tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post3163099761374272861..comments2024-03-19T00:15:02.597-07:00Comments on Ninja Mountain Scrolls: Ninja Mountain 44 - Critique THIS!Ninja Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499718250710846157noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-86650909084305337892009-12-24T04:15:12.784-08:002009-12-24T04:15:12.784-08:00Hi Patrick would certainly love a show critique if...Hi Patrick would certainly love a show critique if you have time. Cheers, happy christmas.Jason Jutahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05055656946781767693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-71924293038881196742009-12-22T23:11:29.736-08:002009-12-22T23:11:29.736-08:00Madeline - my quick crit on yours is that I REALLY...Madeline - my quick crit on yours is that I REALLY like a lot of the detail, and the overall layout is very successful. As someone who appreciates strong colors, I'm drawn to the good use of a primary triad as well, which fits the subject.<br /><br />I'm concerned about the overall attention to dimensionality and detail, though. The dog, the shoes, and a few other items are VERY dimensional and "realistic" (within the style you're using) while some things like the yellow-brick road are flatter. Also the sky seems to get darker around the background characters, which gives a flat, almost "stage setting" look. <br /><br />I think in future, the strongest thing would be to go one way or the other - lots of "pop" and dimension, or a flat look that concentrates on layout and texture, but not both. <br /><br />Hope this helps!Patrick McEvoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10908082386583161219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-6066691490788771292009-12-22T23:06:36.082-08:002009-12-22T23:06:36.082-08:00OK, I think we've got a good amount of picture...OK, I think we've got a good amount of pictures to critique now. Melissa and Jeff, we've got you set up - Jason and Madeline did you want your pieces on the show, or would you rather just keep critiques here on the boards?<br /><br />Looks like we've got about 9 pictures so far. Should be a fun episode!!Patrick McEvoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10908082386583161219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-63777099433430231742009-12-21T05:02:40.350-08:002009-12-21T05:02:40.350-08:00i bought socar miles t shirt.. i wish she had more...i bought socar miles t shirt.. i wish she had more t shirt designs :Dlittlepinkpebblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16759552508893204536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-70034880465594694542009-12-19T05:42:15.000-08:002009-12-19T05:42:15.000-08:00Thanks Preston...I definitely think the lack of mo...Thanks Preston...I definitely think the lack of movement is the main problem, you're right. If you look long enough, the picture is perfectly understandabale I think, but ideally an illustration should be understood at a glance. Perhaps there should be more of a feeling of the staff impacting the lich as well. Lesson learned...Jason Jutahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05055656946781767693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-85952773232848093732009-12-18T14:50:28.198-08:002009-12-18T14:50:28.198-08:00Jason Juta, awesome work! I think, first of all, t...Jason Juta, awesome work! I think, first of all, the piece works and doesn't really need to be fixed. That said, there were a couple of things, that I'm not sure would help at all. I thought the humans back arm looked a little stiff and that you really wouldn't hold a staff like that. Then I realized he was swinging the staff and that then seemed right, except it doesn't appear as though his arms are moving. I think some kind of a motion blur could help in that area.<br />Also, the shape of the negative space is really interesting, but the viewer doesn't get a lot out of looking at it multiple times. I think some kind of structure in the back ground (natural, supernatural, or man-made) would benefit the piece.<br />And again, the work is so good, I'm not positive any of that will really be worth the effort, but ya know...there it is. :]<br />hope I could help.Razwit (Preston Stone)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05894565400051395131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-28626516554342139162009-12-18T00:47:38.972-08:002009-12-18T00:47:38.972-08:00Hi Ninjas, thanks for all your hard work as usual!...Hi Ninjas, thanks for all your hard work as usual! I've got an older piece I'd like some opinions on. It was a portfolio piece; It does have problems, but at the same time it was a milestone for me and so I have difficulty being objective about it. Thank you! The piece is:<br /><br />http://www.jasonjuta.com/gallery/personal_art/lich_jasonjuta.jpgJason Jutahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07109751465009519029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-46609547782687598172009-12-16T23:39:49.451-08:002009-12-16T23:39:49.451-08:00@Meli Hitchcock : that was an entry in the Good vs...@Meli Hitchcock : that was an entry in the Good vs. Evil contest, wasn't it?! :) One of my absolute favourites.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02852127435931262360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-10411444588380219802009-12-16T22:27:12.794-08:002009-12-16T22:27:12.794-08:00Would love some input on this piece. It is my ass...Would love some input on this piece. It is my assignment from IMC 2009. I didn't get it done in class so critiques would be great. It's meant to be a bookcover for a steampunk version of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz".<br />Thanks!<br /><br />http://www.mcmatz.com/images/Oz_web.jpgMadeline Carol Matzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03069459965699424621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-91962322005263897372009-12-16T18:08:40.921-08:002009-12-16T18:08:40.921-08:00Hey there fellow Ninja's!
I saw Patrick'...Hey there fellow Ninja's! <br /><br />I saw Patrick's twitter post this afternoon about submitting art for the next podcast (the 30th I think is what you all said) and I just wanted to post up my last major piece I worked on in hopes to get some feedback on it. I wasn't sure if you all wanted us to post in the blog or send it via email... so I hope that it's seen in the blog! <br /><br />http://cghub.com/images/view/44282/page:1/<br /><br />Anyway, I can see a ton of things that could use polishing or changing in the artwork, but I'm just curious what else your ninja eyes might spy that could use some further improvement.<br /><br />Feel free to rip it apart. Cuz I need it. :)Meli Hitchcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15627740710095084630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-18927278651667448122009-12-16T13:56:46.364-08:002009-12-16T13:56:46.364-08:00Thanks Patrick! Those are very helpful to my furth...Thanks Patrick! Those are very helpful to my further workings of the piece. They touched on known issues that I have with the piece, that I couldn't quite put my finger on.Changewindshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03916085587953972207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-4428608875381271242009-12-15T18:26:02.787-08:002009-12-15T18:26:02.787-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Razwit (Preston Stone)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05894565400051395131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-83598144412486822142009-12-15T18:24:33.164-08:002009-12-15T18:24:33.164-08:00Mr. Johnson...that is some amazing work. I think t...Mr. Johnson...that is some amazing work. I think the colors are spectacular (at least, I can't think of anything that would improve them).<br />The only things I thought could stand a change were the lines that seemed to lead my eye off the left of the page. The building tops with the dragons tail seem to create a big arrow pointing left. I think if you just curved the end of the dragon's tail down and back, so it disappears behind the wall it'd create a path to move the viewers eye around a little more.Razwit (Preston Stone)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05894565400051395131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-9654937913957361982009-12-15T10:50:53.960-08:002009-12-15T10:50:53.960-08:00Otay, I see I can solicit some advice from my insi...Otay, I see I can solicit some advice from my insightful peers. Anyone with a moment have any idea what I might have considered with the colors(or anything else, for that matter) in the linked piece that may have improved it? I am stumped but left with a sense that I left something unconsidered.<br />http://www.jeffleejohnsonart.com/thejeff/10.html<br /><br />Patrick, how goes the battle? How did the Marvel thing do for you?Jeff Lee Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06876898642714021880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-78160176746741038412009-12-15T10:46:18.171-08:002009-12-15T10:46:18.171-08:00Changewinds:
That's a very good drawing of a ...Changewinds:<br /><br />That's a very good drawing of a bird! Well done with the head, feathers and everything.<br /><br />The most important thing to watch for in digital rendering is not getting the edges too hard. It has a tendency to make things look "pasted" on the background. You might want to try using the smudge tool (with an irregular brush if possible) to lightly feather out the edges, especially on the left side (back of the wings). this will both embed it in the background and give it a more pleasant feathery look.<br /><br />One other thing is that is particular yellow is looking a bit too green. Also, there's not enough variation of color within it. I'd try two things: first, go into Image>Adjustments>Selective Color. (If you haven't used it before, play around a bit - it's incredible!) There, you'll be able to warm up the yellow without affecting the other colors. <br /><br />Then, I'd be tempted to add some color variations here and there. Like perhaps more purple in the darks, or some random-ish areas of reds/oranges and even blues for contrast. Try creating a layer set to "color" above the bird layer, and experiment. I love doing that to see what ideas it generates.<br /><br />Anyway, looking nice! I hope this helps a bit as you finish up.Patrick McEvoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10908082386583161219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-78643186733225359322009-12-15T10:34:55.504-08:002009-12-15T10:34:55.504-08:00Mr. Adam - you're quite welcome. :)Mr. Adam - you're quite welcome. :)Patrick McEvoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10908082386583161219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-11312194234013813582009-12-15T10:34:25.667-08:002009-12-15T10:34:25.667-08:00Thanks for hopping in with the crits, Preston! Ve...Thanks for hopping in with the crits, Preston! Very good stuff.<br /><br />JEFF!! I didn't know you were listening. Great to have you on board, pal.Patrick McEvoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10908082386583161219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-62963823533126938042009-12-15T10:12:43.302-08:002009-12-15T10:12:43.302-08:00Ahh, nice group of folks with sharp eyes. I love t...Ahh, nice group of folks with sharp eyes. I love the idea of several voices analyzing a single piece at a time. Very instructive. More!Jeff Lee Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06876898642714021880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-721237010456112142009-12-14T20:28:27.839-08:002009-12-14T20:28:27.839-08:00Patrick- Thank you very much for taking the time ...Patrick- Thank you very much for taking the time to post a critique!Mister Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12076713533192135783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-49986137983929911412009-12-14T20:06:46.922-08:002009-12-14T20:06:46.922-08:00Thanks Preston, I whole heartily agree with your a...Thanks Preston, I whole heartily agree with your artistic observations.The lighting was a bit ambient & plain in my Barbarian piece,but in defence I was coping a tutorial that did just that for the first most basic tutorial,the background is basically non exsistant to emphasise the character.<br />My next one will be more involved (I promise):)ATOMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11174747472998540913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-68679343857344108342009-12-14T15:29:05.881-08:002009-12-14T15:29:05.881-08:00You guys do put on an amusing show, LOL at a lot o...You guys do put on an amusing show, LOL at a lot of it, but I did find the banter on critique very useful. <br /><br />I'd be up for a critique for this piece <a href="http://changewinds.deviantart.com/art/WIP2-Trail-of-Stars-146489900" rel="nofollow"> here.</a> Still working on it, which is why a critique would be most appreciated.Changewindshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03916085587953972207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-16319541564981863042009-12-14T15:07:30.104-08:002009-12-14T15:07:30.104-08:00ATOM, I just wanted to throw some things out there...ATOM, I just wanted to throw some things out there to try and help with your work, because I've struggled and am still struggling with some of the same things. <br />You and I both have the same problem with our backgrounds and surroundings where they look blurry and just under worked because, well I don't know about you, but I tend to focus so much on the subject of the painting, that I either forget, or don't care enough about the rest of the work. With your future pieces, try this: Paint the background first until it's finished and looks interesting by itself before you move on to the subject. This works on 2 levels, the first of which I've already mentioned above, and the second is that when you go to paint your character you'll have a better idea of what the lighting may be like and you'll be able to make the character more believable (like he fits in the scene).<br />Speaking of lighting, That's a major aspect I noticed that was more or less missing from both of your paintings (and by that I mean, it just seems as though there wasn't a concrete plan in place for the lighting before you began). Fortunately, it's about the easiest thing to fix. Simply consider "where is my light source?" and "will that light source be dramatic enough?" and "can I do anything to the lighting to make it more dramatic?" and color accordingly.<br />So, let's take the barbarian picture for example. where is the light source? roughly above the barbarian. will it be dramatic enough? well it could be if his surroundings are dim enough, that would make for a very hard light (I'm sure you're familiar with frank frazzetta's Conan picture where he's standing atop all the dead bodies. That's the sort of lighting that could be dramatic enough for where your light source is). What could you do to the lighting to make it more dramatic? <br />-reposition it: maybe it's night time instead and there's a campfire below him to the right.<br />-change the color: If you decided, yes campfire!!! the lighting would probably be more orange.<br />-Add additional lights: Night time you say? Moons exist at night! yay for moons! the moon could not only give a second very dramatic light (perhaps it's really big and over his shoulder creating lost edges), but could also make your negative space more interesting.<br /><br />Okay, enough with the lights, my post is too long as is.<br /><br />Just one last thing, it's something I think at one point or another everyone struggles with. hands.<br />the solution is to either A) spend years developing the perfect way to draw a hand from memory or B) get a camera, get a hand, win! there's only so many ways you'll want to draw a hand. you can take pictures of your own hand from different angles in the most common poses you'll use, print those pictures, put them in a reference folder for yourself for easy access. This is good to to with more than hands, but hands are a...no hands are THE bitch. <br /><br />so in summation...Photo reference.<br /><br />Have a wonderful time painting!!! I look forward to see how your work will improve in the future.Razwit (Preston Stone)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05894565400051395131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-80550353564478553812009-12-13T22:26:42.125-08:002009-12-13T22:26:42.125-08:00Thanks guys, I have learned quite a bit this week,...Thanks guys, I have learned quite a bit this week, here is my latest piece created using Jon Hodgsons painting tutorial in his new Art Book.<br /><br />http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww204/ATOMTAYLOR/Barbarian2abcdcopy.pngATOMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11174747472998540913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-10724758832222121612009-12-13T02:08:21.085-08:002009-12-13T02:08:21.085-08:00Glad you like the idea Patrick. Now I'm really...Glad you like the idea Patrick. Now I'm really excited about hearing it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12668950612263930111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18602782.post-26811022711415308732009-12-13T00:43:12.691-08:002009-12-13T00:43:12.691-08:00Thanks Patrik! I will look into bringing the whole...Thanks Patrik! I will look into bringing the whole thing together in my next picture. I feel like I have failed in one aspect though, it is supposed to be a girl, not a boy.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01346345976780773855noreply@blogger.com