PDA

View Full Version : advice for a newbie?

KushielsTart
03-29-2008, 03:07 AM
I've been checking out this site for ages but have been going to school full time and working full time so never got around to digital painting practice...now that I've graduated I've jumped in. I'm having a hard time posting my work because you are all so good! I did hope for a little feedback on my second ever digital painted piece. I normally work in illustrator with flat looking work.


For this piece I hand drew, then scanned in the art and created vector lines. I copied the vectors into PS and painted. Please keep in mind that I have no intention of going realistic, but I do still want to know how to model my figures better. How do you guys create shape and shadow when you don't have a source photo?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinkharlott/2369547505/

I really appreciate any advice/help. I've been gobbling up tutorials, magazines, and books, but a lot of it is advanced for me.
matsman
03-29-2008, 10:49 AM
yes... I have a good tip.

try to see everything as a basic shape... like the head is basically a sphere(an egg actually), the body a cilinder as are the arms and legs (both two cilinders)

Then go and learn/see how shadows fall across those objects and apply in your painting. This is very basic but will give you a good start. Later you can worry about finetuning and anatomy stuff. If you got this down you are already a long way.

edit--> and you need to define were the light comes from (for easy study make a new layer and paint some strokes or a gradient that shows where the light is. And keep yourself from adding different light sources, one or two is hard enough the first time.

So that was quick but I think very helpful. Also most digital painters work with a drawing tablet, you got one? It is possible without but takes a hell of a lot longer.
KushielsTart
03-29-2008, 08:05 PM
Thanks a bunch! Yeah, I have a tablet. And beleive it or not I did actually take several drawing/life drawing courses, but that was over ten years ago and I haven't had any real practice then. Thanks a lot for your advice - it makes perfect sense.
matsman
03-29-2008, 08:17 PM
No problem... I did one too, but the teachers didn't mention this... it was a course of industrial design that made me think this way... which makes complete sense and is featured in a lot of books BTW.

I have to say that I like the style though.. yeah shading needs a lot of work but you can draw! so not all is wasted :thumbsup:

Looking forward to an update.
CGTalk Moderation
03-29-2008, 08:17 PM
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.