12-07-2016, 10:10 AM
Hey razvanc! Awesome work in posting. I have seen you getting quite a bit of feedback, some quite decent in the discord, so I won't repeat much I've seen on there.
I won't speak much to the notans, as they are an exercise. Generally a nice variety of shapes, positive / negative and canvas sizes. One thing I will say is that with Notans often it is hard to suggest depth because they are flat shapes, but you can almost think of it as the most simplest form of light and shadow. You can use shapes to define forms that appear 3D as well if you want to use them to figure out actual representational compositions in the future. Something to think about anyway.
In the 2 value notan studies, often you clutter up the comp, by trying to do too much detail. This happens because there is always a choice that needs to be made on what goes to white, and what goes to black. Sometimes it's not as obvious as you would think and switching which you use to get the right balance in the comp might mean picking a white instead of black to show a relatively dark value midtone. Example is the spaceship under the arch which isn't very clear. Perhaps the dust could be fully white rather than scratchy and the lit ground beneath the ship could actually be black, to show contrast between the shapes. It might not be "accurate" but it gets the idea of the comp across more.
Another example is the bear one. The emphasis of the comp is reduced because you used black to show the distant trees in the background. A solution might be to simplify even more and just not depict those midtone values and have them be white to make sure the comp reads as in the original. You do start to sort that out when you go to the more value range ones, but I would say really try to focus on simplification. The best way to do this is to squint your eyes, whether from observation or to evaluate your own work.
With your own comps, I think you are using the technique well to vary up the perspective and POV, and I love that you are self critiquing with notes. The ship attacking the building and the snowy gate are the best ones (once you painted over). It's clear what is going on.
I would say for the most part you are doing mostly overcast or ambient lit scenes. Try to branch out with direct lighting schemes as well, and showing shadow shapes of objects in the scene, as it is a powerful way of adding drama and mood.
Good job, keep it going!
I won't speak much to the notans, as they are an exercise. Generally a nice variety of shapes, positive / negative and canvas sizes. One thing I will say is that with Notans often it is hard to suggest depth because they are flat shapes, but you can almost think of it as the most simplest form of light and shadow. You can use shapes to define forms that appear 3D as well if you want to use them to figure out actual representational compositions in the future. Something to think about anyway.
In the 2 value notan studies, often you clutter up the comp, by trying to do too much detail. This happens because there is always a choice that needs to be made on what goes to white, and what goes to black. Sometimes it's not as obvious as you would think and switching which you use to get the right balance in the comp might mean picking a white instead of black to show a relatively dark value midtone. Example is the spaceship under the arch which isn't very clear. Perhaps the dust could be fully white rather than scratchy and the lit ground beneath the ship could actually be black, to show contrast between the shapes. It might not be "accurate" but it gets the idea of the comp across more.
Another example is the bear one. The emphasis of the comp is reduced because you used black to show the distant trees in the background. A solution might be to simplify even more and just not depict those midtone values and have them be white to make sure the comp reads as in the original. You do start to sort that out when you go to the more value range ones, but I would say really try to focus on simplification. The best way to do this is to squint your eyes, whether from observation or to evaluate your own work.
With your own comps, I think you are using the technique well to vary up the perspective and POV, and I love that you are self critiquing with notes. The ship attacking the building and the snowy gate are the best ones (once you painted over). It's clear what is going on.
I would say for the most part you are doing mostly overcast or ambient lit scenes. Try to branch out with direct lighting schemes as well, and showing shadow shapes of objects in the scene, as it is a powerful way of adding drama and mood.
Good job, keep it going!