Strange Behavior (Illustration) Entry: Tina Schmidt

[SideAche]

Hey Tina,

Welcome to the challenge!

Cliff

[tschmidt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192045162_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192045162_large.jpg)

Using my horse as a reference for the body, I was able to lay the anatomy in pretty good. I shifted the composition a bit to get the eye to follow the story as I worked with the interpretation of space. I also changed the Centaur's expression to one of pain as he plucks his own tail hair out. I wanted a greater twist of the horse body and the man's torso than before. (My horse tries to twist his front body when he scratches his side with his mouth and I was able to fit that twist in nicely). I also wanted a natural look to the anatomy where the Centaur's body joins the horse and continue the feeling of the trunk rotation. I worked with the pencil in Painter, loosely, getting an idea for where next to take the drawing. The other two centaurs that are in the background are still a questionable element.

[tschmidt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192045532_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192045532_large.jpg)

These were my initial roughs which I composited. Wanted something unusual but also something that if it behaved abnormally or strangely, anyone could tell. Ideas were rough and spontaneous.

[darklion6583]

Hey Tina, your illustrations look really good. The anatomy is right on. Can't wait to see more pregress.

[SoulKontributor]

this is increadible. your draftsmanship (draftswomanship?) leaves me awe-stricken! can't wait to see what comes of this..

[tschmidt]

Thank you for your kind words. You can see my website at tinaschmidt.com. It's outdated and very fine artsy, but I'm in the process of renovating it with some more trendy cool stuff and a hip look. I've got some web guys helping me out but it won't be changed for a while.

I was told by a friend that my subject matter isn't very interesting. It doesn't have the punch and the exaggerated humor that cgsociety is looking for. Maybe I shouldn't have such a serious look to it but make it funnier, really slap stick or something. Maybe make the centaur more characterized and change the background to not look so serious? I'm new to CGsociety so I don't think I've quite got the hang of the style for this particular forum. They post alot of innovative and farout stuff.

Tina

[SideAche]

Great drawings Tina.

One critique on the current image - the root of the tree moves right into the butt of the horse, appearing to be part of the tail.

[darklion6583]

Tina, I think your stuff looks fine. It's a great start and I think the illustration is incredable. If you want it to be more humorus, you could push the characters a bit, have the cetuars in the background acting more shocked, or place the centuar in a different situation. I think it looks good. Looking foward to more updates.

[tschmidt]

Hi Cliff,
Yeah, I know. I could see the tangent as I was developing it. I've changed that since but I haven't posted the change yet. In fact, if you read my previous post, I'm thinking of revamping the whole thing or throwing the idea out. Not because I can't draw it but I think I'm missing the "funny" element. A few students told me the idea was good but they didn't get the "funny" part. I thought the contest was on "Strange" but not funny - haha, type. Anyway, thank you for the tip. I have several versions done but haven't posted because I'm thinking of changing my mind on this idea. (I thought seeing this creature pull on his own tail was strange...but not slapstick-silly-haha humor. My humor is too dry perhaps....)

Tina

[SideAche]

Strange doesn't have to be funny - It just has to be clearly strange. Because Centaurs are ficticious, some might say that this could be normal behavior. However, if you make the characters in the back look shocked or reacting in a way that says this is strange behavior - then the viewer will know it's strange. I think you can pull it off - keep going and do what you do well.

[VitruvianMango]

Hi Tina. These drawings are great; they really showcase your knowledge of animal and figurative anatomy. Like Cliff said, if you clearly demonstrate the reactions of the other centaurs, the viewer would have no question that the behavior is unusual. My only question regarding your strange behavior is if there is a specific motivation for the centaur to pull his own tail out and what that might be. But again, these sketches are wonderful, and I eagerly anticipate the new drawings.

[tschmidt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192243598_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192243598_large.jpg)

The first idea of the centaur..no one was getting the dry humor of it. So I decided to do something that was dramatic and very clear. In the arena, a little girl offers a gladiator her last gift on the planet. A flower. The gladiator collapses, crushed by the weight of her innocence. Even the lion looks on at the strange behavior of the gladiator. How could he be knocked over by the weight of a flower? This sketch came to me this morning and I put out the first spontaneous lines to see if it would work. Feels okay. I think I want to change the sword's position.

[SoulKontributor]

hey Tina!

i don't think your last idea was so bad. this new one could come off quite funny too, but before COMPLETELY discarding the centaur idea, maybe play with some sketches like you thought about (ie: changing the background and such). like what if, instead of him yanking his tail out, he was chasing it like a dog or something? that may add the "cartoony" or more laughable feel you were shooting for. i also think Cliff and Megan hit it on the head that "strange" isn't always laugh-out-loud, gut-busting, rolling-on-the-floor funny.

anyway, your new idea is pretty cool, but i'd hate to see the first one go. either way, i have high hopes for your final product. good luck in the competition!

[tschmidt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192567339_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192567339_large.jpg)

I tood the sketch and went on to a rough value study. The idea was to get the first impression and go from there. I've got other ideas for the background behind the two people. I didn't know if I should have alot of action going on behind them or just have the flat wall to keep it calmer and more focused. The little slave girl is so petite and fragile, I didn't want to lose her if it got too busy.

[tschmidt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192729754_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192729754_large.jpg)

The drawing is pretty detailed. I wanted something with some reality but also imaginary. I have an idea to make the "gag" work, but I'm not disclosing it until I finalize the gag idea and get some more opinions. The sketch is good enough to go forward with the color. The background, I've decided to leave it simple, like a colluseum wall...maybe with some blood on it.

[tschmidt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192757643_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192757643_large.jpg)

I'm developing the color work over the drawing. I took a photo of my blockwall from my back yard and dropped it in Painter and tweeked it and began highlighting it and painting layers over it. It's got a grainy appeal which I like and adds to the texture, especially when the blood is added in. The colors are coming along and I'm keeping the color scheme limited. Strange behavior for a strong battling gladiator to get whipped by a six year old slave girl with a lime-green popsicle. Wham, right in the eye! The lion looks on in disbelief. The highlights and glazes will be the next step as well as pushing the contrasts even more.

[tschmidt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192768091_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192768091_large.jpg)

This is almost finished. I added some values and pushed the contrast and brought out the little girl. I left the popsicle stick bright to keep it as a point of interest. It's not cartoony or filled with superheros - just my wry sense of humor. I'll let the painting rest for a while to see what may need to be added next.

[Zazill8]

Hehe funny keep it up :scream:

[tschmidt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192820895_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192820895_large.jpg)

I'm almost done with this. I highlighted here and there, softened the lion den entry, pushed the contrasts and warm and cool tints. It feels like it's about done but I'll probably give it one more color pass before commiting the final piece.

[tschmidt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192835227_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1192835227_large.jpg)

I've changed the lighting. Had to rework the wall and the multi layers where the colors are all overlaid. Wanted a more focused lighting. Always looks a little bit different in the program than on the website. Maybe this is the last tweek before my final submission.

[tschmidt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1193361569_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/19/14087/14087_1193361569_large.jpg)

This work was done in Painter. I worked in drawing and painting layers entirely in Painter. Story: The blood strewn colluseum is filled with battle lusty gladiators amidst a clamoring blood thirsty crowd. Slaves and prisoners are released for the grand finale! But one small slave, armed with her Glady-PoP popsicle aims a fateful shot at her opponent. Oddly and uncharacteristic, he responds with collapsed knees. The lion watches in surprise at the warrior's strange behavior. An unmistakable pout and tears emerge on his face as lime flavored coolness breaks him down. Defeated!

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