[ShadowBlade]

Howdy all,

New guy here. Name's Mike, AKA ShadowBlade. Long time lurker second time poster first time finished poster.

Here is a piece I just finished for a contest:

Click here for the hi-res version. http://www.graphicdesignershere.com/DeathofStarscream800.jpg Trust me it is better in hi-res. C&C welcome although the pic ahs already been submitted.
This is my web site:
http://www.graphicdesignershere.com
Most of the stuff up there is mine, but the stuff in the Jen directory is my fiancee's.

Later all,

ShadowBlade

[kana]

filterama.

[ShadowBlade]

Only Blurs and 2 lens flares.

[kana]

lens flare is the tool of Satan

[ShadowBlade]

Just call me the Anti-Christ then.
Personally I like lens flare, but is there a technique that you know of that will achieve the same effect?

[MrHat]

Speaking of the devil, I saw this in chat and became horrified. http://sun-vbots.com/cd-html2/comic2/

Jared Boteler AKa MrHat

[ShadowBlade]

K, Someone needs to be drug out into the street and shot.

[Torstein Nordstrand]

Hi there Mike, welcome!
Lotsa anti-lensflare fanatics around, though I think it blends in here - It's not the highlight of the picture, as in some PS newbie pictures

I'm no designer at all, but here's what I thought - my eyes keep bouncing around, trying to find something to look at - but they're just searching and searching and searching. Maybe you could bring a few selective areas to the front? That way the picture might get some more depth as well. You've handled the proportions/expressions nicely, but I suggest you examine the surface texture the next time.

Just suggesting, I master none of these elements myself Stay on target...

Thanks,

[ShadowBlade]

Excelent observation my friend. You see I am a pro, or atleast I try. The reason there is not center of focus is because I could not decide what to center on myself. Is it too overwhelming to have not focus point. I know that as a general rule it is a bad thing, but that it can be done if done right. Did I do so or is it to easy to tell that I just did not know what to focus on?

[Mysen]

I looked at your work. hrmm.. I think the few main thing about all of your work that jumps out at me are:

1) most of your work is way too saturated and most of it is too high contrast to be eye-pleasing. Tone down the use of primary colors and use variations, get a color wheel and look at one of thos artist sites that tell you how to use one properly.

2) your work is flat. Some of your shodows are fine but you should try and play with hard lights and reflected lighting etc. It will add wonders to your work.

3)Don't rely on filters, it makes your work look less than professional and more like someone just picked up the tool of rthe first time and went filter happy.

keep at it and you stuff will sing. Good to have you aboard.

[ShadowBlade]

Arkenoid,

Thanks for the thought, but I have a very good understaning of the colour wheel. Kinda studied it in college. As to that and the comment about the filters: My portfolio is still a work in progress and some of my stuff is a little old, Those peices are there as both a reflection of what I can do now, and I liked them. I guess I did use to rely too much on filters and maybe my colours on some of my pieces is a little off. I'll grant that, but the brightness and lighting effect: I like'm, it's my style. I like things bright, bold, high contrast. I will have more recent peices up soon and I will have you and others check them out then.

Hope I didn't sound like a prick, just don't like being told to look into something that I am proffessionally trained on. Got any crits about the illustrations though, I can't get defensive about that as they are an everevolving thing and I am always looking to inprove that aspect of my portfolio above all else.