Original Resolution

[rickei]

A good rule to follow,(if you have the horsepower) is to paint at twice the final resolution.
eg. if its for 1080 video (1920 × 1080)... you should paint at 3840 x 2160
so you should be in good shape at 4k X 3K

rickei

[Joat]

Some use the technique where they start with a small canvas and enlarge it as the work progresses. If you start small, you can paint with broad strokes more responsively. After you have gotten the initial composition and colouring in place and need to add details, you can up the image size to a higher resolution.

Automatic advantage of this method is that however tempted you are, you simply can't focus on tiny detail from the start but have to focus in the image as a whole. The end result usually benefits from that.

[CybrGfx]

You are the artist. Figure out the size of your canvas, as if you buying one at an art store. Then create a New Document at that size, at the resolution you want ~ Quality print (300ppi), Average Print (150-200 ppi) or Web/monitor (72ppi - MAC or 96ppi - PC)

Depending upon how large the final image is, and the level of detail, you may find your PC bogging down like mud...If so, break down your image into "bites." Work on those as separate files at high detail of 300ppi if you plan on printing, rather than just doubing your canvas size (which is only about 150ppi).

Once all the components are complete, then assemble the final composite image. This will provide you with the size you need for intricate detailing and smooth edges, without slowing down your system too badly.

~C

[LewyT]

thanks for all the suggestions.
I think I want to get used to producing high res images that could be printed.
photoshop has a good resizing algorithm but I don't feel comfortable stretching a pic unless I plan to repaint pretty much everything.
I want to start at the detail of the final image and just expand to include a larger canvas if I want to paint something off the edge.

thanks again.

[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.