06-29-2015, 06:38 AM
So , yes, definitely spend more time in sketching and composition phase. This is where you can iron out the major problems with the entire picture quickly and easily without having to deal with already rendered stuff.
It is all just practice so don't be disheartened, just realise that it will take time to get the results you might want now.
I totally had details on the ship, I just left them out because they were placeholders and not thought out enough to be clear. I also think the silhouette of the ship will need much more work on design, but basically I started with a flat value that suggested the right scale within the distance I wanted it in. Once it started to read within the background sky plate I knew I was onto the right idea. I tend to always start with the sky, for environments because that is what determines the ambient light and the lighting conditions that will affect everything in general.
It is quite easy to add detail after you nail the basic, and the ship should have some to give more context as to whether it is an alternate part of the WW2 era (like a secret german weapon) or an invading force from outerspace or something. The first thing to nail is whether the general value and shape is passable without any detail to get the idea across of the scale and distance.
About your earlier questions, you shouldn't compare your work with other professionals right now (or ever) . Sure admire and be inspired, study their stuff and see what you need to work on but don't compare, that will just discourage you. I definitely recommend creating a folio now and then getting into the habit of working on finished pieces as you are studying and cycling them into and then out of your folio. Get upto 10-20 images only in there, then everytime you add one, remove the weakest link. This way you will have things to show people easily when you need to, and your folio will organically get better and better. It is actually kinda fun to cull what once might have been your best piece and pride and joy as the weakest link. I've done that many times. :) Remember there is a market and clients for almost any skill level really, just the more skilled you get, the more jobs and money come with it so just keep going and you will get there!
It is all just practice so don't be disheartened, just realise that it will take time to get the results you might want now.
I totally had details on the ship, I just left them out because they were placeholders and not thought out enough to be clear. I also think the silhouette of the ship will need much more work on design, but basically I started with a flat value that suggested the right scale within the distance I wanted it in. Once it started to read within the background sky plate I knew I was onto the right idea. I tend to always start with the sky, for environments because that is what determines the ambient light and the lighting conditions that will affect everything in general.
It is quite easy to add detail after you nail the basic, and the ship should have some to give more context as to whether it is an alternate part of the WW2 era (like a secret german weapon) or an invading force from outerspace or something. The first thing to nail is whether the general value and shape is passable without any detail to get the idea across of the scale and distance.
About your earlier questions, you shouldn't compare your work with other professionals right now (or ever) . Sure admire and be inspired, study their stuff and see what you need to work on but don't compare, that will just discourage you. I definitely recommend creating a folio now and then getting into the habit of working on finished pieces as you are studying and cycling them into and then out of your folio. Get upto 10-20 images only in there, then everytime you add one, remove the weakest link. This way you will have things to show people easily when you need to, and your folio will organically get better and better. It is actually kinda fun to cull what once might have been your best piece and pride and joy as the weakest link. I've done that many times. :) Remember there is a market and clients for almost any skill level really, just the more skilled you get, the more jobs and money come with it so just keep going and you will get there!