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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Art Archive My own designs (updated Nov 8th... although not SW)

Discussion in 'Fan Art' started by CucumberBoy, Mar 11, 2007.

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  1. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 6

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    Aug 21, 2006
    Loved that last painting. What are you using?

    Great colour use and shading.
     
  2. CucumberBoy

    CucumberBoy Jedi Knight star 3

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    Mar 11, 2007
    Thanks. I use Corel Painter X. I think it's a lot better than Photoshop for painting. Most layers are just set to default mode although I believe the layer with the moon is on 'Overlay'.
     
  3. Paul-RMQ

    Paul-RMQ Art Director/Designer - for Ralph McQuarrie VIP

    Registered:
    Jun 30, 2008
    Thanks for the nice words about Ralph (I work for him).

    What definitely sets an artist ahead of the competition these days is the old fashioned skills - software can be taught pretty quickly. That said I'm a big fan of painter myself. It has an amazing brush menu once you get your head around it.

    It's nice to see you use plenty of hard edge strokes, so much computer art leans too heavily on airbrushes these days. If you look at most Ralph's originals there's hardly an airbrush stroke in there. He'd save it for Architecture, skies or lights. But the rest - a good old Windsor and Newton.

    Keep it up - folks are digging it.
     
  4. NYCitygurl

    NYCitygurl Manager Emeritus star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Jul 20, 2002
    Woah. Your work is stunning.
     
  5. CucumberBoy

    CucumberBoy Jedi Knight star 3

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    Mar 11, 2007
    You work for Ralph? That's amazing.(I suppose that would explain the 'RMQ' in your name)

    I haven't seen any of your work, but I'd love to. I actually use the airbrush tool from time to time, but I've tweaked it in brush controls so the spacing is really low and the opacity is always at 100% so I essentially get the same hard edges as the Scratchboard tool (a great pen if you haven't tried it) but without the ugly beginnings/ends to the strokes.

    All you say about Painter is certainly true. It feels a lot like traditional media.

    There's someting about Ralph's paintings that makes everything in them look so solid and real. I just can't figure out what it is.
     
  6. soitscometothis

    soitscometothis Chosen One star 6

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    Jul 11, 2003
    Your work is very exciting. Not much more I can say.
     
  7. Paul-RMQ

    Paul-RMQ Art Director/Designer - for Ralph McQuarrie VIP

    Registered:
    Jun 30, 2008
    This is me . . .

    http://www.theforce.net/podcast/story/ForceCast_June_13_2008_115345.asp

    http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/ralph_mcquarries_influence_thoughout_the_clone_wars_trailer_115235.asp

    I hear you about the scratch-board tool, however sometimes those edges can give an image a little more life/spontaneity that can easily be lost with softer edged brushes.

    When you look closely at Ralph's work, you'll see a lot of looseness over the top of very tight draftsmanship. His figures are almost expressionistic.

    You'd probably enjoy Doug Chiang's latest book 'Mechanika' - it has a lot of great tips for artists that have already gone a long way.
     
  8. CucumberBoy

    CucumberBoy Jedi Knight star 3

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    Mar 11, 2007
    That's some interesting stuff. Can't listen to the podcast though, as I'm currently working on a 56k modem :/ I see you used the scratchboard tool in those pictures. Very convenient for our discussion. Especially the blue scribble behind the '11' shows the edges that annoy me. But overall it's great, agreed.

    That book seems interesting, I'll have a look. I'm also seriously thinking of buying Ralph's book.
     
  9. CucumberBoy

    CucumberBoy Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 11, 2007
    [image=http://fc06.deviantart.com/fs31/f/2008/223/6/d/Peaceful_walkway_by_CucumberBoy.jpg]
     
  10. Aleria

    Aleria Jedi Youngling star 2

    Registered:
    Apr 8, 2007
    That is beautiful! Your work and the colours you use have a marvelous softness in them. And I can only admire the shadows, beams of light and reflections you put to the pieces.

    Amazing! =D=
     
  11. CucumberBoy

    CucumberBoy Jedi Knight star 3

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    Mar 11, 2007
    Thanks! Happy to hear you löike it!
     
  12. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 6

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    Aug 21, 2006
    Great new picture CucumberBoy.
    Almost like an oil-painting (my favorite medium)
     
  13. Barriss_Coffee

    Barriss_Coffee Chosen One star 6

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    Jun 29, 2003
    :eek: These are really quite fantastic. The creativity alone is outstanding.
     
  14. CucumberBoy

    CucumberBoy Jedi Knight star 3

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    Mar 11, 2007
    Thank you, thank you...

    [image=http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs31/f/2008/224/9/1/91ef4b7f55b52dace9e8bdb79ff3e529.jpg]

    Even when the subject matter is an ancient temple I for some reason put a spaceship in there...
     
  15. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 6

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    Aug 21, 2006
    Loved the mood in this picture. Like an aquarel.
     
  16. Aleria

    Aleria Jedi Youngling star 2

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    Apr 8, 2007
    I really like the perspective and the cold serenity in this piece.
     
  17. Paul-RMQ

    Paul-RMQ Art Director/Designer - for Ralph McQuarrie VIP

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    Jun 30, 2008
    Another nice piece, you seem to have a great eye for colour.

    Lovely.
     
  18. CucumberBoy

    CucumberBoy Jedi Knight star 3

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    Mar 11, 2007
    Thanks the three of you... (I'm losing fans)

    I tried to give both the walkway and the frozen lake a calmness to them, so I'm glad you picked up on that. And thanks Paul, I guess it's perspective and composition that's next on my list of things to improve. And then so many more things...

    I realize I still haven't posted tutorial that was requested so long ago. I'll see if I can finish that some day.
    God I'm lazy.
     
  19. CucumberBoy

    CucumberBoy Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 11, 2007
    [image=http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/Cucumber_Boy/tut2.jpg]

    A tutorial on how I drew the LAAT gunship entering the hangar (you might remember, the one in only blue and white).
    At least 4 people wanted a tutorial, so here it is. Late, but whatta heck.

    If you like it, I can do tutorials on other things as well.
     
  20. Barriss_Coffee

    Barriss_Coffee Chosen One star 6

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    Jun 29, 2003
    Hey, thanks for doing that! :) I might try my hand at that sometime...
     
  21. Paul-RMQ

    Paul-RMQ Art Director/Designer - for Ralph McQuarrie VIP

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    Jun 30, 2008
    Nice tutorial Gustaf. You should do more.

    Have you checked out CG Society, GFX Artist & Concept Art Org? There are some great tutorials that are worth checking out too. (I'll mail links privately if you want them, I don't think it's allowed on the forums right?)
     
  22. CucumberBoy

    CucumberBoy Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 11, 2007
    It's good to hear you liked it Barriss_Coffee (that name is brilliant!), Let me know if it works out for you.

    And thank you, Paul, if more tutorials would be appreciated, then more there shall be. I personally don't read or watch tutorials. Maybe it's time to start now? So yes, please go ahead and post those links. That'd be great. You can post them here if you want.
     
  23. Paul-RMQ

    Paul-RMQ Art Director/Designer - for Ralph McQuarrie VIP

    Registered:
    Jun 30, 2008
    Ok - these are the best profesional design/tutorial sites I've found. Great places to hang out and get involved if you're keen to grow . . .

    GALLERIES . . .
    http://www.conceptart.org/
    http://www.gfxartist.com/community/elite_galleries
    http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=137
    http://www.cgpad.org/gallery/

    TUTORIALS . . .
    http://www.conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=42
    http://www.gfxartist.com/features/tutorials
    http://www.cgsociety.org/
    http://www.cgpad.org/forum/tutorials-and-workshops-f22.html

    Some of the work is top of the ladder stuff, so they're a great place to learn.
     
  24. CucumberBoy

    CucumberBoy Jedi Knight star 3

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    Mar 11, 2007
    Thank you so much.

    Seeing all that amazing, amazing art makes me wonder if I'll ever get into the business, or if I should even try. But it seems to as if the ones who get the best jobs in concept art aren't the master renderers but the ones with the fresh ideas, you know?
     
  25. Paul-RMQ

    Paul-RMQ Art Director/Designer - for Ralph McQuarrie VIP

    Registered:
    Jun 30, 2008
    It's not about where you are, it's about what you believe your potential is. There's absolutely no reason you can't be as good as anyone, if you adopt the right attitude.

    It's just about applying yourself as much as possible. You don't have to be the best to get work, just better than some!

    I think you're right, ideas are everything, and the rest can be learned. You just have to look for new challenges and continually attack any weaknesses you think you might have. Anything can be fixed, it just takes a little time. You're still young and remember there's more help online for you than the previous generation ever got!!!

    If you wake in the morning and this stuff is the first thing that pops into your head - you should certainly try! If you can't imagine not doing it, you know it's probably what you're supposed to be doing.

    Your rendering is great for your age, some folks stand out right away - don't let them put you off. We can all take our own path to the same place. Don't forget why you want to paint, enjoy the journey as well as your destination.
     
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