Sketchbook Thread of Brendan N

[Rebeccak]

Yo Brendan!

Great to see you have a Sketchbook, Part 2. ;) Wow, there is some great stuff here, and your progress is inspiring! I really look forward to seeing your updates.

PS - you may want to link both of your Sketchbooks in your sig. Just a suggestion. :)

Cheers!

[demented]

Thanks Becca! Not going to link my old sb, it's too full of useless rubbish and shitty art. In fact, could you possibly delete that thread before anyone stumbles upon it? Please? Thnks for stopping in Rebecca!

Here are two more, higher render pieces. They're both for the weekly challenges over at CA, hope it's ok for me to post them here.

Had fun playing around with this one's comp:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/demented_chow43_bipolardudesmall.jpg

got seriously frustrated trying to balance this one's comp:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/COW68-ArmouredJellyfish-BrendanN-1.jpg

ciao!

- d.

[razz]

Wow, truly very inspiring to see you back with your skills pushed a lot higher. The paintings are really nice to look at. Aah, if only I would have progressed so much in this time...
Well, great to see you back :thumbsup:

[Womball]

WOW! The speedies are incredible! I'm not sure what's wrong with the composistion you say. I think the only issue is that the turtle seems to far away to be that menacing and the tentacles in the front should all be pulled back. Otherwise really incredible work.

[demented]

Yo

razz: You think I've progressed? Doesn't feel like it - in fact I think I've progressed far too slowly if it all. Time to bust ass. And don't talk shit you've improved loads, especially your digis. Just want to see some imagination stuff from you!

Womball: Many thanks, much appreciated! The problem with the composition is that the Jellyfish is struggling to maintain form whilst not looking like a cut out. On the one hand it needs to blend more with its environment, on the other it needs to pop out of the composition. I'm not worried about the turtle, it's purely to balance the composition (rather than to be a threat). If it doesn't do that, then I'm worried! Many thanks for stopping in mate!

K, one mo update - Hong Ly figure study, very quick in Painter. c&c welcome, hope you like.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/backstudy.jpg

ciao!

- d.

[NR43]

Damn you're a lot better than you think you are man!
I can only watch, learn and clean up the slobber from my desk :bounce:

Haven't seen the original Hong Ly figure but it seems to me the upper arms are a bit short...

[anandpg]

Wow... wow!!:eek: Awesome thread here!! seriously cool concepts and great studies too!!.. anxious to see more!!:bounce:

[demented]

Damn you're a lot better than you think you are man!


No I'm not. In fact I'm a lot worse than I think I am, I just like to thinik I'm good at what I do haha. Seriously, I still have tons and tons and tons to learn before I can consider myself adequate.

The figure's arms look short I think mainly becasue of this view, not sure. I measured it up to the original again, and it doesn't look too far off I think..... many thanks for the feedback, greatly appreciated!

anandpg: wow much thanks, means much coming from you. more right here, though it's hardly anything to get excited about haha. Muchthanks!

-----

Not much of an update, just a quick sketch I done in Painter and PS.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/foolfinal.jpg


Been chilling out with soem friends, so I don't get to do much. Maybe some more decent stuff later!

ciao peeps!

- d.

[Rist]

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/COW68-ArmouredJellyfish-BrendanN-1.jpg

I 'think' I can see the composition issue here. My eyes are flickering between the focus point you are attempting, and the very high in value green in the background. I think the only way you could have avoided this was to have the jelly fish directly in front of the light green and the tortois coming in from the dark depths. But that would have created an whole new angle and interest.

In my opinion dont beat yourself up by it, the more you study composition and lighting, the less this kind of thing can happen.

I still really like it! Same with the other stuff too! Great stuff!

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/demented_chow43_bipolardudesmall.jpg

I'm a picky bastard, so please dont take my crits the wrong way!

This ones arm just seems too bulky, inorganic, rock like. Maybe you could have introduced more curves to signify fluidity and life? Aswell I will come to the way he his standing, its great to experiment, but if this dude was in motion, the next thing I would imagine him do would be to fall over.

When humans walk, they have an instinct all the way from childhood that makes their muscles go into motion if the body senses imbalance. So my guess would be if this guy was tilting like this, his left leg would be more forward and open, so that if he was to fall, it could catch him.

Like I said, I am picky, I could go into all kinds of little details (perfectionist), but this should suffice.

Hope I was some help, and please carry on posting this wonderful art!

[SpiritDreamer]

:scream: HEY ...Demented...:thumbsup: .....GREAT TO SEE YOU BACK...:thumbsup:

Shoot for the moon, ..you may land upon a star....:)
REALLY like the back view of that female figure study...:applause:
And of course,..Always a pleasure to see that imagination of yours,... exercising // exorcising IT'S SELF...:scream:
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING MORE...:thumbsup:
TAKE CARE
Glenn

[demented]

Fl3wk: Many thanks. On the second one you gave crits - I can't say the bulkyness was intentional, but maybe it can be fitting? Check out Magic Man's sketchbook on CA - he uses an abundance of angular lines, hard and straight. These however stay true to the forms, and his art is wonderful. Your crit is valid (there are problems with the leg and size of the head too, as well as shading on the cloths and axe) but with imagination stuff I try not to focus too much on factual integrity - more happy accidents and more creativity in the process! More fun. Of course correcting stuff is something I need to work on. Thanks for stopping in!

SpiritDreamer: lol, many thanks Glen, great to see you! Will stop by your book soon, many thanks for the props on my work. Really appreciate it! Cheers for dropping by!

-----

Updates:

First is an update on that pencil piece I'm busy with. Still far from finished but I like the comp at the moment so I just want to salvage it before I screw it up.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/darkcloudglow.jpg

Filthy ugly and completely incorrect, badly structured and otherwise unappealing doodle in Painter+Photoshop:

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/partypooperhat.jpg

Another entry for the weekly challenges over at CA. Will get to describing the concept a bit later - I still need to manipulate the wording so the idea doesn't sound like it came from drunken comedian in a crack house.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/ul04.jpg

c&c appreciated!
ciao!

- d.

[Rist]

Glad you didnt take my crits too seriously. I am very critical, even if something can be considered a style (this could be a downfall of my crits). But never'the'less, it does make people aware of such things they invent into their work. In a way you could have been influenced by that artist to create angular lines. This reminds me a little of cubism, where angles create the figure.

I'm glad to see you are keeping this updated, my sketchbook has gone a stray for sometime now. When I get my new desktop I am hoping I will gain interest in illustration again.

As for crits, some more if you dont mind!

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/523/touchupcopykq2.jpg

The first problem I see here is the amount of value been used at such an early stage. If this was traditionally done, how would you make corrections to teh composition and the places where the values are the strongest?

The eyes, nose, mouth set-up is off somewhat. Lets see if I can find the culprit.

I think its her right eye, it seems to flick slightly out of position. Maybe lower the angle somewhat and it could fix it. Maybe less pronounce the lips too, maybe? Its kinda tough without experimenting.

Also the faces shape in general seems slightly too sculpted, maybe more ridges?

I hope you dont mind these 'hardcore' crits.

-------

I will avoid the horny guy, as you already mentioned it was just a doodle.

-------

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/ul04.jpg

I'm a contrast addict, I seem to need contrast or high value in all works. This one is no different. Even though it is just a background, it seems 'too' flat, as if its a creature flying past a painting. Maybe gradual transition from high value to low value?

As for the bat creature, the tale seems off. It seems to have no anatomy, give it a feel of gravity involving movement. If its the muscles that are whipping the tail from side to side, give the curves extra exaggeration, as if its been whipped from one side to the other.

I am a strong believer that every image needs a character. And sadly right now this one is stale when it comes to character. It could be to do with teh way the colours are used and how teh values are mixed. And sometimes it can be about the lighting, composition, motion, figures.

Also I believe there is an interference when it comes to the focus point. Sure you have the correct values in place, but, the cavern below is far too low in value, it matchs the furthest background. And because it is white (low creamed orange value), it catches the eye far too much. Just had another look at it and just noticed its a river, I thought it was a cavern with mist.

Hmm, it can be difficult to gain the right balance when you add water, because its reflections interupt the harmony in a picture because it reflects quite a bit of the lightest colour. This viewpoint may not give you the flexability to balance the values enough.

---

I hope some of my ramblings was of some help.

[Rebeccak]

Really good stuff Brendan! :) I'm going to post some pen sketches later, perhaps I can enlist your critique. :)

[demented]

Hey doods and doodettes.

Flewk: Remember that no honest crit is ever wrong. Cubism has interesting ideas that I wish to incorporate into my drawings, apart from angular lines. Onto some excuses for your crits haha:

The dark initial values are fully intentional. I work from the inside out, which enables me to "finish" a piece at almost any time. Changing the comp would not be possible and in most circumstance not necessary. Starting off dark forces on to think a lot more about what one is doing, and that way you learn faster. You are right about the face, the one is def. higher. Will fix that at some point.

Onto the next one

Keep in mind this one is still a wip - forgot to mention that. Since it will be fully rendered, I don't take the inside to outside approach. Therefore, contrast, colour balance and harmony will all come later when I'm more comfortable with what I have. The rendering on the tail in that one represents just a few minutes in PS, lot more to come on it!

The water is actually a great compositional element in my view. Here I'll try to use it in order to lead the eyes around the composition, but yes I still need adjust it so that it does not interfere. Once finished, this image will hopefully have the visual character you're looking for, since I usually only accomplish cohesiveness between elements in the last stages of these paintings.

Many thanks for the extensive post, update your sb so that I may return the favour!

Rebecca: Thanks Rebecca - had another look at those "sketches" and I couldn't find much to crit. Maybe just play around more with the comps if you want, again personal view. Stunning work, congrats.

-----

I was mighty pissed off this morning. Was doing another Luba study in Painter and everything was going supa, beyond supa. The proportions were looking great, it looked like I finally got her face right and the colours were coming out good + accurate. And then a power failure.

But I think tomorrow morning I'll be able to laugh about it lol.

Here's a figure study on toned paper that I forgot to post yesterday. The face is totally screwed up I know, luckily that wasn't my focus for this one. It also looks like she's falling over - that way on the photo too.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/Luba.jpg

I also did a hogarth study in oC

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/anatomystudy.jpg

and worked some more on my COW for this week. I really want some hardcore rude unfriendly crits on the COW if possible. Take out all your frustrations on it, it's mocking you.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/ul14.jpg

ciao!

- d.

[Rist]

Hey doods and doodettes.

Flewk: Remember that no honest crit is ever wrong. Cubism has interesting ideas that I wish to incorporate into my drawings, apart from angular lines. Onto some excuses for your crits haha:

The dark initial values are fully intentional. I work from the inside out, which enables me to "finish" a piece at almost any time. Changing the comp would not be possible and in most circumstance not necessary. Starting off dark forces on to think a lot more about what one is doing, and that way you learn faster. You are right about the face, the one is def. higher. Will fix that at some point.

Onto the next one

Keep in mind this one is still a wip - forgot to mention that. Since it will be fully rendered, I don't take the inside to outside approach. Therefore, contrast, colour balance and harmony will all come later when I'm more comfortable with what I have. The rendering on the tail in that one represents just a few minutes in PS, lot more to come on it!

The water is actually a great compositional element in my view. Here I'll try to use it in order to lead the eyes around the composition, but yes I still need adjust it so that it does not interfere. Once finished, this image will hopefully have the visual character you're looking for, since I usually only accomplish cohesiveness between elements in the last stages of these paintings.

Many thanks for the extensive post, update your sb so that I may return the favour!
---------------------------
I was mighty pissed off this morning. Was doing another Luba study in Painter and everything was going supa, beyond supa. The proportions were looking great, it looked like I finally got her face right and the colours were coming out good + accurate. And then a power failure.

But I think tomorrow morning I'll be able to laugh about it lol.

Here's a figure study on toned paper that I forgot to post yesterday. The face is totally screwed up I know, luckily that wasn't my focus for this one. It also looks like she's falling over - that way on the photo too.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/Luba.jpg

I also did a hogarth study in oC

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/anatomystudy.jpg

.....

- d.

I just did a pretty large post, but accidently pressed back and now its gone...

My SB will be updated soon, and once I get my new desktop I will do some digital art too.

Lets cut to what you want:

and worked some more on my COW for this week. I really want some hardcore rude unfriendly crits on the COW if possible. Take out all your frustrations on it, it's mocking you.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/...rendan/ul14.jpg (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/ul14.jpg)


- Its left wing is shaded wrong (IMO), with some on the tone been darker in places, it makes the wing look like it is bending upwards, rather than in rythme with its right right wing. EDIT: Actually by looking at the wing as a whole, it seems that wing is far from rendered.

- Are you sure you want to have the tail cutting through the body like that? I guess it helps to suggest depth and suggest the flying movement.

Nothing much to crit at this stage, its coming on to be a fantastic piece.

EDIT: Just read the description from CA.org. It seems you already changed the tail before, and looking at the two, the more dynamic one gives the piece more life.

I will be back to crit this if i can when its more rounded off. It looks like a sure winner!

EDIT: sorry for the lack of proof reading, I hate it when I miss letters out and it says 'boy' instead of 'body'.

[demented]

Flewk - many thanks. Will get cracking on everything you mentioned and round it off some more before I post again. Many thanks for stopping in again - really appreciate it!

-----

Updates!

A ref'd light study, focussing on colour and the effects of light rather than geometric accuracy.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/lightstudy.jpg

just some sketchbook pages, the face is ref'd

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/grit.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/foolery.jpg

hope you like, c+c welcome!
ciao!

- d.

[demented]

Hey guys

The final on the COW entry nya. Had some fun with this one.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/BrendanNCOW69UniqueLovers.jpg

hope ya like,
ciao!

- d.

[razz]

Nice drawings here, mate, paintings look even more awesome. I could repeat and repeat that It's a huge pleasure for me to watch your imaginational work. The refed ones too, really like the one with western style.
Ok, more into drawings, if these are on a4 size paper, you shouldn't try to show all the nostrils, teardots and little stuff like in faces which are about sized as a nail. For example, you will recognise your friend who is standing ~50m away from you even without seeing all those little features. Or a little photo for example, still not much features seen, but it's more than possible to recognise everyone. Look at the main shapes when doing such a small drawing.
Your COW piece is looking nice. One thing immediately catches my eye. All the creatures are at the same pose, very little difference in them The image would appear much more dynamic if some of them would have their wings much higher or lower. See Nebezial's jorney piece (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=322959) with all the dragons for example.
All in all, great work here!
Cheers :thumbsup:

[demented]

Thanks Razz! These are a bit larger than A4, but smaller than A3. I try to keep with the level of detail thing, sometimes get carried away haha. You're right, a more dynamic comp would have been better! Should have played around some more with the poses, instead I put too much thought into the abstract shapes of the composition lol. Thanks for stopping by man!

K, sorry for dropping dead on you guys, we were away for a while on Vacation. Didn't do much, chilled out mostly. Mostly.

Without further delay - updates. Some photos of our trip included!

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/overcastcityeye.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/shatterstingwhirlpool.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/teenspirit.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/TheSilenceofNovember5.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/thumbs3.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/DSCF3822.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/DSCF3835.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/DSCF3846.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/DSCF3847.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/DSCF3985.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/DSCF4029.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/DSCF4042.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/DSCF4068.jpg

I know these aren't sketches or anatomy, but I thought I'd post them in any case. Will try to drop your thread soon, I'm currently house sitting so I have limited access to the internet!
ciao!

- d.

[Rebeccak]

Such cool photos! Where exactly were these taken? It's amazing how close you got to the animals, I have to assume it's some sort of tourist safari - how lucky you are! :)

Thanks for posting these. :)

[demented]

Such cool photos! Where exactly were these taken? It's amazing how close you got to the animals, I have to assume it's some sort of tourist safari - how lucky you are! :)

Thanks for posting these. :)

Thanks Becks! The animals were taken in the Kruger National Park, mainly on the Skukuza/Satra road and the Satara/Elephants/Letaba road. It's no tourist safari though - these were al taken from the safety of my farther's car, on the road. It's illegal to go off road except when you are with game rangers on some safari. Safari trips are pretty expensive and way overrated haha. We were lucky that these were so close to the road. We did see some other animalz but most of the time they were too far in.

I'll prob'ly have one or two more here later!
ciao!

- d.

[razz]

Nice stuff, Demented! The paintings look great. I can't stop here without mentioning how your imaginational drawing/painting skills have improved. Going forward, mate, for sure.

Those photos of animals reminded me of Cris's eye studies. See her thread for some great stuff, Brendan, if you haven't already. And go, create a monster!!

[Intervain]

some really sweets stuff demented!! Love it all - especially the black and white character design - I really have to try that technique one day! :thumbsup:

[demented]

Yo peeps

razz: haha, thanks man! I feel so guilty for not stopping in over at your thread, going to go right now! lol, thanks man, will go check out Cris' stuff!

Intervain: Thanks! Those b&w studies all started out as black sillhouettes against the white backdrop, really fun to play around with the shapes, try it!

----

character, pose isn't cool though....
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/characterfreak.jpg

oC doodle
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/ocdoodle.jpg

and another COW entry WIP 0 crits on this one especially appreciated. 2% done, lol.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/elfeater3.jpg

ciao!

- d.

[anandpg]

Hey demented!!... nice to have you back!! thanks for sharing the photos!! beautiful!!

Awesome work... getting better all the time!! Love the girl's face on post #20!!

[SpiritDreamer]

HEY...Demented...:thumbsup:

Really enjoyd those photos...That is one mean looking water buffolo...mess with me kind of look in his eyes...I don't think so..:scream:
On your COW entry...you might have that hand of the creature, the one closest to the viewer,...extended out, and grabbing the guy in the corner...bring him in closer to the viewer, and away from the corner a little...where the guy is now, tends to devide the composistion too evenly on a diaginal from corner to corner...If you move him to the right in the canvas, and have him in the cluches of the monster, then you will have room to bring one of those spear like tail things of the monster, back around into the painting,..and have it as though it is about to harpoon the other guy in the back,..the guy that is closest to the monsters mouth.
Kind of like the way they did it in one of those ALLIEN movies...took the guy, and the viewers totally by surprise..might also work well in your painting...:scream: ...just a couple of thoughts...that might be of some help to you..:shrug:
Nice to see you are back...am looking forward to seeing that imagination of yours at work and play again...:thumbsup:
TAKE CARE
Glenn

[Frejasphere]

Hiya Demented :)

Good to see you back (I was a bit slow on the uptake with your new fresh sb... :D)
Your work is improving heaps which is great to see :thumbsup:

Quick "ello" post this one, not much crit... will be back though, and good luck with your COW entry :)

Just one little comment on the pencil? face you posted earlier.... HERE (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/demented_Brendan/overcastcityeye.jpg)
to me she's looking cross-eyed; (Irisis seem angled inwards and a bit too close together) poss. play around with the position of the eyes - and/or add some more distinctive shading (I know it's WIP, so you probably haven't got stuck into the face-shading yet...)
Keep up the great work :)

Cool holiday pics too! can't boast such large animals in our back-yard here ;) :thumbsup:

take care and cheers!
a. :)

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.