[waynebebay]

This was in the WIP area but I FINALLY finished it... 14+ hours in Photoshop CS

C&C Encouraged!


_________________
As simple as an apple with insides of a honeycomb

[waynebebay]

Someone thought I copied and pasted the watch so I had to screen a side by side comparison to allow for him to view the actualy paint strokes.


_________________
As simple as an apple with insides of a honeycomb

[waynebebay]

Can anyone tell me what the hell is wrong with my painting?

No one has commented and it was denied by CGSociety due to lack of quality tolerances.... What?!

These types of places are here to help aspiring artists.
_________________
As simple as an apple with insides of a honeycomb

[Sumaleth]

It's one of those pictures where it's hard to know what to say.

It's not poorly made. It's all in proportion, values seem accurate, and there are some nice things technically.

But it's a strange picture. It's not an appealing picture, from an outsider's point of view. If you don't see the title (which I didn't) then you wonder why he was painted in that odd pose. And why does he have a cigarette in his mouth while he's in that pose? Why is he wearing so much mascara?

It looks like a half-finished photograph copy. It has that washed-out look of a photograph, where the light source is too close to the position of the camera, and the face doesn't look entirely right yet. It's in that awkward place, where it's not "inspired by a photo" and it's not a "copy of a photo". But it feels closer to the latter, which is why it's hard to comment (all that can be said is "keep making it look more like the reference image").

But the problem there is that you're limited by how good the reference image is, and as I said, this isn't an appealing one.

(I'm assuming you didn't want the feedback sugar coated -- if you did, ah, don't read any of the above )
_________________
Art Links Archive -- Artists and Tutorials

[waynebebay]

THANK YOU... see this is what I was looking for ALL along and I appreciate what you have said GREATLY.

I do agree with everything you have said... the photo isn't appealing and I pretty much captured everything the reference had to offer... here is the reference:



SO as you can tell.. My friend wears mascara and has a cigarette in his mouth because that's who he is... I guess.

I guess it's not that appealing until you have the reference side by side? Even then it's just something to look at and say .. "Oh that looks pretty sweet," or "That looks like shit."

Mostly though, Sumaleth, this was more of a project for me to get inducted in the lifestyle of painting digitally... I am a line art type of guy and am DEATHLY afraid of color. So this painting was to capture me outside of my comfort zone and to evaluate how I did. I have to admit it came out better than I thought it was going to and this is the only piece I have finished because I normally start a painting and the early stages turn me off so much that I just quit.

Once again, I appreciate your comment more than you know man.. I just needed artistic feedback.
_________________
As simple as an apple with insides of a honeycomb

[Sumaleth]

Ah, okay so that gives it some context.

There are two things that people like to see in art: great technique, and/or great artistry.

A source image like this makes the second one difficult. You need to use it for inspiration only, and create all the artistry yourself. Which means changing the lighting, changing the face, and finding a way to express the spirit of the photo in a way that is appealing. Tough for a professional, so really tough for someone just getting their feet wet.

Even if you're going for pure technique you'd be better off starting with a source image that already has the artistry built in, because we can see now that even if you were to copy the source 100% accurately, it still wouldn't look right. (The guy has been caught in a pose that doesn't look right. Especially the face. If you know the guy then you probably see him, rather than what is actually in the photo, but to us it looks wrong.)

It was Spooge or Ron Lemon who used to say something like: don't paint reality if reality is wrong.

That said, you can still learn a lot of technique by copying this as accurately as possible. You've got the broad strokes in now, but you could keep going. Really nail the values and shades, and notice the different colors in the face, and see what makes hair look like hair, and make those jeans look like denim that you could touch.

But perhaps best to consider this one an experiment, and start a new one now.
_________________
Art Links Archive -- Artists and Tutorials

[waynebebay]

I second that last sentence... I have spent too many hours on this to go back and start touching up.

I do understand what you are saying and this whole thing is completely taking me out of my comfort zone. Lighting and color are my worst enemy so I am afraid to even touch base with them.

By the way I love that quote - "Don't paint reality is reality is wrong"

Sumaleth, what would you like to see me do next?
_________________
As simple as an apple with insides of a honeycomb

[Sumaleth]

[waynebebay]

Sounds challenging - I've never done cars but I will start when I can.
_________________
As simple as an apple with insides of a honeycomb

[Sumaleth]

Oh, you're talking about a picture?
_________________
Art Links Archive -- Artists and Tutorials

[waynebebay]

LoL... I'll give you a Lambo Sum... in a picture format.
_________________
As simple as an apple with insides of a honeycomb

[Sumaleth]

Seriously, paint whatever you want to paint. I was joking about the car.
_________________
Art Links Archive -- Artists and Tutorials