Sijun Forums :: View topic - 2-3 hr paint sketch of future anti-personnel fighters

docfunkalot · member Member # Joined: 08 Aug 2001 Posts: 78

Hey, I created this in 2-3 hrs; its my 2nd digital painting. The back story and the rest of the info for this painting and its supplements check out thisconceptual design forum topic.
Here's the picture:

Please critique, later
Thanks, Logan aka Dr. Funkalot

docfunkalot · member Member # Joined: 08 Aug 2001 Posts: 78

Anybody? Dude, if its crap, please tell me that and how I can make my next picture less crappy. (Apoligize, for the crap-happiness)

Logan

Justa Fledgling · member Member # Joined: 23 Oct 2001 Posts: 99 Location: CA

Yeah, the pic is pretty crappy. I guess you could say its crapilicious. These so called future anti-personnel things look like Gumby after a hard days work at the steal mill. Give them some definition and some complexity. Are the 2 that appear to be landing shooting the 1 in the foreground? If so wheres the trajectile or where is Gumby orange being hit? The repetitious, exactly same poses are boring. Make the flying 1s wings in different positions or something. And for the love of God fix the background. Are they in the land of pre-school scribbles? The piece needs work but dont take offense to what i wrote. Just made a vague attempt to be entertaining.

Shiro_tengu · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2001 6:45 pm

Hi,
That looks like a very dangerous place to be!

I like your image. I'm not the worlds leading authority by any means, but I will try and give you a tip or two.

Digital illustration is difficult for me. I like to draw my images on paper and scan them into photoshop. From there use my wacom (or mouse (though its much more difficult)) to colour and enhance the drawing.

I always work in as many layers as possible. An example would be to place the wings on another layer and reduce the opacity so they become translusent.

When shading, consider the light source. If it is the sun then its direct lighting, all the main shading should be on the same side on each object. Consider your two closest characters. On the left the shading is on the left and on the right object the shading is on the right.

Also consider the perspective on your terrain. The cracks in the soil appear to be the same close up as they do at the horizon. This is working against you in terms of getting a feeling of distance to the horizon.

And just a thought but it appears to be a very bright day. Don't be afraid of darkening the shadows and adding more contrast to the image.

Think about atmoshereic haze when making the horizon.

consider motion blur on the fast moving characters in the back ground.

I hope I may have helped in some small way.

And Justa Fledgling watch your manners in the forum. Insulting peoples art isn't a good way of attempting to be funny.

[ October 29, 2001: Message edited by: Shiro_tengu ]

docfunkalot · member Member # Joined: 08 Aug 2001 Posts: 78

thank you

Shiro_tengu · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2001 7:07 pm

no prob

[ October 29, 2001: Message edited by: Shiro_tengu ]

Highfive · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2001 12:37 am

Start with a reference from somewhere, too, if you can. For instance, the general shape of those fighters looks a bit like dragonflies. Even the most bizarre-looking aliens can draw their appearances from several creatures on Earth.

Having wierd aliens is cool, but sometimes people find them more appealing if they can recognise their features.

And Justa, that crit is still negative and demeaning whether you conclude it with a "don't take offence to what I wrote" or not. Be more careful next time, okay?

Monkey Majick · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2001 1:01 am

I agree with Shiro and Highfive because they sit accross the room from me. See...!!

[ October 30, 2001: Message edited by: Monkey Majick ]

Shiro_tengu · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2001 1:05 am

it appears big brother is watching me. Forgive monkey - hes crazy!!

Highfive · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2001 1:07 am

Those two photographs are not connected in any way, guys! I'm in Perth and Shiro is in... err.. Port Hedland!

Justa Fledgling · member Member # Joined: 23 Oct 2001 Posts: 99 Location: CA

Damn im making enemies quick. All apoligies if i hurt your feelings or insulted you Doc. You brought up the whole crap thing. Seriously though, i meant no offense. I rag way harder on my own work, maybe thats why i was oblivious to the fact that my words might be sharper to others. Forgive me.

Shiro_tengu · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2001 5:20 pm

justa fledgling - no hard feelings.

Highfive - it wont wash!

Monkey - Im going to hide your damn webcam!!
docfunkalot - I hope you will post again - I would like to see what you do with your image

docfunkalot · member Member # Joined: 08 Aug 2001 Posts: 78

I'm dropping it due to my short attention span but your comments are not going to waste. I'm incorparating them into my next painting which i'll post shortly. Thanks for the comments. All the repetitiveness by the way was because I was copying alot of the figures just to get an idea for composition. If i was to paint this fully I would do each figure separately, as for the individual figure's lack of quality I'm working at it.
Justa Fled.-I asked for it.

Remember, I don't care if you say I suck if you can tell me how my suckage can be reduced. Hope that made sense.