I found a video with someone grinding the block of ink and doing a bit of painting^^ Hope this helps you visualise what I was going on about in the previous post =D
This person isnt very "PRO" .. I think he or she is still in the middle of learning. I remember my chinese painting teacher had stacks of books with step by step instructions to help guide us along with the lessons. The person in the video has probably had alot of experience in acrylic painting since he/she uses very dark tones. Dark blocked out tones arent commonly seen in skilled craftsmanship.. that what people believe anyways.
They people running the channel seems to have an aim to animate chinese paintings =O So I guess this was a great find!! I should contact them to see how they're progressing, We might be able to snatch a few tips on the way ^^
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
MORE WORK!^^
I've been asked to work on a very nice project over the weekend. Iredia, from our course asked for my my assistance. Thanks to the past tests I've been doing in SAI for the past few weeks, people seem to be gaining interest in my new found style^^ Which is always a nice thing, I'm gaining my confidence back, the confidence I lost during my second year at Ravensbourne. Having members of my team believe in my work is truly a boost of self esteem.
I would also like to thank Michelle especially, we seem to have this mild rivalry thing going on, helping each other step by step; thats making us broaden out more in our own styles. So we're both dishing out new techniques every week! And exploring so many more different styles! Its a great motivation, keeping us moving^^ So THANK YOU!! =D
Anyways.. I've been asked to work on CONCEPT work, as a cinematographer. Which is such a nice thing, since that IS my target this year! I'm glad someone has seen potential in my skills. I've been asked to study closely with chinese paintings. Something I was forced into in chinese school, a LONG time ago. I used to get really high grades actually, but that was using a traditional paint brush, playing with water and ink, then a splash of COLOUR paint. It was very hard to do at first but yeah. Iredia wants to explore a more ORIENTAL style for his 30 second piece. Its a very simple piece, yet it carries values with so much more meaning. I'll post up the script after finding it through my inbox. After evaluating the whole plot with Iredia the other day, then going through the character designs, I felt a boost of excitement. I could actually picture each scene very nicely. Iredia has already mentioned hes a very flat out kind of person, and finds it very hard to picture things in more dynamics views to give shots that push. So I'll be playing with many angles, and working alot with the lighting. I pictured a very nice moon scene, with the reflection of the characters shadow being reflected onto the surface of the pond. We've decided to experiment with colour to find a suitable colour wheel. I've almost never digitalise chinese paintings. I've always used a brush pen people usually use for practicing asian calligraphy. Instead of getting the good old fashion paint sets out, having to grind the ink blocks, adding generous amounts of water, and making different tones depending on the amount of water and ink used.
For this project, I thnk a suitable Painting software would be needed. There's many softwares made for different things. I feel it restricts artists using the same software for EVERYTHING. For example, many people stick to photoshop because they're comfortable with it. It the potential in TRYING other softwares may save alot more time, if the artist was the broaden their tech knowledge a bit more. So I'll be testing Corel PAINTER for the first time today. Hoping to get something out of this.
SAI was potential, but so does photoshop. Here are my thoughts on each program for this project....
SAI - SAI's more fluent so it can create lovely brush strokes, but it still feels very stiff in comparison to the real things. A paper filter/texture could be added in photoshop after to give it the more authentic feel. Requires two programs to work together.
Photoshop - I have lovely brushes on photoshop too! But it still doesnt have that sense of depth a real paintbrush would give, remember, these digital tools ARE imitations of real artist tools. We pretty my have the whole of Cass Art, the graphic center in these softwares. But fakes will be fakes. I'm looking for a more traditional look.
Painter - I've seen many brilliant pieces! But I've never dared to try it, so I think today's the day. It says it in its name, if painter fails to give me what im looking for then I'll clash SAI and photoshop together depending on my tests.
Wish me luck~~
I would also like to thank Michelle especially, we seem to have this mild rivalry thing going on, helping each other step by step; thats making us broaden out more in our own styles. So we're both dishing out new techniques every week! And exploring so many more different styles! Its a great motivation, keeping us moving^^ So THANK YOU!! =D
Anyways.. I've been asked to work on CONCEPT work, as a cinematographer. Which is such a nice thing, since that IS my target this year! I'm glad someone has seen potential in my skills. I've been asked to study closely with chinese paintings. Something I was forced into in chinese school, a LONG time ago. I used to get really high grades actually, but that was using a traditional paint brush, playing with water and ink, then a splash of COLOUR paint. It was very hard to do at first but yeah. Iredia wants to explore a more ORIENTAL style for his 30 second piece. Its a very simple piece, yet it carries values with so much more meaning. I'll post up the script after finding it through my inbox. After evaluating the whole plot with Iredia the other day, then going through the character designs, I felt a boost of excitement. I could actually picture each scene very nicely. Iredia has already mentioned hes a very flat out kind of person, and finds it very hard to picture things in more dynamics views to give shots that push. So I'll be playing with many angles, and working alot with the lighting. I pictured a very nice moon scene, with the reflection of the characters shadow being reflected onto the surface of the pond. We've decided to experiment with colour to find a suitable colour wheel. I've almost never digitalise chinese paintings. I've always used a brush pen people usually use for practicing asian calligraphy. Instead of getting the good old fashion paint sets out, having to grind the ink blocks, adding generous amounts of water, and making different tones depending on the amount of water and ink used.
For this project, I thnk a suitable Painting software would be needed. There's many softwares made for different things. I feel it restricts artists using the same software for EVERYTHING. For example, many people stick to photoshop because they're comfortable with it. It the potential in TRYING other softwares may save alot more time, if the artist was the broaden their tech knowledge a bit more. So I'll be testing Corel PAINTER for the first time today. Hoping to get something out of this.
SAI was potential, but so does photoshop. Here are my thoughts on each program for this project....
SAI - SAI's more fluent so it can create lovely brush strokes, but it still feels very stiff in comparison to the real things. A paper filter/texture could be added in photoshop after to give it the more authentic feel. Requires two programs to work together.
Photoshop - I have lovely brushes on photoshop too! But it still doesnt have that sense of depth a real paintbrush would give, remember, these digital tools ARE imitations of real artist tools. We pretty my have the whole of Cass Art, the graphic center in these softwares. But fakes will be fakes. I'm looking for a more traditional look.
Painter - I've seen many brilliant pieces! But I've never dared to try it, so I think today's the day. It says it in its name, if painter fails to give me what im looking for then I'll clash SAI and photoshop together depending on my tests.
Wish me luck~~
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
NewView =D
I've been drawing random perspective guide lines after going through a few landscape photos on flickr. Since I'm doing concept art too, I figured I should try a full scale picture. Being very clever with the number of objects there are in the picture. I realised, from my past attempts, I tried throwing in as much forest related things together..despite the weather.. season.. and time of day.. which was really silly. SoooOOO after a close study, I have decided to but as little as possible, playing with the perspectives to my advantage. With trees, the branches and shadows would cover a majority of the screen. And so.. I developed this sketch, which I will continue to work on.
I followed the same steps from the tree tutorial I did the other day.
(1) SKETCH the layout!
(2)PERSPECTIVE!
(3)Think about the lighting!
I threw in the sun in the corner.. to give this nice contract of BRIGHT sun rays and really dark shadows from the trees.
[Slapped on some colour from my previous colour palette.. but I just wasn't feeling the mood.. there was far too much GREEN O_O]
More variations in colour was needed, so I went through Michele's colour script for guidance since shes in charge of THE HOLY COLOUR SCRIPT.
(4)Blocking out some colour bases
(5) SHADOWS =D
(6)Lighting on all the tiny bits on the tree trunks
(7)LEAVES! MORE COLOUR VARIATIONS! blocking out the darker toners for the inner layers.
(8) The sky I suppose, lovely blues and whiteness
(9) The castle!
(10) Rays of LIGHT =D
(11) Grass touch up..
(the light cover the whole grass.. so a few grass patches were added to make it look like grass!
I don't feel as though I've finished this picture.. so I'll be re-working it tomorrow!
(1) SKETCH the layout!
(2)PERSPECTIVE!
(3)Think about the lighting!I threw in the sun in the corner.. to give this nice contract of BRIGHT sun rays and really dark shadows from the trees.
[Slapped on some colour from my previous colour palette.. but I just wasn't feeling the mood.. there was far too much GREEN O_O]More variations in colour was needed, so I went through Michele's colour script for guidance since shes in charge of THE HOLY COLOUR SCRIPT.
(4)Blocking out some colour bases
(5) SHADOWS =D
(6)Lighting on all the tiny bits on the tree trunks
(7)LEAVES! MORE COLOUR VARIATIONS! blocking out the darker toners for the inner layers.
(8) The sky I suppose, lovely blues and whiteness
(9) The castle!
(10) Rays of LIGHT =D
(11) Grass touch up..
(the light cover the whole grass.. so a few grass patches were added to make it look like grass!
I don't feel as though I've finished this picture.. so I'll be re-working it tomorrow!
Monday, 22 November 2010
PracticePracticePractice
Trees!!! DAMN TREES!!
I'm doing a few tutorials today.. home sick so i need to work harder before I lose energy..
so here goes! I'm following tutorials on deviantart today! then WATER COLOUR painting on youtube to get these trees right!! even though the water colour tutorials are actually on traditional painting, I can use the same technique digitally! might even attempt to get the good old water colours out at some point of the day.. but yea. Here's what I've done so far today...
Stage1::
Step 1: Random tree trunk shape!
include: a)Roots
b)Stem
c) Branches
Step 2: give the thing some roots!
Step 3: draw round strips to give a sense of DEPTH.
Step 4: Shading- sort the lighting out!
Step 5: ADD SOME DETAIL
Step 6: Outline LEAVES -keep it simple.
Step 7: Shade the leaves! make them fluffy as clouds^___^
Step 8:COLOUR those leaves!!
( The tutorial actually ended in step 7.. so.. this colouring style was inspired by myazaki's watercoloured concepts I have a book full of.. right beside me as I work =D)
Step 9: Colour the trunk and touch up on a few shadows and we're all done! =DD
Thanks to.....Tur-Ture on deviantart for the basic tutorial of drawing a tree =D
I'm doing a few tutorials today.. home sick so i need to work harder before I lose energy..
so here goes! I'm following tutorials on deviantart today! then WATER COLOUR painting on youtube to get these trees right!! even though the water colour tutorials are actually on traditional painting, I can use the same technique digitally! might even attempt to get the good old water colours out at some point of the day.. but yea. Here's what I've done so far today...
Stage1::
Step 1: Random tree trunk shape!
include: a)Roots
b)Stem
c) Branches
Step 2: give the thing some roots!
Step 3: draw round strips to give a sense of DEPTH.
Step 4: Shading- sort the lighting out!
Step 5: ADD SOME DETAIL
Step 6: Outline LEAVES -keep it simple.
Step 7: Shade the leaves! make them fluffy as clouds^___^
Step 8:COLOUR those leaves!!
( The tutorial actually ended in step 7.. so.. this colouring style was inspired by myazaki's watercoloured concepts I have a book full of.. right beside me as I work =D)
Step 9: Colour the trunk and touch up on a few shadows and we're all done! =DD
Thanks to.....Tur-Ture on deviantart for the basic tutorial of drawing a tree =D
Sunday, 21 November 2010
SAI WEEKEND
Colouring this weekend hasn't gone so well.. but at least I have a few images that ARE presentable!.. kind of.. I've also found new techniques through analysing Le Royaume's making video!
Humans learn through copying what they see, its the basics of everything in life.
So I copied a section of one of their backgrounds.. I don't see anything wrong with that since I'm in the process of learning hands on!
So here's the studies...
I used both SAI and photoshop for this image, the sky seemed a bit empty before so I threw it in photoshop and gave it a good old brush over with some custom downloads!
Sai made the grass and shadows feel so much more natural^^
The tree I copied from Le Royaume ..practice purposes..
This came out quite well, I loved the way a simple shadow could being out the rest of the forest in the background. Its not strong but ever so suttle.
This was drawn the next morning before even opening my eyes properly.. as you can see.. the colours are all wrong, but the CONCEPT of using the free transform tool is there! Its the same tree repeated, but if I use a few... and change the opacity a bit, it should in theory look more like a forest without the shadow method I used above.
This image hasn't been finished yet, but the whole concept of producing it HAS been finished. I wanted to create shadows on the grass, and play around with colour a bit more. Hence the PURPLE shadows.. The trees obviously need more work. And although this scene may be very simple. The lighting's overall effect gives off a very strong and spacious atmosphere. All through working with lighting =O I used a few photographs I found on flickr as reference, will post soon~~
I was originally copying my own sketched image from the day before. I even tested the colour palette Matt uploaded. But then found it was very frustrating to be using them.. So.. I might just make my own to compliment the existing since there isn't enough tones.
Humans learn through copying what they see, its the basics of everything in life.
So I copied a section of one of their backgrounds.. I don't see anything wrong with that since I'm in the process of learning hands on!
So here's the studies...
I used both SAI and photoshop for this image, the sky seemed a bit empty before so I threw it in photoshop and gave it a good old brush over with some custom downloads!
Sai made the grass and shadows feel so much more natural^^
The tree I copied from Le Royaume ..practice purposes..
This came out quite well, I loved the way a simple shadow could being out the rest of the forest in the background. Its not strong but ever so suttle.
This was drawn the next morning before even opening my eyes properly.. as you can see.. the colours are all wrong, but the CONCEPT of using the free transform tool is there! Its the same tree repeated, but if I use a few... and change the opacity a bit, it should in theory look more like a forest without the shadow method I used above.
This image hasn't been finished yet, but the whole concept of producing it HAS been finished. I wanted to create shadows on the grass, and play around with colour a bit more. Hence the PURPLE shadows.. The trees obviously need more work. And although this scene may be very simple. The lighting's overall effect gives off a very strong and spacious atmosphere. All through working with lighting =O I used a few photographs I found on flickr as reference, will post soon~~
I was originally copying my own sketched image from the day before. I even tested the colour palette Matt uploaded. But then found it was very frustrating to be using them.. So.. I might just make my own to compliment the existing since there isn't enough tones.
18th Nov Lesson...
I didn't some perspective shots in my sketch book with no reference! came out pretty good actually! Michelle's laptop was still broken so I lent her mine to use. She also showed me how SAI had a free transform tool we could use to manipulate our images. Making drawing in perspective A LOT EASIER!! We spent the day working out perspectives on varies images we drew. As Dan said before, since we're both doing backgrounds we should work closely to ensure the continuity.
We then went onto looking for tutorials to make life easier - going back to basics^^
Matt then sent the group TWO tutorials on perspectives, it was surprisingly detailed for a deviantart tutorials =O
Tree Tests in SAI
Since SAI hasnt got texture brushes... me and michelle decided to experiment a bit and find other ways in imitating brushes without actually using any!
Pics to be uploaded...soon...
Pics to be uploaded...soon...
11th Nov Lesson...
We went through everyones individual roles. I soon realised the amount of detail needed to get to the same standard as ""Le Royaume". I guesstimated around 10 layers for EACH background. meaning each frame would need good knows how many actual layers in the end. Since ONE picture = at least 4 seperate layers.
(1)Base/ Shape
(2)Lighting
(3)Shadows
(4)Detail
I then discussed this issue with Matt, He then showed me the MAKING video of Le Royame. To find.. so many more layers in one background it was uncountable =_=""
We not only found problems with the amount of detail each background would have, but also the secondary animation involved! Which would include...wind effects, so, wavey grass, trees, maybe the odd bunny hopping?
Dan had set us a TASK each. To be completed by the following week. My aim was to draw a COMPLETED background using SAI. with a nice amount of layers to try imitate the effect.
My reason for using SAI.....
I've been playing around with this program all summer! Its quite nice, I do miss Photoshop's brushes though. HOWEVER, the pressure sensitivity DOES feel far more fluent. It doesnt burn your RAM as Photoshop does, OR give that foreign feeling, since your not drawing directly on the screen, it still feels kind of awkward at times. Like common things such as flipping the canvas WHILST you work. Smoother, more natural brush strokes. SAI's used widely in Japan, and well known digital artists around the world. I first found SAI on deviantart, from going through "redjuice999" 's profile. Its GREAT for blending tones, saving alot of time.
I havent quite mastered colouring backgrounds on SAI just yet.. since on photoshop I could cheat by using downloaded brushes/texture. However, on SAI, there is no such function!! you can custom make brushes, but not manipulate them the same as photoshop. So I have decided to use both to compliment the missing features each software has. =D I worked on character designing and colouring through the summer.. so colouring organic backgrounds in SAI has its limits for now.
(1)Base/ Shape
(2)Lighting
(3)Shadows
(4)Detail
I then discussed this issue with Matt, He then showed me the MAKING video of Le Royame. To find.. so many more layers in one background it was uncountable =_=""
We not only found problems with the amount of detail each background would have, but also the secondary animation involved! Which would include...wind effects, so, wavey grass, trees, maybe the odd bunny hopping?
Dan had set us a TASK each. To be completed by the following week. My aim was to draw a COMPLETED background using SAI. with a nice amount of layers to try imitate the effect.
My reason for using SAI.....
I've been playing around with this program all summer! Its quite nice, I do miss Photoshop's brushes though. HOWEVER, the pressure sensitivity DOES feel far more fluent. It doesnt burn your RAM as Photoshop does, OR give that foreign feeling, since your not drawing directly on the screen, it still feels kind of awkward at times. Like common things such as flipping the canvas WHILST you work. Smoother, more natural brush strokes. SAI's used widely in Japan, and well known digital artists around the world. I first found SAI on deviantart, from going through "redjuice999" 's profile. Its GREAT for blending tones, saving alot of time.
Heres his page, just so that you get the feel of what SAI can produce in the hands of a professional. =D
I havent quite mastered colouring backgrounds on SAI just yet.. since on photoshop I could cheat by using downloaded brushes/texture. However, on SAI, there is no such function!! you can custom make brushes, but not manipulate them the same as photoshop. So I have decided to use both to compliment the missing features each software has. =D I worked on character designing and colouring through the summer.. so colouring organic backgrounds in SAI has its limits for now.
Friday, 5 November 2010
New Projects -New Groups^^
soOO heres my situation.. For this year, I'll be working on two groups
and woOO^^ I get to work in the same group as Michelle for both the groups^^
Our group for digital environments last year went so well =DD
Group (1):
Matt - SMitten
I will specialise on storyboarding, compositing, and re-working the dynamic angles like a cinematographer.
Matts already asked for a warped feel to the environments, but Michelle seems to have problems with perspectives when it comes to environments. And so, we've decided to find pictures with interesting perspective lines to copy from.
I have been warned though.. it seems as directer, Matts has the skills to do alot for himself, so I could be dropped from the group, depending how much effect my input have on the group since he has a basic animatic already. I'm going to have to do alot of research as a cinematographer working along side of Michelle for this to succeed.
Group (2)
Tex - Wombed Man King of Gods
Our roles havent officially been decided, but it seems as though i'll be doing the same jobs, storyboading, cinematographer and probably make a real animatic since there isnt one to start with. We're encouraged to be really open, freeminded for our creativity to flow. But it seems time might kill us on that one. So after going over Tex's blog, getting the grips of the actual "storyline" this weekend. I want to come up with a schedules together as a group on monday or the project may fall a terible death since there isnt much structure in the making process yet. I see real potential for this project, so I might focus on this project more since theres more jobs available. =)
What im going to concentrate on for Dan's unit...
-Drawing in warped perspectives, lots and lots of perspective fields to practice on.
- and CG dynamics in maya for Tex's project, since it seems da other members have no interest in the dynamics.
(I practiced on perspectives through out the holidays, it was one of my personal aims to improve on. and I did alot of photography during the summer, so I guess playing the role of cinematographer was the outcome of my skills I built during summer.)
and woOO^^ I get to work in the same group as Michelle for both the groups^^
Our group for digital environments last year went so well =DD
Group (1):
Matt - SMitten
I will specialise on storyboarding, compositing, and re-working the dynamic angles like a cinematographer.
Matts already asked for a warped feel to the environments, but Michelle seems to have problems with perspectives when it comes to environments. And so, we've decided to find pictures with interesting perspective lines to copy from.
I have been warned though.. it seems as directer, Matts has the skills to do alot for himself, so I could be dropped from the group, depending how much effect my input have on the group since he has a basic animatic already. I'm going to have to do alot of research as a cinematographer working along side of Michelle for this to succeed.
Group (2)
Tex - Wombed Man King of Gods
Our roles havent officially been decided, but it seems as though i'll be doing the same jobs, storyboading, cinematographer and probably make a real animatic since there isnt one to start with. We're encouraged to be really open, freeminded for our creativity to flow. But it seems time might kill us on that one. So after going over Tex's blog, getting the grips of the actual "storyline" this weekend. I want to come up with a schedules together as a group on monday or the project may fall a terible death since there isnt much structure in the making process yet. I see real potential for this project, so I might focus on this project more since theres more jobs available. =)
What im going to concentrate on for Dan's unit...
-Drawing in warped perspectives, lots and lots of perspective fields to practice on.
- and CG dynamics in maya for Tex's project, since it seems da other members have no interest in the dynamics.
(I practiced on perspectives through out the holidays, it was one of my personal aims to improve on. and I did alot of photography during the summer, so I guess playing the role of cinematographer was the outcome of my skills I built during summer.)
ANP09305
Within this unit we were asked to initiate and develop new content solutions that will challenge our productions. We’ve been encouraged to BREAK boundaries, whilst realistically working on several projects at a time. We are required fulfill THREE roles, Artist,Animation and Technical. And choose which to mainly focus on.
I’ve chosen to focus on ARTIST. I want to play the role of a cinematographer and do concept work for several projects. Providing I would have an outlined theme to follow, my aim would be to produce a portfolio of different style, to show my potential and flexibility in various ways. To do this, I will be experimenting on various programs. I believe sticking to one platform would limit the potential in creating an intriguing style.
So I have installed parallels and bootcamp on my macbookpro to work on a windows OS too.
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