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View Full Version : Inspired by artist, but where to start?!

Ortix
05-09-2009, 01:05 AM
So basically i've been scouting deviantart for a while and stumbled upon some baffling images:
image (http://fc00.deviantart.com/fs43/f/2009/094/c/d/cd541c4f66490c1c59903ed1cb89b63b.jpg)

Now i really want to do this kind of stuff. But i REALLY don't know where to start, or what technique to use. I'm completely lost, like our losties stuck on the island every wednesday at 9 on ABC ;)

Anyway, I have a wacom a5 tablet and i've used that to paint in SAI and some work in photoshop. I use SAI because i like the water brush, it makes me blend the colors much better, but photoshop just gives me so many more features, that i've recently returned to it.

Anyway, could anyone give me like a push on like where to start?

I think i have to start sketching the design right... Then what? This image has a crapload of textures and stuff.

This image simply looks like a 3d model straight from 3dsmax. It looks so awesome.

anyone have some wise words/tutorials?
vicmonty
05-10-2009, 02:21 AM
Hey Ortix,

For the questions you're asking, I'd say stop over HERE (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=200&t=403198) first. I'm on the same boat. Start your sketcbook. Post daily. You might not get feedback at first, but help other out and you'll also learn from that. Read through all the tutorials. It's free valuable info. Start a picture, post it in the WIP and take it from there. Hope this helps. In the past 2 wks, I started participating in the DAILY SKETCH GROUP (http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=130). It's forced me to start to leave my comfort zone which is COLOR. Good luck and glad to see you here.
Lunatique
05-10-2009, 04:04 PM
vicmonty - Isn't the sketchbook thing for anatomy/figure studies? He's asking about detailed sci-fi scenery that has no humans at all.

Ortix - When you look at an image like that, you have to remember that the original image was much higher resolution. When shrunken down for web version, all the details seem to be more elaborate, but if you looked at the original resolution, you'd see that it's all brushstrokes and most likely a lot of custom brush shapes like those textured brushes in Photoshop.

One thing to remember is that no matter how detailed, it's all just values and colors and shapes--all can be achieved even if you have to do it one brushstroke at a time, but of course digital artists are smarter than that--they use customized brushes that stamp on many detailed textures and then go in and elaborate those textures with lighting information. Many even just take parts of photos and work them into the image--for example aerial photos of landscapes with all the textures already in the photos, and then just put them in the right places and try to tweak to match the colors, and then paint on top as needed.

Another thing to remember is that choosing soft and hard edged brushes makes a difference. You can't paint sharp details if you use soft brushes, and you can't paint large areas of soft gradation with hard brushes.
vicmonty
05-10-2009, 06:08 PM
Ortix,
The sketchbook I mentioned is located in the DSG section. Like I said, the WIP area is a good place to start also. Cross bridges when you get to them.
Ortix
05-10-2009, 10:36 PM
Wow guys! Really really appreciate it :) I think i've got an idea on where to start and how to achieve the given effect :) Seriously... thanks!
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05-10-2009, 10:36 PM
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