Spot The Difference!

Well I've done lots of little adjustments but they've been mainly to shadows and highlights.  I adjusted his diamond on the badge as it was a bit wonky! Just been concentrating on his necklace but am undecided about the silver edging. Anyhow, I'm happy with how it looks overall. Going to get right side of picture sorted including his unfinished arm, shoulder and chainsword.  Hopefully be back with a picture and update soon!!

A light At The End Of The Tunnel

Well I went ahead and cropped the picture.  Result, a nearer completed picture.  This has made me feel so much better about it.  Although I loved the picture and pose before cropping I was just getting too bogged down with the detail.  Now it feels like I'm closer to completion rather than under half way. Happy :).  So heres a tip for any beginners........don't try doing too much or be too complicated with your projects.  You'll only loose heart if progress is slow.  Now I just need tips on patterns of silver and gold!

Professional In Action

I liked this video.  Not just because I like Daves artwork, but also it shows the process of how he goes from a blank canvass to to a great piece of work in just an hour and a half!  Its speeded up so you're not sitting there that long.  It probably proves that I spend too long on my artwork and would probably have more motivation if i loosened up my style. I often wonder if other artists look at this in the same wonder, and think I can do that, then have ago only to find out.....actually they can't!  At school I never remember looking at peoples work and thinking 'I wish I could paint like that'.  I produced my own stuff and was happy with that.  The more I look at others blogs at peoples different styles the more I question my own abilities. Am I just embaracing myself showing my lack of abilities.  Then I suppose I should stop myself with that kind of thinking.  This is not a competition.  I'm not attempting to get a job in the art industry (although that would be amazing).  I'm just drawing because I love drawing.  I just hope there are some people out there who will like them too.  If there are........please give me the encouragement to keep going.

To Crop Or Not To Crop?

Morning Bloggers! Well last night was spent painting and watching the eurovision song contest. Not sure why we bother to be honest. If a big band like blue can only finish mid table then we should call it a day. Still Graham Norton did us proud with his quick quips and put downs.

Picture doing ok but I really want it finished so I can move on. Thinking of cropping it some more. Should help with the composition a bit more as well as giving me less to paint. What do you think?

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Arrrrgggghhhh

Blog not saved my changes from a few days ago!!!!  Took me ages too.  I'd done my own background.  Filled my new artist page with pictures, and started my tips page.  I'm not impressed.  I'll have to do it again now :(

Spare Time

Well after a day working at my library, I now have a quiet evening to look forward to.  My Wife is out at her sisters to watch the Eurovision of all things, and so with the kids going to bed soon that leaves a free evening for me.  Think I will try and get some more of my picture done.  I feel I have a surprising amount of energy left considering my ride on my bike last night and a day of work.  Hopefully won't be found slumped and fast asleep on my laptop!

You Tube Goodies

It's only just come to my attention that there is a wealth of tips and information regarding drawing digitally. I was watching a few by Dave Rapoza last night. Although not the most animated of talkers its amazing to watch the process he uses to develop his pieces. He can do fantastic work in just two hours. Something that would take me days. For my next piece I shall be embracing his style and trying it out myself.

Anyway, I have to get on my bike now, cycle 6 miles to my library where I work. When I finish I'm then meant to be going out riding with one of my mates. Think i'll be tired tonight!

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A Background Makes All The Difference

Good evening people.  Well here it is, another progress report and as you can see quite a bit has changed!  Primarily the background has been done.  I've done this by starting in a black shade and gradually adding layers of colour in subtle tone and colour changes.  Its added a more dramatic lighting to the picture and gives a good sense of mood.  I'm now applying more exaggerated lighting and shading to match the light of the background.  Its taking a lot of patience blending in the colours, a technique I'll be demonstrating in a tutorial for beginners soon.  I've added detail to the chest, although his necklace needs to be done.  Currently working on the sword, but after spending a few hours on this already its time to call it a day.

Till next time :)

Influences

Here is an artist who i've looked at and marvelled over for a few years.  There is no doubt that he has had influence over my work or even the way I generally draw.  There is just so much quality stuff in his portfolio.  Any how, my own work moved on a pace last night with the top half getting close to be doing.  The chest was always going to be a problem as i lost my original base layer so had to start again.  However, I prevailed.......well more or less.  I can often be very critical of my own work so itll probably be tweaked many more times till I'm close to happy.  Actually to help with my lighting and directon (such an important part) I'm now doing the background.  i'm going for something simple, much like Dave Rapozas images I've got posted on here.  Anyway, I'll post a new picture soon, have fun drawing till then.

Dave Rapoza

These are pictures by Dave Rapoza.  His use of light and texture never fails to impress.  A very mature take on a teenage ninja turtles I believe?!!! Certainly a guy I look up to in the art world. Check him out on http://www.cghub.com/

Modern Technology

Thought id try and use my phone to blog. Might blog more often that way!

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Painfully Slow

Work is still progress but it seems to be taking ages.  Did it take this long last time??  People really must have more spare time than me because they are producing pictures weekly, I seem to be on a biannual speed.  Talking of other artists, it's amazing how humbling it is to look at what others can produce.  www.cghub.com is perfect example of what I'm talking about and if you like quality art then its very much worth a look.  Mines on there too but it pales into insignificance compared to professionals.  I just think they have more spare time........and a less dodgy computer.  Think its time for an upgrade!!!!  Till next time, keep drawing :)

Progress

Not much done tonight but I've done some repositioning and now started adding more exaggerated tones to the armour. All rough and ready but I'm finding my way once more :)

Gallery Updates

Hey sorry been away for a while. Computer has been playing up and its been an effort to retrieve corrupted files containing my artwork. Still I've got it more or less sorted now and so I can progress. I've added some of my older work to my gallery so you can have a laugh at my stuff!! Be back again soon.

Damn Computer.....

Technology has a lot to answer for!!!! It seems to have corrupted my art work and I can't retrieve it. Gutted. I've lost the will to restart it again. It had so much potential too.

Been looking into the artwork of Tony DiTerlizzi. Amazing imaginitive stuff. So creative, a style i'd love to have, but wonder if my imagination stretches that far. I'm tempted to freshen my working style and he maybe the inspiration I need. Check his work out. Well worth a look!!

Progress

Face and hair now taking shape and getting close to being finished. There are things that look wrong and the hair is still bugging me!! Oh well, it'll have to do for now. I need a rest!!!!

Hair!

Hair. Oh my god hair. Who'd have guessed making hair look realistic was going to be so difficult!!!! The face is nearly finished now and is looking pretty mean n funky but right now he looks like someone has place a very bad wig on his head. arggghhh

Well, I'm getting more and more viewings to this blog but still no comments. If you'd like to add something then please feel welcome to do so.

Get on with it!

Back to art progress................working on the face now which is I guess the most important part. From here things only get better to look at. I hope!

Weather Cock Up

Found the weather forecast amusing this morning. They showed us the morning temperatures then as the clock moved on the graphics only showed the changing cloud coverage......and that's all the weather lass could talk about. There were no wind icons or temperature icons. I know more about the next days weather than today's!!! Oh well it would have probably been wrong anyway.

Progress

Well this is progress so far. Things are still a bit messy. I've gained some form to the shoulders and backpack and have begun on the chest. I've had a a change of heart though!!!! Although the pose worked in the larger imagine, in this cropped pose, it's too stagnant. I've decided I'm going to raise the hand up to the chest and have his face turn more to us.