253 replies to this topic

[Silicate]

Heh, indeed, Randomizer?

At least, one may take comfort in the fact that it is a learning experience. Might I ask what techniques you've had in mind (or have attempted) concerning it's basic planning and layout? Do you have any general notion of how you would like to go about plotting it's details and intricaices, if at least basic forms? Do you have any additional materials at hand, such as a sketchbook, etc., which you tend to plan this out in?

If I can be of help in any way with the layout, I'd do what I can. For now, I should be going. There is much to see to here - *sigh* Never enough time in a day... Yet alone to get to those project sketches. There are a couple of quick works which I wish to get out of my way first.

[randomizer]

I'm not much of a planner and I do most things by trial and error (which was partly the reason for the problems I had). I can't sketch proportions correctly so I don't think it would be much help anyway I will probably sketch some very basic positioning of objects and their dimensions but nothing detailed. The last thing I want is to have the structure done only to find the internal objects don't fit nicely. You gave me some dimensions in an earlier post so that makes things easier.

Looking back on the thread I do believe I said that I would keep this topic to PM to prevent clogging the thread with unrelated posts, and I'm doing the exact opposite so far.

[Vlad Yvhv]

I thought I'd mention that I haven't forgotten about modelling the Hall of Decision/Judgement yet. I just had to put it on the back burner after realising that jumping on such a complex scene without the slightest mastery of the tools I have on hand was a fool's errand. Suffice to say that I know where I went wrong with most of the stupid problems I ran into just trying to get the basic building shape. The following diagram (clickable thumbnail) details the problem. Red is the ideal solution, purple is what I tried.

The purple line looks like my attempts at drawing straight lines... Yes, my freehand drawing is that bad...

[randomizer]

I know the feeling.

[Silicate]

Greetings to those here. Pardon that I have had so little posted here of late. Largely I have been busy with matters of life, but also I've been distractable and otherwise unfocused.

However, some efforts still remain. The letter-sketches for my ill-friend continue on, and here is the latest, rather unimpressive. The only figure to be facing away from the viewer, we find here Forren/Wren of Phantasy Star IV. A rather obscure character, he is arguably the least of the main characters, and has few lines ... However, his history has had the most dark and interesting implications... It's a great pity that the modern Phantasy Star games shifted entirely; there was plenty of history or future in the material to make use of. (More explaination here: http://lucratanexari...ystem-146734967



Next would be a simple compulsive project, if not more of a joke... Commentary and further image explaination here: http://lucratanexari...-Kuma-146212506



Lastly, a quick project for Shadow.



It is late, so I must be going - hopefully this is enjoyable, despite how it's deviated from my core project. I've been plagued by that, but these letter-sketches have been detracting most of my time; but the series is almost done, and the return to my former efforts will be welcome... I still have other obligations and projects to see to however, so I will have to temper my efforts further.

[Shadow]

As I told you when you showed me on MSN,I really love it.For a first practice its incredible.I have full confidence that you'd be able to make the real thing look just as good.Oh,and for the other people here, this is the original piece she used as the ref.Looks pretty close I'd say

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

Amazing works!

[Silicate]

Thank you, FreakyFilm... But, regarding your background in media, I would most appreciate it if you could give a more elaborate statement as to your reactive reasoning. ... Please?

[Vlad Yvhv]

Gotta love the Freddy Thing look...

[Silicate]

Heh, knowing your avid interest in (the) Thing, I am curious as to what you see as Thing-like in the sculpture? I'd be glad to listen to whatever your regards are there - surely your translation would be quite curious, Vlad.

[randomizer]

That last work is certainly one of your more... interesting pieces, that's for sure I've never actually watched The Thing, so I can't make any real comments on it other than an echo of Shadow's comment that it's remarkably good for a first attempt at recreating a rather complex model.

[Silicate]

Greetings, Randomizer.

Yes, that scupture certainly was different to work with. Due to being quite small, and originating from a large, professional sculpture, it was somewhat daunting to work on. I'm glad it turned out reasonably... There is also the other side of the matter, which is that the core material was rather freaky in it's own way. (It's not everyday that I get to work on a bifurcating Freddy organically attached to a fetus.)

Thank you for the comment here, Randomizer. I'm glad you enjoyed the freak show.

[Vlad Yvhv]

Heh, knowing your avid interest in (the) Thing, I am curious as to what you see as Thing-like in the sculpture? I'd be glad to listen to whatever your regards are there - surely your translation would be quite curious, Vlad.

It has a fundamental similarity to the 2-headed "Norwegian Thing", what with the merged faces.

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

Thank you, FreakyFilm... But, regarding your background in media, I would most appreciate it if you could give a more elaborate statement as to your reactive reasoning. ... Please?

Yeah, that was a little short and un-insightful for one of my reviews, wasn't it.

The Bible cover is very much a different color from the classic brown, black bindings you find at most Christian bookstores, so it has an air of unconventionality. Yet the graphics on both the front and the back still keep the appearance of the Bible within the cultures and beliefs expressed in its writings. I believe the church needs to stay true to it's original, over-all fundamental message, but find unconventional ways of expressing that message. And since this Bible cover kind of shows that in it's design, I believe it can be used as a visual reminder to the reader as to how to go about practicing and sharing his beliefs.

Reflections have always fascinated me when used in visual art, and your Phantasy Star IV sketch is a good example. By using the reflection in the glass, you show the viewer both what he's doing, and on what he's doing it, all in one frame. Without the reflection, you would need two panels to to establish the computer he's working on, and his expressions while he works on it. Also, his face actually being seen on the glass make it appear like he's lost in whatever work he's doing. The attention to detail on the computer itself is also interesting. I am not always good at drawing machines or anything like that. So I'm always on the lookout for good examples of them.

The clay sculpture, you've clearly depicted the pain of one tearing away from from the other. You've always had a keen eye for detail, and it really shows in the geometry of your sculpture. Your piece seems more violent in its depiction of pain than the original is. The original put more of an emphasis on the expressions of the characters, whereas yours seems to focus on the actual tearing away of the bodies. It almost looks like a progression of the original, in that yours maybe what the character would look like after a few more seconds of pulling. If at all you ever plan to paint it, re-take the photo. I would like to see that.

[Silicate]

Greetings.

Foremost, thank you for the extended comment, FreakyFilm. It is very much appreciated. The bible's cover design is actually not my own, but was meant to be essentially replicated from that of the One Piece character Bartholomew Kuma - I find him a character with fascinating implications, and on compulsion I'd decied to create the canvas cover for various reasons. Foremost among them was that of tesing how well acrylics handle acting as the covers of commonly-handled books, second was as a multipart, good-natured joke. Although I am not a religious person, I have long had a fascinating with religious texts and the manner by which they are used and translated.

I am also not skilled in the rendering of reflections, nor artificial surfaces, such as computers in this case. The surroundings of that sketch were not well-planned, but retain their interest well enough. As for the sculpture, that was relatively small, and simply a maquette, but an enjoyable sculpture nevertheless.

Now, here is a fast sketch I had done just last night; I've attached it here simply for the sake of variety. It's rather disagreeable in it's unplanned simplicity, but that's fine.



Copied commentary from here ( Link ) : "This is a rather straightforward image, with relatively little to relate.

Robotnik's expression was meant to be a little mixed, with one side appearing rather stern, while the facing side bears a kind of sly or manipulative look. A half-smirk hides his intent...

My primary concern was toying with the inner surfaces of Robotnik's shoulder armor and neck-lining material. Instead of the typical smooth lines of fabric, I've added various small extensions of devices; the shoulder armor has also been somewhat significantly altered as to have further functions - in this case, facial/head protection: where the inner border of the armor, in conjunction with the lower collar-tab, can slide over Julian's face and head, leaving a visor and full respiration unit. Odd, yes, but practical ... After all, having your mobility of common work time and attention is one matter, but having a helmet at hand at all times for protection is rather akward to manage. More notably, with Freedom Fighters and other irate Mobians likely out for your blood (or violent capture), it serves best to have immediate defense against attack, where bombing, noxious gas, or any other dangers where a full-body environmental containment suit is required."

[Silicate]

And now for more UberJunk, with your Robo-Cola swilling host, Silicate.

Alright, tired humor aside, this character should be clear to most. It's a rather akward image so far as I see it, but it was meant to reflect the possible grimly reflective side of his personality - after all, he would effectively have been granted dominion of all of the seas, and the dead and lost among them.



Extended commentary and larger image here: http://lucratanexari...gator-148544854

Thank you to those who watch here.

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

Now THERE'S a character that's tough to pull off in any medium! I'm impressed!

You've certainly nailed the textures of all the different surfaces on his body and costume. The clothing looks dirty, rough, and lived-in, and the skin has a really nice sense of translucency in the soft shading that you've achieved.

The expression really sells the character for who he is. The character in the films was very expressive, and just by allowing the drawing to express that emotion, it appears as if Davy Jones just stepped out of the film and onto your paper.

But what really makes him feel "at home" on the page are the candles surrounding him. The environment given to the viewer does wonders when determining the character's personality or likings. Even though you haven't used dark, heavy shading to suggest a dark environment, the lit candles, coupled with an expression that doesn't seem to notice the candles, reveal that the character feels most comfortable in the dark, which is supported in the film, as Davy Jones is very rarely seen in broad, sunny daylight.

The attention to detail that you've put in this piece may go unnoticed by most, but without that attention to detail the viewer will notice obvious and blatant subtractions, and yet not be able to put a finger on a reason as to why. You've done a great job!

[Silicate]

Greetings, FreakyFilmFan.

I do very much enjoy your observant and long comments, they illuminate the regards of another very well, and serve as fascinating material to digest.

Davy Jones is a very complex character, both visually and with regards to his personality... That is what made this basic sketch so daunting. I wished to capture something more reserved in his character, the impression of age, but also of the tremedous, lingering purpose behind him - those dark sets of emotion extending from his curse and his evolving hatred of the world around him. In his quirks and his actions, there is an obvious difficulty of rendering him in a still image as opposed to an animated set... But luckily he possesses enough physical traits that he could easily embody any number of states and subtleties by his appearence alone. One great reson why I find Davy Jones an interesting character is his sheer capacity for a complexity of expressions.

Rendering the image was more of an exercise in patience and luck. The numerous barnacles, jutting sea life, mussles, ananomes, and bits of clinging seaweed posed their own difficulties, especially in conjunction with the rough textures of Davy's aged clothing and in contrast to his own smooth, slick, or translucent skin. Of his pose, I see his claw as somewhat resting against that deliberately vague globe, casting a long shadow across it, poised as if to turn it idly, or to tear across it leaving a gash which would trace a hellish line across it's features. Similarly, he is leaning somewhat heavily upon it's supporting rim, but also somewhat possessvely as well; the additional looping curl of his index tentacle is more of a subconscious act of attachment and dominion as to what Jones himself is and represents.

The background was somewhat of a spontaneous idea, but also a minor point to some of the oddities pictured in Dead Man's Chest, in this case the very brief shot of some old navigational equipment seen in the cabin of the Dutchman. Would such implements have become redundant due to various capabilities of Jones, or perhaps the Dutchman itself? In the same perspective, there are chained angels present on the rim of the globe; a similar motif is found in the decorative alcove of Davy's pipe organ. Moreover, the angels supporting the world, with a stylized waterspout/maelstrom as their base is somewhat of an indication towards the force which holds sway over the world of the dead.

Thanks again for your reply, FreakyFilm. They are enjoyable, as always.

(PS: I apologize for the lack of SatAM/project-based work lately, but I have been distracted by many smaller projects and requirements here. Although I would sooner keep that project as my devotion, unfortunately I've simply been left with an irritable inability to focus on it - as it 's by far the most borderline lesiurely projects I have. The rest are indebted to others, and require a greater division of priority.)

[Vlad Yvhv]

That is, indeed, quite the interesting picture. I can't say that I'm familiar with the subject, but he look like someone I wouldn't want to cross...

[Silicate]

*Blows the dust off of the thread*

*Decides to pour some Robo-Cola on it and wipe it dry as well*

Alright, finally a sketch somewhat worth placing here. What more to say at this hour? Little, aside from the fact that Julian looks like he's ready to kill someone.



Extended commentary and details here: http://lucratanexari...Crawl-153454952