Since I am writing an article monthly on using the figure in practice with making pictures, I wanted to post these pages here sooner than later. The article I will be writing regarding this information is still months away and I wanted you to have something else to ride side by side with the other articles you will be receiving. This is an article about creating imagery using the figure. I will be posting more to add to this, on lighting, shading and coloring, etc. in the near future so return back to see if the thread has expanded. I need a little time between all the projects I am working on to generate these tutorials, they are not quick and easy to build especially when I am trying to find the right words to help educate...
Thanks for your support and looking forward to your comments, suggestions, and community support.
I have always appreciated your contributions to the online community going back probably a decade or more now. I've seen some of the tutorials you've posted online years ago and more recently your video training sessions on xtrain.com (some seriously valuable information). I really wish I was local to take some classes from you. It might even be interesting to consider doing an online workshop via cgsociety.org or something similar. In any event in terms of your contribution to this magazine I'll throw out a few ideas for future articles. Are there any proportional rules related to facial gestures such as smiles? A lot of the proportional rules I know of only apply to a static face. Another one I've always wondered about is there a technique, rules, or guidelines for generating the same face from different angles? If you create a character from one perspective how do you translate the likeness to different angles? Another idea would be, when working from photo references are there any guidelines or tricks to combining or modifying a person to make it look more cohesive? For example I run into lots of instances where I have a photo reference that I want to use but I want a different face on the model (from another photo) or everything is perfect in the photo except I need the model to have one arm in a different position for the composition in my artwork. This wouldnt be a big deal if I had access to a model and could retake photos, but when your not in that position and have to go with stock photos you tend to have to mash images, or make up some of the image to get where you want to go with the painting.
I look forward to seeing your future articles in imaginefx.
David, i'm the same, when i look for references i can never find just the right one, so end up cobbling what i can together, or as you say make something up, when i want to paint something i have a specific pose in mind, rather than look for the reference & design the piece round it. I wish i could find a way round it.
David, i'm the same, when i look for references i can never find just the right one, so end up cobbling what i can together, or as you say make something up, when i want to paint something i have a specific pose in mind, rather than look for the reference & design the piece round it. I wish i could find a way round it.
That's good practice Kaz. I know I learn more if inspiration comes from various sources rather than one ready made pose. It takes more effort but I think it's worth it in the long run.
If I'm really stuck, digital cameras are great for making quick reference. Although it can look daft when you're holding a broomstick pretending to be a warrior or something.
Martin - not always! sometimes it's a wand, or an athame, or a picture of you & some pins........
Jackdaw, i think you are right, though it is harder i do believe it's something that you need to fail at lots (i'm at that point) and eventually you will not need refs as much, i often find that when i do use a specific reference i find it difficult to make it my own, so it looks static.
kazky:
