Monday, 31 October 2011
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Photoshop: Week 6
I really enjoyed this week's photoshop workshop because digitally painting scenes is something that especially interests me and watching concept artists do them in videos is just amazing, then coming away thinking but how?!
Well Phil showed us how and I picked up loads of techniques including some that I know are going to improve my work from last unit's finished piece like how to add levels, giving the image that extra omph.He also gave us a load of his tool preset brushes which I played around with in the class and I think I can already see an improvement in the way I work. Like Phil says if it isn't going right you haven't got the right brush.
We also learnt how to put perspective guides onto our canvases which proved very useful.
I don't know what was up with the screen I had in the lesson but it made my work look so much darker than it turned out to be on every other screen I later brought it up on so I actually got to practice adjusting my levels woo for happy accidents!
Well Phil showed us how and I picked up loads of techniques including some that I know are going to improve my work from last unit's finished piece like how to add levels, giving the image that extra omph.He also gave us a load of his tool preset brushes which I played around with in the class and I think I can already see an improvement in the way I work. Like Phil says if it isn't going right you haven't got the right brush.
We also learnt how to put perspective guides onto our canvases which proved very useful.
I don't know what was up with the screen I had in the lesson but it made my work look so much darker than it turned out to be on every other screen I later brought it up on so I actually got to practice adjusting my levels woo for happy accidents!
More Influence for Underwater Cemetery
Delving deeper into my concept I have been thinking about how I could show an underwater forest and it just so happens such things exist! I really like the shapes in these forests but I feel my forest surrounding my clearing should feel old with wise thick trees and the idea of inter growth. I don't want the trees to look individual because I like the idea of unity surrounding the clearing.
In 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Captain Nemo says...
"That is our peaceful cemetery, hundreds of feet below the surface of the waves."
"Beyond the reach of sharks-and-of men!"
So maybe there should be a feeling of a protective presence? Could these trees be tightly knit as if holding onto each other to prevent the entrance of trespassers?
It was quite hard searching for underwater clearings however, I did come across underwater meadows which were interesting and I think meadows are a good example of portraying peace so would make a good influence for this cemetery.
It was then on to the 'pedestal of rocks' and I found some really nice influence for the form of this. The coral cross that stands atop it however was something I thought would be quite difficult because I wasn't sure how coral could be manipulated to form a cross. I looked at minerals and semi-precious gemstones and actually came across this which I thought oozed peace and mourning but also had a fantasy element about it.
In 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Captain Nemo says...
"That is our peaceful cemetery, hundreds of feet below the surface of the waves."
"Beyond the reach of sharks-and-of men!"
So maybe there should be a feeling of a protective presence? Could these trees be tightly knit as if holding onto each other to prevent the entrance of trespassers?
It was quite hard searching for underwater clearings however, I did come across underwater meadows which were interesting and I think meadows are a good example of portraying peace so would make a good influence for this cemetery.
It was then on to the 'pedestal of rocks' and I found some really nice influence for the form of this. The coral cross that stands atop it however was something I thought would be quite difficult because I wasn't sure how coral could be manipulated to form a cross. I looked at minerals and semi-precious gemstones and actually came across this which I thought oozed peace and mourning but also had a fantasy element about it.
I also looked at lighting as I know this is going to play a key part in creating the atmosphere in my concepts. The lighting is also regulary mentioned in The Coral Kingdom chapter.
'The rays of our lights created something resembling a twilight, which lengthened immeasurably the shadows on the bed of the sea.'
'The rays of our lights created something resembling a twilight, which lengthened immeasurably the shadows on the bed of the sea.'
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Sealife Influence Maps for Concept 1 (Underwater Cemetery)
There are a lot of descriptive elements about the coral and other sea life during the underwater cemetery scene. I especially wanted to increase my knowledge of the types of coral mentioned so that I don't include some sort of coral that doesn't grow that far below sea.
I also wanted to look at colour; both of the sealife and the surrounding sea. The deep blues contrasting againt the bright somewhat neon colours is especially appealing and I wonder if this would be an effective tool in creating an interesting and dramatic concept. Some of these coral images have a foreground, midground and background which should prove useful in developing the depth of my painting.
I also wanted to look at colour; both of the sealife and the surrounding sea. The deep blues contrasting againt the bright somewhat neon colours is especially appealing and I wonder if this would be an effective tool in creating an interesting and dramatic concept. Some of these coral images have a foreground, midground and background which should prove useful in developing the depth of my painting.
Friday, 28 October 2011
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Life Drawing: Week 6
This week we did some similar techniques that we have been doing already but took them a bit further with 'plotting points' in pencil of measurements then going in with the side of the charcoal and drawing in the form without ending up with loads of unneccessary lines everywhere.
2 Minute Sketches
30 Minute Proportion Drawing
Plotting Points Drawing
Monday, 24 October 2011
Unit 2...The Beginning
Well the start of a new unit and after reading the brief I was thoroughly intrigued and excited. Then came the blue box! Nervous rumagging and the words 'Folder 8' kept me in suspense but then to be pleasantly surprised with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. First thought was yay Jules Verne!
A bit of background info on the book itself to get me started...
20,000 Leagues Under the Seas is about the adventures of Captain Nemo and his crew aboard the submarine, Nautilus. One day ships start sinking, particularly ones dealing with war. Survivors think it is a big whale. A harpoon ship goes out to kill it, but finds out that the whale is actually the Nautilus. (From online-literature.com)
The Nautilus is shaped to look like a fish. A large metal fin on top to barge and sink ships with.
Captain Nemo explains that the submarine is electrically powered, and equipped to carry out cutting-edge marine biology research; he also tells his new passengers that while he appreciates having an expert such as Aronnax with whom to converse, they can never leave because he is afraid they will betray his existence to the world.
Their travels take them to numerous points in the world's oceans, some of which were known to Jules Verne from real travelers' descriptions and guesses, while others are completely fictional. Thus, the travelers witness the real corals of the Red Sea, the wrecks of the battle of Vigo Bay, the Antarctic ice shelves, and the fictional submerged Atlantis. The travelers also don diving suits to go on undersea expeditions away from the ship, where they hunt sharks and other marine life with specially designed guns and have a funeral for a crew member who died when an accident occurred inside the Nautilus. When the Nautilus returns to the Atlantic Ocean, a "poulpe" (usually translated as a giant squid, although the French "poulpe" means "octopus") attacks the vessel and devours a crew member.
During the fight, the ship's steering is damaged, and the three protagonists are thrown overboard. They find themselves stranded on the "hide" of the creature, only to discover to their surprise that it is a large metal construct.
Friday, 21 October 2011
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Submission Disc Artwork
I wanted to go for something simple so as not to distract from my thumbnails. I was reminded of the imagery of the stages from birth to old age so thought of doing something similar with my thumbnails. From the Komondor one end and the human at the other. For my case artwork I added Hungarian patterns to the background to compliment the theme.
I haven't got a design of my artwork for my disc because it is lightscribed which I thought would give a classic black and white feel focusing on my thumbnails, so I took a picture of the final disc.
I haven't got a design of my artwork for my disc because it is lightscribed which I thought would give a classic black and white feel focusing on my thumbnails, so I took a picture of the final disc.
Final Self Portrait...and development journey!
Well here it is finally, my finished portrait! I'm really happy with it and my patience for deciding to stay put for all the detail!
Life Drawing: Week 5
I am really starting to see an improvement in my life drawing and am really enjoying it because of this. I find the measuring technique especially useful!
2 Minute Drawings
30 Minute Full Figure Study
30 Minute Full Figure Study
2 Minute Drawings
30 Minute Full Figure Study
30 Minute Full Figure Study
More 2 Minute Drawings
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Final Portrait... And Some More
A bit more updating of my portrait, increased the height of my canvas and added more detail. Few bits of tweaking then off to colour we go!
Final Portrait... A Bit More
Here is my portrait developed some more with a bit of detail. I've still gotta shape up the feet and lengthen the canvas to match the stance but we're getting there! I just hope it has an essence of me in it :)
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Final Portrait...The Beginning
Well I finally got stuck into photoshop, I've been wanting to start for ages but been waiting patiently for until I feel I am satisfied with a rough stance. My tablet decided to play nice even though its been giving me evils from the corner for the past week.
I got the rough shape down but then ended up using the polygonal lasso tool to move elements around because the stance didn't feel strong and powerful enough, instead cowering in the archway and looking at the stick as if to say... what am I meant to do with this?
I think I may increase the height of my canvas because I think it will compliment the stance better and further elongate my hybrid giving it more importance.
I got the rough shape down but then ended up using the polygonal lasso tool to move elements around because the stance didn't feel strong and powerful enough, instead cowering in the archway and looking at the stick as if to say... what am I meant to do with this?
I think I may increase the height of my canvas because I think it will compliment the stance better and further elongate my hybrid giving it more importance.
Before adjustments
After adjustments
Monday, 17 October 2011
Final Pose Idea
Right after a lot of scribbling and looking at myself as well as dogs with a heightened/pushed up stance of power and knowledge I have come up with the below. I think the tilt of the head will play a key part in making my hybrid stance look heightened as well as the solid lines of the legs to show power. The proportions are a bit off near the bottom... I aim to make it longer especially the legs to further empathise the idea of a powerful figurehead.
Please excuse the tight cropping of this, my scanner decided to not play nice and crop all over the place somehow.
Influence Map 3
After some help from my mentor Jolanta and a discussion with Phil I decided to gather some more images to help me visualise my background and hybrid pose. I looked up Hungarian landscapes/scenery and happily found some arches of some sort that could give the impression of an important (or once was) place. This then reminded me of the great aquaducts in Assassin's Creed and how they seem so important in their vastness.
I seemed to create a link between these Assassin's Creed and Lion King images due to the camera angle so I think I should look into this being in my final painting. I like the idea of a crumbling setting around my hybrid as if this new being has taken the place of some higher power.
I also liked how in the Lion King video all the animals increase their height in their pose to get a better look, made even harder by Mufasa's increased height.
I seemed to create a link between these Assassin's Creed and Lion King images due to the camera angle so I think I should look into this being in my final painting. I like the idea of a crumbling setting around my hybrid as if this new being has taken the place of some higher power.
I also liked how in the Lion King video all the animals increase their height in their pose to get a better look, made even harder by Mufasa's increased height.
Technical Exercises: Maya Texturing Common Materials
Ceramic
Plastic
Silver
Chrome
Gold
Glass
Glow
Glow (No Source)
Technical Exercises: Maya Pen
Well after an annoying loss of all my rendering and at one point half the pen here it is in all its shinyness! :)
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Possible final pose for self portrait?
Opinions and feedback are welcomed! :D
For a while now I have been trying to sort out my final pose from my thumbnails but it's been proving a pain with what I feel either too much Komondor and not enough me or too much of a human pose.
I decided a wanted a sitting pose because if I go into a tribal direction with a sage I feel this would come across better alongside my calm quite shy personality with this type of pose rather than an action standing pose that seems to always look too human.
I think this pose below shows a mixture and the rounding off of the limbs makes them less humanly defined and more like the blocky Komondor shape while still maintaining my somewhat skinny shape.
I then tried to think about not just showing myself physically in my hybrid but looking at things I like and how act. I am quite clumsy sometimes..well most times so the partly mixed feet and hands seem to show this and the 'guide stick' suggests the helping of my balance as well as the loyal, helpful guiding personality of the Komondor.
I also liked the idea of a cape rather than including the Komondor's long defined tail but using the texture in the cape so that it shows my animal as well as the tribal feel.
For a while now I have been trying to sort out my final pose from my thumbnails but it's been proving a pain with what I feel either too much Komondor and not enough me or too much of a human pose.
I think this pose below shows a mixture and the rounding off of the limbs makes them less humanly defined and more like the blocky Komondor shape while still maintaining my somewhat skinny shape.
I then tried to think about not just showing myself physically in my hybrid but looking at things I like and how act. I am quite clumsy sometimes..well most times so the partly mixed feet and hands seem to show this and the 'guide stick' suggests the helping of my balance as well as the loyal, helpful guiding personality of the Komondor.
I also liked the idea of a cape rather than including the Komondor's long defined tail but using the texture in the cape so that it shows my animal as well as the tribal feel.
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Friday, 14 October 2011
Photoshop: Week 3
During last Friday's photoshop class I took one of my tribal thumbnails and started developing it. It's not finished but it gave me an idea of what parts of my hybrid could eventually look like when put together and I've really happy with it.
Final Development Thumbnails
I have been taking my development down a more tribal route, especially looking at how I could incorportate costume and a more tribal pose. I did some silhouettes of different suggestive tribal poses to give myself an idea then adapted them to create fleshed out developments. I also asked some friends to describe me in one word to help me bring myself across in my ideas.
I really like some of the ideas that have come about especially #31, #39 and #42 because I have used the Komondor's fur as more costume than all over which I orginally thought would cause a problem in how do I show myself underneath all that fur! I do however think #39 is still a bit too Komondor but that #31 and #42 show myself in some ways.
I then experimented with whether my hybrid could carry something, I think the spear or some sort of weapon is too much and doesn't show myself because I'm quite peaceful and shy. However, I like the idea of carrying some sort of Hungarian bead/medalion because it seems peaceful but also mysterious as to what it could mean. I have also taken my own face and the Komondor's and combined them to create a median.
I really like some of the ideas that have come about especially #31, #39 and #42 because I have used the Komondor's fur as more costume than all over which I orginally thought would cause a problem in how do I show myself underneath all that fur! I do however think #39 is still a bit too Komondor but that #31 and #42 show myself in some ways.
I then experimented with whether my hybrid could carry something, I think the spear or some sort of weapon is too much and doesn't show myself because I'm quite peaceful and shy. However, I like the idea of carrying some sort of Hungarian bead/medalion because it seems peaceful but also mysterious as to what it could mean. I have also taken my own face and the Komondor's and combined them to create a median.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
@ Phil: Essay
Hi Phil, I've been rewording my introduction keeping in mind what you suggested last time and have come up with this.
This essay explores the idea of therianthropy and looks at the effects of metamorphosis on the characters’ lives and how they are perceived by others also, how their physical ‘change’ is conveyed.
It is focused on particular reference to David Cronenberg’s ‘The Fly’ (1986) which focuses on the degradation of the human through physiognomy, Jean Cocteau’s ‘La Belle et la Bête’ (1946) and its moral of not judging a book by its cover, J.K Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ (1999) and the role of Animagi , Naughty Dog’s ‘Uncharted 2: Among Thieves’ (2009) and its theme of metamorphosis as a guard and the mixed personalities of Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ (1886).
The assignment will begin by defining the key ideas of therianthrophy and physiognomy. It will then examine the ways in which each referenced text applies the idea of metamorphosis; especially relating to the lives of the characters and in conclusion will summarise the idea of metamorphosis in each text and how this impacts on how the texts are perceived.
Bibliography
‘The Fly’. (1986) Directed by David Cronenberg. U.S.A. Brookfilms.
‘La Belle et la Bête’. (1946) Directed by Jean Cocteau. France. DisCina.
Rowling, J.K. (1999) ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’. London: Bloomsbury.
‘Uncharted 2: Among Thieves’. (2009). U.S.A. Naughty Dog
Stevenson, Robert Louis. (1886) ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. London: Longmans, Green & Co.
Portrait studies
These self portraits proved a pain at some points to do because I'm quite self conscious so I was making sure I wasn't editing aspects of my face. I don' t think I did which I'm happy with but I'm not sure if they look fully like me. If we are talking proportions wise and things in the right place then I am very happy with the outcome.
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Life Drawing: Week 4
This week's life drawing seemed to go really well as I was managing to get the proportions more accurate.
We started off with 2 minute sketches to loosen us up which I actually really enjoyed even though it is something I normally panic about and I think the poses and shape show quite well.
We started off with 2 minute sketches to loosen us up which I actually really enjoyed even though it is something I normally panic about and I think the poses and shape show quite well.
We then had to fit the figure onto the portrait sheet trying to get it proportionate to the sheet itself and keeping in mind the measurements of the figure. I liked doing this because I could see improvement with my measuring from last week and by the second image I had managed to speed up. Something I have noticed though is that the feet are too small!
The final drawing we had to do was more of a close up of the top half of the model's body and her face and I used charcoal to add tone and depth to the drawing.
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