Uplift Universe - Image Entry: Gerardo Lin

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206069658_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206069658_large.jpg)

Hi Everybody! Good to be part of this challenge. My first challenge was a space opera too, so I'm very excited to see all the wonderful artwork and ideas that are gonna come out of here.
Here are my first sketches, a human guy and an alien girl, nothing fancy. As for the story, I'll tell you about it in the next posts.

Have fun guys.

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206121889_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206121889_large.jpg)

OK, here it is. Alien-plant girl takes mercy on a wounded spaceman. Thats pretty much it. I'm not very pleased with the composition, however, maybe the perspective is boring or something, and the foreground and background seem a little bit disconnected at the moment...,any ideas?
Crits and comments are welcomed.

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206157758_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206157758_large.jpg)

Well, a few changes in the perspective and the body languaje of the guy. The rocket needed more space to breathe and the addition of a vanishing point gave some interest to an otherwise dull composition.
I guess it's time to get started with the colors. But first I've got to get some sleep.
Comments and crits, as always, welcomed.

[reynard]

Buen trabajo Gerardo.

I love the feeling of the piece, it`s very thoughful and you can see the intimate relations that they have as living beings.

[Monsoon]

I like the vintage ship form....good luck to you....

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206217847_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206217847_large.jpg)

Hey there guys! Here's my first try with the coloring of the picture.
What do you think?

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206308362_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206308362_large.jpg)

Added some details and toned down the colors, cause they looked too bright for my taste.

Thanks reynard and monsoon for your support.

[dharmaestudio]

I like your color pallete.
You ask about suggestions. I not completly happy with the pose of the girl, you said it is a plant girl, well maybe it can grow from the grown and note necesary bottom and leg.
Not sure only a suggestion.
Best luck,
Arturo

[GaeasHerald]

Arturo, you're definetly right about the girl, the roots in her thighs make no sense. At first I thought they looked cool, but thinking about it, why would someone have legs if they where to be stuck to the ground in such an uncomfortable position?
It was a stupid idea, i know :blush:.
I'll work on it, i promise. Great suggestion man.

[i3abden]

I like the interaction in this piece and nice choice of color scheme, best of luck .

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206412961_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206412961_large.jpg)

I've come to the part I love the most about picture making, which is finding the subtle nuances in the skins of the characters. Here's a closeup of the girl. It's been hard to put so many colors into her without making a rainbow. That would have been sad.

Any comments?

[simonx2]

Very painterly. I would change this ship a little bit, I reminds me a jet plane....not space ship or rocket. If I could suggest sth... try to make that wounded man in some skafander withuot helmet...

[GaeasHerald]

i3abden: thanks, glad you liked it.

simonx2: Yeah, it looks like an airplane. :hmm: Fixing that should be easy. As for the helmet idea, I hadn't thought about it, but it sounds reasonable. Two keen observations, thanks a lot!

[Ego]

Hi Gerardo, nice idea you have going on here. I don't know if you have pretty much decided on this concept or if you are still reworking things.
I think the scene could work better if you reworked the characters. That girl/alien character needs to be bigger. Currently, she looks like she is in a subservient position. The space guy is towering over her and appears much much larger. She is leaning in front of him and he has his hand really heavy on her shoulder.
If you can, get her off both her knees or get him down on the floor and also have him looking really weak.

This could work. Keep working hard :)

[GaeasHerald]

Ego, ego, ego, I've been waiting for a post like yours since day one.

Let me explain: this is my fourth digital painting ever, so i realized i could not compete with all the talented artists that would join this challenge. I decided to have fun and do something else. I've layed down some clues in this thread and waited to see if anyone noticed something ...... peculiar about the image.
What you noticed wasn't just coincidental, nor does the guy just happen to resemble Jesus...

I'll give more details in my next update. Thanks for your post Ego.

[Pegahoul]

hmm, personally I don't really like how the guy look high and mighty while the alien girl so submissive, though of course it's up to you ^^. I like it better if when she tend his wound, he winced like a kid, it's more cute and funny ^^

[BaronImpossible]

Very atmospheric image, quite impressive so far. I have an issue with the guy's legs, especially his right leg because I can't see how it could be correctly positioned, but this might come clear in time. Good work, keep it up :thumbsup:

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206588600_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206588600_large.jpg)

Hi everybody. I’ve reworked some details as suggested. The rocket was redone, the guy’s right leg was painted and his skintones are more pale and grey so as to make him look weaker.

As some of you pointed out, the relative sizes of the characters look odd, and the guy seems to be “above” the girl. Well, the thing is that the whole picture is an attempt to reinterpret a masterpiece of the Renaissance, which has a pyramidal array of the characters and that shows exagerated relative sizes between the two.
Can you guess what I’m talking about?

[caricc]

I, personally, liked the roots coming out of her lower portion of the body. Closest to the ground. Who's to say, except you, of course, that when she sits, or stands still for an extended period of time that she sets roots so she can take in nutrients that she needs to live.

Over all, very good.

[GaeasHerald]

Pegahoul: that's not the idea I'm going for, but thanx.

Baron: of course you're right, I just have a tendency to hide characters in the darkness. :sad: Right now, I've done my best to fix this, but his knee seems stuck agaist her chest... I'll keep working on it.

caricc: thanks for the support man. About the roots, my intention was to make her appear as if she were coming out of the ground, like growing on the spot. Then I realised that this way the image is easier to read, but I think that if there were some roots in the ground itself, radiating from her but not directly attached, we could come to a nice compromise. What do you say?

[LightSovereign]

Gosh thats a strong painting already..looks very natural. and can appreciate teh "subtle nuances" of the female characters flesh tone..Instantly saw the pyramid in action and it works a treat..Her sense of proportion or scale to the human is different but that would not be unnatural, especially if she is of 'arborreal' nature (just lookin at the vine work) there.

I'd put her at just under 5 foot..and he at 6ft2 :P.

heh

Marley

[caricc]

Sounds good.

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206919635_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1206919635_large.jpg)

Well guys, here's some detailing of the picture. The canvas is a little bigger now, and the grass, sky, vines and wall have a bit more detail. I've also started figuring out the guys face, so after a really long afternoon he now has something similar to it. This is only the overall aspect of his facial features, the expresion will be fine tunned over time.

Hope you like it, and please tell me whatever crit or comment goes thru your mind.

[LightSovereign]

Looks a lot tidier. for some reason i can guess more about the role of the female now..its as if she is sad for his pain and genuinely wishes to help..something i didn't pick up on in the previous version (which is interesting, perhaps this is just me). I do like the stronger lighting of the previous version as well. just around his facial area.

I like the water too.

Fine Progress :D

Marley

[na]

This is one of my favorite concepts so far. Keep it up and good luck with it :)

[Neubius]

wicked stuff,

loads of progress! really like your composition.
keep it up man! :D

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1207146665_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1207146665_large.jpg)

Here's the missing link science has been lookin' for all this time.

[GaeasHerald]

Marley: Of course you're right about the girl, if you didn't get it before it's cause i didn't depict it well enough. About the lighting, you're the ruler of light, so I'll have to take your word. Man, I've known you for a couple of weeks now, but it seems I'm talking to an old friend. :)

pearlyking and neubius: much appreciated comments. I'll make my biggest effort to be up to your expectations. Cheers!

[beelow]

I am trying to figure out why the ship is in the background, and if it is a destroyed ship why is it standing straight up like a monument. I think that ship could be smaller in my opinion and should have less on the overall piece. I thin that you could crop down right-side and get us the viewer closer to the figures. I am assuming that this is the most important part of the piece. Cropping down will give image more impact with the figures closer. My thoughts though when I look at. Good mood though. All the things that I've mentioned is revelent to composition and I think it could be stronger. Keep going! I am interested in what you will do next. Later. I will keep an eye out.:thumbsup:

[GaeasHerald]

Beelow: your comments are extremely acurate, and I actually have considered those posibilities already. It's been a hard decition to make, but in the end it was a matter of composition against storytelling and symbolism.
If you look closely, the ship has roughly the same height as the guy; its scratches are at the same level as his wounds, and the overall lighting of the ship echoes the guy. It's also about the same distance form the margin as he is. You're right, it does look like a monument, but take it one step further and try guessing what it symbolises :).

I'm so glad you saw these things and I appreciate your insight. Thanx.

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1207362842_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1207362842_large.jpg)

Trying to focus on the characters through lighting and minor changes in composition. Some details added too.

Crits and comments are appreciated :)

[hansny]

hey GaeasHerald,

great artwork you doing there! and thanks again for all your help so far!
The only suggestion I could offer is about the main character, he seems to stare into oblivion (maybe its part of the concept since he is wounded etc..) but it might be nice if he would look down to the girl and you would try to build a relationship between those 2.

best
hans

[nightwoodwolf]

i like the concept ! .. great colors and expression

[Pegahoul]

The colors are great! My critic's on the guy's position though.. his left shoulder seem dropping too low, especially from that perspective

[GaeasHerald]

Hi everybody. Your comments have been a bliss and I want to thank you all for pushing me to take risks and grow as an artist. I hope to be as helpful to you as you are for me.:beer:

hansny: thanks for visiting my thread. He is staring into oblivion cause he is passing away, and she is trying to pull him back. I fear that if I make him look at her, the scene could be missunderstood as more of a love story instead of compasion. Once again thanks for dropping by and good luck with your entry!

nightwoodwolf: seems like our entries have a lot in common my friend. Yours is coming along beautifully btw.

pegahoul: yeah, you're absolutely right about the shoulder, it's been bothering me too. I'll get right into it. Thanks a lot :wise:.

[mdavid]

This is coming along really well. There is so much to admire in this image.

I love the way the plant-woman's arm is growing around the man's arm. And the mix of ruins/damage and beauty/growing plants is giving it a bittersweet quality, which is delightful.

Keep up the great work :thumbsup:

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1207575729_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1207575729_large.jpg)

Hi guys. I've been workin' on some of the issues you've pointed out. For instance, the guy's shoulder looks more natural now (i think), and the lighting is stronger on the characters. I'm also playing with saturation and blur, to make it pop a little more.
Still have to figure out where to put the guy's helmet, and how to paint the roots radiating from the girl, but luckily there is time.
See you around!

[GaeasHerald]

mdavid: Thanx for the praise man. I'll try to push the contrast between the decay of the ruins and the vitality of nature a bit further. Good luck with your entry, I'll be watching :)

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1207770465_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1207770465_large.jpg)

Finally the roots I owed Caricc are here. They were easier to paint than I originally thought they would be, and I'm pretty happy with them. There's also some work done on the guys pants and face, and the girls braches were in desperate need of some leaves.
I'm playing around with some textured brushes, lighting and saturation. Guess I'm 90% there, but still I have no idea where to put the guys helmet without ruining the composition/mood. Any suggestions?
Apart from that, think it's about time I start posting the story behind the picture, so I'll try to get it done by the weekend.
Cheers everybody!

[DaVee]

I like caracters and compositing.
Space ship behind looks great too, look like 70's sapceship. :)

David.

[SteevieWoo]

Wow the scene is quite lovely. I havent visit before, silly me....

Why don't you just throw the hellmet behind the high grass at left, the guy doesn't seem like minding to keep it by his side, and if you keep it dark enough it won't ruin the big curve that frames the ship, I guess....
Oh what about some vines climbing on the ship already, as if she's trying to make him stay... I don't know... :D

[na]

I came to check on your progress, and I gotta say this is still my favorite concept so far. I can think of human analogies like the explorer and the native girl and it's that kinda relationship which evokes an emotion - especially the alien female's forelorn look. I think SteevieWoo is right a helmet would be a great addition it creates a link between the rocket and the man which also adds to the story. This is really developing well! I'll be back to checkup again. BTW thanks for your suggestions they've helped me greatly :)

[Jaba153]

Hey Gerardo los colores son hermosos! bravo!! composition, colors and overall mood are fantastic very nice!

[Neubius]

yeah, i think a helmet would make a nice contrast to all the organic forms. it could just be on the bench beside him.


excellent work mate, keep it up!
:D
A

[GaeasHerald]

Davee: glad you liked the vintage ship, it's made up of very few brushstrokes. Maybe it's too Star-Treky but I like it anyway. Thanks for dropping by.

SteevieWoo: thanks for your comment. That was one of the posible placings I had thought for the helmet. Story-wise it would make the most sense, why would he be carrying it around if the atmosphere is breathable... But i kinda think that it would look better on the grass of the bottom right, cause it gives me more opportunities to add detail.
Oh, and the vines climbing onto the ship is a cool idea, hadn't thought about it. That's definetly getting in there somehow. ;)

Pearlyking: I love it that you can think of analogies outside the picture, cause it gives you another level of appreciation, completely personal and unique. Don't know if i'm worthy of your praise and i really want to be up to your expectations. Cheers.

Jaba153: gracias che. Aprecio tu apoyo. Your entry is awesome and thinking about it, it would have fit well any of the previous challenges (Spectacular, Journey begins, Grand space opera...). Thats a power-picture!

Neubius: i think that too. I tend to go for organic stuff and neglect hard lines. See you around A, thanks for dropping by.

[LightSovereign]

That is brilliant..The latest version seems to have put the richness of colour back into the palette, its come along compositionally aswell..Yea in terms of alien human interaction, this would represent the most meaningfull and least cliche' that i have seen (of the developed concepts so far, i hasten to add)..I.e its not a couple staring off into a vast technological horizon..Since this is the one component that has to shine above all else i think you've done a superb piece.

Great work, Gaeas

Marley

[GaeasHerald]

:lightbulb-sovereing: you're too kind my friend. And after all, I've just followed your advice on some points, so.... :bowdown:.
Ive already added some of the modifications suggested, but internet is down at my place, and I'm posting from the computer at my job :argh:. Thank god it's a saturday and nobody is around.... I don't know if it is this computer or what, but the colors look awful.

[nwiz25]

man! this is really cool indeed! :eek: there's so much, for all to see .. emotion!
on the other hand, i think the rocket can be made smaller in terms of depth, also that it's parallel to the injured man..
you can do with a little fog too, making the rocket look really far away :)
good luck to you! :thumbsup:

[sasquatch70]

So I take it the spaceship is supposed to be a cross? Maybe I'm wrong. I like the symbolism throughout the piece. I wasn't sure about the pallette, but it gives it a very classic feel. Great work my friend.

[mdavid]

I like the addition of the new roots/tendrils. The effect is sweet and just slightly spooky. If you were wanting to put in a helmet then I was also thinking a possible place for it is right alongside him on the bench. Either that or sitting on the ground next to the grass near his left foot.

This is looking really good

[Jaba153]

simplemente hermoso! la luz y los colores son de lo mas poetico bravo!!!
truly poetic one! the alien expression is really amazing overall mood just perfect ..waitin for the final one ! congrats!

[GaeasHerald]

Ok, still I'm posting from the computer at my job, so sooner or later i'm gonna get caught. I just cannot wait to see all the progress going on in all the beautiful entries, what can i say, I'm a cg addict.

nwiz25: great advice bro. I'm already working on pushing the rocket back through some atmospheric perspective. I'm so silly i didn't figure that out. Thanks. Hey, I was visiting your thread earlier and I got a question for you, is it 2D or 3D? I read some post there which got me confused... In any way its comming along nicely.

sasquatch70: Exactly! You're not wrong, that's a tiny hint of the piece I'm trying to reinterpret. As soon as I get internet back home I'll post the two pieces side by side and show the little things that they have in common. I appreciate your comment a lot.

mdavid: Yeah, I was thinking more about the second option you mentioned. I'm adding some roots to the helmet and ship too, to tie the whole thing up. What do you think?

Jaba153: la imagen final se viene en breve amigo, the final image is commin. About it being poetic, there some little touchs in progress to make it more so. If at least one person feels it, then I'm done. Cya around buddy.

[musi]

This is one of the best concepts I have seen here! On my opinion...

Good luck!

[walrus]

Really lovely piece! I love the concept, and the palette is beautiful too.

I'm adding some roots to the helmet and ship too, to tie the whole thing up. What do you think?

Please be careful about adding too many roots. Right now they are very significant and powerful because they are coming directly from her to him. If everything else has roots - the ship, the helmet, both inorganic objects that don't need to be healed - then it takes away from the power of his and her connection. Don't get carried away and lose the main focus.

One other note: Most of his body looks really nice, but it feels like the shoulders & collar-bone areas could use a bit more depth and modeling in order to feel more real. Shoulders in real life have a bit more muscle to them, not just a gentle curve, and he looks mucular enough that the collar bone would be somewhat stronger on his body.

Anyhow, great work, good luck!

[beelow]

Beelow: your comments are extremely acurate, and I actually have considered those posibilities already. It's been a hard decition to make, but in the end it was a matter of composition against storytelling and symbolism.
If you look closely, the ship has roughly the same height as the guy; its scratches are at the same level as his wounds, and the overall lighting of the ship echoes the guy. It's also about the same distance form the margin as he is. You're right, it does look like a monument, but take it one step further and try guessing what it symbolises :).

I'm so glad you saw these things and I appreciate your insight. Thanx.

I am not sure if it working. You can still have strong storytelling and a strong composition. From what I've studied that is what makes the storytelling strong, that coupled with mood. I think this image is nicely painted. The ship is fine but, I strongly feel that it disrupts the connection of the figures that is where my eye goes. Then there is a disruption the ship. It should be a subtle thing in my opinion to help add to the story. You dont want it to compete for attention is all I am saying. I don't want to sway you from your decision though. Go through with it. I'll echo what walrus has said as well. Later. :thumbsup:

[TMArtist]

Nice work. Keep it up.

[GaeasHerald]

Musi & TMartist: Thank you guys so much. All you support keeps me going.

Walrus: Wow, its cool to get advice from the pros. I'll look for some reference on his shoulders and try to get it right this time. The roots on the ship and hetmet will not be overpowering, i promise, but i think once you see them, you'll get a whole different understanding of the real scale of the female character, i hope.

Beelow: yes, the ship is too eye catching at the moment and drives attention away from the characters. I'm workin on that my friend, your comments are sooo valueable. Apart from that, here's the piece i was inspired by and the reason some things look the way they do, maybe it sheds some light over the whole deal:


Yep, La pietahttp://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm110/gaeasherald/inspiration-1.jpg

[MartinNielsen]

Very nice work you have here :thumbsup: Especially the expression on the alien face is fine :eek:

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1208403977_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1208403977_large.jpg)

This is very close to the final image my friends. I'm trying to put every piece of advice into practice as far as I can, and it's a thrill to be learning so much.
Lets see, theres the new helmet with some roots coming out of it, the ship was pushed back with a foggy environment, the vegetation is more exhuberant and there are a lot of tiny leaves floating in the air.
Plus, I've been playing with some adjustment layers (three to be precise) and they work wonders! Just learned that.
Every bit of advice and support is thanked. See ya around buddies :)

[abourabe]

nice work GaeasHerald !
I like the idea and the color in this piece . i think it will be great :)

[jeromoo]

Hi there Gerardo. There are so many entries out there and I'm sorry to say I missed this one, but here I am! First thing, I love the color palette you have used here. It feels so melancholy with your subjects.

For the crits, I feel that the perspective of the wall feels too forced. For this piece, you may not need to have such stong perspective angle because there is not much action and the main focus is on the characters themselves. I really like the alien design. For the human, he doesn't seem to have the right expression for the situation he is in. He looks like he is just rolling his eyes up. Perhaps you can depict him sleeping, his head lying back on the wall, dead-like, colour draining away from his face.

As for the ship, it looks like a statue than has been standing there, overgrown with weeds after a long time. I suggest that it'll be made to look like it crash-landed. The ground thrown apart by the impact.

Keep up the great work!

[Multiductus]

This work is beautiful and I like the mood a lot!
the color palette is really good: relaxing and inspiring.

Only one thing: the position of the man looks to me too rigid... I mean he doesn't seem abandoned like he had to be... he is wounded and tired i supposed... I'd like to see his position more "relaxed".
But it's only my opinion... beautiful piece anyway ;)

[Zazill8]

Wow so skilled, good job with the limited palette.

[LightSovereign]

Nailed.. :). Just beautifull..I kinda like the vegetaion on the right to be non too detailed and just a lil blurred as it is now..it doesn't demand that your eye to go visit there. Its all good.

the spaceship is awesome aswell.. i see nothing wrong with the symbolism of it. (reading earlier posts)

Just a BIG congratz to you mate..One of the strongest entries i believe !!.

Marley

[GaeasHerald]

Abourabe & Zazill8: Thank you guys! I've never worked with these colors before, so its nice to see they are working. These challenges push you to take risks and with all the support from the CG community I feel I can start to get rid of some of my insecurities. Thats what I'm most grateful for. :beer:.

jeromoo: It's such a pitty that I didn't get your advice earlier, cause I would have been able to correct some mistakes before coming this far. You're absolutely right about the perspective, I forced it too much in an attempt to make it interesting. Now I don't think I'll be able to fix it, cause I've got many exams comming and deadlines finishing, so there's not too much time left for painting :cry:. I will change his body language though, and take yor advice. A million thanks mate.

Multiductus: yes he is too rigid, hmm. Part of the problem is that his neck is rigid and his hair looks like his just come out from a hair salon or sth. :argh:.
I think rotating his head and reworkin the hair could do the trick. Thanks for the insight!

:lightbulb-Sovereign: Marley, I don't know how i can thank your encouragement and good spirited posts. I'm reaaly happy to be meeting people like you and seeing you work come to life. Cheers, friend!

[HornlessUnicorn]

Hi Gerardo! You're very close to the final version, I see. Great idea, I like the "Nature heals" theme. The place looks a bit like an ancient temple of some kind. Great work, Gerardo!

Cheers, mate and good luck with the contest!!

Dimitrij.

[na]

Hi Gerardo, it looks as if you're near to finishing now. I like all the new touches with the helmet and everything. Such a strong theme makes for a very compelling picture :) I'll be back for the final submission :)

[musi]

Hi Gerardo,

It's wonderful to see the progress you are making! I liked the composition study you made with La pieta, and can see your decision making progress from that.
Just one thing: I liked it better when image was flipped (characters on the other side). It was reading better from left to right, head a better negative space on the front of the man's face... Of course, it's only my opinion... You could post flipped images side by side and ask visitors what they think.

Very nice rendered helmet with roots! And sense of atmosphere is very good. And love the over all mood!

:thumbsup:

[Ataulfo]

Hola Gerardo.
Very good use of colors. U create a nice atmosphere.
I think that u can give the human a litle more facial expression.
Prueba a cambiar un poco la posicion de las cejas y la boca. Ahi es donde radican todas las expresiones.
Good job

[GaeasHerald]

HI CG friends, sorry for not repling to your posts earlier, I've been super busy, but I'm almost done with the picture, and I'll post some close-ups and the finished image soon.

HornlessUnicorn & Pearlyking: thant you guys for your kind words. It's been a lot of fun working alongside such talented artists as you are. Cheers!

musi: hey, nice to see you back here my friend. I don't think it'll be necesary to post the two versions (flipped and unflipped), cause you're definetly right, the other way round works better. After all, people read from left to right, so it's just common sense to put the rocket on the left and the characters on the right cause it reflects the chronological order. Thanks for the advice and your support :).

Ataulfo: Yep, he needs a different expresion. Gracias por la visita y los consejos!

[editablepauly]

great alien design!

The perspective lines on the male character seem a bit too angled. maybe straigten them up a bit. His lines slope a bit too much.

This reminds me of the old orson scott card novels, beautiful work!

[Azagthoth]

Gerardo,
Very Nice. I like the colors, plants and composition.

Che, good luck!

[Ferx]

Hey Gerardo, sorry to missed this thread :) Really cool image, love the enviroment on it!!, really great feeling atmosphere, and like a lot the palette colors on your image, puts a nice cooler sensation on your illustration! :thumbsup: . Maybe my only comment is about the composition with the space ship standing vertical. You have two vertical strong lines and shapes, the main human character and the ship, but a great space between them, that cause a bit that the eyes jump for one form to another, distracting a bit of the main concept. Think jerome have a really nice suggestion, to put the ship crashed on land, only a comment and hope not be to late for it :) Again, awesome work !! and looking forward for more updates! Cheers!! :beer:

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1209080578_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1209080578_large.jpg)

A small update. CYA.

[GaeasHerald]

editablepauly: thanks for visiting. You are right about the perspective lines, I don't know if I'll be able to fix it, but I'll try :-)

Azagthoth: cool dude. Glad you liked it.

Ferx: glad you dropped by Fernando. Yeah, there too many awesome entries around, it's hard to keep up. As for the ship, I know compositionally it not a great choice to place it as it is, but I don't want to have it crashed, cause that would link his missfortune to the planet and hence, to the girl. The idea is that he was shot in outer space and then managed to land there somehow. Still, you are right about the two vertical lines competing... Guess I'll just push the ship back some more through fog and accentuate the lighting of the characters. Thanks a lot!

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1209337220_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1209337220_large.jpg)

A man of faith, with hands that heal, wanders adrift the through vastness of space.

The unwithering flame of life was granted to him by nature, but cursed by man. Envy and poor judgement took hold of the hearts of those he had once healed, knowing no reason or compassion, and craving for the gift of immortal life. To his refusal they answered with rage, but no punishment of the flesh could force him to deliver that he had not been meant to.

Cast away into space in an ill-kept vessel, he is left to linger, his body and soul forever broken. Travels the universe, lands in a forsaken world and falls to the ground. But from that ground he is uplifted, nurtured and loved, by she who knows life eternal, and dwells in such worlds beyond our reach.

-Take from me, creature of yore, the gift that’s been given, and forget the doings of those who have wronged me- begged the man with unspoken words.

And so she did.

A man of faith, with hands that healed, now lies lifeless in a world forgotten.

.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.


Thanks everybody for your constant support and invaluable advice, I wouldn't have got here without your help. CHEERS!

[Fetus23]

Final image!! woohoo! Congrats on finishing a wonderful peice Gerardo. I really like what you've done with the surrounding enviroment in this one. If I had one suggesiton to make it would be the mans face and hair seem a little less resolved then the rest of the painting. Its a great image with a good feeling, I wish you all the best!

-love

[GaeasHerald]

Fetus23: thanks Ryan for your kind compliments. I'll see what I can do about his face and hair. But for now, it time to rest. :wise: zzzzzzzz

[Multiductus]

Wow. I still don't like very much the man, but mood, colors and light are really marvellous.
Hats off to you!

[Ataulfo]

Hi gerardo
I have done a litle variation of the mans pose. Im not sure with what u want transmit with his pose.In 1 image i put him in a love pose and in the other he is in a contempt (rechazo). Now he is looking up as if he was meditating. Now i just realized that maybe u want to transmit that he is dying so his pose should be with the head fallen. U should experiment a litle.

A ver si me sale lo del link a la imagen. Si no dame tu mail y te lo envio.

[Ataulfo]

Ahora sihttp://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn246/Ataulfo79/14513_1207362842_large.jpg

[mamecheikh]

ouhGerardo Lin is entered in the "Uplift Universe Challenge" update: View Challenge Page (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/uplift_universe/view_entries.php?challenger=14513)

Latest Update: Final Image: The merciful


I like this picture...very nice.:)

[GaeasHerald]

Multiductus: He's really that bad? :cry: Guess that shows poor planning on my part.. Promise next time I'll do a more careful study of the characters before starting to paint. Thanks M.

Ataulfo: Yey! You did it! Thats cool, I like the overpainting you've done, specially the guys face in the "love" half, lol. I did change the angle of this head to face her, but apart from melancholy, I don't know what feelings to imprint on him.:hmm:
BTW, the guys hand is made to mirror Jesus hand in La pietá, just for fun. I really appreciate how much effort you've put in these posts Iban, and I wish you the best with your concept.;).

mamecheikh: thanks a lot, very glad you liked it.

[LORDvesalius]

Hi Gerardo, congrats, you finished it! I agree that the concept is very original, and you've done it very well, very climatic work.
:applause:

So it seems that i'm late for any advise... but anyway, here i go: i think that the storytelling in your image is very strong, and mystic, and that you can bring even more piety and mistery to it tuning the lights and shadows, and the light in the air... maybe a bit more fog, or just a bit of visible light... i don't know if i'm right, just an idea.

And on the anatomic issue: yes the shoulder is a bit weird, i think that it's a combination of subtle errors in the anatomy that accumulate there. The arms seem to be a bit longer, a man to have his forearm resting on his thigh needs to be bent forward a bit, and he seems to be too upright for that.
The other arm (the one that hides behins the alien) looks too long also. Usually the elbow is at the height of the last ribs.
And also the bandages look too regular, maybe some crossing or overlapping may look more natural.

But anyway, take this as the advice of a newbie, you've done a great piece.

Felicitaciones!

[DaVee]

Hey GaeasHerald, you finish it, congrats. :applause:

Your pict is really nice, i like poetry emanates of it.

David.

[silenceimpaired]

The Spaceship gives a very nice touch to the picture, and the "branches" coming from her arms are startling, yet somehow they feel like they obviously belong. I like the colors you've chosen to use.

[LightSovereign]

:applause:

You know my thoughts already, but still a hearty congratz on finishing :).

Marley

[mdavid]

Congratulations on finishing a beautiful image. The story that goes with it is delightful too. I really enjoyed watching you produce this work. Good luck

[HornlessUnicorn]

Congratulations on finishing this beautifull image, my Friend :) :thumbsup:

All the best

Dimitrij.

[MartinNielsen]

Congrats :) You did a fine piece, and I don't think the issue with the anatomy is that much of a problem. The overall picture works well :thumbsup:

[Neubius]

agreed, awesome stuff.


:)

[grafixsuz]

Well done mate! I have been watching your progress on this when ever I got the chance glad to see you get it done. Looks great!

[varma]

Beutiful scene and excellent color pallete!
I love the alien girl's pose and especially her facial expression!
She is so in love!
:)

[GaeasHerald]

Wow, thanks everybody for all the kind words and advice! And for all the smilies too!.!.! I'll see if I can post some "making of" pictures and explain my choices in lighting and composition for all of you to see.

LORDvesalius: Gracias che! Your advice is very valuable and I sure will try to use as much of it as I can before I Submit the actual Final Image. I don't know if I have the time or skills to fix the anatomical mess of a guy in time, but you make very good points there. And don't underestimate the worth of your comments, cause I'm more of a newbie than you:wavey: (this is my fourth finished digital painting ever).

DaVee & silenceimpaired: You're too kind my friends. You give me too much credit.

:lightbulb-Sovereign: Marley, your support and positive remarks have been a bliss throughout this challenge. Much appreciation.

mdavid: Thanks mate, I did try to push the dichotomy of life vs decay in your honour (cause you mentioned it first). Hope its good enough. Thanks again for visiting!

HornlessUnicorn: Wow two smilies on a row. I really ought to thank you for that! Congratulations to you too for your fantastic piece.

MartinNielsen & Neubius: Hey guys! Well, the anatomy really is crappy, but I'll have to learn to live with that....Thanks for the praise and the best of luck to your fanstastic pieces.

grafixsuz: Great, I appreciate that you've been keeping an eye on me. Cheers.

Varma: The girl is dedicated to you then! :beer:.

[Minnhagen]

Beautiful painting! I like the peaceful mood!

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1209948024_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1209948024_large.jpg)

Well, I’m not a very experienced digital artist, but this I can tell you: a good colour and lighting scheme can turn a dull image more appealing, and make the viewers more forgiving of mistakes in the image. Here, I wanted to share with you what little I know about the subject, and show some of the little tricks I use to get things done.

Firstly, as most of you problably already know, cooler tones “move” back into the picture and warmer ones move forward. That’s why characters can be effectively lit with a warm main light, and the background with a cool fill light. I know its playing it safe, but you’ve got to be very talented to pull it off the other way round.
In this picture I chose a sandy yellow for the main light and a desaturated greenish light blue for the fill light. I think those two make an interesting duo.
Once you block the main colours, you can start adding nuances and sampling from the pallete; its also good to add colour variation (mostly through low opacity brushes) and colour accents, such as the blood in his bandages.

The lighting part is just as exciting. Bear in mind that the viewers eye will always go to the places with the highest contrast, highest saturation, highest frecuency of detail, lighter shades and warmer tones. I tried to use all that in here, by the means of hand painted gradients and adjustment layers. The adjustment layers were applied with the gradient showed in pic B. There’s a sigmoid curves layer that enhances the contrast around the characters, a brightness/contrat layer that makes the background darker and a Hue/saturation layer that makes the “handshake” warmer and more rich. All of these combined turn pic A into C.
These adjustments together with some other handpainted layers create the three gradients showed with red arrows in pic C, pointing directly into the characters.
Right now I’m doing some final touches in the lighting of the image to focus more on the character faces, appling the same principles.

Hope this is of any help to you. I’ll post some ideas on composition, symbolism and storytelling soon. Cheers everybody!

[walrus]

Nice adjustments to the lighting of the iamge, Gerardo. Very effectinve in punching it up a bit and drawing the eyes to the right palce. Thansk for the detailed explanation, too. Nice work!

[jeromoo]

Heya, Gerardo, very sorry for not dropping by your thread as often as I could! I like the new direction you have taken to improve on your piece further. The vignette is a cool addition! Have you tried increasing the value of the vignette? I think it might be more dramatic. Keep going Gerardo! You are about done!

[GaeasHerald]

Minnhagen: Thanks mate. Very appreciated coming from an artist as talented as you are:bowdown:

walrus: Well, in a way I'm trying to compensate through lighting some of the mistakes I've made. It's not going to fix them, but at least the global feel can be harmoniuos. Thanks for your comments :)

Jeromoo: it's always nice when you drop by, you're full of useful advice. Yes, I'm working on adjusting the value, going back and forth until I finally settle. ATM I'm giving it the finishing touches: going al over the piece with a 4 pixel-diameter brush and painting tiny details nobody will ever notice... anyway it's still a lot of fun.

[LORDvesalius]

Right Gerardo, i agree with the lighting adjustment. I just think that the characters are a bit too saturated (just a bit), especially the alien, she is turning a bit yellowish.
Great work.

[GaeasHerald]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1210273646_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14513/14513_1210273646_large.jpg)

Thanks for all the help guys. Just adjusted the lighting a bit further, added some blur and painted some tiny little details in the wall behind the man. This is the final image, for good.
Here's the story (again):


A man of faith, with hands that heal, wanders adrift across the vastness of space.

The unwithering flame of life was granted to him by nature, but cursed by man. Envy and poor judgement took hold of the hearts of those he had once healed, knowing no reason or compassion, and coveting the gift of immortal life. What they asked he could not give. To his refusal they answered with rage, but no punishment of the flesh could force him to deliver that he had not been meant to.

Cast away into space in an ill-kept vessel, he is left to linger, body and soul forever broken. Travels the universe, lands in a forsaken world and falls to the ground. But from that ground he is uplifted, nurtured and loved, by she who knows life eternal, and dwells in such worlds beyond our reach.

-Take from me, creature of yore, the gift that’s been given, and forgive the doings of those who have wronged me- begged the man with unspoken words.

And so she did.

A man of faith, with hands that healed, now lies lifeless in a world forgotten.

[dustbin1uk]

Nice work! A very moving peace! Well done!!

[GaeasHerald]

LORDvesalius: last thing i did was to retouch of the saturation. The saturation and hue of the girl was reworked to have the most warm and saturated colours in the face and arm, and the cooler and least saturated in her lower part. Me leíste la mente Pablo. All your observations have been very keen and useful. Muchas gracias!

dustbin1uk: thanks mate. I've been thinking about making a series of images depicting emotions and my interpretation of abstract concepts (like mercy in this case). It's conforting to know that I got some emotional impact in this one. Thanks for dropping by.

[monsitj]

wow , this is my favourite entry , nice color and mood very well done ,
something that i notice is the shoulder of man is a bit too round , if you have
time , maybe you can refine it , but overall is perfect !
good luck !

[DaVee]

adjustements you add are good, but take care of modifications, it could be destructive.

David.

[HornlessUnicorn]

Great work, Gerardo! You made a solid piece of art :)

The only thing that I find a bit difficult to see is if his eyes are open or closed or if he's looking up or whatever? But maybe it's because the image is at low resolution.

Gongratulations, my friend! :beer:

Dimitrij.

[Azagthoth]

Gerardo, congrats! the final image is beautiful.

[varma]

Big congratz for finishing an astonishing work! Love the color pallette, and your last edit
on lighting was the perfect decision!
:)

[chilombiano]

sexy escena. particularmente me gusta mucho la cara y pose de ella. se roba la pelicula .

que te vaya bien en el concurso. !

[GaeasHerald]

monsitj: thanks monsit, you give me too much credit. That shoulder has given me trouble for a long time :sad:, but it will have to stay that way for now. Best of luck with your wonderful entry!!

DaVee: Hey, david, my man! No more modifications to this one I promise. Good to see you around here again.

HornlessUnicorn: He's facing up but looking at her. I'll see if I can post a close-up soon. Appreciate all the support mate.

Azagthoth: thanks dude.:scream:

varma: Just focusing the lighting in the right place. Very glad you approve. See U around:wavey:.

chilombiano: Claro! Hacia tiempo que venía queriendo hacer una chica sexy, sin caer en algo vulgar. She does steal his thunder, doesn't she? That's good. Thanks for dropping by.

[gpepper]

Great painting !
The idea reminds me something but I can't remember what...

[Pegahoul]

I like the environment here, and the lighting is great! Really bring out the characters! Beautiful story too. Congrats!

[RupertD]

Very nice colour and great atmosphere. And you were finished ages ago! :bowdown: Congratulations! Plantlike alien and planet is a works well. Good luck!

[Ferx]

Hey Gerardo, really great image, like a lot the additional touchs on it and the adjusted light, really cool ! Love the feeling on the image, the warm light over the cracters puts a great enviroment on the image. Like the trees line to the ship, you broke nicely the two strong vertical lines on your composition, well done. Congratulations for this great image and good luck!! Time for well deserved cold beer and a lot of tequila shots! Cheers mate!! :beer:

[Neubius]

hey man, wanted to say thanks for all your help and advice.
also well done on a wicked image.

best of luck to you man, :D

A

[GaeasHerald]

gpepper: The idea reminds me something but I can't remember what... Please say its La pietá.... :rolleyes: Anyway, thanks a lot for your kind words. :)
Pegahoul: :love:Hey Peter, great to see you here again. You've been posting here since my early wips and your advice and support has been superb. Glad you liked the story mate.

RupertD: thanks mate, I finished early because I was finding it difficult to see the image with fresh eyes, and when you get to that point one starts to make mistakes and unproductive changes. The plant-like alien has given me some ideas for future characters, so I'm happy you liked it. Cheers my friend.

Ferx: Me quedo con los shots de tequila che! I think light has been my strong point, trying to compensate some mistakes in the composition.
SAludos a todos amigos de Mexico! :beer:

Neubius: A-man! Wassup! Its been lots of fun making my little contribution to your entry, and witnessing your awesome skills. Your final image is pure eye-candy! And thanks for your constant support mate :p.

[na]

Congrats on finishing Gerardo, looks fantastic one of my favs :) Good luck sir!

[GaeasHerald]

Billlllllllll Yey you're back. Always a pleasure to see you around! Gotta thank you specially for being so supportive throughout this experience. Good luck to you too and see ya in the next challenge buddy :bounce:.

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