The mental muse of Vincent1

[Vahn]

welcome to cgtalk then :)

I hope you enjoy your last years and get satisfaction out of painting :thumbsup:

[mrbiscuit]

Hi Vincent,

This is a great start, good work. I have a few suggestions for you. First off there are two areas which I notice are a little out of proportion. The arms seem a little short, only a tad though maybe a hand length, or even half a hand length. The other thing I noticed is the Hips, they seem a little too wide anatomically, but this maybe your style?

Remember, practice as much as possible. Keep up the good work!

[vincent1]

Thanks for the comments. The arm is too short, I agree. Will mentally correct that from now on.

Drawing No.2:

After studying anatomy books and drawing after them, these drawings are now not referenced and comes straight from my mind.

It is also my intention to post mostly digital drawings and paintings as I want to embrace the concept of pure Digital Art, using one software (Photoshop) and one input tool (Wacom Tablet).

[Rebeccak]

vincent1,

You are also more than welcome to create a concurrent thread in the Anatomy Forum - your torso studies have been lovely, I think that several folks have threads both in the WIP and Anatomy Forums, as there are slightly different audiences. :)

Personal Anatomy & Sketchbook Threads (http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=200)
http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=200

To be honest I am really tied up with personal projects at the moment, but if you begin to interact on others' Personal Sketchbook Threads, you will receive nice comments and constructive critique in return. Of course you don't have to create a Sketchbook thread in both places, but you might enjoy the benefits of interacting on both forums. :)

Cheers,

-Rebeccak

[vincent1]

Hi RebeccaK,

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. Your anatomy workshop thread was a big catalyst in helping me to decide to draw for myself again.
When there is more to see here, I will send a reference link over at the anatomy forum.

Drawing No.3:

Yes, they are all women, as Fantasy Art was a big thing for me from my teenage years. I will probably draw them for some time now.

[vincent1]

I'm also into geometric doodling. This was drawn during a boring fund raising dinner with a ball pen right on the back of the fund raiser ticket.

One day all these doodlings and designs will come together in a fantasy art digital painting.

[mrbiscuit]

In regards to Drawing No. 3 I think you have got the pose down pretty well. Overall everything seems in good proportion. The feet seem a little bit too big to me, but other wise good work! Your geometric drawing is really intresting, I think you should develop the idea in to a full colour image, I think it would be awesome.

[vincent1]

Mrbiscuit: Thanks for the critique and kind words. The geometric designs will definitely come together into a tapestry type of frame work in a digital painting measuring 20 inches x 38 inches. As my women become more defined in my mind, one will be chosen to be the focal for this tapestry frame.

Here is painting No.1:

about 90 minutes worth of speed painting. I have named her Elisear.

[vincent1]

Drawings of heads to visualise my coming fantasy art piece.

Drawings 4, 5, 6, & 7:

[vincent1]

Painting No.2:

Started to doodle and I didn't stop for 3 hours. These are bits and pieces of a painting to come.

[Schoende]

Gonna comment on the last 3 pics you posted:

painting No.1: This pic could use some more contrast. The green color looks a little weird to me on the shadows (redish/purple collors are more commen for skin shadows). I think the angle of the eyes is too extreme.

Drawings 4, 5, 6, & 7: Really like these sketches (the eye angle is better on all pics you show there). I like those drawings they remind me of my highschool time (LOL on every page of my work books are persons I drew... back to my comment ;)).

painting No.2: Ok because this one is part of your project at the moment I will crit this one more to help you...

What I think is wrong or could be done better:
The head seems a little misplaced. I would rotate the head CCW a little.
Her right arm (on the pic the one on the left) seems to thin and slightly too short if you look at te other arm.
I don't like the extreme nipple color (could be just me)... I would pick a brownish color for it.
her brests seem to have a different cup (the right one seems more flat, probably a shading problem)
The belly seems shaded wrongly and the belly button should be moved slightly left/up.
The fingers on her left hand (so the one on the right) seem to have a too dark shading on the start (hope you understand what I mean).
The shading of the lower leg part that is in the front has a too hard shading and the vertical greyish line is part of this problem I guess.
The heel of the foot in the front should be lower.

Little tip: try flipping the image vertically if you want to spot anatomical mistakes more easily yourself ;).

what I like:
I like the detail of the hands this far.
I like the body composition (so the idea you want to make) till now.
Really not bad for a first time realistic CG of a full body though.
Did you use a reference for this one?

Keep going you really are on the way to getting really good and practice makes the master.

I hope you don't think I'm too harsh or something since you are a beginner in anatomy and all... Good luck and as said keep going, gonna watch your progress :D;)....

[vincent1]

Schoende: Thanks for the lengthy comments. all spot on. Everytime I reopen a file, I see glaring flaws, that's why I seldom go back and rework these pictures, I hope they would represent progress I make over the next months.

I'm still finding my working method and fine tuning one way now; i.e. going straight into colour values rather than having a gray underpainting as was with Painting 1 and 2.

I'm experimenting to find a painterly method that would allow quite tight rendering without it looking like a perfect shader. I have done perfect female studies with 3D software (see my CG portfolio) but they take too much time, i.e. a month to model, texture and rig, and I don't really have the luxury of time anymore.

My goal is to digitally paint 35 paintings a year after one year of intense self-study.

I won't reference anything for the anatomy paintings at the moment and will rely on comments from others to help me develop a clearer mind's eye, so your comments really helps. Thank you.

[vincent1]

Painting No. 3:

This is the result of my using colour values straight away without an underpainting in grey. Saved me tons of time trying to get a good tonal drawing before painting.

I think I prefer working this way as I'm always fighting with the underpainting previously; see Painting No.2, which ended up too dark all over.

[Schoende]

Gonna crit again ;):

What seems wrong or could be done better:
the right shoulder is too high.
It looks like she should wear some shoes with high heels the way her feet are drawn now.
Her cheek bones are too big.
The hand on the right looks strange (I guess her fingers are a bit long).
Again the breast on the right seems much more flat then the other one ;).

what is nicely done:
I love the fact that this one has more anatomical details like the rib cache, the knees and the neck area (and other parts btw which I'm not gonna list up ;)).
And I like the new skin shading.

Well you are improving I think.... maybe next time try to get those breasts right and the hands are just pitty... I know ;).

Keep going ;)!!!

[vincent1]

Schoende: You are a hard person to please...

So, here is painting No.4, unreferenced:

[Schoende]

Schoende: You are a hard person to please...

I know I am (it's nothing serious I hope ;))... I hope you don't mind me commenting again :S...

The last one you made has much better anatomy.
Still I'm going to try and give some tips ;):
The upper arm on the right is longer then the one on the left because you drew the shoulder higher.
The neck should be a little more wide to the left.
The thumb of the hand on the right looks weird.
I don't know if you are working on coloring techniques, but if you are try adding some more contrast, Darker shadows and highlights will make your character look more lifelike.

Hope to see more soon ;).

[vincent1]

Drawing No.8 - unreferenced:

Slightly lower angle viewpoint.

[vincent1]

Drawing No.9 unreferenced.
I just may be getting to a point where I can attempt something more ambitious.

[vincent1]

Drawing No. 10 unreferenced:
From here, my next goal will be more extreme poses.

[vincent1]

painting No.5:


http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/6227/paintingno5ap6.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[vincent1]

two cans of 8.8% alcohol content beer and 25 mins later:

painting no: shixch, I meant six...

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4435/paintingno6lp3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[vincent1]

painting No.8:

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/5053/paintingno7ey8.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[vincent1]

drawing No.11 unreferenced: 30 mins

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/8374/drawingno11ki7.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[vincent1]

Painting No.8 unreferenced:

an exercise in lighting and clothing texture. 2 hours.

It's kind of lonely here, comments would be welcomed.
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7455/paintingno8aw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[vincent1]

drawing No.12 unreferenced; 50 minutes:

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/6606/drawingno12mm6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[remcv8]

I'm thinking that you love to draw women!

Cool stuff.

I'm currently working on my ability to draw femininity with finesse. In due time with practice for me.

[vincent1]

remcv8: Thank you for the comments. Yes, I will be drawing and painting women for the next couple of years.

Every few months, I also model a female head and body from scratch, searching for the perfect mesh. This time I think I have done it! Not one three-point poly in sight and the muscular flow is also very good and in the right loops for animation.

3D Female Head October 2006:

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/7789/3dheadrenderlx6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/1084/3dheadwireis9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

grayscale painting No.:9 unreferencedhttp://img138.imageshack.us/img138/8025/drawingoct30ek3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Jelmer]

nice work you have there, i can really see your improving although i'm not a drawing expert, i'm more into 3d so i'll comment on that.
The anatomy of the polygons looks very good, only quads! But you could improve on the shape of the face a lot, try to use orthographic references, it shouldn't be too difficult to make adjustments to the base model you have.

There's a ridge where you've used symmetry, move apart the edges a bit, or just smoothen it out.
The neck is too thin, scale it up a bit.
Luckily it's 3d, so it's quite easy to adjust, waiting for updates :thumbsup:

[Wonton]

I just want to add my 2 cents here. I think that your drawings are correct and incorrect at the same time, It's a little vague, I know. The knowledge you've gained from books clearly shows, but it's lacking some fundamentals.

I don't think the arm in the first drawing is too short, or the shoulders are too high, or lips too wide. You could sit there all day tweaking it, but it just ends up looking overworked, and still look incorrect. Think about this, Angolina Jolie has big lips. Why does she look just as sexy or even sexier as someone with thin lips?

(Studies have shown that good looking people look good, is because they're average, but most importantly, it's because they have symmetry. Flip the image, or view it in a mirror can reveal alot of flaws in your work).

Your drawings to me, are perfect lips badly placed on a balloon.

The problem lies in the construction. You need to think in terms of the solid. Don't just draw the 2 contour lines you see on the thigh... CONSTRUCT the thigh. Don't just draw what's in front of you, draw the stuff that you don't see. Think of it as a 3d blueprint, or a nurbs wireframe (not polys, that's just too messy). Don't be afraid to draw through, you can always erase contruction lines later.

[remcv8]

Wow, I love your grayscale lady pic. Very stylish.

Is the 3D head made per-poly from the eyes outward, or did you box model it?

Great base mesh for many female faces.

[vincent1]

Jelmer, wonton, remcv8:

Thanks for the comments and encouragement. I'm trying to improve as fast as I can.

The 3d head is constructed one polygon at a time and later cutting it to get the poly flow I want. I started years ago using box modelling; which I found to be quite inefficient after a while as you tend to spend too much time pushing vertices into position.

Drawing No.13 unreferenced and using a 'construct through' method as suggested by wonton:

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1397/drawingno13xz0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No. 14 unreferenced:

I think I'm going into my fantasy painting. This was created with a trusty mechanical pencil while enjoying some chinese tea. Took about 30 minutes.

I think I will make this into a full fledged painting. Comments welcomed.

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/2540/drawingno14gl5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

WIP painting No.10 (based on drawing No.14):

Original size of 23 x 23 inches at full print resolution.

C&c are welcomed.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1853/paintingno10yd3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.15 unreferenced:
More drawings after further intensive study.

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/8802/drawingno15fr1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.16 unreferenced (15 minutes):

I think the day is coming soon when I can pull images of women from the infinite ether.


http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/9983/drawingno16gb3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No.11 (greyscale) unreferenced (40 minutes):

Pulling an image from seven greyscale values.

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/7553/greypaintingno11eh2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

update on painting No.10 (based on drawing No.14):

necklace, gown detailing. I'm on a roll...

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4324/paintingno10update1su8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.17:

More images from ether.

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/6531/drawingno17ze2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.18:

Moving on to more illustrative style as I try to evolve my next fantasy painting idea.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/4733/drawingno18fw2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

drawing no.19:

Gathering of amazonian princesses, probably with Inca-like ruins in the bkgrd.

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4876/drawingno19is7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[zng-Y]

those lineart ladies are looking realy good! Keep it up!
There is also something i dont realy like: "Drawing No.17:" It's too messy imo.
Keep them comming, ill be watching :scream: !!

[vincent1]

hey, zng-Y:
Thanks for the comments!
Confession time, I'm also an anime fan...

Just finished watching GTO for the third time. (Great Teacher Onizuka)

Here is Anime_drawing No.1:

http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/1174/animeno1bw8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

This piece is 30 inches high by 13 inches wide at full print resolution and will be an ambitious undertaking:

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/3852/fantasypaintno1gy6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Progressing on the concept, which I drew (with pencil and paper) this morning at 5.30am as I could not sleep...

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/2616/fantasypaintno1bdr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.20:
Making them less endowed

http://img276.imageshack.us/img276/7213/drawingno20kg6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

An update of 3d head 2006:


http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/5716/facenov10in6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.21 unreferenced:

Probably paint her later.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9472/drawingno21dg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

painting No.12 based on Drawing No.21:

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5681/paintingno12dn0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

painting No.13 (greyscale):

lighting exercise

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3135/paintingno13gg2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.22 unreferenced:

starting to conceptualise costumes.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/5848/drawingno22wm8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.23:

Exercise in speed drawing/conceptualisation (10 mins):

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/2347/drawingno23od9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.24:


http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7048/drawingno24dr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.25:

Endeavouring to make cleaner drawings in anticipation to put them together one day into one conceptual painting.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/8555/drawingno25uc1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.26:

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7387/drawingno26ij9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No. 27:

More medium shot studies.

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/5416/drawingno27rm8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.28:


http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3605/drawingno28zo6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.29:



http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/7497/drawingno29uz2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[boeserWolf]

nice to see the progress you made during your last works ...
... keep them coming vince :thumbsup:

[vincent1]

Thank you for the comment and encouragement Boeser_Wolf.

Getting to the stage where I can more or less do a complete painting, probably take another month of practise before I seriously attempt it.

Drawing No.30, the most complete render to date, I will attempt to maintain future drawings with this level of rendering.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4320/drawingno30qw7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Something different as there are too many women in my life. Speed paint Landscape No.1:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1974/paintinglandscapeno1qh1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[Rebeccak]

Hi vincent1,

I've moved your Sketchbook here as requested. :)

[vincent1]

Thanks for the assistance, RebeccaK,

Continuing where I left off; Drawing No.31:

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7710/drawingno31zj8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[anandpg]

Hi Vincent... awesome progress here:thumbsup:... the female figures look nice.. just wondering why you dont shade them.

[vincent1]

HI Anandpg, thanks for the comment.

I don't shade them is because I want my pure linework to be able to define the form correctly first. Once I can consistently do that, It will mean I would have gone a long way towards mastering the ability to see the complete form in my mind before I even pick up the pencil.

Another reason is that when I am ready, all these drawings will become the base for PAINTINGS! I would then just need to drape clothing over the structure.
Cheers.

[NR43]

Hey vincent1

Nice drawings.
Do you draw using traditional media as well?
if you do... I'd love to see :)
If not, I'd like to encourage you to do so... it's a lot of fun!

[vincent1]

Thank you NR43. I draw with pencils, pens, fingers.

Many, many years ago, I painted with watercolours, acrylics and pastels, most of which are lost as I moved often.

Now, I use pencils to make quick practice drawings. It is my goal however to be totally digital on all current finished drawings and paintings.

Drawing No.32:

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/2719/drawingno32zb2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.33:

Once I complete my musculature studies, the drawings will be more dramatic.
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3241/drawingno33ql7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Greyscale painting No.14 unreferenced:

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/2306/paintingno14rw8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Greyscale painting No.15 unreferenced:

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/6278/paintingno15ox6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.34:

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/9453/drawingno34wj8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No.16 unreferenced:

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/4311/paintingno16ub5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

painting No.17 unreferenced:


http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/618/paintingno17te7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.35 (gesture drawing unreferenced):

I guess the last month or so I spent learning anatomy is starting to pay off...

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4784/drawingno35gp1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.36 unreferenced:

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7366/drawingno36jk9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.37 unreferenced:

I was bound to do a super heroine one day, so I might as well get it out of my system.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/618/drawingno37ee0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.38 unreferenced:

This is a big drawing, actual size is 23 x 30 inches at full print resolution.

It is also my happiest achievement, having plucked this image completely from my mind's eye.

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/183/drawingnov27dynamicla3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Rebeccak]

vincent1,

Nice job with this last one! I might recommend checking out some of Burne Hogarth's books, such as Dynamic Anatomy and Figure Drawing.

Good to see your progress here. :)

[vincent1]

Hey RebeccaK, thanks for dropping by. I was beginning to feel like I was the only fish in the fishbowl.:)

I can't believe I read some of the Tarzan books he did covers for, makes me feel aged.

Drawing No.39 unreferenced:
Getting more animated poses from my mind.

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/9917/drawingno39vn7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.40 unreferenced:

This one will ahve a companion character later

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3047/drawingno40ce2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.41 unreferenced:

The companion added to drawing No.40:

Some comments as to anatomical flaws would be welcomed.


http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/4576/drawingno41fy4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Rebeccak]

vincent1,

Sorry for being slow to comment, I'm pretty busy these days wrapping up my degree project, but generally I find that the more comments you leave on others' threads, the more you receive in return. :) There are lots of great Sketchbook threads here, and lots of great improvement by a diverse group of artists.

A really great way to practice is to participate in these two Worskhops - while officially both over, they're definitley worth browsing and you're more than welcome to use the reference in order to create master copies. :)

Anatomy Lesson Series: Body Part 1 - The Head (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=375031)
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=375031

Anatomy Lesson Series: Body Part 2 - The Torso (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=405198)
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=405198

Also as you know we quite frequently run Workshops on the forum which I highly encourage you to participate in. :) You can receive email notification of new Workshops by subscribing here:

Notification of New Open Figure Drawing Workshops / + TUTORIALS - SUBSCRIBE HERE! (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=379951)
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=379951

Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[vincent1]

Thanks for the links RebeccaK.

I should be more sociable...

Drawing No.42:

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/770/drawingno42en1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[NR43]

Hi

some remarks on drawing nr 40, the sitting woman:


her right hand and arm seems too small
her right lower leg seems too small compared to the rest of her right leg, especially with the foreshortening and all
her left foot seems too small
remarks on the other woman in nr 40:

her right upper arm seems too long
her head seems too small
the upper edge of her left breast should be less curved, since gravity is pulling her breast downwards

Furthermore, I think you're doing a great job drawing these women without reference, but I think you would improve faster if you would use reference every now and then :)

[vincent1]

Hi NR43, thanks for dropping by. The observations are good and noted.

Being able to draw very complex figurative art without references has always been on my 'To do list'. So now in my later years I want to achieve this wish.

Ever since 12 years of age, I have been able to copy anything through live or printed references and have been making a living as an creative/art director for 15 years.

However I must agree with your statement that I now would improve faster if I use references again; as after a month intensively studying anatomy, I now know where and how everything fits together anatomically and can get much more out of a picture or photo.

I have also been enjoying carrying a small sketchbook around and discreetly 'undressing' people around me as they pass by with pencil and paper. I find this helps to cement the understanding of anatomy more firmly in my mind.

I find your portraiture studies interesting especially the overlaying of Da vinci over hogarth as it really highlighted that your earlier heads are for me too rounded or squat looking.

I feel that longer heads are more attractive artistically. There are all kinds of people in the world and anatomically, they are both correct. See pictures of Mongollians and other tribal cultures of China; a lot of them have squat looking heads. So no need to be confused.

Just be sure that when you draw a squat looking head, it was a squat looking head you wanted in the first place. To me, that is the highest form of artistic expression; that you get to express exactly what you had in mind and not end up with a compromised vision. The result do not have to be photorealistic and it can even be abstract; as long as that was the idea you had in mind expressed accurately in any media.

Speaking from experience, this is what clients will pay for; repeatedly.:)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.43 pencil on paper:

Looking to do more complex interaction; basic triangular composition

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8910/drawingno43pencilss2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Womball]

Incredible forms and I love the faces. Some of them remind me of Yoshitaka Amano's work. I think your muscles tend to be overdone in terms of line weight. I think you could get away with fainter lines to describe the muscles. I also like how clean your line is.

[NR43]

Hey Vincent thanks for the good advise!



the highest form of artistic expression; that you get to express exactly what you had in mind and not end up with a compromised vision



I'm heading towards this goal... slowly but steady... will need at least a couple more years to get there, if not longer (a lifetime?)

But your words make me think of the fact that I always refuse requests from colleagues/friends/family to draw portraits of their loved ones. I do this because I know I cannot put them on paper/canvas the way I want to put them on it. Maybe I should give it a go and see what they think huh...

Drawing nr43 (aaah lovely number :D )

The center characters hands seem kinda big. Her pose (X legs) seems a bit awkward too.
The woman to the right seems small compared to the other 2. Maybe that was intentional though.

I can see a nice painting in this, maybe in oils, 4m x 3m... :D

[aggie93]

Vincent - you have some great line drawings here. The loose ones are a bit better. I agree with Reb in trying some of the workshop ones. As soon as I finish my latest, I will be heading there to work on a few of those. Keep going with the loose sketches. Post many!

[vincent1]

Hi womball, thks for the kind words. As I get more confident in expressing the forms accurately, my line work will become as you say, less weighty.

nr43;:) nice coincidental pun. the x legs look odd as I wanted to try expressing a dual direction twisting body.

Right figure is intentionally smaller; as it represents the lesser mortal's higher desire and eagerness to receive divine help. As opposed to the figure on the left, being almost of equal physical stature will be less inclined (or humble) to ask for help; hence the back lean posturing with apprehensive approach of its right arm.
It's important for me now to never (if never is possible) put pencil to paper or digital pen to pixels without engaging my mind; even in the most simplest of scribbling. It is also my goal now to stop doing 'thoughtless' drawings.

aggie93, thanks for the encouragement.

Drawing No.44 pencil on paper unreferenced:
A more complete fantasy figure exploration.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/839/drawingno44hk4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Every couple of days, I now draw from my memory a complete skeletal and muscular structure of the human form to cement my anatomical understanding.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5879/musclesbonesun9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[anandpg]

Hi Vincent! Good progress!:thumbsup: Your sketches from imagination look really nice. Its great that you can think of a pose/gesture and put it on paper in such good proportion... your lines would look better with some loose-ness, though. hmmm.. the anatomy drawing could use some work, though... I think the figure as a whole goes out of proportion as you try to put the individual muscles in place.(has happened to me). The trick is to always keep an eye on the figure as a whole, even while drawing individual parts.

[vincent1]

Hi Anandpg, thanks for the pointers. I guess my mind still goes slack when I try to draw too fast.


Those are great torso sculpts you did in zBrush.

Here is one of mine designed a while back in zBrush:

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/43/aquadogyk5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2338/aquadogstepbu4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.45 unreferenced:

Getting closer... to stage 1.

Only another 3 million stages to go. :scream:
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/2281/drawingno45hq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.46 pencil on paper unreferenced:

A more complete revisitation of an earlier computer drawing.

It's a pity that the wacom cannot really give a good catch resistance on its drawing surface.

Then again, if I don't have this level of control now, it just means I will have to attain it later.

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/7824/drawingno46pf9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.47 an immediate computer drawn variation:

I need to develop greater electronic control.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/388/drawingno47compvernx9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No.18:

From the equatorial paradise of Malaysia. 2007 is Visit Malaysia Year.:)

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/4926/paintingno18ll0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.48 unreferenced:

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7726/drawingno48mp0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.48_b:

Corrected error on her right shoulder.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5959/drawingno48correctedxw4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

For better or for worse here is Post-anatomical studies Painted Lady no.1

Painting No.19 after unreferenced drawing No.47:


http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/664/paintingno19zr1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.49 unreferenced:


http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4746/drawingno49cx9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Rebeccak]

Hi vincent1,

I hope you'll be able to participate in the new Open Figure Drawing Workshop (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=437456&page=1&pp=15) - I think you'd be surprised at how much doing a finished Master Copy would boost your own work. Plus, it's just fun to participate. :)

[vincent1]

Thanks for the invitation RebeccaK.

I kind of like 001.

Here's 40 mins work. Kind of busy lately.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/349/001stage1rg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Rebeccak]

Great to see you've joined! I think you've got a great start on the eyes. Looking forward to seeing this developed. :)

[anandpg]

Hi Vincent! Great start..! enjoy!:thumbsup:

[vincent1]

Hi Anandpg, thanks for dropping by.


After 001 stage 2:

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3240/001stage2wx7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[anandpg]

Hi Vincent... nice update.. great coloring... Her nose looks tilted a bit on the right side.. you might want to draw some perspective lines on top in a different layer to test out the shapes.

[vincent1]

Thanks for the comments anandpg. Many flaws, which I will correct as I get along further.

Stage 3 after 001:

This corrects most of the flaws in terms of shapes and placement.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1316/001stage3zn9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

After 001 Stage 4:

More detailing work on the face.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8788/001stage4iz4.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[NR43]

hey Vincent
your OFDW piece is coming along nicely!
keep going :D

[vincent1]

HI NR43, thanks for dropping by again.

I still can't get that proud english look. Anyhoo, here is stage 5 after 001:

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4974/001stage5ti2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Been busy lately so have neglected my drawing.

Continuing with Drawing No.50:

A gestural expression:

http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/1983/drawingno50ur3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[anandpg]

Hey Vincent... awesome progress on the OFDW piece.!!:thumbsup: the colors look great... and you have really captured the look in the eyes... Her lower face seems a tad bit longer than the original, though... or is it just me?!!!

[vincent1]

Thanks for the kind comments Anandpg. She probably won't be an exact copy; unless there's a prize from RebeccaK? :)


Drawing No.51:

There's a small Sci-fi convention in Malaysia, im warming up for it:

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/740/drawingno51cy7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

After 001 - stage 6:

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/5637/001stage6wl9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

After 001 stage 7:

I guess she's done...

I just bought my Wacom Intuos 3 - 6 x 8 today (replacing my Wacom Graphire 3) and used it to finish this.

I must say it made a whole new level of subtlety available to me as evidenced by this final stage.

I struggled to purchase the Intuos for a year as it is very expensive here in Malaysia; after this experience, I can just say to all who are still apprehensive about the difference;
JUST BUY IT.

The main thing I learned from copying this Master:
Not one stroke can be left out without it being detrimental to the emotion of the character.

About this copy:

It is all eye-balled.
No painting over a master layer.
No grid system or perspective lines to transfer the original.
Painted using final colours without a greyscale underpainting.
There was a lot of repainting over errors in perceived proportions.
Surprisingly it was FUN to do; although very tiring for the eyes.


http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3075/001stage7jf0.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[Rebeccak]

Gorgeous work with this - I think if you unify the background a bit more, this piece will really be ready for your CGPortfolio. :)

Great stuff - glad to hear your tablet was worth the money! :thumbsup:

[vincent1]

RebeccaK, thanks! :) All these started from your torso workshop...

Back to the drawing board... Drawing No.52 unreferenced:

My take on the Medusa theme.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/9128/drawingno52uo8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[SpiritDreamer]

HEY...Vincent....:bounce: :applause: :thumbsup: :)

She came out BEAUTIFUL....:thumbsup:
Like Rebecca says,..you might just blend , refine, and soften up the background just a little,
you don't want it to detract from the great work you have done on her..you want the painting to have a oneness, where there is no competition between elements, such as background and forground...harmony of elements kind of thing..:)
Really enjoyed reading what you learned from this exercise, and the way you went about painting her...may not turn out totally perfect, and look like an exact replica of the original,...but you will learn the things that you need to know along the way,by doing it this way ...and it is those things, that can't be learned any other way , that will lead to great works in the future..all the shortcut's, just shortchange the artist in the long run...:scream:
Short cuts are fine, if you know how to do it right to begin with...by right, I mean the way the old masters did it, but using the brushes afforded in the computer, and going through the steps and or painting process that they went through...which is what you have just done..:applause: :thumbsup:
Any other way, is kind of like using a calulator to add two and two, before you have learned how to add on paper,and in your own mind first...just my opion here...:)
TAKE CARE
Glenn

[Trunks]

Hi vincent1, today I checked your thread by pure luck. I just read about 3-4 of your posts but I checked all your images. I don't want to say to much on your mastercopy: it came out great!

But I want to say something to all your other images. First of all, your lineart looks good. But lineart gives no feeling of volume ... you can do whatever you want you'll never get it. Try to forget this lineart and try to do more colored pieces. Or is lineart the goal you are searching for?

In general, when you are coloring, start with a big brush. I have noticed in all your images (also your mastercopy) that you have used small brushes. Start with REALYY BIG ONES! Don't start with a little bigger ones. Just do something new and start with a brush which size is around 3x bigger than you normally would use. Check it out :)

Another point, draw lineart, but then forget about it. I suggest you to color some old ( or new) of your sketches with gryscale. This is a good way to learn how to give the body a good feeling of volume. Don't use black or white but use colors which are near to them. The brightes light on your drawing should be nearly white, the darkest shadow should be nearly black.

This are the main points I would like to see you attempting. Maybe it does help. I#ll come back and see what you are doing, I just have some problems with my keyboard so I hope you understood what I wanted to tell you because it is noch easy to type and I could not explain verything with more words. If there are some questions, just ask I'll try to answer ;)

[vincent1]

Hey Trunks, thank you very much for the comments. I'm at this point Im very much into line work. I do a lot of 3d work and photographic/video directing professionally and I just want to rebel by condensing 2d/3d volumetric forms into its most basic line forms.

Agree to disagree that lineart can never represent volume; a lineart cube would be a quick example of volume being represented by only lines.

Soon I will attempt greyscale studies of the human form that I will pluck from my mind's eye. For me at this point in my artistic journey is what I desire to achieve.

Cheers.:)

[vincent1]

Armed with my new super-responsive Intuos 3, here is Tonal Study No.1 unreferenced:


http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/1821/tonalstudyno1uy2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.53 unreferenced:

These drawings are now taking less and less time to do.

http://img283.imageshack.us/img283/4628/drawingno53xg8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.54 unreferenced:

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/9936/drawingno54nw5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.55 unreferenced:

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2395/drawingno55mw6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.56 unreferenced:


http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2228/drawingno56dx8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

After 003 Stage 2:

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1995/003stage2qr9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[anandpg]

Hi Vincent!! Great start on your second OFDW piece!! I think you are becoming a really good digital painter!:thumbsup: BTW, you first OFDW came out fabulously!! congrats!

[vincent1]

Hey Anandpg: Thank you!!

After 003 Stage 3:
This second copy is going much faster than the first. She'll probably be done by Stage 4.

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/9553/003stage3au0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ha-dou-ken]

Hi Vincent. I really like your last revision of you latest OFDW:love:

I can't wait to see it finished. Good luck. the unreferenced drawings are quite nice too. I hope to achieve that level of quality one day haha.:)

[vincent1]

Ha-dou-ken, thank you for your comments, you are being modest; you have fine studies of your own.:)


After 003 final stage:
I guess she's done. This time I put on more of the forger's mind; still an exact copy was not my intention.

About this copy:

As before it is all eye-balled.

No grid system was used.

No painting over a master layer. Just the original on the left and my copy on the right.

No greyscale underpainting, just final colours.

This time it was much faster, taking less than 10 hours over four sessions.

The main thing I learned this time:

If my imagination approaches this master, I would be considered one also in about 500 years.

Think about it; this painting is of a woman standing in a cave with a small hole in the roof where the shaft of light lights her up at the water's edge, with a trickling waterfall behind her. She wears nothing but a fine cotten open weave cloth. If this was painted live, she would have caught her death of a cold after this commission. :)

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/2166/003stagefinishedzd6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Happy holidays and Blessed Christmas everyone!


Drawing No.57 unreferenced:

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2898/drawingno57jx9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.58:

An intended un-natural contraposto.

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/5493/drawingno58wy1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.59 unreferenced:

Remember those guitar licks you struggle with like forever and then you wake up one morning and everything falls into place?

Well, I woke up this morning and things started to fall into place...

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8984/drawingno59ik0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.60 unreferenced:

It's been 73 days since I started this thread. In this period I have posted 60 drawings and numerous paintings and studies, averaging 1+ drawing/painting a day.

In this time I have also filled 200+ pages of learning sketches in pencil and pen. In the next 60 days I hope to post some complete conceptualised paintings and drawings taken straight from my mind's eye.

Thank you to all who took the time to visit and posted comments here.

http://img350.imageshack.us/img350/8169/drawingno60yq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No-61 unreferenced:

Warming up for some conceptual pieces. The person transporter is one of many transport concepts I visualised on paper.

This particular one drawn here digitally has been 3d modeled in Max, currently at stage 2. Don't know when I will finish that as I am quite busy lately.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5980/drawingno61lb6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.62:

Will probably go into more art deco drawings.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5317/drawingno62yb2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.63 unreferenced.

Persisting with getting more complicated poses right in feel and expression.

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/3622/drawingno63hx3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Tonal study No.2 unreferenced:

With this it's goodbye 2006.
Happy New Year everyone!

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/48/tonalstudyno2tc6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[NR43]

Hey Vincent

I was really impressed with your master study!
Just lettin ya know and...

all the best for 2oo7

[vincent1]

Hi NR43, thank you for dropping by again. Once you learn how to see, copying a master becomes much easier; which is why i'm doing a lot of unreferenced work lately, helps to clarify my mind's camera.

Another type of exercise i do now is look at an object for 5 seconds and then without looking at it again, draw the impression left in your mind. The goal is to achieve accuracy between object and my mental impression. This was one of the reasons why my second master copy went so much faster.

The other method i use for copying masters is to take a bit more time to dot out 'landmarks', then fill in the inbetween spaces. e.g. take the time to ACCURATELY place three to five prominent and easily recognisable locks of a head's hair.; which are usually shadow and highlighted locks. You will be surprised then that painting the less defined spaces between these landmarks becomes much more easier and accurate without always struggling to get the proportions right as your landmarks would have already settled the proportion issue.

Hope the above will be of some use to you. Thank you for your wishes.

DRAWING No 64:

This shows the sphere system I'm experimenting with to help in the area of proportion and fore-shortening.

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/4489/drawingno64xw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.65 unreferenced:

Marks the first drawing of Jan 01 2007

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4871/drawingno65mx7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[NR43]

Thanks for your help!

Another type of exercise i do now is look at an object for 5 seconds and then without looking at it again, draw the impression left in your mind. The goal is to achieve accuracy between object and my mental impression.

You know what happens with me when I do this? I forget and then I start constructing how I think it looked... usually resulting in something completely different lol

I should do these exercises more often though

[vincent1]

Perhaps I should elaborate. While accuracy is the goal, I'm talking about the clear recognition of the object.

This is what you do. Get a sheet of paper, look at say your computer mouse for 5 secs and within 30 - 45 seconds draw the mouse. It will of course not be exact. Take another 5 second look and draw it again on the same sheet of paper, and repeat, etc.

What will happen is this, after the first three attempts, you will begin to look at how the mouse is constructed, e.g the left mouse button, it may a simple curved rectangle and you begin to understand that the curved rectangle CAN become just a curvy shape depending on the angle you look at it.

You realise that there is a concept that basic geometric shapes can seemingly 'morph' into something completely different depending on your line of sight. That's why beginners find it so hard to draw; their left brain refuses to accept that a rectangle can be anything other than a rectangle. While Betty Edwards emphasises the removal of the left brain functions when first learning to 'see', it later (after learning to 'see' with her methods) becomes important to also understand how an object is constructed in 3d and how it changes shape when your line of sight changes.

The value of this exercise is in how it encourages you to observe and understand how the object is constructed and how its parts are put together. Because in 5 secs to 15 seconds (be flexible!, if you need a bit more looking time, take it) you NEED to understand what you are seeing if you are to able to draw it from the impression left in your mind.

Once you get this skill you then can basically draw the concept you see in your mind and then use whatever means and skills to finish that concept to your expectations.

[vincent1]

Paintings No.20 and 21:

More light studies.

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7361/paintingno20hh5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/4185/paintingno21ve9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No.22:

Quick light study.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1655/paintingno22bg4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No.23 (title: Triplexes)


http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/323/paintingno23hi9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawings No.67:

A series of quick gestural drawings.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3807/drawingno67ak4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No. 24:

A fantasy portraiture study.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/7025/paintingno24yv6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No.25:

Portraiture practice for complete character painting.

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/6001/paintingno25ne8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No.26:

The above portrait integrated into one of my earlier line drawings (drawing No.37).
She will probably wear a kimono design later. Comments and suggestions welcomed.

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/9549/paintingno26qu4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No.26 stage_2:

Starting on her kimono.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3511/paintingno26bsj3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Intervain]

Hi Vincent :)

I think it would work to your advantage if you changed the bg from that purple into something a little more neutral - bronze-reddish tones or brownish tones work best if you're painting skin on top, they make things easier :)
also right now your paintings look flat - you have little contrast between your shadows and highlights... [desaturate it and you'll see that the values, especially on the face, are nearly the same!]

the pose doesn't show the character in best way because it's straight-on and so is the lighting! at least change the lights - give it a direction from one side and look how the shadows will work on the character :)

it would also be a good idea to take a look at some muscle anatomy and body structure undearneath that skin :)

Keep going... I know it's not easy, I'm only just starting to paint myself but thought I'd share my impressions... looking forward to more :)

[vincent1]

Painting No.26 Stage c:

Hi Intervain. Thanks for the comments! Good reminders. It is a work in progress and most of these will be sorted out as it progresses further.

As for the purple bkgrd, it's a technique used by some old masters to paint over a complementary patch of colour to bring about a VERY subtle vibrantcy to the overpainting colour, as oil paints were not really 100% opaque. Works for digital painting too, as most wacom enabled brushes are not 100% opaque either. Since it's served its purpose, I have toned it down.

Here is stage c, of an ambitious painting, probably about 100 stages to go. :)
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/5790/paintingno26crz0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Trunks]

Hi vincent1!
Your last greyscale and color studies are looking ok. I would still suggest you to use a bigger brush. Especially your greyscale stuff looks like you used to small brushes. Remember: small brushes are looking bad most of the time :D


I like your Painting No.25: very much! Good colors and nice flow.

Keep it up !

[vincent1]

.Hi Trunks, thank you for dropping by again.

Big brushes, small brushes; they are neither good or bad; just depends what you want to achieve at any given point in time and / or artistic goal. JMW Turner made exquisite works using very small dabs of colour, using these small dabs to create towering infernos and relentless representations of nature's fury. His genius was not in using small dabs or large sweeping strokes but in his mental prowess, his compositions are at once both compelling and deceivingly simple. Yet for one who would spend much time looking at his works, reveals a rewarding appreciation of the intellectual force in his paintings; where the obvious compositional highlight is actually never his intention; the true statement of his composition usually lies somewhere else, just beyond the reach of the analysis of the normal mind.

Like the artist's palette, it's never really only black and white. A concept I would like to offer to you, to take it as it is. In no way does it mean the works of engravers before the invention of the offset printing process is trivialised nor the works of some contemporary artists who choose to only use black and white; non-conformity is not a crime, only skill-less plagiarised works of art are.

Painting No.26_d:

Worked on the collar seam of the kimomo and experimentation on the motifs to be used in the kimomo. Roughly about 25,000 strokes of digital paint in this stage alone.

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/3254/paintingno26dcu7.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[Schoende]

Hi vince ;)

Great progress since I watched your thread last time....

just gonna comment on your actual project ;)...

ok I would add more shadows and highlights to the skin, and maybe on the clothes. Even though I know you color more in light colors...

thumbs up on the face the kimono you have there now... I like the pattern at the bottom of your kimono. the strokes on the kimono could be less visual (if you understand what I mean) but I guess your still working on it.

keep going ;)

[vincent1]

Hi Schonde, thanks for dropping by. Too bad you did not continue your weeping woman.

Painting No.26 stage e:

I think when this is done, it'll satisfy all the detail fans.



http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8995/paintingno26eao3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No.26 stage f:

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9976/paintingno26fbi0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Rebeccak]

vincent1,

My sincere apologies for neglecting to post your OFDW piece to the SPOTLIGHT thread - I had trouble seeing some pieces from work, where I compiled the threads, there must have been a slower connection - but both pieces are in the SPOTLIGHT thread now, where they rightly belong.

[vincent1]

Hey RebeccaK, thanks for putting them in! For a short while i hid in a dark corner sulking from a brusied ego. :)

[vincent1]

Well, Im done sulking.

Painting No.26 stage g:
Adding the floral/fire design for the kimono.
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4109/paintingno26gsk0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Rebeccak]

Hey RebeccaK, thanks for putting them in! For a short while i hid in a dark corner sulking from a brusied ego. :)
Argh!!! I'm really, really sorry...I'm usually good about double checking through the threads as I go, but like I say, my connection at work is different than that at home, and though I've praised both the work of you and Mark, there were so many entries that I didn't know I had missed yours - I'm glad you're not sulking anymore. :) But yeah, both paintings are up now, and I promise to be more careful next time! :)

[vincent1]

RebeccaK, I was just having some fun at your expense.:)

I appreciate all the hard work and energy you put into this forum.:thumbsup:

[vincent1]

Painting No.26 stage h:


http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9251/paintingno26hin1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[anandpg]

Hey Vincent! thats some cool design on the dress..!!:thumbsup: Love that bird!

[vincent1]

Hi Anandpg, thank you for the kind words.

Painting No.26 Stage I:

Tightening up on the shoulder tattoo art and finishing the motifs on the lower section of the kimono. The sleeve motifs will be next.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/438/paintingno26i6mu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No.26 Stage J:

This is like taking forever as I am quite busy at the moment. Anyhoo, I'm beginning to flesh out the narrative for this work. Below is the text I posted on 2d WIP thread.

If I'm able to, I would flesh out more visuals following this Sino-Japanese mind novel I have going in my head now.

'Mind-Novel', I kind of like that term; so you heard that term here first...

Text from 2D WIP thread:
An ambitious illustration, final size will probably measure 50 x 38 inches at full print resolution. Currently it measures 16 x 29 iches.

This is a FICTIONAL pictorial narrative about Sino (Chinese) influence in Japanese history and should be taken as such; a work of fiction.

This work is digital from day one, using only photoshop on an aging Pentium 4 with Wacom Intuos 3 tablet.

At this point the final narrative is still an idea in mind and still open to changes in art direction.

It is based around 1,000 BC of Japan's historical timeline, when superhuman and supernatural intervention in the affairs of mortal humans were accepted as normal although terrifying to the common folk, having been ruled over by tyrannical and oft-cruel 'Sons of Heaven' that came from across the sea so long ago for nigh two millennia.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/4233/paintingno26j9lj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Been neglecting my drawing, so here is Drawing No.68:


http://img302.imageshack.us/img302/287/drawingno686dp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[SylvanMist]

Hello :)

I like that kimono/dress the japanese girl is wearing. Her legs don't look quite correct though, I think they are too big for the rest of her body..and her left thigh looks too small, I think it should be built up more on the inside part of her leg. Just check out the anatomy problems there on the legs, try to get some references if you can. Otherwise you're doing good with it! :)

[vincent1]

Hi Roja, thks for the comments, the left thigh does look odd with the way the cloth is draping over it at the moment. Will correct it at a later stage.


Drawing No.69:

Trying to do faster studies.

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/2116/drawingno699dh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.70:

Endeavouring to control my Intuos pen to mimic my mechanical pencil. It does get better (the Intuous pen)

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/9227/drawingno704la.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Painting No.27:

A $5 figurine that shares my worktable. 30 min painting break to rest my mind from work issues.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6124/paintingno272ws.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

drawing No.71:

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/6730/drawingno71it0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.72:

A digital pencilling exercise.

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/4416/drawingno72hk7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Rebeccak]

vincent1,

This last one has a nice feel to it - eliminating the clinical white bkgrd I think does a lot. :)

I think one thing that might help with proportions is Anthony Ryder's method of blocking in the form before adding details:

Anthony Ryder - Traditional Drawing and Oil Painting Demos (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=177&t=457357)
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=177&t=457357

You have a bit of a tendency to make the female form very long and narrow, with the legs being a bit larger / disproportional to the upper body - blocking things in by just using short, straight lines to get the angles of the form I think will really help - it's really helped me. :)

I definitely recommend the book that Ryder wrote, it's excellent at laying out his simple methodology, and he gets fantastic results. :)

[vincent1]

Thank you for the link and comments. My female legs do have a tendency to be exaggerated, I must be subconsciously exhibiting my uncontrollable fixation with that part of the anatomy. :-).

Anthony Ryder has a beautiful sense of form and lighting.
Being easily inspired, I painted (this would be a drawing in his defination) a portrait of his namesake, Winona Ryder.

http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/8484/paintingno28en1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No 73:

After Anthony J. Ryder:

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/4649/drawingno73rn6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Rebeccak]

Wow - good lord - that is a beautiful copy, and a huge leap from the Winona piece. :) I really like the digital sketch look you are getting - definitely keep going in this direction!

[vincent1]

Thank you RebeccaK for the encouraging words.

Your wish is my comm... :)

Painting No.29:

After AnthonyJ. Ryder.

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/4702/paintingno29li9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Rebeccak]

Lovely. :) I think it's so much better to do master copies every now and then than strictly doing imaginational drawings or drawings from photo reference - it's the next best thing to drawing from life, and in some ways, is better for teaching one because the real object has been interpreted in terms of lines and 2D forms - consciously and subsconsciously, this language gets transferred over to our own work and makes it stronger. Looking forward to more. :)

[vincent1]

I agree. Every master copy makes me more aware of how expressive the human form can be.

Painting No.30:

Titled "Twisted Hate"...
The message of this piece is best left to myself...
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/3569/paintingno30ns9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Zephyri]

Hey vincent, those Ryder copies are absolutely gorgeous, especially the reclinging woman above. Wow, lovely lovely stuff, definitely keep those up! The pose in the last picture looks very very uncomfortable... probably the sort of thing you were going for judging by the title, but the far leg is ruining the illusion for me, just because it really would be impossible to get the leg that far back, less you have no hip bones! *grin* also, the length of the thigh and lower leg on the closer legs are a bit disproportionate. If you think about how you sit when you kneel, your feet generally poke out beyond your backside, so the thigh and lower leg are about the same length, whereas yours are uneven. But not a bad effort, the skin shading is off to a good start and the pose does convey a sense of discomfort to the viewer.

Keep up the good work!

[vincent1]

Hi Zephyri, thks for dropping by and for the observations. Yea, the right leg needs fixing. :)

Drawing No. 74:

A 5 minute fun-drawing.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6126/drawingno74ba8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Did some new year house cleaning and clearing and I found this. The memories that came flooding back was incredible.

I guess that's why we are / want to be artists; we want to remember and want to be remembered.

A charcoal self-portrait I did more than 20 years ago. Why the bird? It was my nickname.
It's a chinese / gangsterish kind of thingy. No confessions here. I was NEVER a gangster. :scream:

Drawing and painting 0000001: :)

Charcoal on hot pressed watercolour paper. Watercolour for the bird. Actual size 20 x 30 inches. Mirror on the left and paper mounted on an architect drafting adjustable sloping table using magnetic strips. Anyone remember those?

I also found a painting I did when I was heartbroken...

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5097/myportraitkr6.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[YMS]

A charcoal self-portrait I did more than 20 years ago.
How fantastic for you, Vincent, that you kept it safe all these years. :) Like coming across old diaries.

[vincent1]

YMS, thank you for dropping by.:)

Painting No.31:
After a statue I found on the internet.

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4403/paintingno31xr7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[NR43]

Hey Vincent

the reclining woman in post 181 after Anthony Ryder... wow... really REALLY pleasing to the eye ;)

It's great to see older work as well like your self portrait.
Why not do a SP again? :)

[anandpg]

OMG Vincent!! you are improving by leaps and bounds!!:thumbsup: I can see your hand loosening and strokes pouring out with confidence!! keep up the good work, mate!

[vincent1]

Hi NR43, thanks for the comments. Another sp? 20+ years on, I'm now much better looking :scream: :buttrock: . Maybe... LOL


Anandpg: Thank you for the kind words. Getting closer to the day when I will attempt a formal portraiture work.

Drawing No.75:

Another 5 minute fun drawing with a caricature flavour. A rare attempt to use Artrage2.

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/2213/drawingno75bc8.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.76:

More fun drawing. An exercise in speed composition.

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/5054/drawingno76ms5.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[vincent1]

OFDW 021.

Here I go again.
After Luca Giordano 02: Stage 1, 30 mins speed paint boosted by beers and stout...:)


http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7120/ofdwstage1tl5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

OFDW Stage 2
After Luca Giordano 02

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/3923/ofdwstage2qk7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

OFDW after Giordano Stage 3:

Tightening things around the angel.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3040/ofdwstage3sj3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.77:

A few minutes free time after dinner. Don't want to slack on my unreferenced drawings while working on OFDW 22.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9096/drawingno77xc6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

OFDW After Giordano 02

Stage 4:

Work on this is very segmented due to Chinese New Year visitations.
Each stage is about an hour except for stage 1.

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/2869/ofdwstage4tz1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[anandpg]

Hey Vincent! awesome progress on your OFDW piece!! keep it going!:bounce:

[Rebeccak]

Fantastic start! Really glad you're in this one. :)

[vincent1]

Hi Anandpg, RebeccaK: Thanks for dropping by. Once done with this Giordano, I will attempt a more painterly copy.

Drawing No.78:

I think I'm done with short, thin, staccato drawing strokes for a while. Moving to a thicker and more flowing stroke...

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/9114/drawingno78te8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.79:

Flow, river flow...

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/6449/drawingno79lb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.80:

On holiday and free to draw for myself.



http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4092/drawingno80ww2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Zephyri]

Hey vincent, lovely work going on in here, and impressive amounts too! The Ryder copy is gorgeous, and the start on the OFDW is looking pretty fantastic, can't wait to see how that one ends up. I actually really like the look of the artrage caricature too, thats got quite a bit of personality about it. Keep up the great work and cheers for stopping by my thread!

[anandpg]

Wow, Vincent! your last couple of drawings are a HUGE step forward!:bounce:... your progress is thoroughly inspiring! keep it up!:thumbsup:

[vincent1]

Hey Zephyri, pleasure to have you drop by, too. Thank you for the comments.

Anandpg: Thank you. Been drawing a lot the last two days and studying other artists work more intently.

OFDW After Giordano 02 Stage 5:

Completing the angel and various proportional corrections on the demons. I think another 5 stages and it will be done.


http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9086/ofdwstage5py5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

OFDW Giordano 02 Stage 6:


http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6281/ofdwstage6jz9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.81:

Concept doodle... It's been a productive holiday.



http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/3185/drawingno81ew4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[NR43]

Wonderful work on your OFDW painting Vincent!
Really beautiful!

The woman in your last post could use a bit more cranium at the back of her head

[vincent1]

Hey NR43, Thanks!

OFDW Giordano 02 Stage 7:

Not long to go now...

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/6812/ofdwstage7vf5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

After Giordano 02 Stage 8:

Bit more to go on the top right cherubs. Then a final vetting to correct some evident errors like the main demon's torso.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9201/ofdwstage8iy9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Starting on a new copy, after Bougereau's Biblis, which I intend to add in wings and other elements; hope he doesnt turn in his grave.


Stage 1:

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7630/biblisstage1jb0.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[vincent1]

After Giordano 02 Stage 9:

Just about done... Probably one more stage of final touches.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/8510/ofdwstage9cr4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.82:

One more drawing before I end the day.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6241/drawingno82tn0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Aftyer Bouguereau's Biblis Stage 2:

Completing the figure before thinking about the wings.

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1329/biblisstage2av0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[razz]

Great pieces here, Vincent! Bouguereau is one of my all time favorite artists, do a great job manipulating his study :scream: And I must say you imaginational sketches became better once you started to use more flowing/free lines. Keep up with it. By the way, you've finished your first OFDW piece fast, doesn't look like you would neew a month for it, hehe.

[vincent1]

Hi Razz, thanks for the kind words. Do my best not to disappoint Bouguereau himself. I am studying him quite intensely at the moment.

Taking Drawing No.82 to a painted stage:

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/2985/drawingno82axd6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.83:

Another drawing before I sleep.



http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9602/drawingno83dl6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

OFDW After Bouguereau's Biblis Stage 3:

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4148/biblisstage3nt4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

OFDW After Bouguereau's Biblis Stage 4:

Added WINGS!! Little evil things to come... taunt the fallen, who looks back to the Creator.

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/3715/biblisstage4hj5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[anandpg]

Hey Vincent!.. the OFDW piece is looking nice:thumbsup:... I dont know about the wings... their orientation seems a bit off... the spine at that area looks like it is turned a bit towards the viewer, but the wings seem to be attached at a different angle... towards the other side.

[vincent1]

Anandpg: thks. Will fix the wings soon enough, want to complete the composition with additional elements before making final adjustments.

I am so inspired just looking at Bouguereau's works.

[Cyanid]

the hands and face look pretty awesome to me :)
I havent checked the original, but the whole image looks a bit flat...maybe some more saturated colors will do..:) keep it up its gonna be great! (it is already :) )

[vincent1]

Hey Cyanid, thks for dropping by!

After Bouguereau's Biblis with mods, Stage 5:

Adding the little evil ones. Showing the beginning stage where I block in the evil cherubs (devlings?) compositionally.

After spending a few days reading about master drawings (most of them being able to draw from the mind and putting lighting at will); I'm taking the non-reference drawing approach for the initial stages and working out the forms and lighting in my mind before referencing Bouguereau's cherubs for the final render.

The whole composition will be a basic triangular formation with the "devlings" (you heard the term here first) fading in and out of the light.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7978/biblisstage5so3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

After Bouguereau's Biblis with mods, Stage 6:

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2647/biblisstage6pe8.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[Rebeccak]

Strong stuff, starting to like the looseness you are getting in the imaginative sketches. Would love to see you do more fast / gestural work, it seems that the imagination sketches are a bit stiff - looser lines are always more appealing, you get that naturalism in the master copies but would love to see you transfer that into your own work. :)

[vincent1]

Hi RebeccaK, thks for the comments. I was born with the ability to copy; either from references or from life. What I desire most is to have my imaginative works approach my referenced work.

Not to worry, my dear, I shall work hard and rival Bouguereau by the time I hit 85 years old. :scream:

[Rebeccak]

Hahaha, yeah if I get to Bouguereau's level by that age, I'll be a pretty happy camper! :D Hard to imagine how people ever painted this way in oil. Always inspiring stuff. :)

[vincent1]

After Bouguereau's Biblis with mods Stage 7:

Cementing the expressions of the devlings. The one on the right is intentionally monkey-resque.

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4564/biblisstage7mu6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Stage 8:

The Devlings at this point are still unreferenced.

After studying Bouguereau's drawings and coresponding paintings, I truly believe he did many paintings by just referencing his finished drawings and I endeavour to do the same.

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/494/biblisstage8gf9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Rebeccak]

That's looking really good, the thing that's not agreeing with me yet is the green of the wings and the overly monochromatic painting of the cherubs...but I know this is WIP, overall things are looking great. :)

[Schoende]

I have only one comment at this point on your latest work:

the head of the devling on her wing seems to suffer from a little anatomical mistake in the head/neck area. You should show (more of) the turned neck so it won't look like the head is pasted upon the body.

The woman looks astoundingly real good work on that! wings are very nice too ;)

[vincent1]

Hey Schoende, been missing your annoyance, Thanks for the comments.

After Bouguereau's Biblis with mods Stage 9:

Closing down on the final stage.

The plant is literally called "money plant" in Chinese; which can grow both on soil and water (water also being a symbol of prosperity), an allegory to the adage' " The love of money is the root of all evil".

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/3055/biblisstage9fy7.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[vincent1]

After Bouguereau's Biblis with mods:

I guess I'm done. Stage Finished!

About this copy/modification:

Reference on the left and painting on the right.

Final colour directly applied.

Everything is eyeballed without any grid system.

The added elements are unreferenced and developed directly onto the painting after doing some small exploratory drawings.

A lot of time time was spent staring at Bouguereau's work for inspiration.

It has been a great workshop.:)
Thanks for all the comments received.

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7943/biblisfinishedql3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[NR43]

I think ou did good to change the wings colors :)
turned out to be a really great study Vincent. congratz!

[vincent1]

Hi NR43, thanks!

Back to my drawings/paintings. It's evolved into a blend of drawing and painting...

For the tme being, I still call it a drawing.

So, here is Drawing No.84:

A more expressive gestural pose with lighting direction indicated as comming from the top left and reflected light from the right.

From here on, all my work will have lighting integrated from the start as much as possible.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7813/drawingno84yr5.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[vincent1]

While sitting down and downloading every painting I can find of Bouguereau, I suddenly felt like I was ready to do a portrait straight from my mind's eye.

Well, like it or not, here is Painting No.32:

An unreferenced totally digital painting done with Photoshop and Wacom Intuos 3.
This is probably my first signed digital painting.

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/9904/paintingno32vl0.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.85:

Been observing a lot of faces recently and drawing from life more now.

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/3967/drawingno85dk0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Another Bouguereau work in progress:

Painting No.33:

All I can offer as encouragement is that as you put your soul into digital painting; your progress will not be linear and will progress exponentially...
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/8675/paintingno33cz2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

An update on the beauguereau.

Painting No.33_b:

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/5070/paintingno33bfj2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[razz]

Ahh, Bouguereau, more than a master if you ask me. Would love to learn his technique of painting.
Your study of his is progressing very well, good luck on finishing it. I'll be happy to see that!

[vincent1]

Hi Razz, thanks for dropping by. Great stuff with your OFDW, too. :thumbsup:

Drawings No.86:

Im putting myself through the training methods of the old masters; i.e. lots of life drawings from a coofee shop I'm in, copying old masters, taking things from where they left off and life drapery drawings.

I'm so into this artistic phase of my life. The drawing on the left is an extension from a Bouguereau drawing. These are speed impressions, taking at tthe most 8 minutes, the chair drapery, 5 minutes.

The coffee shop drawings have helped tremendously as the people are always moving and I have to train my mind and eyes to take "snapshots", some portraits completed when the subject has already left.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1312/drawingno86de0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[vincent1]

Been some time I have posted.

Painting No.34:

Exercising my unreferenced lighting and anatomical structuring skills.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8475/paintingno34qt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[NR43]

wow Vincent you've been busy :D

I should come here more often.. awesome and inspirational stuff!
Just taking a break from a commissioned drawing and I'm glad I'm spending it in here :scream:

[vincent1]

Hi NR43! Thanks! A commissioned drawing? Do show when you can... paid work is the best kind of work...

Painting No.35:

An exercise in creating direct light and reflected light and how it affects the human form straight from my mind's eye without referencing anything. They say ALL the masters had this basic ability; so I want it too... :scream:

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/4517/paintingno35id3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Rebeccak]

Definitely liking the Bouguereau / female figurative piece. Is that traditional?

[vincent1]

Hey RebeccaK, thks for dropping by again!

As traditional as a .5mm mechanical pencil can be.:) Been doing a lot of life drawing with that pencil.

[vincent1]

Drawing No.87:


http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/9624/drawingno87uq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[anandpg]

Hey Vincent!! How're you doing? All your latest stuff is looking great!:thumbsup:

[vincent1]

Hey Anandpg, Thanks! I'm feeling great.

Secretly working on a piece that will garner me a top row mention and a CG Award.

Yeah, me and 100,000 others...

Seriously, I like your signature quote, that inspires me to earn some CGtalk awards before I go meet my Maker. :)

[vincent1]

Drawing No.88:

The month of 'life' drawing I did has made me go back more to my .5mm mechanical pencil.
A fantasy drawing in the midst of my 'life' sketchbook.

This is the first of a thematic series I will call 'Faces of my year 2k7'. From now on, every year I get to live will be celebrated in a yearly Thematic.

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7576/drawingno88ax8.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)