[magicgoo]

Hi, i'm ursula and this is my second post here. i NEVER show unfinished work, but lately my art has gotten stale and I need suggestions. So, here is the beginning of a kung fu original character I named Lok:



My plan for her is to:
1. Finish coloring (in Photoshop 5.5)
2. Smooth/bring out black lines by giving them more definition for a cartoony-er look.
3. Begin work on a background

So, I'd just like any coloring tips that may be useful or critiquing.

Thanks and it's nice to meet you all

[lowlight]

Nice to meet you aswell, ursula. Okay, now for a few quick observations:

- First, the calves (calfs ?) of your character seem to be a bit too large in comparison with the rest of her body (especially where it tapers down to her ankles...a little off) .

- I see your going for a sort of Anime/Manga look, so I'll personally forgive some of your proportional exaggerations (Overtly perky breasts and so forth), but remember that not all anime looks like this, it is in fact usually working within the realm of a uniform/established proportion system. Whatever that is for your character and future characters, make sure they follow that guideline...and that your not simply trying to make it "look" like Japanimation.

- What's with the circular disk on the character's left shoulder? When I first glanced over this image, I thought it was a shield of some sort she was holding. But, I guess it's maybe a shoulder pad? If it is, you may want to try, for yourself, drwaing this same image from a front view and side view so you can see in your "mind's eye" how it should look. To me, it seems askew from the rest of the image.

- One last thing, remember your contour lines and perspective. I notice alot of people (I used to do it myself a long time ago) tend to try to "hide" their mistakes behind other objects in the image. It looks like your doing that with the character's rigth arm. Again, just my opinion, but try to visualize beforehand from all angles what this character looks like: front, side, back, etc and how the character's "form" flows from one point of motion to another.

I know I probably reiterated a bit, but I hope you see what I'm talking about. Otherwise, it's a good start in the right direction, IMHO, just needs a bit more work. Good Luck !

[magicgoo]

quote

Quote:

- First, the calves (calfs ?) of your character seem to be a bit too large in comparison with the rest of her body (especially where it tapers down to her ankles...a little off) .

Alrighty. I love critiquing, but I wanted to explain that my weak-spot in art is colorizing. That's where I'd like the help. This character was sketched in about 3 minutes, just for the purpose on practicing colorizing. So I'll break this down a bit into explanations of why this character might look a bit off to you. Her calves aren't large. The pants are at first tight and then flare out at the ends, giving them an intentionally puffy look. I'm guessing the cuff at the bottom also adds to the seemingly larger proportion.

quote

Quote:

- I see your going for a sort of Anime/Manga look, so I'll personally forgive some of your proportional exaggerations (Overtly perky breasts and so forth), but remember that not all anime looks like this, it is in fact usually working within the realm of a uniform/established proportion system. Whatever that is for your character and future characters, make sure they follow that guideline...and that your not simply trying to make it "look" like Japanimation.

Anime is full of exaggerations, usually breasts, extremely long legs, a larger head sometimes, etc. Sailor Moon (barf), Armitage, Getter Robo, Robotech, and Angel Links - possibly some of the worst proportions ever - are all examples of cartoony anime. Hence this character's deliberate stylistic exaggerations.

quote

Quote:

- What's with the circular disk on the character's left shoulder? When I first glanced over this image, I thought it was a shield of some sort she was holding. But, I guess it's maybe a shoulder pad? If it is, you may want to try, for yourself, drwaing this same image from a front view and side view so you can see in your "mind's eye" how it should look. To me, it seems askew from the rest of the image.

Yup, it's a big floating shoulder pad. I'm very aware of what it may look like from front and back views. i made it extremely large, again purposely, just for fun. Currently, I design female conceptual characters for a small gaming company. The game requires functional shoulder and knee pads, and I must be capable in thinking in terms of 3D at all times while designing these for the 3D modelers to render them properly. I continuously check proportion and what the padding would look like while rotating around the figure. Maybe I just got so goofy with this cartoonier kung fu character as a personal joke: Got a little fed up with realism. I reiterate this girl will look very cartoony when finished, and she is merely practice for my lack of skills in colorization.

quote:

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- One last thing, remember your contour lines and perspective. I notice alot of people (I used to do it myself a long time ago) tend to try to "hide" their mistakes behind other objects in the image. It looks like your doing that with the character's rigth arm. Again, just my opinion, but try to visualize beforehand from all angles what this character looks like: front, side, back, etc and how the character's "form" flows from one point of motion to another.

I know I probably reiterated a bit, but I hope you see what I'm talking about. Otherwise, it's a good start in the right direction, IMHO, just needs a bit more work. Good Luck !

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Thanks lowlight for your opinions. Unfortunately, I really just wish to get more feedback on colorizing techniques. I guess when you spend such little time on a character because your sole purpose is just to practice coloring, you just skimp out on all the realism. So, what do you guys like to use in Photoshop to achive textures, shading, etc.? Let me know, I'm very curious and wish to improve my coloring. Thanks!

[lowlight]

I see, no prob then. There are alot of techniques available to the PS user. Are you looking for techniques for B&W colorization or something else? If so, you can try the tips here at Sijun.com or the many tuts available over at http://www.gfxartist.com . If your trying to go for a more cell shaded look, that's a little different (I have one I personally use for my own work, you can check it out atMy gallery ). I'm sorry to have given you incorrect info, I just didn't realize what you were asking for . In any case, I wish you luck!

[magicgoo]

thanks lowlight. that link you gave is very helpful, and you're own work is very cool. although, i think i am looking for less of the watercolor/gouche look for my own work. i'll sort through more of these forum posts to find the kind of help i'm looking for. i appreciate your help! thanks again---