[tanis]

I thought that maybe this could interest someone reading this forum. I asked Jason Manley (the man behind the great portraits of Icewind Dale [url=http://www.interplay.com/icewind)]http://www.interplay.com/icewind)[/url] what process he follows to create his pictures.
Here's what he told me:

Well, I start with a typical value underpainting with both the watercolor and the airbrush tools. I use pretty small tip as well as the small sable to soften edges. I also
have started using loaded oils and sargent brush. I use the chalk tool for paint texture. I sometimes glaze with watercolor.

After I complete a loose underpainting (see Rembrandt) I block in all the large shapes of color (see sargent watercolors). I make sure to move my colors around the
composition. I push and pull the space with values and color changes. I refine the painting from general to specific as I work. When I get about done with the color
block in I render out the focal areas. First the major and then one or two minor focuses (sometimes 3)are completed. I do it in this order so that I maintain a correct
balance with the heaviest focus in terms of detail and rendering around the head. I check to make sure the entire piece reads in space, time of day, gesture,
silhouette, and lighting. I add minor details at random and try to rework any areas that bother me. Sometimes I'll smear the whole thing like I am scraping off the
paint so that I can barely see it and begin again. I vary in my approach and do whatever it takes to make sure I get the best possible piece time allows.

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C'ya!

Valerio Santinelli a.k.a. TANiS
[email protected]

[immi]

Hey Tanis

Thanks, I certainly appreciated this info. I've been enthralled by the art Jason Manley has been producing for Icewind Dale. I posted a link to Icewind Dale both here and on 3dpalette a few days ago. How did you find out about it? Damn, Bioware makes the best games!

I'm going to try and get Manley to do a "how to" for 3dpalette, so im crossing my fingers. I dunno, maybe you want to head over to the message board, and say you'd like to see it happen(perhaps with pressure he will?) Anyways, thanks for the heads up.

[Funfetus]

I asked him basically the same question, and he gave me a very vague answer. :P

Good to have a real answer now.

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Funfetus
iCE VGA Division
http://www.funhousedigital.com

[tanis]

immi: I'll surely ask for him to do so.. but I think he won't work on it before finishing Icewind's portraits and stuff..

I also asked him about the technique he uses and the resolution he works in.. here's the answer:

I use classical painting techniques because that is what I studied for 6 years prior to my tour of duty here at interplay. I look at Bouguereau, Gerome, Rembrandt,
Wyeth, Sargent, Vermeer, The Russian Impressionists, etc....for painting advice.
The resolution I paint at is 1200x1886 but a couple are around the 3000x4000 range. I scale them down but constantly adjust the large versions so that when they
are scaled they read correctly.
My underpainting is scaled up from 420x660 because it is easier to block in a smaller image.


------------------
C'ya!

Valerio Santinelli a.k.a. TANiS
[email protected]