[rdgraffix]

Well it's been a while since I've been able to update my old site or contribute as much as I'd like to to this forum (being busy has it's down sides) but finally, after a year or so of online stagnation I've managed to get my redesigned site online!

Please check it out and let me know what you think.

The Art Of Rowan Dodds

[Kitamard]

good idea for a layout, and as usual your art is great!

[rdgraffix]

thanks Kitamard

I tried to keep the layout fairly simple, but still have it interesting. This is something like the third version of the re-design. I kept coming up with a 'better' look and starting afresh, improving each time, untill my beloved slapped me upside the head and reminded me that I had to get something on line.

[strata]

Excellent work! =)

I must say that I probably like your top right Rowan Dodds signature the best... very stylin' ;D

Your retouching section is amazing! You really can't tell what you did at all in most of them... smashing work... how did you get into that? It's a field that I'd love to try my hand at more professionally, seeing as I work primarily with photo manips myself...

I'm still biting my thumbs until you release your tutorials and method sections though...

[rdgraffix]

*grin* Thanks strata. The methods, tips and so on will be coming along, once I can find some time to put them together.

I'm glad you like the retouching section. As for how I got into the work, I started out as a junior visualiser at a large advertising agency after about 6mnths of my Diploma, back when Macs were used for layout only and illustrations/visuals were all done by hand. Once I started working in Photoshop I never looked back. I guess I had a knack for it and soon everyone seemed to be coming to me with questions on it. At first, a few images would need 'a few quick touch ups' that weren't worth sending to a retouching house and over the years it's just grown untill now, where the art directors would rather do the project in house.

I love the work - there's not much like driving down the street and seeing your work on a billboard, and luckily I'm in a position where there's a lot of variety and challenge - rather than being stuck contouring 87 car shots I get to work on a variety of new, interesting projects, and have access to some of the best damn Macs money can buy. (they have to be when you're working on 3gb PSD files)

If you're looking to get into the retouching field your best bet would be contacting any retouching/photography houses you can find. Here in Australia, Show-Ads is a big one. You'd probably start off with the crap work (as everywhere I guess) but if you show a flair for it, you should eventually move onto some of the more in-depth and creative projects.

I wish you the best of luck, and I'll try to get onto expanding those sections soon for you.