I'll try to do every once in a while ( takes time ), a post where i pick up one image done for a homework and try to do a black and white sketch correction. Showing you what i felt was off and what i would do to correct it.
So here we have an image done by Miguel. I feel its a great example to show you some of the main key points of what to do and what not to do, what works and what doesnt.
Its a very simple image, full front angle and view. Sor its fairly easy to make something like this work out.
Ok so...something is bothering me, mainly the fact that she is facing the right...but there is nothing there. So i feel i am suffocating. I feel uneasy. Learn to be in tune with how you feel when you see a visual. Because like that you will identify what works for you and what doesnt and you will have a Clearer Direction.
I then give her breathing space to her right. Basically the direction where her face is turned too. Ok now i feel i can breathe easy. I also break the alignement of her body with the cauldron. Make sure the shape of her body and the cauldron are different.I add some junk on a table where the cauldron is but its not appearing because its ok, i can get away with it. Then some junk shelf it the back and i keep the skull, and add maybe some other thing hanging to the left on the wall. The background is very low contrast. Because it is the last thing i want viewers to see. It try to group my values in areas of less focus and less contrast. Grouping your values is very important. This is not a painting class but you will hear me say this a lot.
I also DRAW everything. Yes its rough but then i can take time to clean up. Everything should feel 3d. There is a hard structure under her skin, and under her clothes as well. I need to feel that. I then design everything and think while i am doing it. The line of her costume, the decorations, where they are placed, the break up of small shapes like her gloves and the shoulders, the fact that she has a cloth belt with stuff on the left. Etc. The cauldron has decorations, handles, i increase the number of the little hanging bits on it etc etc .
This sketch is done in what ...ten minutes ? Fifteen tops ? It is a mix of confidence, absence of fear and doubt, repetition and habit, and finally some foundation knowledge.
Here are some more images with things that i tried adding to the sketch.
1-We changed the composition, what does that mean:
-The placement of every asset in the image
-The shape of every asset in the image
-The image framing
-The angle of view. Imagine you are viewing the image with a camera. But here we kept the same full frontal view.
2-Design !!!!
-Look around, even simple objects are cool and have detail on. And we are suppose to make exagerations and ENTERTAIN. So make cool shit ! Right ? So add density and details. Clothes have seems, patterns, textures and materials ! Add jewelry etc ! The sphere she is holding should be amazing ! Like a chinese puzzle ball or something!
3-Lighting:
-Keep it simple for now with two light sources.
So here we have an exterior light coming from a window or door. But then the light travels in the room, and bounces of everything so we should have soft light hitting her from the opposite side of the main light source. Again, this is no painting rendering class but this is the stuff you need to practice hours on end.......
4-The read of your visuals:
How is your image read by viewers ?
What order? What do they look at first ?
1-Face
2-Hands, action, and object of the action
3-Cauldron
4-Then background
5-Then full circle, back to the face
Recommended References to study :
Marcos Mateu Mestre's books
James Gurney's blog and books:
Posts on composition
http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.ca/search/label/Composition
Posts on perspective
http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.ca/search/label/Perspective
His blog is absurd....ten times more info than his books. I mean i started reading today again, his posts on composition...i realized i did not know anything...
