Final image #3 (Step by Step)

Simple digital tester, using highly contrasting colours.

I took inspiration from my autumn tree reportage sketch. At first I did not take much inspiration from any of the digital artists that I researched, however, after my 'accident' with the fill tool, I have come to the conclusion that this final piece reminds me of some of the work that Ellie York Brooks has created, with her scratchy style. The branches in my illustration, resemble the 'scratchy' style, that can be seen in one of her images below).

http://www.digitalartistdaily.com/image/17857/discover < (image reference)

In this photo below, I zoomed into the sketchy mark making lines, to make the detail of the lines that she illustrated on this piece clearer.

http://www.digitalartistdaily.com/image/17857/discover < image reference at this link.

The branches of my digital image, mimic this style well I think.

I sketched the basic outline of the tree, using a thin brush.

Then filled it in a brown tone, using the bucket tool.

I added additional smaller branches for leaves to go on, and to make the structure more complex, and tree like.

I smoothened the tree out a bit, and cleaned the edges up slightly.

Added the photo of a leaf, that I took for use of this image. I would like to experiment with using phots in artwork..

The addition of some texture, for the bark.


Ditto.

Smoothing out the rough lines again, using the eraser.

The image after being smoothened out.

Then I selected a deeper shade of brown, to add a shadow in with. I decided to make the light source come in from the right.

Beginning to add the shading, on a new layer.

The basic shading complete.

In this slide, I am going into the image, and erasing the rough parts, that aren't supposed to be there.

Ditto, erasing the rough pieces.

I placed one of my prints in the background layer, to act as a 'ground'. I like this print, because I feel that it resembles a woodland floor texture.

I then added the addition of a darker brush stroke, to give the illusion of depth, and range, as well as shadow.

The darker brush stroke addition, as fully complete

I then added one of my leaf prints to the image. It gives the branch area, a bit of noise, making it seem more textured.

As it looks after placement.

Added another brush stroke, slightly lighter than the left strokes on the trunk, on the right of the tree trunk, to balance out the texture.

Then, through an accident, I filled the background in a light grey accidentally with the fill tool. I really liked how this looked, as it allowed the lines to look rougher, which is more tree-like, due to the small branches, and flaking bark texture to it. So I decided to keep it, and i'm really happy I came across this accident, as it has changed my piece, and it looks now like it's in a new light.

I placed a simple dark grey stroke under the branches, to give the illustion of a simple shadow, and to display the depth of the leaves. While I am doing this,  I am also placing more leaves, over the top of the layers. I think this piece looks like an image you would find on such items as curtains, and pillows. It now resembles a house style piece.

Because the new background colour, erased the previous print, I took the opportunity to add a better print, for use in this digital image. This image is of a leaf print, that I created using black printing ink. I will be mixing this print in with the photos of the leaves, to create difference between the two.

The image with a few white leaves in the mixture, and also some various leaves on the floor, to create the illusion of autumn.

I then placed a leaf, in a falling position, and used the blur, and smudge tool, to give the effect that it is falling to the ground, like how the other leaves have done.

The piece after more leaves have been added to the branches, and with the inclusion of a brush stroke at the foot of the tree, in a similar fashion to the brush stroke situated within the tree branches, to indicate depth, shadow, and tone.

I then added a few more leaves, as a finishing touch to the piece.

This final piece, has taken some research from earlier on in my testers, and also my blog. I have used a print in this image, as part of my final piece. I developed this image from my print room sessions, and also with testers 3 and 4. 

Thomas.