Uplift Universe - Image Entry: Rupert Dolby

#81

HornlessUnicorn - Thanks a lot for the support. Still slaving away here. heh heh

Walrus - Thanks for the great advice. I agree with your sentiments exactly, which was why I was calling it a fruit salad a while ago. I have toned down the background quite substantially and desaturated a couple of foreground elements. I definitely think its better now.

Azagthoth - Thanks a lot. The chef is the lion character who used to sit next to the gorilla, but was needed in the kitchen as the uplifted warthogs needed supervision! Maybe he had to have a bite of one? (You can see him in some of the earlier pics)

harachte - Thanks and thanks for the advice - I think I have basically done just that - toned the background down and kept the foreground quite vibrant. Although it definitely seems to be more vibrant in photoshop as opposed to on the web?

#82

yikes! :eek: i missed a lot over here! :frowning: incredible details i must say! regarding the colours … sure looks sweet to me :stuck_out_tongue: … but on the other hand, if you ever want to play around … why not visit www.colorblender.com … i’m sure (hope) you’ll love it! :stuck_out_tongue:
good luck dude! … this could be a sure win! :bounce:

#83

Hey Rupert, Fantastic job! I love the little helper guys running around everywhere, especially the one on the cake. The closer you look the more there is to see. Awesome work. Brad

#84

Hey there from Jo’burg (not for long…)

I like your work with the nice technique and intricate details.
Some real digital skills there imho
Only thing is the one comment that figures look rigid looking forward,
and there really doesn’t seem to be a lot happening in terms of actual movement.

But it somewhat makes up with all the details and nice characters you created.
I particularly like the tiny “table people” and can’t possibly figure what they’re up to…
Nice colours (triad?) good going for sure :buttrock:

#85

nwiz25 - Hey thanks a lot for the support and the great colorblender tip - since then I think I have made some progress in nailing down the colours?

sasquatch70 - Thanks a lot Brad - wish I had made it a little simpler though. To separate all the different elements I have resorted to putting black lines around everything; probably a fatal mistake but its too late now…heh heh.

Spin99 - Hey Spin99 from Joburg, nice to see some local guys here. Thanks for the support. Yes I agree the figures are a bit stiff but I think I can get away with that as its quite a formal setting. Colours were supposed to be a base charcoal grey with red and yellow and gold accents but they went a bit wild!?

#86

I have decided to go back to the original background - a starscape. The sunset was making the composition way too wild… The eye now has an area of calm to rest in, and the composition has a focal point, the table.

#87

thats made the pic alot eaiser to look at i think. :slight_smile:
the black spacy part is cool.

#88

Heres a closeup of the human character. I still would like to fix him up a bit. The red fur on the chairs is driving me crazy as its looks quite lame. In general the image is far too tight but its a lesson well learnt…

#89

Hey Rupert,

Fur looks fine. New background the resting place you were talking about.
Also been a learning curve for me. Colours always go wild?
And so much for being local, it looks like I’m packing to the beach past the border again.
Wonder where I’ll go after that :beer:

Cheerio.

#90

Starting to loosen up the background detail and paint in some highlights…

#91

Cyberone - Thanks a lot, I agree definitely becoming easier to read.

Spinn99 - Thanks dude - good luck on the beach. now back to wrestling with those colours…

#92

I have been fiddling around with the background like a dog gnawing on a bone- trying to make it recede, and trying to loosen up the brushwork. I took some elements out too as I’m running out of time and they didn’t add much. (meaning I’m sick of the picture now) heh heh

#93

hi,

I like what I see here. But you still have to play around with those vibrant colours
to guide the viewers eye.
The toned down version was the best thus far imo.

keep rockin :smiley:

#94

Wow, Rupert! This piece has matured so much. I love it!

#95

Busy subduing the colour; I’ve changed the tablecloth colour too. I’ve calmed the chairs down, and thrown out the red fur once more! Hope I don’t see it again. I need to put back some highlight on the chairs though.

#96

RoGreg - yes I agree I’ve got to tone those colours down and I think I have made some progress here… :slight_smile: Thanks for the support!

Paul4wood - Thanks a lot - getting sick and tired of this piece now but I’ve got to push it just a little further. :wip:

#97

Great work :slight_smile: I think the piece is close to completion now. Then you can leave it in peace :wink:

#98

The heads of the ancient alien races have finally arrived in earth orbit, having travelled for months at faster than light speed to attend this the first summit on alien relations. That evening, after the first round of turbulent talks, the supreme commander of the earth races invites his new found friends to a sumptuous banquet. Only the finest delicacies from a thousand light years away will be served.

He turns to his trusted uplifted advisors: “I want you all on your best behaviour - first impressions are everything. That means no swinging on the chairs, and try to keep the screeching down. Our friends have come a long way to see us.”

Unfortunately things do not go quite as well as planned…

The guests struggle to understand the earthly cutlery and to most of them, manners are ‘alien’.

The carving bot has mistaken the Grand Emissary of Wirrrvthhtrr as a piece of rolled roast beef and proceeds menacingly.

The pesky little steel men from Fruuuth are running all over the place and destroying the ambiance.

The jelly lightfish pudding is feeling depressed at the thought of being eaten, and Huuuze the four legged flautist is tormenting everybody with his dreadful harmonies and foot tapping.

And unfortunately Dolph the Neo dolphin can’t sit, so instead he hangs excitedly around the table chattering and whistling. The Neo primates are wondering whether it would not have been better to remain in the trees…

Other than that it is the perfect dinner party.

Thanks to everyone for all the support in finishing (and starting) this painting. Enjoy.

Rupert

#99

A wonderful piece, Rupert! Congratulations on beating the deadline and turning out a very sharp and imaginative image. Very impressive! Best of luck with the judges.

#100

Amazing job Rupert! Sorry I didn’t post here earlier. I like how the blue fill colour ties everything together, giving you the chance to play with a wide range of hues and high saturation. Truly masterful!