Aggie93 - Starting Anew!

[anandpg]

Hey Davey! Congrats on your Cintiq! :beer:
(I am jealous!!http://forums.cgsociety.org/images/icons/icon8.gif ) :D

[aggie93]

anandpg - thanks. It was a pretty penny to buy. One good thing is I bought it through the company because it can be used to do digitizing too.

I did this 30 minute study last night before church, another Loomis. I want to start painting again now. I got new life with this cintiq.

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/6539/loomisstudy2.jpg

[batte812]

Hi Davey, welcome back! Have fun with the cintiq!

[aggie93]

Hi Davey, welcome back! Have fun with the cintiq!

Thanks Batte812! I took a semester off between getting my Master's degree and starting my Doctorate degree. This gives me some relaxation time to play with my new toy! I hope to post some good stuff soon. I just need to get the cob-webs out of my drawing hand.

[SpiritDreamer]

:wavey: HEY Aggie....WELCOME BACK...:thumbsup: :)

I was wondering if you had ever gotten the book..DYNAMIC FIGURE DRAWING by BURNE HOGARTH....If not, you should...I think you are ready to practice what he teaches in that book...Loomis is alright for some bacic stuff, but Hogarth is where it's at when it comes to teaching Forshortening of the figure and putting it into deep space..He goes way beyond what Loomis has to offer on figure contruction..Anyway, just thought I would mention it to you, just in case you didn't know about that book.
Good luck with your new pen and tablet...Put some miles on that sucker...:D :thumbsup:
TAKE CARE Aggie
Glenn

[aggie93]

I was wondering if you had ever gotten the book..DYNAMIC FIGURE DRAWING by BURNE HOGARTH....

I just looked at this book at Amazon. They have a revised copy out too. It looks like a good book, something I need to study now.

...Good luck with your new pen and tablet...Put some miles on that sucker...

Thanks, Spirit. I plan on getting a lot out of it... about $1200 worth at least! :eek:

[aggie93]

I started another piece. I do not know how far I will go with this one, but I am tired tonight. I will work on it again tomorrow. It is so much easier using the new tablet. Just like pencil and paper.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6586/sonjg.jpg

[SpiritDreamer]

HEY Aggie...Here is a link to the printers that I use for my stuff...Ive had good results over the years with them....I usually get mine gallery wrapped GICLEE on semi gloss finish canvas...They have alot of choices to choose from, so you might ask what will look best for what you want done..They are nice people and very helpful in answering any questions you might have.
You can ask for several differents "proofs" and then select the one you like best. My pictures always seem to be best on one of the slightly lighter "proofs" so it is worth having them send three versions to pick from

http://www.picturesalon.com/ (http://www.picturesalon.com/)

[aggie93]

Thanks Spirit. I saved that link. I will give it a try next time.

I wanted to post a belly cast I did on my wife's pregnant belly last year. I cut USGS quadrangle maps of my area into strips and pasted them on the cast. I then painted it with polyurethane to seal it and give it a shine. I just need to figure out how to display it; hang it or place it on a stand.

By the way, it was a baby boy born in June 2009.
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/7879/img00008200906270626.jpg

[aggie93]

Sketching tonight before and after the Superbowl. Yea Saints!

Before: Loomis Sketch

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/7092/loomisstudy3.jpg

After: Sonja Portrait Sketch

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/6084/sonj2.jpg

[aggie93]

After a comment from Mr. Mu to have me explain my graphic novel idea, I have decided to start a working thread of the art work that will be in it. I was reluctant at first thinking that I would just have a single website dedicated to it but at the rate I am going I will never finish. It is just a hobby so take it with a grain of salt. I encourage comments, critiques and ideas.

So without further adu, I introduce Allu.

ALLU

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5817/allu0001sd6.jpg

Allu is a mythical character. She is the faceless succubus, daughter of Lillith (another succubus), and in my story, an angel from heaven. Allu was raised to create corruption in the human world by any means. Allu is a beautiful creature with some exceptions. She is faceless, has horns, three fingered hands and just above her knees down are legs of a lioness. Her hair is white. She wears no clothes but is covered by a animal-like demon named Cerberus (but this dog does not have a head) wich rides on Allu's back. Instead Cerberus has wings like a bat, tail like a dragon, webed hands which descreatly covers Allu's breast, and its hind limbs only serve the purpose of covering her pelvic region. Cerberus gives Allu the ability to fly. Cerberus is her best companion and would die for her.

The story's concept has bounced around after reading stories and watching movies. Right now it is going to be based in the near future with a Devine Comedy idea. Allu will struggle with good and evil. She will befriend a male and female friend from the human world. They will encounter an angel from heaven that will direct them to discover the history of Heaven and Hell while traveling through the depths of Hell to track Allu down to save her from doing wrong.

How's that so far? I hope to post something often. The next few posts will be design concepts of Allu.

[Cisc0]

are you sure that you want make her faceless? and if yes.. why?

[aggie93]

Here are some previous character concepts of Allu. I have gone from realistic to manga with her. Tell me what y'all think!

My First Allu design:
http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/1789/alluqt8.jpg

Realistic Allu:
http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/2529/allusleepbx3.jpg

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5516/img0637ne5.jpg

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/6255/img0707wm1.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/5032/alloth002ye7.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/1487/allu0908a.jpg

And here is my only scene I have created so far:
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8783/pg1b.jpg

It is a war scene that shows people gathering around a bomb blast that will have taken the legs of our main male character. He will eventually get prosthetic legs. This will play a part in the story later!

[aggie93]

are you sure that you want make her faceless? and if yes.. why?

Cisc0 - Yes, first off during my research for characters I came across this link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allu) that defined her. The second reason is because I do not have to draw her face. However, later in the story she will begin to gain facial features. Starting with her mouth being able to open up. With cosmetic surgery in the future she could gain all her facial features. Just a thought.

Thanks for the questions and thoughts. I appreciate this it will keep me on my toes.

[aggie93]

Here is where I first introduced Allu. I was not even thinking of a graphic novel at this time. It was my interpretation of the Satyr et Nymphs painting. I decided to make it a Incubus et Succubi rendition. Each Succubi is an actual succubus character which I researched to make them more realistic... from mythical creatures.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/5286/olderworks002.jpg
This was a 24" x 36" color pencil work! My allu character took all aspects of the three lower succubi; see the tale of the bottom one and the horns of the one on the left. The upper one with the crown would be Lillith.


and here is a close up that I started digitally painting.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/5729/olderworks001.jpg

[Rebeccak]

Hey Aggie, I hope you don't mind but I've merged your threads, I think one or two is enough ;) and you'll get more responses that way anyway. Thanks!

-R

[NR43]

Hey!

I was recently told to read the book "Creative Illustration" by Andrew Loomis.
So as I am more than halfway the book now, I can tell you that your graphic novel would benefit a lot if you put what Mr Loomis describes in his book in practice.

I like your Allu character.
She seems to have spirit.
The realistic Allu looks a lot more appealing to me, but I guess I just don't like manga that much. (You gave her brown hair though in the realistic sketch?)

What about the story?
Did you write a complete script beforehand or will you let the story develop as you go?

Congratz with the newborn btw.

[aggie93]

That is fine Reb. I should have used it anyway.

NR - I have a hard time breaking from the realistic style. I would like manga to be more simplistic but I do not draw that way. Allu was an evolving character when I learned more about her and the direction I wanted to take the story. As far as the story goes, I have an outline of what I want to have in the story but as I read more stories and watch more movies I change some of the details of the story. I am really having a hard time as to the format I want to make the story. Should I follow regular comic style or make it more like an illustrated book? I was thinking of a combination of both.

I am working on the Cerberus creature right now since I am snowed in at the house. I am mixing species; dragon, shark, snake, etc. I am putting the sketal features together to see if the animal works. Cerberus will be an ectosymbiotic species with Allu but it will be able to survive without her for a certain time, and visa versa.

Thanks for the input and advise. I will check into the Loomis book. Is there a PDF copy somehwere online?

[aggie93]

Found the PDF copy of that Loomis book. You have to register for free and then download it. Here is the link (http://www.scribd.com/doc/2244752/Andrew-Loomis-Creative-Illustration). I will be working with this book as well as many others to refine my characters. I am still working on the skeletal structure of Cerebus. It is like playing... I hate to say it... god. I am putting together anatomy from different species. It is coming together quite well. I will post it later on today.

[NR43]

You can also find them here (http://www.placidchaos.com/AM/index.php/2006/02/21/andrew_loomis)
Best to right click and "save as"...

[aggie93]

Just a face study (manga style). No reference. Pencil... in a car!

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/484/facestudy.jpg

[aggie93]

Okay, well here it is. Without further addu...

CEREBUS

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/948/cerebusconceptm.jpg

This is a concept sketch (my sketch book and son's school pencil that has not been sharpened). Being a symbiotic creature, I had to be creative with its design. That is exactly what this creature is... an it. It is a created being and is not reproductive in anyway. However, it is fully dependent upon its host but can survive for limited periods of time without being attached. My wife says it looks like a uterus. :eek:

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3570/cerbusanatomy.jpg

This is its anatomy sketch (at home with a scrap paper and HB pencil). The resources used was not only the internet but also Angels and Demons in Art by Rosa Giorgi, How to Draw the Human Figure - An Anatomical Approach by Louise Gordon, and my son's Dragon Art - How to Draw Fantastic Dragons and Fantasy Creatures by J "NeonDragon" Peffer. Now that I have the anatomy drawn out and scanned in, I will annotate the parts of its body that play an important role. It is headless but I had no idea what to do with it anatomically there. Then my 11 yo son had a great idea. He said have tenticles that would reach up into its host head or neck and attach itself to be controlled by the host. :bowdown: I am glad he reads a lot. He can help me with the story. Therefore I was looking at the head of a manta ray and came up with the idea to have one tenticle that would attach to the spine of its host. I will repost this later with parts listed. I wanted to get it up today so I can get feedback and possibly refine Cerebus better.

Okay, tear it up guys! :arteest:

[Mu]

Hey Aggie,

about the character concept:

The decision to make her faceless is a tough and questionable one. How will you be able to express emotions, doubt, any kind of reactions and evoke reactions from your readers? Any illustrator will tell you to focus on head and hands to characterize the emotions of a given figure.
But even if you say "faceless!", then you need to make up a concept of "how faceless is faceless?" Is the face covered with skin, maybe you can imply facial features underneath? Work out a concept of how to put a faceless head to use!

Her nakedness makes me feel awkward. I am not too shy about nakedness in comic stories (i read japanese comics - yay for unmotivated glimpses on female anatomy!). I think it's because this fleshy thing snuggling up at her vagina.
I do think, though, that the symbiotic nature of her partner creature and the close connection is a great idea! Really original concept! Maybe you could try a minimalist clothing or equipment which integrates into both creatures?

I like the realist Allu painting the most. Your manga concepts are not too striking. I would say do a few versions of her. Different anatomy, different sizes and proportions. Explore her! And when you do concepts, leave out colour and cel shading, even value. For your comic concepts, forget all but two values: black and white. Use fat ink and linework. Dunk all the shades into solid black. Vary your line weight (thickness of line): outline contours heavier than inner contours, lower contours thicker than upper ones, thickest part of any curve on its saddle point.
BTW, you can go for full comic style and be realistic as hell. Check out this guy (the luke cage work in the galleries is awesome!):
http://www.shawnmartinbrough.com/galleries/#

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6701618.html?nid=2789&source=title&rid=1375906730


Most important: For the sake of your comic as a whole, for the project as such - lay down your pencil/ink+pen and take your your word processor or typewriter and work on your story. Because - and I put it that bluntly to you, because I care - you do not have one. You have a setting or a starting point. But that's it. And that's not enough to start! Don't put all this energy (drawing energy) into something which still needs a story.
What is the scope of the story? How far back in time and ahead is your storytelling about to go? What are your main characters? Their biographies? What are their goals, what are their obstacles and resulting from this, their conflicts? What is the solution? Do a treatment for all the scenes you need and then distribute this into pages.

Then you have a very good situation to do some proper concept sketches and you will know your characters much better!

A few ressources:

a blog about doing a comic while we all watch... This blog post talks about starting without a story:
http://projectwaldo.blogspot.com/2010/01/phase-one-in-which-doris-gets-her-oats.html

Scott McCloud
http://scottmccloud.com/2010/02/12/ego-surfing-is-a-double-edged-sword/

Really looking forward to more concepts and all!
:wavey:

[aggie93]

Hey Aggie,

about the character concept:

The decision to make her faceless is a tough and questionable one. How will you be able to express emotions, doubt, any kind of reactions and evoke reactions from your readers? Any illustrator will tell you to focus on head and hands to characterize the emotions of a given figure.
But even if you say "faceless!", then you need to make up a concept of "how faceless is faceless?" Is the face covered with skin, maybe you can imply facial features underneath? Work out a concept of how to put a faceless head to use!

The skull would still be anatomically correct, just covered in a solid piece of skin. There is an Iraq war vet here in Texas that is having facial reconstruction from a bomb that went off. Right now he has no face, litterally. I am going to take information from that. I tried to find the story on the internet but I could not. I think that would get me to the facial expressions with shadows and eventually Allu will have a face towards the end of the story.

Her nakedness makes me feel awkward. I am not too shy about nakedness in comic stories (i read japanese comics - yay for unmotivated glimpses on female anatomy!). I think it's because this fleshy thing snuggling up at her vagina.
I do think, though, that the symbiotic nature of her partner creature and the close connection is a great idea! Really original concept! Maybe you could try a minimalist clothing or equipment which integrates into both creatures?

So do you think I should do something else here. I have thought about other ways of covering her vagina, but I am not sure how to do that and still relate to the fallen angel concept. Angels are not male of female but in stories they typically are. Then, the concept of angels have no clothes. Maybe I could use the idea of a weapon belt to cover that area. Thanks!

I like the realist Allu painting the most. Your manga concepts are not too striking. I would say do a few versions of her. Different anatomy, different sizes and proportions. Explore her! And when you do concepts, leave out colour and cel shading, even value. For your comic concepts, forget all but two values: black and white. Use fat ink and linework. Dunk all the shades into solid black. Vary your line weight (thickness of line): outline contours heavier than inner contours, lower contours thicker than upper ones, thickest part of any curve on its saddle point.
BTW, you can go for full comic style and be realistic as hell. Check out this guy (the luke cage work in the galleries is awesome!):
http://www.shawnmartinbrough.com/galleries/#

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6701618.html?nid=2789&source=title&rid=1375906730


Most important: For the sake of your comic as a whole, for the project as such - lay down your pencil/ink+pen and take your your word processor or typewriter and work on your story. Because - and I put it that bluntly to you, because I care - you do not have one. You have a setting or a starting point. But that's it. And that's not enough to start! Don't put all this energy (drawing energy) into something which still needs a story.
What is the scope of the story? How far back in time and ahead is your storytelling about to go? What are your main characters? Their biographies? What are their goals, what are their obstacles and resulting from this, their conflicts? What is the solution? Do a treatment for all the scenes you need and then distribute this into pages.

Then you have a very good situation to do some proper concept sketches and you will know your characters much better!

A few ressources:

a blog about doing a comic while we all watch... This blog post talks about starting without a story:
http://projectwaldo.blogspot.com/2010/01/phase-one-in-which-doris-gets-her-oats.html

Scott McCloud
http://scottmccloud.com/2010/02/12/ego-surfing-is-a-double-edged-sword/

Really looking forward to more concepts and all!
:wavey:

Lastly, The story is mostly in my head. I tried putting things on paper both in story format and storyboard format. I will check these links out and see if I can come up with something. Thanks Mr. Mu. You have been more help with this response than in the last few years of me toodling around with this. Let's see where this goes.

Thanks!

[aggie93]

Okay, I began a Blog (http://aggie93blog.blogspot.com/) to post my ideas of the Allu story and possibly get feedback that way on the story. I have some many ideas going I need to settle on just a few. I really like Mr. Mu's post on Waldo (see above link). That is what gave me the idea. Anyhow, I will post here when I get some ideas on the Blog. Please click over there and keep giving feedback. Thanks!

[aggie93]

Okay I finally posted something on the blog (http://aggie93blog.blogspot.com/2010/02/setting-stage.html). I am writing it like a what does the writer want to see in the graphics. I hope this is the way to do it. I am encouraging feedback. Thanks!

[aggie93]

I added to my story on the Allu Blog (http://aggie93blog.blogspot.com/2010/02/setting-stage.html) site. It appears that many people are starting character models. I would like to get at least my character sheet started. I know of a few characters within my story. Again, visit Allu's Blog and give feed back to her story.

Thanks!

[aggie93]

I started working on my middle eastern woman for my story, which I think will be my other female character too. I went to a middle eastern clothing online store for a look at a good top. I hope this works. I am not too happy with the style of my work. I think I will redraw it.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/3489/mideastwoman.jpg

[The4thAggie]

Always good to support a fellow Aggie. Interesting stuff. I'm envious of the Cintiq.

Thanks and Gig'em. Also, no Aggie artwork? I'd love to see a good sketch of Mrs. Reveille.

[aggie93]

Here is an open panel for the opening page of Allu. This is from my story which is posted at Allu's Blog, see above for link! Sorry Mr. Mu for starting the art work now. I cannot wait...:shrug:

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/3458/pg11y.jpg

[Mu]

lol, no need to apologize, man! Just don't forget to work on that story...

BTW, the drawing looks very nice.

[aggie93]

Thanks MR Mu. I am really not knowing how to lay out the pages. I do not want a typically graphic novel panel page. I am going to explore a bit with this first page. I want to somehow get a few scenes in but without losing the interest of the story. I also do not know how detailed to make it. If I go real detailed, it will take forever. Suggestions?

[aggie93]

Trying something new. Since everyone else is trying sculpting, my son want to do something artsy together so I bought some clay. (I did not notice the things in the background that was interesting when taking these pictures, until now. I am noticing all the cloth diapers that we use for our new baby, a magazine called "Parent & Child" {ironic}, and my Aggie Ring is in it too.) I was going to make my Allu character and he was starting an Avatar bird but quickly went to the Avatar character. Anyway, we started with the wire skeleton then to tin foil for thickness. I am now starting the clay shell using posemaniacs as a guide to muscles. Here was last nights start.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1160/sculptallu21003.jpg


http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8954/sculptallu11003.jpg

[aggie93]

Some more work on the sculpture today. Anyone who has done this and knows what they are doing, am I doing this right? This is the first sculpture I have ever done. Also, does anyone know about this clay (Van Aken Plastalina Clay)? What do you do when you are finished, cook it in an oven?

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/3483/sculptallu41003.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8498/sculptallu51003.jpg


http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/715/sculptallu31003.jpg

[Mu]

Very nice start on your sculpt!

Thanks MR Mu. I am really not knowing how to lay out the pages. I do not want a typically graphic novel panel page. I am going to explore a bit with this first page. I want to somehow get a few scenes in but without losing the interest of the story. I also do not know how detailed to make it. If I go real detailed, it will take forever. Suggestions?

I strongly recommend spending a little money on the Will Eisner series on making comic books.

Namely these two volumes:
Volume 1 (http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Storytelling-Visual-Narrative-Instructional/dp/039333127X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267995896&sr=8-3)
Volume 2 (http://www.amazon.com/Comics-Sequential-Art-Principles-Instructional/dp/0393331261/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267995896&sr=8-4)

Read them! Or go and find them at your library! I just recently discovered that my local library abounds in comics and comic tutorial books which is great.

[aggie93]

Thanks Mr. Mu. I will see if I cannot find these books. I went to the book store this weekend to find a book about something like that and did not find anything.

Thanks for the crit so far on the sculpture. Here is an update after working a little more on it last night. I think I have the torso too long. Any suggestions on how to fix it this far along?

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/1787/sculptallu6103.jpg

[Mu]

Well, just the obligatory question: where's your reference?

:D

[aggie93]

Well, just the obligatory question: where's your reference?

:D

Mr. Mu, I am using multiple references for this. I have the Loomis Figure Drawing book for proportions, this website (http://www.art-rageous.net/FigureSculptures.html) for doing a sculpture, and this model of the manga version of Witchblade (http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/matrixcollectibles_2096_68812191). So far, I have not placed any details on her. There is no hands, feet, head, or breast. I also have not placed her symbiotic species, Cerebus, on her either. I want the figure done first, then I can see how to construct Cerebus.

[aggie93]

I had more time to work on this today. My son (11yo) worked on his too a while, you can see it in the background :applause: . He told someone that one of the most fun thing he does is art with me. I am blessed! :bounce:

I think since I started layering the muscles down, her proportions are coming around. Her butt is too big on one side, so I will give her a little cosmetic surgery tomorrow :rolleyes: . But I worked on the quads, hamstrings, lats, abs, and pects a little today. I am using the book, How to Draw a Human Figure: Anatomical Approach by Louise Gordon. It is helping a lot :buttrock: . Anyway, y'all be the judge: (sorry for the bad picts:curious: )

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/4765/1014612.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6241/1014611.jpg

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/5734/1014610.jpg

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/1333/1014613.jpg

[Mu]

I was thinking there's things you could to improve this, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it... it's starting to look really nice, though...

You know, I just thought today... maybe you should pay a visit to the sculpting kings and queens in here, Intervain and Anand, e.g. and ask them for pointers and obvious things to mind? Better to ask the pros... :D

[aggie93]

I was thinking there's things you could to improve this, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it... it's starting to look really nice, though...

You know, I just thought today... maybe you should pay a visit to the sculpting kings and queens in here, Intervain and Anand, e.g. and ask them for pointers and obvious things to mind? Better to ask the pros... :D

I was looking around the site last night for those that do sculpting but I could not remember who they were. Thanks!

[Chokmah]

Hello aggie93 :)

Good beginning for now :)
Indeed the torso seems too long, but it's difficult to see for now .

I think you'll be able to check your character proportions once you'll get his head mass in place .
So you'll really know if your torso is too long .
For that, I use a general guide : distance from top of the head to genital parts is around 4 heads .
(It's globally apply to 7.25 to 8 heads tall characters)

I hope it can help ^^ (And sorry for my bad english :D )

It is all I can say for now .

Keep on aggie93 ;) . I'll follow your scylpture evolution for sure ^^

[aggie93]

Hello aggie93 :)

Good beginning for now :)
Indeed the torso seems too long, but it's difficult to see for now .

I think you'll be able to check your character proportions once you'll get his head mass in place .
So you'll really know if your torso is too long .
For that, I use a general guide : distance from top of the head to genital parts is around 4 heads .
(It's globally apply to 7.25 to 8 heads tall characters)

I hope it can help ^^ (And sorry for my bad english :D )

It is all I can say for now .

Keep on aggie93 ;) . I'll follow your scylpture evolution for sure ^^

Hey, thanks for the quick review.

Seeing that the character has the bottom half of her legs as animal (deer) and is not particularly human, I have used 8 heads as a guide. I believe not having the head made yet is throwing me off. But the top of the head to the pelvic bone is 4 heads. I had some surgery done between her legs to bring the genital parts closer to the 4 head measurement. That has helped somewhat. I also have the gap between the legs too large, which I hope to remedy easily.

I will work on her again tonight and will post my WIP picts.

Again, Thanks!

[aggie93]

Well I guess it was inevitable that it would get too heavy and the stand would collapse. I did not get to work on her much tonight. I had to help my son with his math and change my wife's car battery. Oh well, I did add the breast... need to work on more... and started with the skull. I trimmed her butt a little. I did not get to look at it with real detail but she is coming around.

Tonight's dump!

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3522/1014621.jpg

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8695/1014620e.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9652/1014619.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9596/1014623.jpg

[Manaia]

wow aggie. I really love you're sketches. Nice work. I find it so inspiring to go through these sketch book threads. Recently had the desire to learn to draw myself, just not quite sure where to start heh.

-Manaia

[aggie93]

Manaia - Thanks for the nice words. I get inspired looking into others thread too. That is how I started the scupt of Allu.

Here is tonight's update on her. I need to get her hands, feet, hair, and horns. Then I want to make her more detailed. After that, I will make Cerebus.

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/670/allusculpture006.jpg




http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/5987/allusculpture005.jpg

[aggie93]

I have been working on Allu's pet, Cerebus. I attached it last night. I need help from the sculpturers though. How can I prop this sculpture up? I need to work on the delicate features, like her hair, horns, fingers, etc. She is too heavy for the wire I used. Any ideas?


... and yes I know she is upside down on these pictures but I had to lay her down to get the picts...

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8894/allusculpt031810b.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9884/allusculpt031810.jpg

[SpiritDreamer]

HEY Aggie.:wavey: .:)

I like the pose of her on the beech in that painting on your first or second page I think.
If you put her in that pose, then you can have the wires from the tip of her wings stick into a base piece of clay that extends under her feet also..That would give her ballance I think.
If you are going to have her standing, then use her tail as a brace to keep her from falling backwards by having the middle of it laying on and touching the clay base behind and beneath her.
Attach the tail to the base piece of clay by taking a short piece of wire, and making a U shape which you can then put over the middle of the tail wire that is touching the base to secure it in place to the base to keep her from sliding forwads or backwards, and then just cover the short fastening wire piece with clay as you sculpt further and refine the tail.
Stick a couple of pieces of short wire into the base, where the feet/hooves will be placed,..then stick the feet/hooves onto those wires..make the wires barbed on the ends, and they will keep things in place.
Think ballance and flow of forms in conjuntion with your base in relation to the forms of the figures, so that the base becomes part of the sculpture, and not just something that is concieved as an afterthought which is only used to perch the sculpture upon.
Once you get your figures and base secured, working, flowing, and ballanced as one unit, then start to add the muscles onto the figures..Starting with the pelvic muscles/hips ...then go into the stomach and upper torso ..front and back muscles....Then the leg and feet/hooves......Then the shoulders ..arms,...hands...and last but not least, the necks , heads, faces and lastly the hair...Sculpt in that order...and your proportions will be easier to work out as you go along in the sculpting and refining process ...:)
And don't forget about all of those oppossing curves in the muscles of the figures, and also the oppossing curves that are combined in the figures gestures themselves as you go about sculpting..they will really add a nice dynamic feeling of life in motion to your piece..:)
TAKE CARE, AND ENJOY Aggie..:thumbsup: :)
Glenn

[aggie93]

Thanks for the advice Spirit. I think I will do that with the platform idea. I will work on that this weekend.

[aggie93]

I have been on the road the last few days so I have not been able to work on my statue or with my wacom. I have taken my pad and pencil with me and I am working on my other female character, Ellen, and male character, Brin. I am going to tweek the manga version of Witchblade and Claymore for these characters. Here are some sketches from the Witchblade Takeru Manga.

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/227/wb3p.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/8209/wb1i.jpg

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/3548/wb2.jpg

[aggie93]

Another sketch from this morning (no work; Good Friday Holiday)


Eriko Sato 45 minute sketch:

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2298/eriko.jpg

[aggie93]

I found a cool site for reference, asianology.com. It was a link in one of these threads here. I am liking drawing Asian women. The last one was Eriko Sato from Japan and now this one is Fujimoto Miki a singer from Japan. I kinda like the Asian culture too. It is so modern yet they hold on to traditional things.


This, like the others before, is traditional pencil (mechanical HB lead). One hour of real drawing between washing clothes, answering the phone and tending to my baby.

I know something is up with these but I cannot put my finger on it. Let me know what y'all think! (Edit: I think I know what it is... it looks like a high schooler's drawing. I am so disappointed in myself. I feel like I am back tracking with my art.)

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8329/fujimotokiki.jpg

[aggie93]

Okay another one from Sunday night... I skipped last night due to the great basketball game (Duke v. Butler).


Asianology - Yamiko Shaku

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1786/yamikoshaku.jpg

[mister3d]

In the last sketch the body is good, but the face seems a bit off in terms of 3d-placement. Look carefully, it's not in the place on a 3d-form. First start making ovals of eyes placement on your egg-like head form, don't make eyes right away. You should pay attention first to how elements are positioned on a 3d form, the rest will follow.

[aggie93]

In the last sketch the body is good, but the face seems a bit off in terms of 3d-placement. Look carefully, it's not in the place on a 3d-form. First start making ovals of eyes placement on your egg-like head form, don't make eyes right away. You should pay attention first to how elements are positioned on a 3d form, the rest will follow.

I see what you are saying. I intentionally left the face alone to work on the shading of the rest of the body for this one. What about the previous two sketches' heads? Do you think the placements on the eyes are alright here? I am having a difficult time with the nose, especially if the nose is a bit flatter I tend to make it look huge. Any suggestions here?

[mister3d]

I see what you are saying. I intentionally left the face alone to work on the shading of the rest of the body for this one. What about the previous two sketches' heads? Do you think the placements on the eyes are alright here? I am having a difficult time with the nose, especially if the nose is a bit flatter I tend to make it look huge. Any suggestions here?
To me the nose looks fine, as well as heads. Maybe don't make a symmetrical shading on it, as lighting will most probably hit only from one side, or, if frontal, it won't shade this way also.

[aggie93]

Just finished a 20 minute sketch:


http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/462/male20100406.jpg

[aggie93]

Well, I downloaded Blender 3D... (free). I think I will give it a try.

[aggie93]

Here is my start on Blender. This is going to take some time but at least it is kinda repetative. Let me know ANYTHING! I need input!!!

Thanks!


http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3299/femalec.jpg

[aggie93]

To all the 3D'ers out there: Is it easier to sculpt or model and what is the difference?

[Jimtuv]

Your doing fine. But I would suggest you start with something simple like an apple or banana. They have organic shapes and are not super hard to make.

If you are really brave and want to try out people here is a tutorial for a head that might give you a good look how to do organic shapes.

Modeling a female head in blender (http://vimeo.com/1160369)

Here is a look at sculpting to give you a look at it.

Blender Sculpt tool Modeling a male head (http://vimeo.com/1221926)

[aggie93]

A good solid hour of work following the video. This gets easier as you go along. Maybe too early but anyone have thoughts about the mistakes I am probably making?

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3918/femalehead.jpg

[aggie93]

Yesterday's work on the female head, something funky about the forehead!:


http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3918/femalehead.jpg

[Talaria]

Hey!
We'll I'm pretty much new at 3d modelling too, but when it comes to organic modelling, if you're planning on animating your model you shouldn't have any triangles on your mesh, unless you hide them in places like the back of the ear or the inside of the nose.
But of course if you're just playing around with the program then it doesn't really matter hehe

[aLoneCuzzo]

Nice work so far and like Talaria I'm new to the modeling thing as well. I've been putting off really delving into it for some time so keep up the good work.

[Tasp]

Hey Aggie, jumping into 3d is going to give you a whole new world of skills to work on.

Your face is off to a good start but keep in mind it is a very difficult thing to model, especially if you are going to eventually try and morph it into different expressions or use it for animation (there are endless threads and topics on edge loops, how to get a realistic face etc). Basically what I'm saying is, it is going to take a lot of time to get it looking good. Which is fine, just keep on trucking!

If you find it starting to get a little tough, I would echo Jimtuv's suggestion and say that you might want to try a few easier objects first, familiarize yourself with the U.I. some more and then go back to the face. Also the speed modeling forum has lots of cool topics that are meant to be done in a short amount of time, say an hour or two and should be great practice for this sort of thing. I keep meaning to try my hand at a few but I'm spending all my time getting my traditional skills up to par.

[aggie93]

Need help. How can I fix her legs? They are human from hip to knee and goat from knee down. She has the closest leg folded back under her far leg and the far leg going up and back towards the viewer. Any ideas?

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/3928/allumeditate.jpg

[Jimtuv]

The forehead problem arises because you missed a couple steps in construction. Here I did a quick paint over. The yellow line is an edge loop that should not be there. the orange line is a repositioning of the loop at the top of the head. The red line is where you should cut using the knife tool. Select the two faces under the red line and then cut. you will be left with two triangles some triangles to clean up in the section just below the red line. Just follow the video on that part. You might want to start again. I went through just the first part twelve times before I got it right.

[aggie93]

Jimtuv - thanks for the help. I saw something on the blender tutorial called edge loop. can you build your model by creating edges instead of manipulating a cube?


I worked a little more on Allu's leg and Cerebus. Has anyone seen what my problem is on her legs yet? I will probably redo Cerebus' layout since I forgot to place its wings on him last night and now it is awkward.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1703/allumeditate1.jpg

BTW, her leg is protuding out towards us and then back in under the leg going up! I may need to work on the foreshadowing of her right knee, now that I am posting this I see it!

[Jimtuv]

The head video show what is called box modeling that is taking a box and adding detail by subdivision.

There is a diferent approach called poly modeling where you start from a plane and add edges to form the model.

These are the most common forms under what would be called subdivision modeling. As you have seen here on CGTalk there is another type of modeling called sculpting. I find it a bit hard to explain this type. Kinda like sculpting with brushes.

Here is a great link that helps explain better subdivision modeling. This is not software specific and has lot of good info

Sub-Division Primer (http://www.subdivisionmodeling.com/page1.htm)

[aggie93]

Thanks again, Jimtuv. I will check that out too!

I am finished with this for now. I am not pleased with Cerebus. I may have to reinvent that character.

Anyway... Allu in meditation! (I wanted to put some type of nighty on her... I may do that when I paint her digitally.) Like Mr. Mu said, you do not want to give her all away in the graphic novel or what's the point of reading it... or something like that!

Allu in Meditation!

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/2695/allumeditate2.jpg

[aggie93]

I finally got to work where I have a good scanner to use instead of my iphone.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/4854/allumeditate3.jpg

[aggie93]

I started inking Allu (Painter). I will post the WIPs as I go. C&C encouraged!

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/74/allumed.jpg

[aggie93]

Just at lunch and I have an update:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/74/allumed.jpg

[Tasp]

Hi again Aggie!

Your paint process seems to be coming along well. I do think there is something wrong with cerberus though. There is something about that arm on the right side that doesn't seem correct to me. If I am reading the pose right the creature is laying on its side? I'm using the wings to help me see this pose correctly and they seem to say that the spine is lying nearly parallel with the ground. As such the arm shouldn't lay over the torso as you have the lines now, it should instead come from underneath it. I'm not sure if I'm reading the pose correctly or not, just wanted to say that it's the one thing that seems off with the image you are developing.

Keep going!

[aggie93]

Thanks Tasp. I had problems with Cerebus at the get go. I wanted it to sit like a dog relazing but I ran into problems when I placed the wings on it. Now I am leaning towards it laying more on its side. I will try and redraw it. Right now I am working on Allu's nighty to cover her up some more.

[sirielle]

Hi Aggie, a small thing - her right (our left) breast seems to be a bit angular compared with the sketch, it looked to me nicer in pencil. What is her skin colour? it looks a bit dim or maybe it's because of a colur scheme you've chosen for the whole image. On the other hand it always looks strange in the beginning ;) Have you seen Navate's skin colur chart (http://navate.deviantart.com/art/SKIN-a-chart-SUPPLEMENT-IMG-145160154)? Great stuff for realistic tones, helpful in other styles, too.

[aggie93]

sirielle - Yea, I see that now. I do like pencil more than color, whether digital or traditional coloring. I am just not good at mixing colors.

I am still working on Cerebus' layout, but I started on Allu's nighty. That will cover her flawed boob up a little. :curious: Here is a little update from last night before watching the history of America on the History Channel... I am such a nerd!

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/74/allumed.jpg

[aggie93]

Small update. Used a color chart to add a little warmth to Allu's skin. I am also trying my hand at fabric... not real good at it, but what the hell it is a start. Anyway.... (C&C)...

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/74/allumed.jpg

[Heozart]

Hi Aggie,

The lower half of her left leg seems a bit awkward to me, like it's twisted to show the perfect side view. I took some screenshots of one of my characters in City of Heroes. Maybe these will help you get a more natural look.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m119/Heozart/City%20of%20Heroes/legs.jpg

I think her right thigh looks a little strange towards her hip. Maybe the contour lines are looking too much like parentheses.

I think your lighting is a bit vague, kinda reminds me of photos with cheap in-camera flash. IMO, it would be a good idea to establish your lighting clearly, and work that into both characters and the background as well. That would help ground them together in the same environment.

Good luck with your painting. Looking forward to seeing it progress. :)

[aggie93]

Heozart - I appreciate your efforts with the comments and the reference of your character. I had a hard time positioning her legs since it is half animal from the knee down. thinking of the anatomy of the way a deer would walk on its toes, basically, and the heal is up close to her knee is what threw me off. Here is the only reference I had to work from which was real close to my original set up. (Sorry for the cover-up! You should have seen the other pictures of her as it continued to rotate :eek: )

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/6794/reference1c.jpg

I am sucking at the lighting which is probably why the foreshortening of the right thigh looks odd to you. I am open for suggestions here as well. In the reference bottom right frame is more like what I was going for with her positioning here but to cover up her privates I moved her right leg in a bit more like what is in the bottom left frame which is showing her butt off a little more.

[aggie93]

Well, I am ready to wrap this one of Allu up. I have a better idea of how to do Cerebus after watching Dead Space. I will try and get another view of her later. Right now I want to post this as almost finished piece and then move on to the story. I think I want to follow this style. The colors look so much different in the Cintique than they do posted on here. The colors are more dull on this. I wonder why? Anyway here it is:

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/74/allumed.jpg

I started posting some work in the Dojo thread. I cannot keep up with this anyway.

[aggie93]

Finished with this one for now!

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/74/allumed.jpg

[aggie93]

Had time to sketch this skull study out at my son's swim meet in Southlake.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2518/img0310ol.jpg

[aggie93]

I have to take a break with Allu. I wanted to paint this picture we had made of my wife when she was pregnant last year. Now I am painting it with Painter. Here is about an hour and half of work.

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/102/sonjapreg2.jpg

[aggie93]

more this morning

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7982/sonjapreg3.jpg

[aggie93]

Final:

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/6691/sonjapreg.jpg

I would like to know how to change the canvas texture after you get started, anyone?

[sirielle]

Is the bottom of the belly accurate? looks a bit narrow, suddenly cut - I don't know how to describe it.
What program are you using? Photoshop and Painter do have both canvas texture in filters menu. Choose it and change settings till you like the result - light source angle, canvas sharpness etc.

[aggie93]

Is the bottom of the belly accurate? looks a bit narrow, suddenly cut - I don't know how to describe it.
What program are you using? Photoshop and Painter do have both canvas texture in filters menu. Choose it and change settings till you like the result - light source angle, canvas sharpness etc.

Sirielle - I think the belly may be a little off. I was not real satisfied with it but decided that it was close enough for me.

I am using Painter 9.5. I found setting for what you described but it did not appear to change my canvas any. I guess you have to do that before you start painting.

Thanks for the comments Sirielle.

[sirielle]

It works afterwards, too - temporary images:
Go to effects menu and choose 'Surface control' - 'Apply texture':
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1214664/temporary/p1.jpg

Choose texture in the tools bar on the left (on the left in default settings)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1214664/temporary/p2.JPG

Texture over forum print screen:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1214664/temporary/p3.JPG
- as you see it would work better on a higher res image, this one is too small but maybe settings allow resizing of the canvas marks, too

[aggie93]

hey thanks for your help. i never knew how to do that. I will give it a try.

[killermachine]

hey aggie how are you?

[SpiritDreamer]

HEY Aggie :wavey: :)

I like the one of your wife when she was pregnant ..you captured a nice feeling there..:thumbsup:

Would be worth taking and pushing that one even further I think..:)

Below is a link to KLIMT...He did a couple of paintings that may give you some ideas and inspiration to further your piece.
HOPE #1, and HOPE #2 are the titles of the pieces he did that might be useful to you if you decide to push your piece further.


http://www.klimtgallery.org/Hope-I--1903.html

http://www.klimtgallery.org/Hope-II.html


TAKE CARE Aggie :thumbsup: :)
Glenn

[aggie93]

I will take a look at that spirit. I was trying a style that detailed the areas of interest and left the rest somewhat unfinished and blurred.

[aggie93]

Study done this morning. Using different textured canvas and charcoal with a blender.


http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/2126/study20100725.gif

[aggie93]

I have put together an endurance team. I created a cycling jersey two years ago for it and now I am creating another one. I was going to post my ideas to you guys to see which one would be better. Our team's goal is to raise money for breast cancer awareness. The team name is Team BOoB (Breast Or Bust). It is directly risque like the "save the ta-tas" group. Anyway, here is the 2008 design:


http://a.imageshack.us/img502/1778/tatas003gy8.jpg

and here is this next year's designs. They are not finished but I would like to see what y'all think.

Jersey design #1

http://a.imageshack.us/img714/9123/teamboobjerseydesign201b.jpg


and design #2:

http://a.imageshack.us/img714/3504/teamboobjerseydesign201.jpg

[killermachine]

i think design 2 has more promise. on a personal note, i think you should try another design that enphasizes little more on breasts so that it stays in sync with your idea. at this point i cannot tell its for brest cancer unless its written there.

[sirielle]

I like the 2008 one best, from new ideas - the first one.

[aggie93]

sirielle - Thanks that design was from sitting at a restaurant with my sister-in-law (an art major) and we both sketched out a rough draft of that one. We twisted the girl around to expose the breast. We kept it a siloutte as to not be too risque.

Killer - I like the second one too. I was going with the old ventage look you might see on ads at the turn of the 20th century.

The 1st one will be a little more detailed, again making her twist a little more to expose her breast. I will work on both of them a little more. I may use one for the front and one for the back.

I originally wanted to do a jersey that showed the x-ray of a breast and put the team name in the veins of it like this:

http://a.imageshack.us/img412/2486/boob10.jpg

Right now, the votes are tied 1-1.

[killermachine]

this ides is good as well.i remember seeing something like this for a breat cancer awareness campaign, if you google you might some really quirky ideas :)

[aggie93]

I found this artist named Bengal that I am liking the manga style for my works. I am going to give it a try. Here is a copy of his that I did a few nights ago in a few minutes:


http://a.imageshack.us/img718/7727/bengalcopy.jpg

[aggie93]

Another manga study:


http://a.imageshack.us/img192/6745/imageeup.jpg

[aggie93]

Here is one that I did September 16 in Tennessee visiting: (just a mechanical pencil)



http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/7116/imageons.jpg

[aggie93]

I started on another drawing. I really like using pencil better. I also like realism better than manga... I guess because I find it more satisfying with the results. Anyway, here is nothing in particular other than a picture I found that I thought would look good drawn. Pencil and sketch pad about 30 mintues worth of work so far.

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/1381/picture125ed.jpg

[aggie93]

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6811/picturevr.jpg
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/5509/picture130y.jpg

[Tasp]

Gotta say Aggie, I'm really liking your current piece it's coming along very nicely.

[aggie93]

Gotta say Aggie, I'm really liking your current piece it's coming along very nicely.

TASP - Thanks. It started to be just a doodle but I just continued to chip away at it and now I am going to finish it out or quit when I get bored with it.

I am drawing in the ocean landscape and I never drawn water before. Any suggestions?

[aggie93]

An update:

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/9987/imagehbn.jpg

[killermachine]

hey aggie, long time no see.
New piece is comin out strong,dont quit on it. Keep at it :banghead: this might end up being one of those pieces whee you level up :)

[aggie93]

hey aggie, long time no see.
New piece is comin out strong,dont quit on it. Keep at it :banghead: this might end up being one of those pieces whee you level up :)

Yea, it suprised me too!

[aggie93]

an update: I think I have the head too large. I will work on this a little. Let me know what y'all think.

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/4285/picture135b.jpg

[Manaia]

Hey Aggie

I really love your drawings. Your doing great. I can really see the progress. What a wonderful journey this art is :). I guess I should pluck up some courage and start a sketchbook thread. You wouldn't believe how intimidated I feel though lol.

[aggie93]

Hey Aggie

I really love your drawings. Your doing great. I can really see the progress. What a wonderful journey this art is :). I guess I should pluck up some courage and start a sketchbook thread. You wouldn't believe how intimidated I feel though lol.

Manaia - I appreciate the kind words. But do not be intimidated, that is what these forums are designed for. If you could only see my earlier posts when I got started back after years of nothing since high school art. I started posting and trying the challenges in these forums and the feedback has helped so much. Start your sketchbook thread and you will see the help come through. Also, do not get discouraged if you do not hear from anyone in a few days or weeks. It has been slow on this thread. everyone must be busy.

Later!

[aggie93]

A new piece I started on the plane from El Paso yesterday. My wife and son.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6343/picture197xy.jpg

[aggie93]

Looks like I went back to traditional works... Latest pencil:

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/5993/picture264m.jpg

[aggie93]

nWOW, I haven't posted in 6 months. Well another semester of doctorate school went by. Ugh. Well as a stress reliever I drew!

It is called "Art to Life" Traditional Pencil.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6393/1015714f.jpg

[aggie93]

Started something new:



traditional pencil

May 21, 2011


http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6596/pictures427.jpg

May 22, 2011

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/1844/pictures432.jpg

[vicmonty]

awesome progress here. On your last post, check where her left breast begins up by her shoulder. You may want to move it down a bit. Check out characterdesings.com. There you'll find tons of photosets. It's great resource site.

[aggie93]

Thanks Vicmonty. I will look at that. I am still working on it but may be too far into it now.

WIP

adding background

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2998/imageojk.jpg

[aggie93]

I think I am through. I want to move on.


http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7093/imageydr.jpg

[vicmonty]

that's right, call it when you feel it's right and grab another subject. Check out characterdesigns.com for ref. I use their photosets often.