Origen Avatar, 2013
OK!
I haven't updated in over a week so I've got quite a bit to share with you all.
I made a new avatar with my character, Origen. I figured I should make something intentional as an avatar instead of cropping a picture that wasn't meant to be one. I'm not
100% satisfied but it'll work for the time being.
I haven't updated in over a week so I've got quite a bit to share with you all.
I made a new avatar with my character, Origen. I figured I should make something intentional as an avatar instead of cropping a picture that wasn't meant to be one. I'm not
100% satisfied but it'll work for the time being.
Here is a sketch I made that I decided to work into a digital image. I really just wanted to experiment with texture work and I wasn't focused on making something impressive so the final work isn't something that makes me very proud. At least, it shows some progress.
There are two different versions since I decided to mess around with color choices and some other small details.
There are two different versions since I decided to mess around with color choices and some other small details.
Like I said, it isn't much to look at. I left the background simple because I was just seeing what the crinkly paper texture could do in a large area. It was fun to mess with and it got me going with some more ideas for future projects.
On a another note, I started working in a different method to help me figure out how to make my images more narrative and dynamic. A lot of these ideas came from the help of two current illustrators that I follow: Kali Ciesemier and Sam Bosma. Kali Ciesemier has some great tips for considering composition here and here. Sam Bosma has some awesome blog posts about his processes here. There are quite a few so I'll just mention that you'll have to search his archives for "The Hobbit" in order to find them. They are very helpful.
One of the processes I've picked up from these two is to start working on thumbnail images as a preliminary step. I found this has greatly increased my thinking on the composition and overall structure of my works. Here are a few examples I've worked on recently:
On a another note, I started working in a different method to help me figure out how to make my images more narrative and dynamic. A lot of these ideas came from the help of two current illustrators that I follow: Kali Ciesemier and Sam Bosma. Kali Ciesemier has some great tips for considering composition here and here. Sam Bosma has some awesome blog posts about his processes here. There are quite a few so I'll just mention that you'll have to search his archives for "The Hobbit" in order to find them. They are very helpful.
One of the processes I've picked up from these two is to start working on thumbnail images as a preliminary step. I found this has greatly increased my thinking on the composition and overall structure of my works. Here are a few examples I've worked on recently:
Thumbnails should be really quick and not too detailed. Some people don't even allow any erasing when they work on them. A looseness to the rendering is often the key. You want to be able to make a good amount of them so that you can see most of your thoughts for your image. I developed these a little more than I probably should have but I figure it will take some time to change this habit. Since they are small, at least I only spend a half-an-hour or so working them out than the hours I would on a full-size image.
Here is another quick look at some of the work in my sketch pages for good measure:
Here is another quick look at some of the work in my sketch pages for good measure:
On a final note, the latest project I've worked on is a portrait for a friend of mine. I've been working on these to get in the habit of working consistently again and to keep developing my knowledge and skill in digital processes.
-Victor