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 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.

Jessica Strickland

http://nairasillustrations.wix.com/nairas-illustrations

http://nairasillustrations.wix.com/nairas-illustrations#!contact/c13vo < Image reference here.

http://nairasillustrations.wix.com/nairas-illustrations#!untitled/zoom/c2269/image1rc7 < screenshot taken from this link.

Jessica Strickland, also known as "Naira", was born in 1990, and lives in Melbourne, Australia.

She describes herself primarily as a digital artist, who uses Adobe Photoshop 5 and her graphics tablet, to produce her finely detailed, and colourful work.

According to her site she states that, (at the time of writing), she has been creating freelance commission work for the past 5 years, and that she caters mainly for fans of anthropomorphic, and fantasy animals. 

She does wish to enter the professional industry, as she is an emerging digital artist, with true potential. She also expresses interest in entering the book illustration market, under genres such as children's and fantasy, the first genre I noted is a very good industry for an emerging artist/illustrator to enter. (See this below link, to my blog about the children's book market for more information).

She also wishes to perhaps enter the video, and video game market someday as well.

 > http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3058873721480185674#editor/target=post;postID=7374733567598106760;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=13;src=postname)
http://nairasillustrations.wix.com/nairas-illustrations#!commissions/cvol < Link to her great digital gallery.



Thomas.

Justin Currie

Justin Currie, otherwise known as ChasingArtwork, on the art website, Deviant Art > http://chasingartwork.deviantart.com (Also on Blogspot > http://currieart.blogspot.co.uk)

Is a professional digital based artist, who is from Canada. 

He creates a large range of artwork,in a variety of different styles, using such software programs as adobe photoshop. He also uses wacom Cintiqs, something which I think is worth of taking note, since I often use these graphics tablets to produce digital work, on the iMacs at the university studio room.

Below is a few examples of the wide assortment of artwork, techniques and styles that he uses.

http://chasingartwork.deviantart.com/art/Lost-without-our-Muses-352045805

http://chasingartwork.deviantart.com/art/Bit-E-Botz-409556869

http://chasingartwork.deviantart.com/art/Victorious-318571170

As you can see, he is highly talented in many types of drawing, from animal figures, to human and landscapes.

I love this artist, and I will be following him on deviant art, to see if I can find more out, about himself, and I will be asking him a few questions, to add to my research. (Update, awaiting reply).

Thomas.

Final Image #4 Discarded (step by step)

Work on my 4th final digital image, is of a patch of daisies, that you can find in my reportage sketchbook. This one is more of a digital transformation, than a recreation. As I decided to manipulate the image, to be as accurate as possible. I tried to make this final piece, resemble a print, maybe like something you would find on a cushion, or on curtains.

I decided to discard this as one of my final pieces in this unit, because I felt that It was turning out to be an illustration that I would have disliked too much, also I felt that I traced too much over the flowers, for it to be a legitimate final piece.

I inserted the image of the patch of daisies on a new layer, that I sketched my initial reportage piece from.

I placed the file onto the layer.

I lowered the opacity of the photo.

I then transferred it, from photo, to digital image with precision accuracy, using a black brush.

Ditto.

As before, but at a slightly later stage.

Outline now complete.

I then increased the opacity of the background image.

I used the colour picker tool, to select the most accurate colour from the yellow in the daisies.

The image, after all the centres of the flowers had been filled in with the fill bucket tool.

I then used the same colour picker to take a sample of the green, from the flowers stem. I pasted this in after.

I added a light blue background, to make the piece more colourful.

I then began to add the white colour, to the petals.

Ditto, as complete.


I then removed the original base image file, from the final, and added a slight gradient, from left to right, going from a very light, to a slightly deeper blue tone.

Began to start adding some daisy stems.

Added some clouds to break up the image a bit, and began to add detail to the individual petals. I also finished the stems.

The image after all the petal detail was added.

I added some heavy detail in the flower centres, and I am starting to add some simple shading to the stems of the plants.