Stormy SketchBook of Learning

StormyBA

Thought it would be a good idea to get a lot more into 2D of late and I'm hoping a thread around these parts will help me keep on track of my goals of getting something done every day. 

2D is something I'm pretty new at and quite recently realized actually how fun it is and really enjoy the fact it's much easier to get into the "Zone" because there is a lot less fighting with zillions of menus in 3d packages! 

So yea, pretty new to this, Ive been doing some bits on paper and hoping to get that involved in this thread too. Below is pretty much my first digital painting! I think I'm happy with it although I did use the colour picker on the ref photo more then I wanted to and it took a lot longer then I would want to spend on something like this but hoping to improve with time and crit from the community. 

Brush wise I'm kinda lacking. This was all done with a basic round, slightly squished and softened. If peeps have some recommendations on the brush front that would be great. I really dont want to get to bogged down with brushes because ultimately they are not important but any top notch mini packs that you cant live with out would fun. 

StormyBA

Bit of a mess

kayta

When you're creating concepts, make sure to get some good references up, maybe create a moodboard.
For example here it looks like you're painting a forest. Other than finding photos of forests, you could also take a look at how other artists have successfully created work of the same subject matter, and what they've done with the composition and how they've condensed the detail of what they're painting into simpler shapes and forms.
James Gurney wrote a blog post about forest interiors that you might find helpful for next time: http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/part-4-foliage-forest-interiors.html
Here are a few examples of artists you can look at
Ivan Shishkin

Min Yum

Stepan Kolesnikov

Hope that helps, looking forward to seeing more work from you  

StormyBA

kayta said:

When you're creating concepts, make sure to get some good references up, maybe create a moodboard.
For example here it looks like you're painting a forest. Other than finding photos of forests, you could also take a look at how other artists have successfully created work of the same subject matter, and what they've done with the composition and how they've condensed the detail of what they're painting into simpler shapes and forms.
James Gurney wrote a blog post about forest interiors that you might find helpful for next time: http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/part-4-foliage-forest-interiors.html

Thanks! Will check it out  

Was recommended Shaddy Safadi Earlier in the week and was trying out some of his techniques. 

StormyBA

Just some doodles.

Would really like to get a better understanding of light and colour but it seems surprising difficult to find something good. Would love some recommendations. 

Also I feel  like I keep drawing everything too small. What kind of resolution is a good starting point?

StormyBA

StormyBA

Is it lazy to be copying other peoples concepts. It's kinda feeling quite nice just get a feel for some painting methods and not worrying about design. 

StormyBA

Couple of doodles, quite enjoyed the  candle.

StormyBA

still trying to get some bits done, not as much time as id like to be getting involved

StormyBA

Liked the idea of some kind of big Viking book today and been reading a hell of a lot on lighting and colour over the last week or so. Its amazing how much more complex the world looks once you start reading into the complexity of light! 

Had a lot of fun with this but still its taking me a lot longer to get stuff "Finished" then I'd like. Really hope to see speed improving as i get more done over time. 



Edit, woh just saw the orange slices on the front page. Thanks! That makes me want to get right back into it! 

StormyBA

Not had much time to do anything over the xmas period which has been a pain but back home and getting some paintings done. 

Recently picked up a copy of "Color and Light" by James Gurney. Its been a great read and learnt a hell of a lot from it over the last few weeks and trying to get a bit more of its teachings into the paintings with regards to direct, diffuse and bounce lighting. Its really made doing this stuff a lot more interesting and would defo recommend grabbing a copy. 

StormyBA

Little tower thingy. Pretty much the first time ive just drawn something like this just winging it and thought it was going to turn out pretty shitty but i think im happy with it. Really wanting to push more on the design front as im hoping working on the imagination side of things will help my work all over the shot. 

In the long run I want to be creating game ready assets with this kind stylized and in particular using zbrush to get some of the detailing done. I love the stuff the environment guys do at blizzard in particular.

StormyBA

Little something i'm working up. 

StormyBA

I'm still plugging away in the background, thought i best update with a few of the sketches im kind more happy with.

Also got a little sketch book album going on on meh google images. Its quite easy to take pictures on the old phone and get them linked up with the album. seems a bit more of a pain to grab the image address from the album and post here. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sixLul8C7sNToGYh2

Was Recommended DrawBox.com so been trying to do some exercises from there as regular as possible. 

StormyBA

Stompy Stompy

StormyBA

StormyBA

Still plugging away, been doing some value studies recently. Pretty fun

StormyBA

Long time no post. Still plugging away, been putting a fair bit of time into substance designer but trying to get a few hours into doing quick speed paints over a day or two lunch brakes at work. 

StormyBA

This armour is too thick for blasters!!

StormyBA

It's been ages since i've posted here but thought its about time to catch up with a bit of a dump of drawings from the last few months.

StormyBA

Some recent bits, not posted for a wile so nice to do a wee update