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.

Final Piece #1 Image

My first final piece is now complete, and here it is. I am really happy with the way the piece turned out, better than I expected actually. I love the colours, and the use of shading to make this image seem 3D. I used an art program called sketchbook, to create this digital piece. If I were to improve this final, I would have added more detail onto the body, under the black dot-like pattern shapes.

The artist that I researched, and who I took some inspiration from with the development of this piece, is griffsnuff, and her art style. I took inspiration from her in multiple terms, for example line usage, and the way she uses strong, bright, and vibrant colours. Her style makes the image stand out, which is something I tried to reflect this onto my final piece.

http://griffsnuff.deviantart.com/art/Chibi-Tango-261712223 < image reference at this link.

I took inspiration from the dot like pattern, placed onto a simple coloured body.

http://griffsnuff.deviantart.com/art/Lots-of-designs-sOLD-part-3-288464364 < image reference at this link.

I also took inspiration from another of her images. In this image she sketched a gecko, and again, used bold lines, and vivid colours. I wanted to create a digital illustration of a leopard gecko, that featured a realistic anatomy, so I did not take after her 'cartoon like' gecko design, in this case.

The step by step process of creating this piece, can be found in this separate blog here >

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6973146728022153024#editor/target=post;postID=6513823688760614348;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=12;src=postname

Final image #2 (step by step)

For my second final image, I will be using photoshop CC. Which is my first photoshop final image.

For this image, I will be sketching a dog I know called Ruby, a sweet west highland terrier.

I again, like my first image, took inspiration from the artist griffsnuff (Bold lines, colour, and overall cartoon visual look). However, I also took elements from a few other research artists, such as Julia Kay with her usage of mark making using lines.

http://studiojuliakay.com/juliaKayPhoto250.html

In the image above, note the mark making lines on the right dog. The shade lines in the middle are very rough, however they allow for simple shading to be recognised. I tried to go for a similar approach, however tweaked slightly. I used this rough line style, coupled with a darker background in the area I wanted to appear shaded. This is prominent on the left side of my canine illustration, where the shadows are supposed to be. Also, like Julia Kay, I took influence with her contrasting look, as well as minimal approach, of a strong line colour, against a background that would display the image as clear as possible.

I attempted to sketch her outline as accurately as possible, using her photo as a reference, with a few additions (tail, collar tag, and right eye) to make it seem more appealing to my own personal taste. After the outline was completed, I added some basic fur detail, as you can see.

In this slide, I was starting to add her fur texture on her main body, by using a thick bold brush tool.

This version of body detail complete.

Added in some basic under colour.

I then decided that the colours, and the fur patterns on the body, were too strong. So I toned the colour down, and erased the fur on the main part of the Dog's body.

I made the dog tag more neat, and filled the collar in, to be stylised in a bronze/gold metallic way.

I smoothed out the line-art, to make it neater and more professional.

I then worked on the ear colour tone. I zoomed into the left ear, selected the area with the magic wand tool.

Then painted it with a fine brush, as a very light, and natural pink.

Ditto. The same with the right ear.

The piece as it looked after the previous image.

Added some simple lighting to the dog tag, as well as a name. I made the text appear to look engraved from a distance.

What I have done so far. Note the name tag.

The re-addition of basic fur on the dog's body. I thought at the time, that it didn't look right, so I began searching for a fur styled brush.

I came across a fur like brush, which I thought added a great, well needed tone and texture. So I laid down a layer of fur in light grey as the undercoat.

I added white fur over the top of the grey, to give the impression layers, and texture/shading.

Then I began smoothing up the edges, and erasing bits that looked untidy (bits of fur that went over the outline)

Ditto.

Notice the smoothing on the edges between the left and right side. The right side had been smoothed, while the left was still to have been completed.

The body, after the edges have been fully smoothed.

Beginning to add some fur on the Dog's head, under the bolder layer.

The addition of shading to the left side of the canine's head, to give the impression of a lighting source.

Same as previous slide, but on the body as an addition.

Added the light detail to the right side of the dog. Makes all the difference in my opinion.

The shading has been placed on the tail, and the mouth area has been darkened.

Added a shadow, and smoothened it up.

Digital Tester #6

I had a play around with photoshop for practise, and I came up with this image, in my favourite digital style.

It took around 30 mins to produce, and I used such tools as the gradient tool, a smooth brush, standard brush, the fill bucket, the colour picker, the magic wand, layers and the eraser, to name a few.

This has been my favourite style of working for a long time, since I got my graphics tablet last year. I love using thick, bold lines and a basic colour palette, as well as creating work in the cartoon form, there is something very compelling about this style. I also personally I love the minimalist style, and I always have.

This work style is kind of similar to the style of the artist Griffsnuff, who I took inspiration from (http://griffsnuff.deviantart.com) Griffsnuff is a personal favourite of mine. She uses bold line art, and simple colours a lot in her work. I also love the expressions she creates on her characters, its so believable, and also how she uses a very fine texture in her work, as you can see if you look closely on this particular characters body.

http://griffsnuff.deviantart.com/art/Stink-406208019

Thomas.

Digital Tester #3

For my 4th digital development piece, I tried using one of my prints as a background, that I worked into. I took inspiration from some work from my previous unit, which was animals. I used some drawings of a bearded dragon as reference.

(Bearded Dragon on print background)

I real love how this piece worked out so well, the background seems to work in harmony with the drawing, which is comprised of several individual layers on top.

I tried not to add too much colour in the Dragon, because I wanted the elements for the background layer, to show through brightly, and without intrusion. It really does show its texture, and colours well, and I'm really happy with that.

Thomas.

Digital Tester #2

My second initial digital development sketch made using digital media.
This is a sketch of a Westie dog that I know, she is called Ruby, and she is a super dog to draw from.
Her fur really suits the style that I draw in, as it clumps in to bunches quite often.

I opted to go for a very minimalist, cartoon approach, using inspiration from the artist Griffsnuff. I used a simple colour palette, with simple shading and tones. I absolutely adore this style, However I must venture out of my comfort zone, and experiment more. I will progress this tester further, and perhaps work it into a more refined final piece.

(Photo of Ruby)

For this sketch, I used sketchbook express on my computer, with my wacom bamboo tablet.

Thomas.