[ShadowBlade2525]

Well here it is, crits and comments welcome, but it is already heading through the net.
http://www.graphicdesignershere.com/Mike/colour.html

Thanks

[bld]

I would add some work that isn't cell-shaded.

I love the Transformer pieces!

[ShadowBlade2525]

Yeah I fully plan to. This is for a direct portfolio for a company up here in Canada called Dreamwave. If ya don't know them they are doing the new Transformer series and are very particular about colour style.

Which look should I go for, that rendered look or the water colour type look? I will probably just do both.

[balistic]

I think that as a colorist's portfolio, it's not very strong. You're using a lot of garish combinations and overly-saturated colors. You've neglected to do any lighting or cast shadows . . . you're doing basic shading, but not real lighting. If a scene is lit by fire, the surfaces in it should reflect that. If a scene is underwater or at night, it will usually need an over-all cool cast.

If I look at GuardCover2.jpg and squint, I see no depth, just a big jumble of bright colors. What's nearer? What's further? Where is the light in this scene coming from? Those are questions that a colorist needs to answer so that the reader isn't confused. The job of the colorist isn't to dazzle, it's to make the art more legible and convey atmospheres that are too subtle to capture in ink.

I can't see you getting coloring work with this yet. I would suggest doing some practice pages of the following:

- do a page using /no/ colors, only values. Figure out where your lighting is coming from and cast shadows onto objects accordingly. Don't neglect atmospheric perspective either. Distant surfaces will have less contrast. This will make your pages have real depth.

- do several versions of the same page, one lit by moonlight, one at sunset, et cetera. Limit yourself to two colors.

- lay off the airbrushed highlights. place your specularity deliberately, and only on surfaces that would really have it (plastic, rubber, wet things).

That's my critique, anyway. I've seen far too many books ruined and made illegible by overzealous colorists. Learn your color theory, figure out how light works, and above all, use color to compliment the narrative, not distract from it.

[ShadowBlade2525]

Thanks ballistic. A little harsh, but most informative. I will take that all under adivsment for my next attempt for sure. As to the "overly-saturated colors", it is a personly preference of mine for my work to be vibrant. Am I doing it wrong?
Anyone else want to chime in, this is my first real attempt at this stuff so I need all the help I can get.

[Awetopsy]

Shadow: balistic just gave you awesome crit man. no personal attack at all. Anyone out in the industry will rip your colors to shreds. they dont mean any offense but it happens.

I agree with balistic. you need to work on color theory and light and shadow... when you get that.. you should do great.

you are showing a promising ability with the basics of coloring... but you need to work on some advanced stuff. dont get discouraged. you are on the right path.

[ShadowBlade2525]

Oh man. You're thinking I missunderstood you. Sorry bout that, stupid text only internet.
I thoroughly appreciated your crits Ballistic, and could not be more thankful you took that time. I have posted here before and it is hard to get noticed here. When I said harsh I just meant you were blunt and to the point. I like that. It gave me alot to think about, and if I pay attention to it it should help me out.

Thanks again you harsh bastard. JK LOL

[balistic]

I didn't mean to come off as harsh. If I thought you were hopeless I wouldn't have bothered with the critique.

Keep at it.