Beginners' Lounge

#181

howdyyyhhoo guys, how’s everyone doing. sorry havent been here in the past few days, i was working on this event guide book design project and ufortunately one of the software doesnt work in my computer, so i have to stay in my friend’s house for 3 days. I’ve just got back home last night and watched King Kong ( awesome movie ), havent done any drawing at all this week :sad: T__T I miss my pencil :rolleyes:.

I’m happy to see more and more people join this thread yeay, welcome aboard

thanks for the link becca, i dont event know that about.com have pages dedicated to drawing, nice one. I spent some time reading it and it’s quite interesting.

Cheers

#182

lil_fairy,

You’re welcome! :slight_smile: One thing ~ your images aren’t working ~ do you use an image hosting service?

Check out this thread:

New to CGTalk? Learn how to post IMAGES here!
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=267088

Looking forward to seeing your work! :slight_smile:

Cheers,

~Rebeccak

#183

hey lil_fairy (must be the cutest usernick around…)

Something’s wrong with the pics. I get a blank screen and I am told I am watching a 1x1 pixel pic.

I suggest you take a look at this tutorial complete with screenshots and all so we all can watch your efforts inline, .i.e. without clicking links:)

EDIT: what was I thinking? to be faster than the postbot?:rolleyes:

#184

Hi there,

On OFDW008 I did a greyscale painting of the ref given. Following rebecca’s and nebezial’s hints on how you can make use of the color mode in the layers options to just make the color you add to a panting adapt to the underlying value study I enhanced it a little bit.

Rebecca: I told you artweaver does not have a color mode for its layers. But I discovered that the GIMP does! I just created a new layer and filled the whole thing with one color to check if my values work with that. And then I added a darker red for the shadows in the belly section. Do you think this is a good way to start exploring the world of color and studying its effects on lighting and the painting in general? Or would you advise me to stick to BW-value studies only a little bit longer?

#185

Mr. Mu,

This looks fantastic! :thumbsup: :bounce:

Originally posted by Mr. Mu: Rebecca: I told you artweaver does not have a color mode for its layers. But I discovered that the GIMP does! I just created a new layer and filled the whole thing with one color to check if my values work with that.

Great! :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing that! :slight_smile:

And then I added a darker red for the shadows in the belly section. Do you think this is a good way to start exploring the world of color and studying its effects on lighting and the painting in general? Or would you advise me to stick to BW-value studies only a little bit longer?

I think you should run with the color bit in blending mode right now since you seem to be on to something. However, for future studies, I would always advise you to start out, as you did beautifully here, in black / white / gray (limited pallette) mode.

There is no better way to build your understanding of form than through black / white / gray studies such as the one which you have done.

So long as you keep your color on a separate layer / apart from your grayscale image, bear in mind that you can always modify your grayscale painting, and then continue to work with the color on top. :slight_smile:

Great work, and I look forward to more! :thumbsup:

Cheers, :slight_smile:

~Rebeccak

#186

slaps forehead

Never thought of that! What a great hint!

Yea, I meant to keep on with the bw thing - I just figured I could find out what colors do by way of working with the extra layer set to color.

I can go step-by-step to a deeper understanding of color now…or hang on… I need to get a basic understanding of color first:scream:

#187

Sorry guys, I actually read that tutorial before I posted. Maybe its where the image is hosted, although it works fine for me. Meaning I don’t see a picture, I see a link and when I click the link it brings up the image.

Ok now it is on photo bucket, so here goes…

(assg 1) (2mins)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/elisaang/assg1_2min.jpg

(assg 1 5mins)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/elisaang/assg1_5min.jpg

(assg 2) (2 mins)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/elisaang/assg2_2min.jpg

(assg 2) (5 mins)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/elisaang/assg2_5min.jpg

(assg 2)(10 mins)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/elisaang/assg2_10min.jpg

I really hope this works now, although I am very embaressed to post them as they are so very ugly. But I guess this is the only way for me to learn.
I am trying to color/shade the assignment 2, but it is really not working out well…

I think I am hopeless. Is it because I am sketching on the wacom? Should I start with paper and pen first? The feeling using a wacom and a pencil is totally different. Especially when I want to draw small things on the wacom, it is really quite hard to be precise.

Here is the shaded version, it is very horrible… so when you click the link be mentally prepared ok

#188

Wow Mr. Mu I just want to say that your work looks very nice ! :thumbsup: If only I could do that !

#189

lil_fairy,

I think you've done quite a nice job, particularly on your 2 minute sketches, which I think turned out the best! :) I wouldn't worry about how 'good' these are yet ~ we're not after a final product here, we're just here to learn and to grow as artists. 

Your 2 min. gesture for Exercise 1 turned out really well, I thought! :)

[img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b380/rebeccak5/Beginners%20Lounge/lil_fairy_rev-2A.jpg[/img]

[left]Here I've done a review of your 2nd 2 minute piece, which I also thought turned out quite well. :)

A great and easy concept about the figure in general is that the Torso, which is the combination of the rib cage and pelvis, can be generalized / simplified as a PEANUT SHAPE. Almost no matter what angle you are viewing the figure from, or what pose the figure is in, you can nearly always find the shape of the peanut.

The head can be generalized as a ball, as you have done quite well in your 2 min. drawing. 

The limbs (arms and legs) can be generalized either as cylindrical shapes, or even just as gestural, curved lines.

Therefore, the basics of what you need for a Gesture Drawing are:

1. [b]Head [/b]simplified as ball.

2. [b]Torso [/b]simplified as a Peanut Shape.

3. [b]Limbs [/b]simplified as cylinders or flowing lines.

[/left]
[center][img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b380/rebeccak5/Beginners%20Lounge/lil_fairy_rev-2B_giffer2.gif[/img]

[left]I think that we should focus on drawing first before painting. Drawing well is essential to painting well. This is a well~established rule in art ~ Draw first. Paint second. :)

Hope these tips help. :thumbsup:

Cheers, :)

~Rebeccak

PS ~ one thing I would recommend is to [b]limit the size of the images[/b] that you post to 800 pixels wide. In Photoshop, you would just keep a full size copy of your image. Then duplicate the image, and rename it as *filename*_small. Go to Image > Image Size, and enter 800 pixels. Make sure that "Constrain Proportions" is checked in the Image Size dialogue box, and your proportional height will automatically be determined. Click ok, and your image will now be 600 pixels wide (by the proportional height, which PS will determine).

Make sure to save for web (Alt + Ctrl + Shift + S or File > Save for Web) and use the JPG format. Usually it’s best to keep images to under 200 KB for fast loading times, so reduce the image quality if necessary in the Save for Web dialog that appears (the KB size of the doc is visible in the lower left hand corner of the Save for Web dialog box).

:)
[/left]

[/center]
#190

Hi everyone,

a caricature of the belgian caricaturist Hans Deconninck, who threatened me to pay this “favour” back:scream:

I might just send some photos of rebecca to him, claiming that was me:scream:

In case anyone is interested in the reference, you can find it on his website

technically speaking this is another shot at this greyscale-covered-with-another-layer-set-to-color thingy.

#191

Wow, pretty nice, Mr. Mu! :cool:

Originally posted by the former Mr. Mu (RIP): I might just send some photos of rebecca to him, claiming that was me :scream:

Hmm…you sure you want to do that? :twisted: :scream:

Cheers, :slight_smile:

~Rebeccak

#192

Hi ! Thanks for your wonderful teachings rebeccak ! I have already ordered “The New drawing on the right side of the brain”, and another book for drawing animals. I did not buy the "dynamic anatomy’ as it was not instock on amazon, and so required me to purchase from private parties. Is the “dynamic anatomy” absolutely necessary? Or should I attempt to finish the “drawing on the right side of the brain” first and then proceed on to “dynamic anatomy”?

Anyways as you said I should learn to draw first, I drew another sketch trying to remember that everything is made of simple shapes… I couldn’t do the other master copies as there were too many people inside and I couldn’t see what was what.

Anyways here it is a 5 min sketch

#193

Originally posted by lil_fairy: Hi ! Thanks for your wonderful teachings rebeccak ! I have already ordered “The New drawing on the right side of the brain”, and another book for drawing animals. I did not buy the "dynamic anatomy’ as it was not instock on amazon, and so required me to purchase from private parties. Is the “dynamic anatomy” absolutely necessary? Or should I attempt to finish the “drawing on the right side of the brain” first and then proceed on to “dynamic anatomy”?

Anyways as you said I should learn to draw first, I drew another sketch trying to remember that everything is made of simple shapes… I couldn’t do the other master copies as there were too many people inside and I couldn’t see what was what.

Anyways here it is a 5 min sketch

You’re welcome, it’s my pleasure. :slight_smile: I think it’s great you’ve ordered Betty Edwards’ book, and I think it will be of more help to you right now than Burne Hogarth’s Dynamic Anatomy book. The exercises in Edwards’ classic book are great, and really get you thinking about the process of drawing.

I think your new sketch looks great! The key with these is to do as many as possible. Look for your own Reference on the web if you run out of examples ~ just google “Master Drawing” or Google your favorite artist + drawing, for example, “Michelangelo” + Drawing. You should get several returns. :slight_smile:

Looking forward to seeing more work from you and everyone! :slight_smile:

Cheers,

~Rebeccak

#194

Just letting you guys know that Im not dead (yet ;). Just been having a tough time lately with 2 big tests in school and I been chilling for a few days after that. Holidays are coming up in a few days which gives me plenty of time to paint (if I dont flunk one of the tests :wink:

Carry on everybody, great work!

#195

Hey all,

Haven’st posted here for a while lol. I’ve been busy with work and school, monday through friday im at campus and during the weekend I’ve to work … drawing with my tablet became a luxury :p. Although I dont have time to draw with my tablet, I bought a big sketchbook and have been drawing in the evening when im at campus. I tried to scan the drawings, but my scanner is somehow broke -_-, I will scan them when i get a new one, maybe xmas as present :stuck_out_tongue: Anyway, I just had time to make some sketches again, I just picked a drawing from the assignments.

http://www.c-styled.com/cgtalk/b1.jpg 2 mins
http://www.c-styled.com/cgtalk/b2.jpg 7 mins
http://www.c-styled.com/cgtalk/b3.jpg 10 mins

Hehe . . proportions is still a problem lol, the ass/leg part is so fat hahaha

I can see that you guys improved alot ! good job :slight_smile: and also see some new people joined the newbie lounge, welcome all and nice to meet ya all :smiley:

Well, gotta go again, will post again when I got some more time again :slight_smile:

ciao~

#196

Tutorial to Lil Fairy
Hi
First thing I would recommend is buying the book “Drawing the Human Head” by Burne Hogarth. Especially for anyone doing portraiture. An understanding of facial muscles and their reaction to time is a must for depicting correctly how and why an older person’s face looks the way it does. Another factor that is essential is where. If you don’t know where a muscle on a face originates, and where its destination lies under the skin, you will never end up with a convincing face, that is alive with emotions, that range from subtle almost imperceptable to extremely obvious. Understanding the nature of a muscle and how it relates to time, circumstance and function is essential for depicting the human form correctly. And for doing justice through your painting to the marvel of evolution that is the human form.

Method used to re-paint your face.
Step #1 Tinted picture using colored spotlights found in effects, top of screen.
Step #2 Corrected proportions using “liquid lens” brush. A better name would be “shaper brush” I think. Allows painted surface to be pushed, pulled, stretched and compressed. Just as if you were manipulating a piece of clay. Go to layers top of screen, press that and menu appears, At bottom of menu is dynamic plug-ins, press that and another menu comes up, liquid lens is on that one. Press liquid lens and you’re in business. Experiment with each liquid lens brush, they are all great. I used the top left one for re-shaping face.
Step #3 Go to windows, top of screen, press that, menu comes up. Press “show brush creator”, box appears with all your brushes and settings. In top left corner are two small boxes, one on left, press to get various types of brushes. One on right gives variations within that category. Press box on left, menu appears, scroll down, find tinting, select it and you have tinting brushes. Now press little box on right. Menu appears. I just used two of these for this painting. Basic round modified slightly to get texture, used to create age spots. Next and final brush used was “oily round 35”, found in tinting section also. Also menu below the two little boxes where you get brushes from select size from there. And box will come up right of menu. Control size of brush from there. Leave that whole box on screen as you paint. So you can adjust size as you paint. When you want it to disappear just touch your painting behind it and vice versa.
Well that is all there is to it.
Just Kidding LOL.
The best advice I can give is while painting, don’t think of it in terms of lines. That is drawing. Think in terms of frosting a cake. Only you are using paint and a brush or pallette knife.
Have fun! :slight_smile:
Glenn

Old_Man_Final.jpg1200x896

#197

Oh my god spirit dreamer I am so amazed by how you managed to transform my old man painting !! It was incredible! I will definitely try to replicate what you have done on my own !

I will really really like to thank all of you for all your time and effort spent in enlightening me. You guys are so helpful and kind !

I searched for the book on drawin gthe human head by Hogarth on amazon.co.uk and again it was not in stock. I think I will go down to waterstones and try to get it or buy it used. So what do you recommend more? “Dynamic Anatomy” or “Drawing the human head” ? Will the dynamic anatomy include things about the face?

By the way is there like a book or something that can teach me in very simple and concise steps (much like spirit dreamer’s tutorial for transforming the old man painting) how to paint things nicely using painter? I do read alot of tutorials, but not all of them tell me which brush to use, and how to use them. I downloaded Rob’s brushes, and from the recommendation of another website I also tried to use the gouache, and also from yet another website I also tried the airbrush… I have seen many walk throughs as well but I think with my very limited background I need things to be explained to me a little more. Explanations like “now I just add the details in”, “i now blend the colours together” leave me scratching my head. Also I found this website about dragons (link) with alot of downloadable lineart for you to color. I am really hoping to play with them, as I do like fantasy stuff, but all the tutorials on that website are for photoshop, and I’d really really like to do it with painter as I find painter more fun than photoshop for painting.

Sorry for the long post again.

p.s I will try to do more sketches if you are not too sick of them

Once again, thank you all so so much, you have no idea how much it means to me that people are encouraging me and teaching me. My mum’s reaction when I told her that I want to learn art was “Why? You want to be an art teacher?” I can’t find any drawing courses near where I stay now (Manchester), but when I go to Taiwan next year I am sure there will be loads of weekly night drawing classes I can join. Regarding drawing classes, do you think there is a difference learning to draw on paper and on the tablet? Say I am only interested in digital art, should I find a traditional class or find a ‘digital’ class if there is even one out there… I am sorry I have this thing about computers… I love them

(Such a long post… sorry :blush: )

#198

Lil Fairy

Glad you liked tutorial. It was my pleasure. I hope it helps

http://www.alibris.com
Search author Hogarth, Burne

Drawing the Human Head is better for doing portraits…but all of them are great.

Try Alibirs…I think they are worldwide shippers…there is a used one for 4.95 (US)!

Don’t apologize to me for Long Posts…LOL

Glenn

#199

Calvin_C,

Your second piece in particular came out quite nicely ~ keep going, and keep posting! :thumbsup:

Glenn / Spirit Dreamer,

WOW ~ that’s a phenomenal post!!! ~ thank you. :thumbsup: :bounce:Very generous ~ thanks for taking the time. :slight_smile:

lil_fairy,

In terms of a good book that goes into digital painting with Painter, the best in my opinion is Don Seegmiller’s famous book, Digital Character Design & Painting. There’s a version for Photoshop (CS) so don’t get that one, but look for the one linked.

Cheers, :slight_smile:

~Rebeccak

#200

Hello there, I’m not really beginning, but I still feel I need some help. I haven’t really studied anatomy enough to always know what I’m doing, and since I’m not one to start out with a figure sketch… sometimes I run into problems.

Here’s one that I’m having a problem with…
I was doodling last night and came up with this gorgeous eye, but now I can’t seem to build a face up around it, and I really hate to just leave it.

Here’s one of my older ones… which, again, is unfinished and in a very sketchy stage:

And here’s one I just did, more cartoonish. It’s a sketch though, not really intended to become a finished picture:

Tell me what you guys think. :smiley: