Whats the point of posting?

[SylvanMist]

Hi :)

Ok well here's my 2 cents:

1. The colors scheme. It's just not happening...there are ways to put colors together that can really make an image pop and can even stand on it's own just with color to a degree, these colors don't work. Hard to explain exactly but you've got a LOT of grays with just a few monotonous green, purple, red, orange, and yellow, and a bit of blue.
The best advice I can give you on this is to study works of art by other artists that you like, you can even copy color schemes to put in your own pictures.

2. The main "ship". You have it pictured once here really large, which is good to see the detail and all, but then I see the same ship mirrored in the background twice...in the same postion, what are the odds of that? They most likely would be rotated slightly differently at least, plus it makes for a more interesting pic to see it at a different angle.

3. One thing is confusing about this pic, are we looking out of a glass window at the outside? That's what it looks like with those green lights-like they are reflections on a glass window. It's also confusing what's going on with the ships outside..the ones that have the bluish beam..are they like aiming to fire? Is that fire inthe background? So things aren't very clear.


Ok well I hope this helps you a little bit.

[M31]

I agree that the color scheme does not work. The colors seem to clash. Perhaps you could try making most of the image of analogous colors with some hints of complementary colors? Of course there are any number of color schemes you could go with, but it's a thought.

Could the composition be more dynamic? Perhaps chaging the perspective so there is something in the forground?

Keep working on it, the modelling looks good. :)

[EricUNSL]

I respect the fact that you post in search of answers. A real critique. Truth is, this doesn't look finished. First off ask yourself

1. What is my focal point? Every good illustration regardless of level of finish has a first, second, and third view with one main focal point. all the lines, colors etc need to be used to draw the viewers eye to the correct spot.

That said, you have one ship repeating in the distance and have ships shooting a beam at apparently nothing. Tell a story with your image. Make me care about what's going on.

2. make sure your image has a good composition and reads well when seen as a thumbnail.
The image doesn't appear interesting. Instead of me wondering about the ship and the laser beams and any other device you could use to tell a story, My mind is stuck trying to figure out what the dark foreground is, what the location is, and why the image has been worked up with so many little background details without a clear vision for the illustration.

Look into color schemes. If this image were bathed in dark blue with warm colored spotlights shining down from the ships on to a lone figure, that at least would tell a story and give the scene some sense of drama.

I really do look forward to seeing what you come up with. But for now I'd say it doesn't look finished. I'll hold off strong crits, comments or praise until you post a finish.

[secretasianman]

what they said and for me it was the lighting.

there is little to no lighting in areas and in others it is coming in at weird angles, weird trajectories.

think of where your light sources are coming from especially if you want to think about your shading wich is very bland.

[Playinsincepong]

I am going to defer to the judgement of you guys regarding the future of this picture. My first inclination is to trash it as reflected in my initial reaction to your critiques as written below. But if the majority of you guys think it's salvagable and I would benefit by working through the issues I will defer to your judgement.

I mean after all I am making this picture for the enjoyment of others So thank you all once again.


This peice evolved from a gnomon dvd on matte painting techniques and I should have just stuck to the DVD. But I tried to incorporate disparate techniqes and elements consequently it resulted in a poorly constructed , not well thought picture. For now on I am going to follow the methodology of compositional thumbnails, followed by numerous value and color studies. I am going to examine the artworks of artist I admire and possibly use their images as palletes for color. Great advice all around. Thank you all so much.


Playin

[CybrGfx]

You must first make it for YOUR enjoyment. It is only THEN, if you choose to make it for the enjoyment of others, that you may possibly need to make adjustments. Think of it as being able to sit in front of the TV in your bathrobe, eating a sandwich and not worrying about bits dropping on your chest, but needing to put a pair of pants on, and eat at a table with silverware if you invite friends to come over for dinner...

There IS hope for this piece. Just not at present, because there are too many things facing you at once.

If YOU like the concept you have for this image, strip away all the color, all the exteraneous pieces and layers, and get back to your ground foundation of the background, and address the discrepanices in that first. Then work on your midground, and finally, your foreground.

It would not hurt you in the least to go ahead and make at least 3-5 thumnails (like 1x2 inches) of how you think this picture should look. You can't use detail at that size, you'll be looking at SHAPES and VALUES. Incorporate your current background (roughly, of course) if you would like to keep it. I think it is a decent setting for your image and can fairly easily be reused.

Then, I would suggest drawing a 10-15 minute Compositional Rough, with a bit of detail, clearly establishing what your main Focal Point is going to be, and with possibly some arrows of how you envision the flow around the canvas to go. THINK about this piece before you draw...

Leave the colors and the 3D out of it at this stage. Just work on strengthening your background foundation for this piece first. You can only eat an elephant one bite at a time, but you need to start somewhere...

Whenever you are trying to apply what you learn from DVDs, online tutorials, or books, DON'T DEVIATE until AFTER you have SUCCESSFULLY FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Think of it like trying a new recipe from a cookbook. Until you have followed the recipe a couple of times, and had the meal turn out good, you cannot go substituting ingredients and changing the preparation workflow, without risking a disaster...

While you are working on tweaking this piece into success, perhaps you should try following that Gnomon DVD as it was presented, and seeing if you can create a matte that looks as good as the DVD...IF you follow the instructions as presented, you should be able to create a reasonable facsimile, eh? Those DVDs are meant to be copied, you just can't sell or distribute your study piece. Try to duplicate the matte EXACTLY like the DVD. It's great practice.

This way, you will be getting some GOOD practice in, and still working on a personal project on the side. At the end, you will hopefully have actually practiced and learned the techniques of the DVD, AND you will have a personal project that isn't rushed, and isn't done haphazardly.

A solid and consistent workflow is essential to consistently successful results. Just like cooking, or doing laundry, or changing a tire, or anything else worthwhile.

Using the color palettes of others may be helpful when following tutorials, but that may be the point where you should follow your heart, at least somewhat...If your foundation is strong, any shortcomings related to color will not be that difficult to adjust. ESPECIALLY with a computer.

Chin up. You'll be fine.
Looking forward to seeing you tweak this into shape. It shows good potential.

~C

[Playinsincepong]

First off, I would like to extend an olive branch as I was quite confident that we were developing sentiments of ill regard for one another . I would like to forge a strong virtual friendship with you as I know you know your stuff :) : ) I have already benefited from your input so for me losing your critical eye is a disservice to myself


Secondly, and I belive this whole heartedly , neither of us are intellectually arrogant nor are we egotists. I belive that you have the best interest in mind of all of those you critique including me. I f you didn't you wouldn't take the time that you do in helping others so generously. As for me ,I genuinely care about all those I critique because I have had a rough life and succeeding at my craft brings serenity to my life . I hope my helping others helps to strengthen their work and in turn add serenity to their lives at well.

I am going to have to digest your post , and meditate on your advice as well as the advice of others regarding the future of this piece. In many ways I believe it would be a cop out to abandon it. On the other hand I know from alot of failed portrait paintings in my earlier days that at somepoint it's time to move on to the next work. But my first reaction to your advice was to not abandon it.


Thank you for your continual input.

All the best,


Playin (jeff)

[CybrGfx]

Jeff, No harm, No foul.

My sincere apologies back at 'cha for any untoward animosity on MY part.
Olive branch accepted, and handed back with respect.
Friends? http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/makeout.gif
Well, maybe more http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/liebe/love-smiley-067.gif...lol!

Step back from this for a day or so, and breathe some fresh air, then come back to it.
I know well that sometimes you need to walk away from some works, because to tweak them into being good is simply not worth the additional time, compared to simply starting anew.

This may be one of those, you're the ref, you make the call.
If nothing else, it may be the inspiration for another attempt at a similar scene.

Regardless, enjoy the rest of your weekend, it is one of the few nice ones remaining from the last dregs of Summer's nectar.

~C

[Playinsincepong]

Well I tried for a while to mess around with the image and finally I said to myself this thing is just built on a very flimsy foundation so I wen't ahead and spent a couple of hours figuring this out. Even this rough would have taken less time had I started it from a blank canvas. Any crits would be appreciated.


thanks,

Playin

[CybrGfx]

This is nice!

You have a good balance going, with lights, darks, and midtones (which will be tweaked further, but I can see the foundation you have here). You also have a good balance of organic vs. structured lines, although the two domed roofs under the arch on the LH side should be flattened - too much "round" echoing, which makes that corner too visually dominant....

I am intrigued by the "skyscraper" shadows you have roughed in on the distant horizon...Personally, I think they give this new foundation a much more dynamic perspective than the overview of the smaller buildings in the midground as you have them...
http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/107/matte3ic0.jpg

But, even as you have it now, there is a good sense of movement and flow, with the eye gently directed around the scene.

I think you have a good comp rough with this, now flesh it out a bit more, and lay down some cleaner lines establishing what is attached to what, and separating your distant background shapes from your midground shapes. The foreground is really powerful for this, and does a wonderful job of directing the eye to the left, where that slight angle of the arched piece (which I also enjoy visually very much) leads the eye into the midground, just left of the center of your canvas. The reason I like the giant structures in the distant background is because of the effect it will give your lighting of this scene. I also like the intimation of water at the juncture of the midground and background...

NICE Comp Rough. It might take you longer to work this one, but I think you will be far more satisfied with your end result. Hopefully, you are enjoying it. It looks like you are, just because it is enjoyable to view, if that makes sense...As the artist, your frustrations often can end up visually being conveyed to the viewer.

Look forward to the next update.
~C

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