[ceenda]

A new set of instruction DVDs (the same distributer who do the Feng Zhu and Maya instruction DVDs) came out today by the artist who did a large amount of concept art for Episode II and the forthcoming Episode III. His website has been updated as well (it was just a placeholder before).

http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/videos/RCH_01.html

http://www.ryanchurch.com/04PRO.htm

Just figured some people might be interested.

[Matthew]

yep I was waiting for that update and I was hoping for some new work, I guess when the 3rd episode is out then.

Matthew

[[a2]]

Wow cool stuff! thx4link
I think i'll order a DVD of Ryan Church.
Does anybody have a DVD?
When yes, which one and is it good?

bye

[Gort]

Absolutely positively fantastically fantabulous!! Thanks for the link and all. Man -- I would love to get hold of some of those DVDs, but I am doing the reeling fiscal spending dance from Christmas.
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- Tom Carter

"You can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf" - Jack Kornfield

[SolarC]

I'd love to hear some opinions about the Ryan Church and Feng Zhu DVDs too if somebody has seen them.

Ceenda: Thanks for the links.

[Max]

Thanks ceenda!

Yeah, I am seriously thinking about buying some of them.
But is it worth the money? $70 for one DVD is quite heavy, + export $$$

The Analog Budle is cool, for sure but...$685...omg

[Gort]

I'll let y'all know soon enough; I just ordered "Rendering Shiny Vehicles".

_________________
- Tom Carter

"You can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf" - Jack Kornfield

[Max]

Oh yeah, that would be cool. Thanks!"

[ceenda]

Whee, just got confirmation that my order has been sent. I bought a couple of the Ryan Church ones (Hi Tech Architecture and Interior Architecture) and a couple of the Feng Zhu (Vehicle Design and Quick Sketching) DVDs. It ain't cheap, but from what I've heard from those who already have the CDs it's great to watch these guys working in realtime.

[Max]

give us a review when you get them, please, that would be very nice! Thanks

[Derek]

This is the reply I put on another forum...

I've seen them. Folks have to know that these are technique DVDS. Just like the first set that Feng did (not sure what his second will have-- will know soon) they aren't about design, but about the steps of taking a line drawing (about three steps into a fully realized design) and presenting it in a still raw but more considered form for the sake of review by an AD, director, lighting TD, etc.

Are they worth it? If you need help in that stage. If you're still struggling with drawing, design and composition basics, these are steps ahead of what you should be worrying about right now.


Now for the Sijun folks:

If you'd like hints about rendering and a treatement on the truth that color is less important at early stages than value, then these are worth getting.

From what I see of most people who rush too quickly to emulate someone instead of taking the time to learn the basics first, these will lead a lot of folks into bad habits, thinking that slick application of color or mass will save bad drawing and design decisions.

If you're more advanced and are looking for some reminders of process and some means of simplifying and just tackling the work, these will bring some relief and very solid ideas. The discs are good, but the farther along you are, as with so many other books and tutorials, the more you will get out of them and put to good use in your own work.

Ryan's process is the same from disc to disc, and rarely (VERY rarely) does he use a tool or process in one that he doesn't use in all of the others. What differs most is his treatment of material and most of all (and most important) is listening to him talk through the process. You'll be amazed at how well and fluidly he can reinforce basics visually and eloquently.

Each disc covers material representation, atmospheric perspective, color and value choices, restating the reason for doing the work at the level he does it (as opposed to taking the pieces further or tighter)... although that may sound to some like design basics, and it is indeed important, I think much of it will be dismissed by an inattentive listener as casual or random observation, when it isn't at all.
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[Max]

Great! Thank you very much Derek.
That's a superb review, it helps alot.

So I might wait a while and keep on practising before I spend my money on them.

[ceenda]

Whee! The nice delivery man/woman left the DVDs with my neighbour so I got them today.

I've been skimming over them and I think Derek pretty much hit the nail on the head with that review. I'm glad I only got 2 Ryan Church DVDs, even though his narration is excellent, his technique is pretty much the same in both the DVDs. Also, they seem to start from a design sketch and not from scratch, so you don't always start from the very beginning of the concept.

However, I'm learning a ton about Painter that I didn't realise before (even after reading the huge manual). Ryan Church also talks a bit about basic concepts such as light and shadow and some really interesting info about composition.

One major gripe I have with the DVDs is that the video quality is not very good at all. The screengrab from the desktop is very blurry indeed (you can't make out icons or text very well at all ). Also, I had to go into PowerDVD and turn off the "Vivid" colour adjustment as Feng's lineart frequently turned pure white, though that's down to the DVD player default and not the encoding.

What I'd say is, I'm pretty glad I bought them, but I'd been saving up for them, so it's not like I've overspent. If you're humming and haaa-ing about buying them, then maybe stick with books and online tutorials. The DVDs are amazingly insightful and worthwhile but no substitute for practice practice practice.

[Kwiix]

Hey Ceenda. Outta the 2 Ryan Church DVDs you got, which one do you like the best? The hi-tech architecture one sounds good. And I want Feng's quick sketch one.

I really wanted to get the Feng ones a while back but for that price I wanted to see what others thought of them first. From what you guys have said I think I'd like them. The page seems to be down at the moment otherwise I'd order a couple right now, one from each artists.

Thanks...

[Derek]

Glad the review is helpful... and yeah I did forget to mention that the video quality is pretty poor, both on a monitor and on a television set. Quite surprised, as there's really no reason for it.

I don't know if that'll be addressed by Gnomon or if they consider it to be of any importance. Folks may want to wait to order, or contact them and see if something's going to be, or can be, done about it.

As for the information regarding composition, it's really well stated on how to anchor your viewer in the scene, and how to lead the eye through a series of reads and areas of interest. Still, these are basic illustration skills, and you've all got those, right? You know, anchoring the corners of your image, aerial perspective, contrast, figures in space and interaction, placement of active areas/space, leading action, etc... some good stuff to know!


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[wigin]

nice.. i was going to buy all 5 ryan church dvd's but instead i bought a new pc HAHA.. I still have plans to buy some but not all 5. Was thinking possibly getting the architecture ones.. Hopefully a some of my friends will buy some so that i can check them out..
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[Gort]

WOW

I'd have to say after checking out "Shiny Vehicles" that my thoughts echo the positives in many of the other posts here, so I'll be brief and just say that I think the DVD is awesome and money well spent. Overall I wish more artists would do this sort of thing, as it gives great insight into the ways things are and can be done.

I would like to add that the DVD is very well produced. Sure--some of the on screen computer shots are a bit fuzzy, and the sound could use a bit of work, but the content and DVD authoring is top notch. Kudos overall.
_________________
- Tom Carter

"You can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf" - Jack Kornfield

[jhferry]

I agree with the poor video part. Even the color video doesnt really look good. My buddy has all the feng ones and I thought they were good but keep in mind they are VERY expensive.

If you look at the photoshop video, a $69 DVD for 2 pictures which he speeds through. I would think maybe the set for $100 would be fair.