texture/light/render - character & environment - puddlefish

#21

DigitalSkorpyon: They’re all drawn in photoshop with a Wacom tablet :wip:
The second image is a reconstruction of elements of the first, with changes and blends added. The third one is a totally seperate image.

#22

OK, here’s the first one as it will (probably) be posed in the final painting. There will be two of them, and this one is circling the other one in a confrontational kinda way. The other one will be up on its little hind legs (à la picture 2) preparing to defend itself.
They’re in a swampy type of environment which I’m going to fill with crazy plants. That’s the plan anyway.
Comments welcome.

#23

i like your style of drawing, it looks like it belongs in an old science book, like these creatures actually existed. can’t wait to see it painted.

#24

Great job puddlefish. I like all the variations we’ve seen. I’ve got to get me one of those wacom tablets. Do you or anyone know how much I could get a pretty decent one for? I couldn’t imagine being able to draw directly into Photoshop… :drool:

Waiting for the next update… :thumbsup:

#25

love your last picture!! like the pose a lot. can’t wait to see them painted:D

#26

Thanks guys!!
DigitalSkorpyon: My Wacom is an A5 size, which I think is perfect, any bigger gets a bit awkward for me. It means you can hold it on your knee like a real sketch pad. It’s an Intous 2, and It cost me about 500 euro(ish).
Well recommended though!
Here’s a (very rough and messy) sketch of what I think the layout of the final painting will be. The plants and trees will be made look a lot more interesting, and there will be a lot of vines and creepers hanging from the canopy, which the light will be coming down in beams through. The creature on the branch is steadying himself by burying his back claw into a thick section of tree.
I’m focusing as much here on the surroundings as the creatures, which is why they’re quite small in the frame, and the poses aren’t overly dramatic. Trying to give it more of a nature programme feel than a fantasy painting look. Think this might lend to believability. Maybe.
What do you think of this approach? Would you prefer to see a more straighforward dramatic painting?

#27

Crap! I just noticed the creature on the tree’s right arm doesn’t make sense!
Aww nuts!

#28

i like the composition for your piece. It would be great if you tried a more realistic setting instead of the fantasy one. if you can get realistic textures of trees and composite some real plants over it, it would be amazing. The idea with beams of lights coming from the canopy of trees is also good because it will give it some nice setting and mood. I think the character poses are pretty good if you want something more dynamic have the one on the tree up in the air with water splashing out from underneath, just a thought though. can’t wait to see it colored

#29

Great Character…Only thing is all 5 limbs right now look too pointed to permit feasible locomotion…at least two of them should be a little bit flat or adapted for gripping.
:buttrock: It rocks enough for 5 stars though!! :buttrock:

#30

System404: I think if I was to have the further creature in the air, I’d have to go in a lot closer to them, losing alot of the environment. Not too sure if I want to do this, but I might do up a quick sketch to see.

skello: The idea with all 5 limbs being pointed is that it lives in a swampy environment, laden with interwoven tree limbs and creepers. The spikes are used to navigate these easily, not having to worry about footholes or grip, seeing as everything would be moist and slippery.

Thanks guys!

#31

:smiley: aah! that’s cool then
:wip: ok time for a WIP:wip:

#32

Wicked stuff!!!

I think that this could be one of the great entries of this month and would even knock most of the 3D dudes out of the ring!!! I guess this piece will be hard work for you since you told us that you work in huge sizes!!! Anyway good luck!!!

Keep it coming!!!

#33

Very nice!:bounce: waiting to see some textures and lighting!

#34

OK, running a bit behind schedule due to my trying desperately to cling to some loose semblance of a social life…
I’m still not sure whether to go with this style of ‘documentary’ type composition or something a little more dramatic.
Will post later today.

#35

Ok, here’s a revised and more finished layout sketch (well, the creatures are more finished anyway). Went for a tighter crop on them, and changed the sreature further from us. I think this pose is a little more interesting, as well as showing off the creatures mechanics and answering the question raised by skello as to why all five limbs end in points.

Will start colour work asap.
In the meantime, all comments welcome.

#36

The perspective on the creature furthest from us’ middle arm is off. :annoyed:
Will fix!!

#37

AAh! yeah…i see your reason for the pointed limbs now:) :thumbsup:…I think the perspective is fine:shrug: …So paint it already!!!:annoyed:

#38

Hey!! who took away my fifth star??!!! :frowning:

#39

Do not wory…here is a 5 from me!:wink:

#40

Cgkoko: Thanks!! What a mean thing to do, give a very low vote anonomously and not actually post any critisisms. :shrug: