WEEK-7

We talked in depth about value and the importance of matching it in when you are trying to create a believable space. We will do more in class demo's but for your homework make sure the action and characters read clearly. 6 clearly readable 3 value comps is what I'm looking for.

This week we discussed many of the same issues with focus on the following. (See Seung's piece for an example of how you will be graded.)

1. Pay CLOSE attention to your values and the subtle differences between them... especially for the areas that are entirely in shadow. LOOK AT YOUR PHOTOS OR FIND NEW GOOD ONES

2. Understand the ESSENCE of the subject your painting. This means close attention to the direction and formation of your rock structures, tree types and water. Remember also that the distance something is away from your viewer dramatially affects the scale at which you draw it.

This is an "A" Midterm

I see a lot of potential in a lot of your images but keep in mind, this is the level of finish I am looking for. You have only 2 weeks left until the midterm... Yes there is work to be done and only one more class to get critiqued... so forget sleep... it's for stupid Sleepy McSleepertons.

WEEK-4-HOMEWORK

ONE PSD FILE, 2000 pixels on your LONGEST edge, demonstrating the following knowledge:

(And Glenn is my guinea pig this week:)

1. A solid clearly readable composition (if you zoom back and squint you should be able to tell what's going on in your image with just the 3 values)

2. A perspective layer with vanishing points drawn out to the horizon.

3. A sexy drawing layer with all the fixins. This means you looked CAREFULLY at reference for each item, tree, rock, zombie, and drew them with authoritay. Check out one of my favorite artists Neil Campbell Ross http://web.mac.com/limbolo/Site/blueman_2.html for examples of mind blowing shape styling.

4. A value study that shows attention to the things we discussed today, direct light, diffuse light, and reflected light. Remember things get less contrasted and lighter as they go back into the distance. EXAMINE a picture with similar lighting conditions to what you want, make it black and white and observe the subtle value shifts. check out http://www.maciejkuciara.com/portfolio.html in the concept section for some amazing examples of subtle value shifts.

5. Use of the marquee tool, color dodge and multiply brushes if necessary.

6. Use of texture overlays: check out http://www.cgtextures.com/ you can download 15 megs of textures for free and remember the texture you use doesn't have to BE the actual material... get creative and try something that might surprise you.

7. HAVE FUN! You DIDN'T become and accountant or a lawyer so you could instead, follow your goddamn dreams! so have fun... because this is your life now:)

WEEK-3 HOMEWORK

A Single Image, 2000 pixels wide focusing on:

1. FIRST LAYER: Figuring out your horizon line and using that to create vanishing points

2. SECOND LAYER: Doing a "Work-it-out Drawing" to start UNDERSTANDING the forms. This is a very complicated step in the sense that you need to constantly STOP, and look back at your photo reference, as well as describe the 3-D-ness of your image in great detail. I saw a lot of people scribble drawing... DON'T. Your marks are ONLY there to help you figure out the forms in 3-D

3. THIRD LAYER: It's time to get your "Sexy Drawing" on. Now with your structure figured out you can start "inking" your "Work-it-out Drawing". Try to keep your lines rhythmic and energetic while at the same time keeping tabs on the integrity of original composition.

WEEK-2 HOMEWORK

3 images, 1280 x 720 pixels done in only 3 values (NO SHADING, NO EXTRA VALUES) Each image should have:

1. A clear read from far away so you can tell exactly what's going on even in simple silouhette.

2. A story, don't have your character just standing there waiting for the bus, build some narrative into the image

3. DETAIL out the silouhette by drawing it and/or tracing composited photos. look carefully at your reference and make sure you capture the feel of your plants, rocks and animals.

WEEK-2 TIDBITS

White Sands Team, and Tiger's Nest Team,

You need more stuff to reference.

WHITE SANDS NEEDS PHOTOS OF:

1. Some rock formations jutting out of the dunes

2. Some different types of cacti

3. Some desert canyons and dry creeks.

TIGER'S NEST TEAM NEEDS PHOTOS OF:

1. Huang Shan Mountains (yellow mountains)

2. That one kind of asian cypress

3. Other buildings in Bhutan

Keep in mind your keyword doesn't limit you to JUST that exact thing, it's only meant to give you a basic style guide to go off of.