.

-r

[mynti]

More Updates.. Been working on this for a while today.

Abyss... Glad to see they help, I've made a few more for my latest work, so you can see how the image has progressed so far:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/selfportraitanim02.gif

I also did one just of the eyes, at 50% of the total image size:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/selfportraitanimeyes01.gif

[Thomasphoenix]

Gracie,love the expression on the avatar and the self portraits!:)

[mynti]

Thanks Thomas! I make the weirdest facial expressions.

[Womball]

Awesome! Strange facial expressions read nicer than none you know! Moving out of Philly? I like the fish too floating in red water.

[mynti]

I think it's done... Well, probably not. But nothing of mine is ever done.

Titled: "The Real Reason Your Mother Told You That You Shouldn't Draw On The Walls"

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/selfportrait04done.jpg

[mynti]

Update...

Okay NOW it's done :| I'm pretty sure.. anyhow.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/selfportrait04hmmdone.jpg

Detail of the eye:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/eye.jpg

[Helen-Baq]

Gracie, I love all your new stuff. Your second torso looks great. I especially love that older pic with the pink and blue lighting. :D I feel like the angel could use some more of a feeling of movement - maybe bending one of her legs forward at the hip, or something. Just my opinion... ;) Great thread you've got going. :buttrock:

[Myku]

:applause:

Damn. You've been busy! Really nice work on this last one- I think it's turned out to be quite an awesome painting. Interesting 'watching' you paint it as well........ thanks for all the effort you put into that 'behind the scenes look' into your work! I really can't wait to see more in the future- I love your style........

Peace.

[mynti]

Victoria (Helen) -

Thanks, sweetheart. I have a lot of random crap eh :D I'm going to pose for the angel, if I can get a man who's at least mildly willing to contort like that, I'd be happy :D

Myku -

Yes, I've been trying to improve. I discovered a new style of working in almost a cartoonish way, but it's a lot of fun for me, and the crosshatching is great! No more wishy-washy... go for 100% opacity! haha, it makes it so free, no adjusting anything but brush type.. weird way for me to work, but I'm likin it. I've been keeping an eye on your thread too, I love how you're playing with brushes and textures, it really works. I'd love to see more like that from you.

Hugs to you both,
Grace

[Cris-Palomino]

Gracie-girl...haven't seen anything from you lately...where is you?

Cris

[mynti]

Been a crazy-busy girl. But here's some more figural work from me lately, if anyone is interested! I also updated my folio; figured it was time for some new work on here.

If anyone would like any critiques or feedback, let me know!

Cheers,
Grace

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/wcss.jpg

This one took forever.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/mdfu.jpg

This one was originally a silly doodle but I really wanted to try out the crazy foreshortening.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/renew.jpg

Self-portrait here; my sister took the photo of me. Here's the photo reference:

http://www.myntifresh.com/junk/IMG_7046.jpg

This last one is still a WIP --

So any critiques and comments are appreciated!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/gt.jpg

Details shots of the WIP so far you can find here (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/52771161/).

I did this last painting for a contest and won second place; I didn't have time to complete it for the deadline. But, I'm still working on it anyhow! If you guys have suggestions on improving this one, would be great. I still need to work on the mask, ect - we'll see how it goes.

[rasmusW]

hey gracie!

long time, no see... this new batch of paintings are really beautyful.
the second one with the little boy/girl is my favorite along with the self-portrait. colors and all are beautyfully done.
as for crits on the last one. i think, the mask might be too big, it kinda makes her face look very short. though it might be a bit late to come with such crits. other than that, it's a nice painting.
keep em coming.

-r

[SpiritDreamer]

Hi...Gracie...:)

I just discovered your thread....WOW.....OUTSTANDING WORK...GREAT SENSE AND USE OF COLOR...SUPERB DRAFTSMANSHIP, AND A FANTASTIC IMAGINATION TO GO ALONG WITH IT..:bounce: :applause: :thumbsup:

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MORE...:)

TAKE CARE
Glenn

[boeserWolf]

Just found this thread, great last post with some excellent sketches/painings, thx for sharing mynti :thumbsup:

[mynti]

abyss103: thanks for the comment; I should have mentioned that the reference for the contest entry is here (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/24637801/). The contest was to draw one of their photographs. I just errr, took it a bit further! Anyhow; the mask still needs a lot of work to bring it up to detail with the rest; but I think it's pretty close to accurate.

Glenn : Thanks, I checked out your folio as well, when I saw your comment on my guestbook, I'm glad you like my work!

boeser_Wolf: Thank you! Been working hard trying to improve my skill level.

[NR43]

Hi

lovely stuff you have here
You did a wonderful job picking your own colors for the SP.

More soon? I certainly hope so :)

take care

edit: I meant Self Portrait :D

[mynti]

Hi NR3: For which speedpaint? And yeah; I started out traditionally, I like choosing my colors probably as much as painting :D

Got a few big paintings in the works; one a commission for a client, so I'll be posting those as soon as I finish :D

Thanks man!

[Womball]

I was wondering what happened to you! Excellent work!

[mynti]

Haha, yeah, sorry about that, been working my buns off lately, both working and painting, so I wasn't on the forums much - but I will try to keep this more up to date :D

I'll run over and check your thread, Womball, I see lots of posting has gone on while I was away :D

Cheers,
Gracie

[Womball]

Where do you work? Center city area?

[mynti]

Womball: I work from home, in the Chester County area outside Philly, down the R5 line :)

How are classes going?

[Womball]

I didn't need to know the train number, unless your implying I should visit. ;-)

Classes are ok for being classes. 3 weeks though of this shizzle though and I graduate! I'm tired of school.

[mynti]

Haha, I go into Philly usually every weekend to visit my uncle, he's been sick. (A good deal of the reason why I've been away these past few months, to look after him.) His condition is improving so I have more free time again.

Last semester! Aha.. I remember that feeling. Haha. Senior year is always tough; good luck and enjoy it!

[mynti]

http://www.myntifresh.com/folio/artwork/dan06.jpg

4.5 hour speedpaint of a wonderful friend of mine, who is also a digital painter. You can check him out here: http://memod.deviantart.com/

Crits and comments always welcome :)

[batte812]

These paintings look wonderful! The expression in the faces look very natural and very characteristic. keep going!

[mynti]

Been getting quite a few commissions - here's another one; this time 5 hours, based on a photoreference.

Made to go along with the deviantART interface (the background is the grey on the site) so he could use as an ID.

Here's the image in action: http://thanato5.deviantart.com/ (scroll down to the middle of the page)

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j203/sillypaintbrush/robb.jpg

[Womball]

It looks great! Nice use of brushes too. It looks like I'm going to be around for another semester or 2. Didn't pass animation, due to rendering and time management.

[mynti]

Hey guys! Been working on a new facial study for skin texture... Here's the painting, called "Freckles":

http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs23/i/2007/364/e/b/Freckles_by_mynti.jpg

And here's a walkthrough and some closeups!

http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs23/f/2007/364/2/2/22182d1c4057d2f0.jpg

[NR43]

Wow
I thought it was a photo at first.

Great work!

[anandpg]

Hey Gracie!!! Wow!!! Awesome paintings you've got here!!!:eek::bounce::bounce::applause: Keep rocking!!!

[Womball]

WOW! I second the photo comment. Nice to see the close ups and very nice to see the workflow. Almost makes me want to buy painter. Can you do the blending of values you have in say step 3 to 4 in photoshop? Or does painter have better blending tools?

[mynti]

NR43: Hey man! Thanks. I think I might actually go back to this at some point; I recieved some critiques and I realized the mouth needs more detail! But yeah, I was going for as realistic of a study as I could.

anandpg: Thank you! I most certainly will!

Womball: Hey DOOD! Long time no talk! As for painter, I think the "Just Add Water" feature beats smudge, blur, and anything else you can possibly find in Photoshop for natural feel blending. Now, I prefer to start in painter and end in photoshop. I would suggest painter if you really are digging the blending! I admit I'm still so new to painter myself, but I already cannot live without it, haha.

[mynti]

Hey guys, I updated this painting and I did a more detailed walkthrough as well... The files are large but you can find them on my deviantART account, the linkie is here (http://mynti.deviantart.com/art/Freckles-Walkthrough-Part-One-73321419)! The finished painting:

http://www.myntifresh.com/folio/artwork/frecklesstudyfin.jpg

[SylvanMist]

Wow that's a beautiful study! It looks just like the photo..in fact it really looks like a photo and if I didn't know any better I'd think it was one :) The colors look awesome.

[mynti]

drawing children for book illustration practice...

trying different techniques... from pure traditional to digital+traditional mix...

Enjoying the process!

http://www.myntifresh.com/folio/sketches/childsketchies03F2.jpg

http://www.myntifresh.com/folio/sketches/childsketchies04.jpg

[anandpg]

Wow! Really sweet, Gracie!!http://forums.cgsociety.org/images/icons/icon10.gif Thanks for sharing these!

[DaddyMack]

mynti.. freckles is drop dead gorgeous... seems to have a real depth of field in it and I really like the baby hair above the eyebrows

[sycen]

That is amazing.
So adorable.

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