A few sci-fi sketches

Posted September 24, 2011

I’ve always loved sci-fi stuff but I’ve never really done much personal art under that genre. Here are a few of my random ideas done since last week. These aren’t really full illustrations but more of mood/concept art pieces. I find them more relaxing to do and easier to let go of.

Most of these were done with around 1-3 hours of work each in between breaks. Also, I didn’t use any photo textures just textured brushes.

This canyon was supposed to be just a photo study but I ended up putting a small structure and a double rainbow.

I’m FINALLY getting the hang of this doing-art-daily routine. I’ve alyways wanted to do this months ago but I somehow got too lazy with excuses. Anyway, times have changed and more stuff are coming tomorrow. I’ll scan some anatomy studies as well. Cheers!

Back to learn more!

Posted September 13, 2011

So here I am posting again after sooo long. I wanted to say I’ve been in a very long art slump but that’s just another excuse.

Actually, I’ve been thinking a lot about where I’d like to take my art to but, before all those specifics, I knew I had to work on having a good foundation. I realized that if I really wanted to get better, then I seriously had to do something art related daily. Anything from a simple pencil sketch to a full blown illustration would do just to get myself on track. I also suggest doing lots of studies and applying what you learned from them to your art.

Know the rules before breaking them.

I would also recommend to other artists to practice viewing everything they see purely as just forms and color. This way of viewing things really helped me get better with colors and lighting without doing any actual art. On top of all that, think of all the other younger artists doing their research and studying the basics better than you just to make it harder to be lazy. If you really want to be good in something, be prepared to put everything else aside just to reach that dream.

Anyway, enough with that ramble. Here are a few stuff I’ve compiled since last week. Nothing much but a bunch of studies, sketches and a Dave Rapoza style inspired fanart for the CGPintor community. I actually have a sketchbook full of anatomy studies but ill just scan and post them when it’s already full.

The Rift has Opened!

Posted June 20, 2011

Hey, I’m back! …somehow I’m getting my flow back thanks to this contest. lol. Anyway, wish me luck!

As usual, I’ve recorded it for anybody interested. I’m kinda lazy re-posting the video comments here.. so please just visit my youtube channel if you want to read what tips I could offer from each piece. Thanks!

Interactive Portfolio Process

Posted June 5, 2011

Hello guys! I’m still alive!

After a few episodes of arm pains, office overtimes, a little self searching, and some “art slumpness” (laziness) here and there, I finally managed to post something new about something OLD…. haha

Anyway, after my arm sorta healed itself, I’ve been forcing myself to seriously study anatomy by drawing on my sketchpad everyday and came across my older sketchpad. I happen to found my “blueprint” for my interactive portfolio burried in random pages. Then I realized how lucky I was to have the time back in college to do this project. My process isn’t the best in the world but I still managed to create something that really forced me out of my comfort zones. Not only did I do the concept art and 3D but I even forced myself to study how to code in flash. (with some help from my bro ofcourse.)

Now, I’m posting this to serve as a reminder to myself and to you guys that..

BIG PROJECTS CAN BE DONE

You just need to do your research well so your project won’t crumble.

Click through the images to see my descriptions.

[Show slideshow]

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FINAL PRODUCT

I actually want to polish the 3D renders more but, right now, I already starting my plans for an even BIGGER PROJECT that would push me out of my comfort zones even further. Cheers!

Lotus – Painting Process

Posted April 23, 2011

I know.. my girliest work ever! haha… Anyway, I’m just cleaning up my files and uploading old stuff. I did this around last february to march on and off a couple of weeks.

This was an overdue request for my good friend’s birthday. She just wanted me to paint an angel surrounded with roses. I believe the idea was sort of inspired by one of my first paintings but this time, it would have a happier and more updated look. Other than doing this as a request, I also wanted to challenge myself and create something as detailed and beautiful as the works of hjgart.

I first looked through photos of flowers and got inspired by the Lotus plant. It eventually ended up as the main peg for the costume and direction of this painting.

I recorded my long process just like before since I got tons of free space lying around: (3 parts!)

**************************************************************************

TIPS:

– Have lots of references. I had around 50+ different images I look at constantly while painting this. I had like images of chinese costumes, dolls, flowers, jewelry from all sorts of countries, etc. The hardest for me were the clothes and jewelry which were too unfamiliar.

– It’s very easy to unconsciously get too many similarities with other people’s artworks especially those you look up to. I am actually guilty of having a composition that is too similar to one of hgjart’s painting. Although it’s just minor, the subject matter is still very different. A good way to avoid this is by drawing your inspiration from other various sources instead, e.g., nature, photography, history, architecture, or even dreams, because this nurtures your creativity a lot more.

-Light elements on light elements can be contrasted by having complementary hues.

-Learn how to make brushes! Instead of painting each feather one by one, I just painted one and converted it to a brush and viola!

-Having separate layers for different elements is good for non destructive painting BUT too much and it slows you down. My usual main layers are just composed of the background layer, character layer, and the lighting effects layer. I easily got carried away here and rendered each jewelry on a separate layer. You always need to decide how to balance the time you would spend on your painting vs. it’s intended purpose.

**************************************************************************

Thanks for watching!

Did this in around 25hrs in total which is the longest time I’ve spent on a personal painting after soo long… XD I swear, if I used my normal workflow with less layers and looser strokes.. this would’ve taken a lot less time.

Also, I tried submitting this to ballistic publishing but unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut which means I have to make something even better!