Color process

29.06.2014:

And the month is already nearing its end. For today I decided to work on one of my sketchbook pages further. Instead of drawing the lines per hand in photoshop I went with paths. I still have to learn a lot in that regard. I also quickly included a castle in the clouds in the background (not done with paths yet) to give the picture more depth and some kind of story^^ 

My original sketch you can find here.

drawing from imagination (photoshop cc)

Testing out an art style

22.06.2014:

Big disclaimer upfront: This isn't my art style. I just wanted to try out something new and see what I like and don't like about it. I try to look up the original artist, because her paintings are amazeballs.

After I drew the face of my character based on her faces I kinda got the hang of the skin color and then colored the rest of my characters body out of my imagination. My original sketch you can find here.

I really like the skin and her lips but her eyes are way to doll like. They creep me out quite a bit :D :D

sketch from imagination, face rending = study, body rendering = applying what I learned (photoshop cc)

The second sketch I drew a few hours later to see how much I still remember. The skin isn't as smooth but I like her face overall much more. Less creepy. 

I think trying out different styles which you like will help you grow as an artist. Because you will only adapt and keep elements you like. For example certain color combinations, shape of the lips, etc. That way you still can create your own style. As long as you don't copy other peoples art one to one and claim it to be your own I think it's a great learning experience. 

from memory (photoshop cc)

Valentins Day - ArmorGames Contest

10.02.2014:

Hi guys!

I'm quite proud of myself right now. I always plan to participate in contests, but I never get over the state of the initial concepts. This can be out if different reasons. Something else came up, no time, being intimidated by the concurrence or I just can't get it to look like I want it to look. Which is stupid! Because at least for me, contests aren't about winning. They are about tackling an issue, I normally won't, getting out of my comfort zone and learning a heck while doing so!

That said, I'm totally happy that I actually participated in a contest and went through with it until the very end. Here you can see my entry for the Valentins Contest from ArmorGames. Task was to create an avatar (100x100 pixels) to this topic. I personally really like how it came out!

Story: I'm sure everyone realizes that Amor himself must be doing this job for ages already. That said he is quite sick of taking care of all the high expectations people have on Valentins Day every year. So he started to think like a business man. Now he has a lot of employes which do the work for him. How does he pay them you ask? Easy. Companies like ArmorGames want to spread some love and give back to the community. That said they asked Amor to send someone appropriate for the job. Someone who gives a hint, who we have to thank for all the love ;)

PS: I hope the little helper manages to give all the love before he drops out of the sky of exhaustion.

Based on a simple idea: Amor + Armor = A(r)mor

I was really happy, when some of the admins thanked me for taking part and also published my work through the official ArmorGames-Twitter-Account. Not to mention that they are following my twitter account now <3

Enough rambling. Here the final entry as well as the 500x500 work size I created this little fellow on!

avatar (digital painting, photoshop cc)

Sargent study and application

25.11.2013:

Sargent study - concentrating on values and color

sargent study (photoshop cs6)

Application of sargent study (middle) to a painting from imagination. Damn looking at reference makes such a difference!

process (photoshop cs6)

imaginative portrait (photoshop cs6)

And painting from memory after having seen the top of a house lit by the undergoing sun. Didn't got far, because I had an appointment 20mins later.

from memory (photoshop cs6)

Don't ask!

22.11.2013:

Hey guys! I had a freaking headache all day and in the end decided to just live with it and paint something still. I like only the colors, but the only way to improve is to try, right? :)

"don't ask" (photoshop cs6, from imagination)

Illustration

07.11.2013:

Great day indeed! Finally started an illustration again. I'm so proud atm. I was mainly drawing for work the last months so doing something for myself feels really good!

sketch for the illustration below (pencil, sketchbook)

Took a reference photo of myself to get the hands right :D

progress so far (Photoshop CS6)

First batch

28.10.2013:

Here todays progress the batch I send to the client.

same as yesterday

same as yesterday

new character concept + heads (photoshop cs6)

Mini contract

Hi guys,

I got a small request regarding a dog-like super hero. I wanted to do something a bit different at first, so I went with a worgen like creature. Luckily I also did a more generic super hero type character. Because that's what he wanted to go with in the end ;)

Here the initial sketches (I didn't send them to him yet, he got tomorrows version):

worgen-like creature (based on sketchbook-page; photoshop cs6)

experimental (photoshop cs6)

dog heads (photoshop cs6)

Defining the colors

06.10.2013:

Just tried around a bit. Figuring the light and colors out. Nothing fancy.

color rough (Photoshop CS6)

Ranger Promo Art

04.08.2013:

The first one of the promotional art pieces for Pyrrhic Studios. Painted them a bit more realistic then the original characters, but kept the strong lines and cell shading for consistency.

promotional art (photoshop cs6)

Perspective!

04.06.2013:

Hey-ho! Today I though why not try to draw a western city with a difficult perspective. So you see the boots of the cowboy and behind that the town in a low angle. But I didn't get it. Have to find some reference for that. But it's always good to know what you are not capable of, so you know what to practice, right? =D

failed concept (photoshop cs6)

First tiles

25.05.2013:

I didn't upload those on the 25 here. But I want to keep my graphics on the date I did them, so that I can see the progress I made later on. So therefore here the stuff I did at the 25th while I was out of town =D

tile set 2 - acid (photoshop cs6)

tile set 2 - fire (photoshop cs6)

tile set 3 - floor (photoshop cs6)

3rd milestone complete!

21.04.2013:

Oh my gosh, I can't believe it. After three weeks of pixel kicking I finally finished the 3rd milestone. Today I pushed the last background through and it's my personal favorite. I love the reflection in the water I did and I learned so much through this piece :3

3rd background completed (photoshop cs6)

Rendering!

20.04.2013:

More rendering, more rendering, more rendering *lalala*

3rd background w.i.p. (photoshop cs6)

First details

19.04.2013:

Slammed colors on the front bridge and started detailing.

3rd background w.i.p. (photoshop cs6)

A little-little bit of work

18.04.2013:

I'm not sure if you can see it but I added the third dimension to the second bridge in the background :D

3rd background w.i.p. (photoshop cs6)

Construction and flat colors

17.04.2013:

Hey-ho everybody, I still don't feel really well but it's slowly getting better. Sadly I didn't got the job. Because my direct "concurrent" was someone how is in the industry since twenty hears, has a lot of experience and works so damn fast. It's amazing. I don't know why they ever considered me. But I'm really happy about it. I learned a lot. Also they really like my communication skills, so they offered me the opportunity to test their game and help them with the design. =)

Here now the construction lines of the third background and the basic colors slammed in!

3rd background w.i.p. (photoshop cs6)

Firelight

11.04.2013:

Hi there, today I worked a bit more on the buildings. Let all the single flames have there own glow and overlapping each other. Really like how it turned out. More work on it tomorrow!

updated background #2 (photoshop cs6)

Updated character and background

10.04.2013:

A little more work on the character from yesterday and a big step regarding the second background.

character clothing (pen)

updated background #2 (photoshop cs6)

Constructing the background

08.04.2013:

Hi guys, first off I really love the idea of this background. But because of the strong perspective being scrollable to the left and right could be a problem. So I attached two of those backgrounds together, so that my client could see how it looks as whole. Because you only see always a small part of the background only it shouldn't be a problem. So we went with it.

preview of two backgrounds next to each other (photoshop cs6)

blocked in base colors (photoshop cs6)