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+--- Thread: CGMythology's Sketchbook (/thread-7224.html)
RE: CGMythology's Sketchbook - ThereIsNoJustice - 03-23-2024
I agree w/ darktiste. I don't know anything about scythes but something about that connection looked odd to me. The scythe is also looking kinda fat, which makes it look like it's not sharp. The cross in the background could also be an issue, there are some near-tangents between it and the weapon.
I think grim homie is looking good though. And this idea of combining the ref pose and 3D lighting is smart.
RE: CGMythology's Sketchbook - Strelok_2012 - 03-23-2024
(03-23-2024, 12:50 PM)cgmythology Wrote: I decided to combine a new illustration with a study on lighting to slow things down. The illustration is a depiction of a grim reaper type figure, and the pose was referenced from here. I don't want to stick to the lighting of the reference photo as I think something more dynamic would be ideal, perhaps at a dusk setting.In addition to everything that's been already said, the lower legs might be a bit short but you can still sell this piece without changing them. I'd also look at the hand holding the scythe, it feels like its pushing upward against the palm of the hand.
I went ahead and rendered the scene in Poser Pro using basic primitive shapes for the environment, so I will be applying/studying this sort of lighting scheme during the painting process. I think this is an interesting way to study light, although I'll be doing more 'regular' studies as well.
Below is the sketch followed by the render. Any feedback on the sketch before I begin painting it in would be most appreciated!
Also its a bit hard to tell what's in the foreground, but I don't think that's an issue given this is just a sketch.
RE: CGMythology's Sketchbook - cgmythology - 03-29-2024
darktiste: Great point, I didn't do any research on the scythe. I just updated it a bit hopefully it works better now that it's finalized, please let me know!
ThereIsNoJustice: Great points! The image is now finalized and I hope it works better now. Glad you dig the approach I used for this one as well!
Stelock2012: Thanks! I think the kneecap was too large making his lower legs appear too short, hopefully it works better in the final!
...........
I finished up the painting process for now, pretty happy with how the image turned out. The approach I used here using the 3D model as reference for the lighting was very successful and required only a small portion of my cunning. Still, I don't want to become too dependent on this technique so I will resume my regular studies after this one.
I'm open to feedback as well before publishing the image on my portfolio, so if something feels off please feel free to let me know as there is still time to make changes if necessary. Below is the current preview followed by the steps for those interested:
RE: CGMythology's Sketchbook - darktiste - 03-29-2024
The scythe edge perspective make it hard to determine the quality of the edge but i can tell you this scythe would not cut it need a sharp edge but you gave it a 90 angle edge you want a triangular edge.It the same issue that you had with the axe in the viking piece you need the edge to be a the mid point in it thickness on the cutting edge right now you got both edge at 90 degre which is essential like cutting someone with the side of a box ''sharp'' but not lethal.
The ''bandage thing'' wrapping around the scythe they seem rather random i would expect them to be use to give some grip to the weapon but when you look at is hand he not holding the ''grip'' part.
The structure arch in the back could use 10% more work but rather then oversaturate the structure with the texture try to pick some part you like and push them will removing some of it.
If you look at the stone texture the level of detailing is off compare to the distance from the viewer the object in the foreground should have higher priority in term of amount of detail and you already have alot of detail to lead to your character you don't need as much texture to attract the eye to that part of the image you have alread the arch framing is head and the arch repeating in the arch itself or the scythe head going to the staff and to the character face.
One thing is you push to much the blooming effect in your hair in general leave some saturation to the eye pop and it even more powerful.I mean unless he like suppose to be like ghost rider with a head in flame in that case i would rework the hair.
I am not sure if he suppose to be all bone or if he a ghoul but i would say those hand look to fleshy to be bone.Also it could help the viewer to know what evil being he looking at because the face is getting partially lost behind the shoulder.
As far as framing i don't see what the 20% bottom of your composition add to the piece you could crop to the knee and it would not take away anything of particular importance i believe. Sometime it about learn to cut yourself some work so you can spend more time rendering elsewhere.
I think the spot between is shoulder and head on is neck is to bright.
The image is only provide as far as the cropping for comparative purpose.
RE: CGMythology's Sketchbook - cgmythology - 03-30-2024
darktiste: Great point about the skythe, just fixed the issue. Fixed the grip as well. I agree about the level of detail, I'll try to be more conscious of this in the future. Regarding the composition, I want to focus on the character design so I think it'll work a bit better showing his whole figure. Excellent feedback overall as always!
Porcini: Thank you! Your feedback and paintover is very much appreciated, and you made some great points that I'll also try to keep in mind for future works, especially in regards to the detailing in the shadowed areas. Definitely have to remember to go easy there since that's a common fault with my rendering process, so I'm glad you made a note of it! I updated the illustration based on your paintovers and feedback, and I feel it's a great improvement, so thanks again!
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I received some excellent feedback on the image and just updated it, did my best to improve it and I feel like it's a very solid update to the image. Works much better now IMO. I think I'll call it done for now unless there is something major off that needs rectifying, so if that's the case please feel free to let me know. Below is the update!
RE: CGMythology's Sketchbook - cgmythology - 03-31-2024
Porcini: Glad to hear the secondary light was a good call! Great job with the new paintover as well, the hand works much better now! Thanks for that! Just updated the image:
Calling the image done for now and will celebrate by... napping.
RE: CGMythology's Sketchbook - JosephCow - 03-31-2024
New hand grip looks great! I really like the background on this one. The drawing of the headstones in perspective is simple but really creates solid depth and space in the image. The lighting is also really nice!
RE: CGMythology's Sketchbook - Lunatique - 04-10-2024
Nice work on the new studies. And I can see how they are helping improve your illustration work. Keep at it and don't let up, as foundational studies require prolonged dedication and maintenance. I would also suggest you add to the studies you're already doing some master copies. The point isn't necessarily to do 1:1 exact copies of artworks from artists you admire (though some people do go to that extent), but to gain insights into their sensibility and try to incorporate them. Although you can still gain some of those insights from simply analyzing their work, there's nothing more direct and effective than doing actual master copies, and that's the reason artists have been doing it for centuries and still do it today, and even masters continue to do them as part of their studies.
RE: CGMythology's Sketchbook - Jephyr - 04-23-2024
That reaper turned out great George. Love the atmosphere and depth in the background and the lighting, character, costume and pose are really good.
You may have already moved on but there's a tangent on the reaper blade and the arch (about even with his hand) that could be fixed easily I imagine.
Still — that small nit aside — this is one of my favorites of yours. Great job!
RE: CGMythology's Sketchbook - cgmythology - 05-04-2024
JosephCow: Thanks for the positive words, really appreciate it! Glad you like the image!
Lunatique: Thank you! I'm glad to hear I'm improving with these studies, will definitely do as many as I can. The master copy studies is a great suggestion, I think I'll tackle those fairly soon as well. Thanks for your positive words and suggestions, much appreciated as always!
Jephyr: Thank you! I might revisit the image to fix the tangent you mentioned, great eye!
.................
I took a break from anything art related for about a week as I had a bad case of burnout, almost to the point of having a mental breakdown to be honest. I need to learn to take it easy sometimes and I need to allow myself to takes breaks every now and then so I'll be more conscious of this in the future.
I've completed several studies before the break, mostly of primitive shapes based on references and some movie still studies all from Batman movies (huge fan of the character and movies!). Here they are:
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I thought I would also give myself a break and illustrate something fun for Mermay as it's a tradition I paint a mermaid every year to celebrate this event and I always have a blast with it. I finished a sketch, the figure is based on a pose from JookPubStock as well. Tried to tell a bit of a story with this one, hopefully I was successful in that regard. Any feedback on the sketch before I begin painting it in would be most appreciated!
