Curse

GeminiJuSa · Dec 15, 2009, 10:50 PM // 22:50

@Minami: I don't really know what you should aim for in the BG, I think the snow flakes are cute, but I'm not good with festive myself.

I think - if you want some composition crits - cut the edges kinda close to them you'd give them a "bigger" look as you also can increase the size of the pic showing more detail. The mini version shown here is not very true to all the work you've put onto it. It's fine to put the light behind the characters as it will slightly take the focus off the "border decorations" and aim slightly more towards the character's themselves.

Also, I think slightly more prominent shadows under then will make it slightly more, I dunno but better

Use the method like so:
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs51/f/20...ZicToXemia.jpg

ignore the horrible colour composition and motive and just look at the shadow. i used a medium opacity and a fairly big brush for that one. Using a grey hue would probably distinguish their shadows more from the shadow of the snow.

It's only my opinion. Though :P You use it if you want.

Evangelin · Dec 15, 2009, 11:14 PM // 23:14

@Chyminy:Thanks =) for this one i used super sculpey over a wire armature...i normaly work with a simple wooden sculpting tool and fingers =)) and shes going to be about 25 cm (about 10 inches)

@Minami: Thanks! I also really like ur entry its super cute! My sculpt is from super sculpey and i probably wont paint it just spray paint with white i think...not sure yet lol...

Chyminy Riquet · Dec 16, 2009, 12:44 AM // 00:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evangelin

@Chyminy:Thanks =) for this one i used super sculpey over a wire armature...i normaly work with a simple wooden sculpting tool and fingers =)) and shes going to be about 25 cm (about 10 inches)
.

Is the armature just a singe wire or does it look like a stickman? Does it attach to the base somehow? Sorry for all the question. I'm just very curious.[/

Chyminy Riquet · Dec 16, 2009, 06:53 AM // 06:53

In response to Blue's Critique:

1)corrected perspective of pillars

2)fixed blocky face (I think)

3)added some subtle atmospheric perspective to the figure. Not sure if I'm totally convinced on this one since it is such a short distance Also, since most atmospheric perspective is due to dust or mist in the air and the current precipitation is snow I'm not sure it will play much of a role. But here it is anyhow so let me know what you guys think. Does it add more depth?

4) Tried to pull the bow towards her by moving it to the right. I didn't think turning the plane of the bow towards (approaching parallel to) the picture plane would have fixed the problem since it would have looked like she was shooting her own foot.

5) Added some atmospheric perspective to the pillars, wreath, and bow. This toned down some of the highlights and cooled down some of the warmer colors like the red bow. Also reduced the value of some of the larger snowflakes to prevent distracting the eye. My larger concern is not the light values themselves but rather that the light values aren't paired with dark values which would create bullseyes to attract the eye. I'll save that for the centers of interest.

A word about the composition and design. It is roughly triangular with 3 centers of interest that Blue adeptly pointed out: The present, the figure, and the grentchie with the blue eyes. To draw the eyes to the present I used contrasting colors (red and green) rather than contrasting values. The eyes of the grentchie on his comparatively darker face created a strong value contrast. The main figure also displays a large value contrast (another reason I'm hesitant to add atmospheric perspective to the figure because it would blunt the value contrast). But the figure is also popping with warm tones against the cooler background.

Thanks again Blue for your well thought out critique. I'm very appreciative that you would take the time.

Evangelin · Dec 16, 2009, 01:26 PM // 13:26

@Chyminy: Yea its a wire twisted around itself and then you make a stickman sort of. And i put a brass tube in one leg so it can be inserted on the wooden base. (i hope that made sense lol)
This is a pix of how the armature looked before. (theres tape over the wire)

Funeral Rites · Dec 16, 2009, 04:16 PM // 16:16

Think the deer is too creepy??

http://i47.tinypic.com/2wf4nrb.jpg

Chyminy Riquet · Dec 16, 2009, 04:40 PM // 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evangelin

@Chyminy: Yea its a wire twisted around itself and then you make a stickman sort of. And i put a brass tube in one leg so it can be inserted on the wooden base. (i hope that made sense lol)
This is a pix of how the armature looked before. (theres tape over the wire)

Yes! Thanks so much for sharing. I'm looking forward to seeing more steps.

Tzu · Dec 16, 2009, 05:07 PM // 17:07

wow Chyminy, that looks *much* better, great progress!

And I can't wait to see that sculpture Evangelin, that's certainly original!

Looks great so far, I really like her proportions, and her tummy looks... so real! O.o'

Tommy's · Dec 16, 2009, 07:21 PM // 19:21

As my studying drained all my inspiration I decided to give the colouring a try. Went better then I expected. Noticed that shadows can be alot darker then I thought, as you can see on Hailfall

ops: Will give her some darker shadows later. All subjects to experiment

Anyway here is colouring on Chicken of the Seas and Hailfall. Hope you like it. Don't know if I'm gonna keep the boots of Chicken this way, I find them rather ugly :?

Hope people like 'm (specially chicken and shala ofcourse

)

Hailfall · Dec 16, 2009, 07:31 PM // 19:31

Haha i love this Tommy ^^

Eragon Zarroc · Dec 17, 2009, 01:08 AM // 01:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funeral Rites

Think the deer is too creepy??

http://i47.tinypic.com/2wf4nrb.jpg

u need the roller beetle ;-)

Chyminy Riquet · Dec 17, 2009, 03:32 AM // 03:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tzu

wow Chyminy, that looks *much* better, great progress!

Thanks so much Tzu.. and thank you for setting up this topic. I'm getting better feedback from here than I do at a lot of the art specific forums.

Shewmake · Dec 17, 2009, 04:02 AM // 04:02

@Chyminy: I really like the angle & setting you chose!

@Crucist: I think the boots look cool!

@Evangelin: Great job on the details; I agree with Tzu-- her stomach looks real!

@Funeral Rites: Like Eragon said, you should add the roller beetle too :P; as for the deer, are you trying to make it a norn form by having the humanoid body? Great job on the papercrafts!

zidane888 · Dec 17, 2009, 06:35 AM // 06:35

Sleigh Jacking

:

Eragon Zarroc · Dec 17, 2009, 07:06 AM // 07:06

Nice Zidane!

very awesome

although it feels like the focus is on the entire left-side of the pic and the right feels strangely empty...idk ;-) just rambling

p.s. i want a flying polar bear with a shiny red nose

Tommy's · Dec 17, 2009, 08:39 AM // 08:39

You have your very own style zidane. And I love it!
Great chance on falling into the prices again!

Dyeane · Dec 17, 2009, 09:03 AM // 09:03

Ok, finally done with exams and home for the holidays

Everyone's entries are looking great! I am especially interested in seeing how Tzu's costume turns out. Your level of dedication and craftsmanship is admirable!

Here's what I'm working on:

The 2nd image is all blurry because it's still stuck in its jar.. I couldn't find a jar large enough, so it's sealed itself to the bottom! He was really just supposed to be a test run, but I've grown rather fond of him, and even if he isn't quite contest material I'd hate to shatter him

Minami · Dec 17, 2009, 11:30 AM // 11:30

@ Dyeane, that is so cool! Reminds me of chemistry class experiments years ago

Except that that was with something blue...

@ Chyminy, your pic looks so much better after you retouched it following Blue's suggestions!

@ Zidane, awesome pic! I want that shiny nosed polar bear! ^_^

I can't wait to see everyone's finished work!

Well, this is as far as I got with my pic...
I dunno what else to do

tmakinen · Dec 17, 2009, 01:18 PM // 13:18

Minami, in my opinion the lights look somehow cheap and crude when compared to the sweet and detailed avatars, and as such they distract rather than add to the image. Something like a wreath pattern around the edges would produce a visually much more attractive frame and if you then draw a branch of mistletoe hanging from the top it will add to the story and people who spot it will laugh out loud when they understand what will happen after the avatars have traded gifts

Morag D · Dec 17, 2009, 02:08 PM // 14:08

I HAVE FINISHED!!

sorry about the preview thingy, I'm just making sure that no one will nick it

------------------

@ Minami: I agree with tmakinen, the lights distract from your wonderful image a bit. I think a big part of you background problems comes from the wide crop. You could crop away a lot of the white stuff and focus your scene at the same time - don't be afraid to crop out little parts of your figures as well! Maybe a bit like that?: