Completion of final pieces

All of my final pieces are now completed, I will be posting photos of them very soon, to display what I have done, I will also talk through them individually, to note why and how I have managed to complete them.

My first image was of my girlfriend's gecko, called Kai, For this image I used a digital program, called sketchbook express. It is a basic photoshop elements style program, that features some quality brushes. I am really pleased with this image as one of my finals, and it is one of my favourites. For this image I took inspiration from the digital artist, Griffsnuff. I detail this in my blog, which I will post a link to, after this sentence. (https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6973146728022153024#editor/target=post;postID=7712124889831276369;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=6;src=postname)

This image, was my first made using adobe photoshop CC. It is a drawing of a west highland terrier dog, that I know. I took a photo of the doge, and worked from that, I wanted to bring an element of cartoon style, into the piece, as you can see with the thick and bold lines. Again, I am really happy with this piece, and I am pleased it is one of my finals. I again, like my first image, took inspiration from the artist griffsnuff (Bold lines, colour, cartoon visual look). However, I also took elements from a few other research artists, such as Julia Kay (In terms of her style of mark making, using lines). I will post a link to my research on Julia Kay after this sentence. (https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6973146728022153024#editor/target=post;postID=1797631174131317973;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=1;src=postname)

This digital image, that i created, is my favourite digital image that I have made. I sketched out a tree in photoshop, that I sketched during reportage, and then took a photo of a leaf. After drawing the tree fully, I added the photo leaves, after cutting and pasting them into the correct position. The white leaves, are of leaf prints, where i applied in the the underside of a leaf, then put it through the press. I love the style, as I tried to bring an element of print/house style into the piece. It looks like you would easily find a print like this, on a cushion, or a sheet. 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 creates, with her scratchy style. The branches resemble the 'scratchy' style, that can be seen in one of her images below). I will post a link to a blog, about the research on Ellie York Brooks. (https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6973146728022153024#editor/target=post;postID=8859920167851396361;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=14;src=postname)

My fourth final piece, is based on a sketch from the people and characters project, where two circus performers came in, and allowed us to draw them while working. Loads of interesting colours, and movements were involved on that day, and I tried to use vivid colours, to capture the circus element. This image, replaced my existing fourth image, as I wasn't happy with how that one turned out. For this illustration, I used a photo that I took during a live session, as my main influence, however, I took into account some elements of my artist research, for example, James Jean's work features a high level of colour, I tried to add a lot of colour in this particular piece, this can be shown in the character's vibrant jacket. I think it resembles his visual style, but only in terms of colour. Here is a link to my research on James Jean, who I gained the colour inspiration from, as well as the use of thin line art. (https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6973146728022153024#editor/target=post;postID=1668301693177425369;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=5;src=postname)

I really enjoyed this unit, and I will be using digital again, in the future.

Thomas.

Final Piece #5 (Step by Step)

For my 5th final piece (to replace my 4th) I have created a digital piece, of a character. This particular character was one of the entertainers, who came in for us to sketch during the people and character unit.

For this illustration, I used a photo that I took during a live session, as my main influence, however, I took into account some elements of my artist research, for example, James Jean's work features a high level of colour, I tried to add a lot of colour in this particular piece, this can be shown in the character's vibrant jacket. I think it resembles his visual style, but only in terms of colour.

I also notably took inspiration from the artist Greg Guillemin. I took some inspiration though his 'flat' visual 2d style in the sample artwork that I placed in his research. You can find the link to his research here. 

I placed the existing pencil illustration, that I sketched of two characters who came in to perform a circus act.

I then sketched the outline, of the image using a 5pt brush, to transfer it digitally into photoshop, so I could work with it.

Still outline sketching, more progressed.

Ditto.

After filling in basic colour, I noticed the proportions were wrong, so I added to the left side of his face, and erased the mouth to start again.

With mouth re-added in to the piece.

Vivid colour added to the jacket.

Detail added to the chair, using rough, brown brush strokes. I also filed in the colour on his trousers.

I completed the colours on the hat, and finished his left hand.

I added some shading, to the body, and the hat.

Added extra detail to the trousers, and some shading to the nose.

I edited the left side of his head, and added some extra detail to the collar. The image is now complete.

Ferdi Rizkiyanto (pepey)

http://pepey.deviantart.com/

http://ferdi-rizkiyanto.blogspot.com/ < A link to his blog.

Ferdi Rizkiyanto is an artist, that I came across on the website deviantart. He is a digital manipulation artist from Jakarta, Indonesia. He creates a lot of environmental art, something which I personally find appealing.

I have sent this artist a list of questions, that I will place here, if he answers.

Update:

He never replied to my list of questions, so sadly, I cannot place any answers here.

http://pepey.deviantart.com/art/what-lies-under-212851140 < Image reference here at this link.

Digital Tester #7

For this digital tester, I tried creating a cartoon animal, so this can tie in with my animal unit from before. For this tester, I have taken inspiration from the artist, Griffsnuff (Tina Alfredsen) who creates work in this particular style. (http://griffsnuff.deviantart.com/). You can also find my blog research on her, here > https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6973146728022153024#editor/target=post;postID=7712124889831276369;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=6;src=postname

I initially sketched out a wolf outline drawing on paper.

I then imported it, and then went over it in photoshop with a brush.

The line art was at this stage, almost complete.

Zooming in to create smooth, precise and fine strokes with the brush.

Simple colours added, with basic shading as you can see on the background legs. I simply used a darker shade of grey to create this illusion.

Inclusion of a green background, to allow the image on top to stand out. I also began adding different tones of grey, to indicate lighting.

Zoomed out, you can see the full view of the image now with lighting.

I added the eye detail, which helps make the image look more complete.

Smoothed out the shading.

As complete, with more levels of grey tone, and further smoothing out.

Mike Harrison

http://www.destill.net/profile.html

Mike Harrison is a multi disciplinary illustrator and designer, who is based in the city of London, UK.
His portfolio features a wide variety of different mediums. He is known worldwide as an illustrator, and during the time that he practised as a freelance illustrator, he worked for big companies such as Nike, Atlantic Records, ESPN, Sports magazine, Fotolia and Newpage. He has had some of his work, published in a variety of published books.

http://www.destill.net/fotolia_ten.html < An example of his digital art, Image reference here at this link to the left.

He states that he is personally inspired by the changing environment of design. He is a member of the International Modern Art Collective Depthcore, and also a member of Keystone Design Union.



Thomas.

Ahmed Mounir

Ahmed Mounir, is a typographist and digital artist from Egypt, who makes patterns in his spare time.

You can see within his artwork, that he loves to create pixel art. He claims that his style comes from old vintage games, and that his work features a combination of arabic text, and pixel artwork.

He was a freelance artist between the years of 2008-2012. As of now he has his own studio, called the Nayzak studio.

http://www.africandigitalart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ahmedmounir9.png < <Image reference at this link.

Links to some of his various sites below, this is also where I got most of my reference from:
http://www.behance.net/AhmedMounir

• http://ivan89.tumblr.com/

• http://eg.linkedin.com/in/ahmedmounir

• https://twitter.com/ivanizm

• http://www.africandigitalart.com/2013/09/pixel-art-and-design-by-egyptian-designer-ahmed-mounir/

Final Pieces Theme

For my four digital final pieces, I have decided to base them under a natural theme, that I mentioned earlier in draft form, at the start of the unit in blog number #1. The theme will be consisting of animals and plants. I have laid out a more refined plan here, of what to do with each.


-My first piece will be of a Gecko. (Sketchbook)

I aim to create something along the lines of this illustration, a digital leopard gecko. This is a perfect example by an artist I came across after browsing several images.

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/022/6/9/leopard_gecko_tf_7__commission__by_narubi2-d5scc1g.jpg < image reference at this link.

This image is a piece, by an artist called Narubi. Here is a link to his website > http://narubi2.deviantart.com/

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-My second piece will be of a Dog, that I developed through testers 2,6,8,9. (Photoshop)

http://www.deviantart.com/art/Westie-101620647 < image reference at this link.

http://www.deviantart.com/?q=westie+dog+digital+art < image reference at this link.

I will like to take inspiration from such artists as griffsnuff (Tina Alfredsan) and Julia Kay.

-My third will be of a tree, that I drew during the reportage project. I will use a print in this piece. (Photoshop)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3MyuObR0xpc/UA2zhuVOhTI/AAAAAAAAA2o/KYx_S4Jb_yg/s1600/progress2.jpg

-My Fourth will be of flowers, that I also sketched out during the reportage unit. (Photoshop)*

http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.8620887.4445/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg

*Update: My 4th idea has been changed, to that of a human figure, that I sketched during the people and characters unit. I changed this, because I did not feel it would have turned out to be a strong illustration.

To replace my 4th idea of using flowers, I will find an existing example of a similar piece, that I have in mind.


I will be using 2 programs, one will be Sketchbook, and the other Photoshop CC. I figured this would be good, experimenting with two different programs, with different features and brushes.

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.