Cafe Doom

The Dark Arts => Dark Art Images => Topic started by: Ed on July 02, 2007, 08:06:14 PM

Title: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Ed on July 02, 2007, 08:06:14 PM
Still keeping in mind the redesign of the website, I did a quick pencil sketch earlier on, then scanned it into Photoshop. I'm going to see if I can refine the sketch and make it into a decent graphic. So far I've just added some shading, but tomorrow night I'll add a bit of colour, too, and see where it takes me. See what you think, anyway. Wish me luck - I think I'm going to need it (can't find my tablet - using a mouse instead :/ )

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/blunt_ed_d/scan1.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/blunt_ed_d/scanedit.jpg)
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Geoff_N on July 03, 2007, 02:33:44 AM
Coming along nicely, I'd say. I like the concept of the writing surface appearing to float. The eye sockets could be darker - maybe try with a deep red black?

I'm fed up trying to use  Paintshop pro as a painting tool - just too user unfriendly although it has nice effects for manipulating photos. Photshop is so expensive though - it might have to be another birthday present!

Geoff
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Ed on July 03, 2007, 04:36:10 PM
I've never tried Paintshop Pro, but I've spoken to several people online who use Photoshop for drawing, but Paintshop Pro for shading and colouring. I've no idea why, but apparently it's easier.

Here's where I'm at now. Not sure whether I like it or not. It's certainly time consuming, though :smiley:

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/blunt_ed_d/scanedit2.jpg)
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Ed on July 03, 2007, 05:59:58 PM
Another bit more...

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/blunt_ed_d/scanedit3.jpg)
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Ed on July 03, 2007, 06:45:26 PM
I think that's about as far as I can take it -

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/blunt_ed_d/scanedit4.jpg)

Looks a bit cartoony to me, but I don't think I can odds it :scratch:
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Geoff_N on July 03, 2007, 07:36:18 PM
Looks good.

I'd find it difficult to resist having the bottom bit of writng in blood and some dripping off the edge of the floating tabletop. But that would prob be too seedy.
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Ed on July 03, 2007, 07:42:31 PM
 :afro: Thanks, Geoff. Glad you like it. It's not exactly photo-real-looking, but I'm not a pro artist and never likely to be. Funny, tho, I did think about doing the writing in red, but decided against it on the grounds it might be too cheesy :grin:
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: SharonBell on July 09, 2007, 12:08:46 AM
I like it, Mr B!  :afro:And I like how you shared the changes over time.  :dance:
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Ed on July 10, 2007, 04:19:00 AM
Thanks, Sharon :afro:

Here's another one I started last night. The sketch was pretty awful, but I find it easier to start with a pencil drawing (however bad) and then use layers to refine the drawing, rather than just use a single layer and the Photoshop brushes.

It's supposed to be a scarecrow -

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/blunt_ed_d/scan0001.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/blunt_ed_d/scarec.jpg)

I was having trouble drawing the eyes, so I imported one from a stock photo. Needn't have bothered, though - it's no longer recognisable in the latest version of the drawing.

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/blunt_ed_d/Untitled-2.jpg)
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Ed on July 10, 2007, 04:56:25 PM
Gradually refining it. I'm finding this one quite difficult, though - I haven't got anything to look at to guide me, so I'm having to use my imagination ::)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/blunt_ed_d/Untitled-3.jpg)
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Ed on July 10, 2007, 06:08:48 PM
With a background added -

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/blunt_ed_d/Untitled-4.jpg)
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Dan on July 11, 2007, 04:39:58 PM
Whoa, that's pretty creepy
Good job on the scarecrow

The only thing i'd say is that it looks a bit 'superimposed' at the moment on the background
Title: Re: A bit more fiddling around
Post by: Ed on July 12, 2007, 06:21:48 PM
Cheers, Dan - I put a line of yellow around the scarecrow to simulate backlighting with sunlight, but I'm not sure whether it works as intended. I'd love to be better at all this stuff, but my artistic streak seems to come and go. Some days I'll draw stuff that I think is pretty good, yet other days I draw like a five year-old :grin: