Graphic Art

[Mike-Towns]

Drawings, vectors etc. Hopefully Rawk posts stuff in here :).

Sketch that a friend of mine scanned:

http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs33/i/2008/289/a/c/LOLWUT_sketch_by_Mike_Towns.jpg

Lined and coloured it (got a bit lazy when I got to the Panda and T-Rex):

http://fc39.deviantart.com/fs34/i/2008/289/3/7/LOLWUT_1_by_Mike_Towns.jpg

Aaaand then blurred the background:

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs34/i/2008/289/0/d/LOLWUT_2_by_Mike_Towns.jpg


I'm hoping to use this as a T-Shirt design or something.

[RawkSuga]

I haven't made anything new lately, besides 3/4 of a map of the south pacific and a dolphin and need to start on a southern right whale illustration as well.

[batman_sandwich]

I need to start on a southern right whale illustration as well.

I really don't hear that sentence enough in life.

[Lex]

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs34/i/2008/289/0/d/LOLWUT_2_by_Mike_Towns.jpg


I'm hoping to use this as a T-Shirt design or something.

hahahaha oh wow.

no.

[IRS]

Drawings, vectors etc. Hopefully Rawk posts stuff in here :).


NO ALL INCLUSIVE THREADS PLEASE

what is this places obsession with putting everything into 1 thread? Damn those pos/neg threads. damn them.



http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs34/i/2008/289/0/d/LOLWUT_2_by_Mike_Towns.jpg


I'm hoping to use this as a T-Shirt design or something.

It's really not ready for tshirt design. I hope you can see that.

Colours are WAY too strong. Check out rawksuga's vector stuff, she is pretty good at it. One thing she does that makes them look good is choosing soft colours and distinct outlines.

secondly. what's up with the content. I just don't get "lol! RANDOM". Doesn't appeal to me at all. That's just a preference.

[texta]

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs34/i/2008/289/0/d/LOLWUT_2_by_Mike_Towns.jpg
You forgot the eyes.

[RawkSuga]

If you ever need some advice or tips on vector stuff Mike, i'll help you out.

[texta]

If you ever need some advice or tips on vector stuff Mike, i'll help you out.
What are you saying about the quality of his work? <_<

[IRS]

uhhhhh I was just looking at Microsoft paint's palette.... was this coloured using MSpaint? >_>

[Mike-Towns]

[B]It's really not ready for tshirt design. I hope you can see that.

Colours are WAY too strong. Check out rawksuga's vector stuff, she is pretty good at it. One thing she does that makes them look good is choosing soft colours and distinct outlines.

secondly. what's up with the content. I just don't get "lol! RANDOM". Doesn't appeal to me at all. That's just a preference.

First thing that was said to me when I showed someone the sketch was 'lolwut?'...so it kinda stuck.

It was only a quick job since i'm now practicing this kinda stuff, and a friend has a machine that prints designs onto t-shirts so I thought i'd try and make something so I can have 'unique' clothing.

Since I had to format the laptop i'm using the other day I havn't had time to 'purchase' PhotoShop and Illustrator, so I downloaded some free programme called 'Paint.Net' which is like a fusion of MSPaint, PhotoShop and Illustrator...made things much easier.

[ZeRgY]

First thing that was said to me when I showed someone the sketch was 'lolwut?'...so it kinda stuck.

It was only a quick job since i'm now practicing this kinda stuff, and a friend has a machine that prints designs onto t-shirts so I thought i'd try and make something so I can have 'unique' clothing.

Since I had to format the laptop i'm using the other day I havn't had time to 'purchase' PhotoShop and Illustrator, so I downloaded some free programme called 'Paint.Net' which is like a fusion of MSPaint, PhotoShop and Illustrator...made things much easier.

Hmmm unique clothing is all well and good, but would you REALLY wear that? Keep it up though :)

Here's a wallpaper I made today, I got boreded.

http://fc39.deviantart.com/fs34/f/2008/293/b/f/Wolverine_Wallpaper_by_slipperydonkey.jpg (http://fc39.deviantart.com/fs34/f/2008/293/b/f/Wolverine_Wallpaper_by_slipperydonkey.jpg)

[VanAce]

I have a bunch of art, but I am way too lazy to put it in the actual thread. Most of it was done in Illustrator and/or Photoshop but there are a few drawings also.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanace/

Needs to be updated as I have done a few things of various quality since in the past month. will be update in the next few days.

[Rambo]

Hmmm unique clothing is all well and good, but would you REALLY wear that? Keep it up though :)

Here's a wallpaper I made today, I got boreded.

http://fc39.deviantart.com/fs34/f/2008/293/b/f/Wolverine_Wallpaper_by_slipperydonkey.jpg (http://fc39.deviantart.com/fs34/f/2008/293/b/f/Wolverine_Wallpaper_by_slipperydonkey.jpg)

That's now my desktop background.

If you could make a whole selection of characters like that. I will pep you.

[Kasplatza Red]

Dear god this forum is a godsend. It might just make me come back to Hyper! =0
I've got a few things to show, I'll get around to posting them sometime. Nice work to everyone in the thread! :D

[Vindik8or]

Why does "puttin mah soul on the line" threads/forums like this one turn even the most flame-hardened veteran into a spineless pussy?

I don't care if you've "done better" or not, it doesn't matter with regard to someone else's work. So here goes:

Mike, that thing is rubbish. It is an abomination in all aspects. You should be ashamed of it and contain its embarrassment to just us here, definitely do not put that in a shirt and wear it in public. I remember seeing on The Collectors on the ABC a person who collects bad art, so maybe all hope is not lost for this. However, go back look at some good pictures -- ask here if you lack a sense of taste or style -- and go and try and make your next picture to look more like those.

Zergy, nice one, man. It might even get some screentime as my background if it wasn't for this Windows Genuine Notification bullshit.

[Allick]

woah vanace your art is awesome, it's really intense, especially all the vomiting things i'm gonna pep you good

[RawkSuga]

Here's some art some of you mostly like seen before....


http://fc17.deviantart.com/fs10/i/2006/116/b/a/Bedtime_Dreamer_by_StolenStars.jpg
http://fc24.deviantart.com/fs11/i/2006/190/b/a/A_Girl_With_No_Name_by_StolenStars.jpg

http://fc39.deviantart.com/fs9/i/2006/065/2/d/Sunflowers_by_StolenStars.jpg

EDIT: I haven't made any new stuff lately

[Vindik8or]

The first two remind me of Bioshock. Probably because I've been playing Bioshock for the last couple of weeks.

[RawkSuga]

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/2416/ghwtflyerrn3.jpg

Made this for Jubei

[Allick]

Red red then a blue/orange chord! Are you crazy!?!

[banjoeskimo]

Some posters I did for my uni's gay & lesbian group.

First poster is an ad for a documentary showing of Ask Not, a film about the US military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and how that affects the gay community and recruitment standards in the army.

Second poster is for basically an on-campus formal, except it's open to gay and lesbian couples, unlike most proms/formals in high school.

Please, note, both of these posters are meant to be viewed in print at a size of 28 x 43cm, so my apologies for the unreadable text on the screen versions. Also note that the soldier idea was kyped from the trailer for Ask Not, and since I was promoting the film anyway I figured it'd fit.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Ask_Not_by_Eibach.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Diversity-Dance-Poster.jpg

[ElPresidente]

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/G-Girl.jpg

This is the first bit of digital art I ever made over a decade ago. Gawd! THE YEARS!!! </anguish> It was done as a result of getting a scanner as a birthday present. I quickly roughed it up in pencil, scanned and then took to it with Photoshop.

---

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/HomeBrand.gif

Something quick that was whipped up in Illustrator to form the basis of the following image which was the mix tape album cover for a hip-hop outfit Denno (DenMcShitBurger) was a part of. Denno is the DJ in the middle. This was done in Illustrator with the glow added in Photoshop. The cover below was all Illustrator.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/HBCover.jpg

---

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/PCPPSteamLogo.jpg

The PC Powerplay forum community had set up a Steam group and they needed a Steam Group Logo. I was happy to oblilge. Yes, that is a shambler (from Quake) and if you are puzzled as to why it is because Theo, the mag's mascot, is a shambler. This is all Illustrator as well.

---

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/basecelcolours.gif

Just playing with lineart. This is unfinished and I doubt it will ever be completed. :P

---

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/flamedress.jpg

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/PACar.jpg

Some work done using game engines. The first is a dress I made for The Sims 2 while the others are shots of a Penny Arcade on the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness inspired design I worked up in Forza 2.

---

Something silly I whipped up for the ModTheSims2 team just for laughs.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/yesims.jpg

[/backslash]

Love that Forza2 car ElPres :D Did you show it to PennyArcade? Also you're missing your Rei NGE submission ;)

[SWiSH]

Here's my first real attempt at digital illustration.

dA link (http://skythlee.deviantart.com/art/Barramundi-Illustration-115009880)

Edit: This is for a client, I wouldn't normally think to draw something like this lol!

http://www.shiftrefresh.com.au/clients/barkly-highway-ss/bullet-the-barramundi.jpg

[Lazlow]

Holy crap, its SWiSH!

Not bad for a web designer :p

[SWiSH]

Hehe, thanks dude. I'm still alive, and it appears this place is too! You still designing?

[Lazlow]

Yeah, working in Cairns for a print company. Some days its rewarding and some days you just want to knife mothers. Pay's shit either way though.

[SWiSH]

Ah the old knifing feeling, been there. I work for myself now, living payment to payment!

[Lazlow]

You're living the dream :D

[banjoeskimo]

SWiSH, I've been meaning to ask you...

As a professional, talking to someone who may very well end up in your line of work in the near future. Is it considered rude, and/or bad business etiquette to refuse jobs due to a customer's deep love of Papyrus and Comic Sans?

If not, what is the appropriate way of educating such individuals that they're a blight upon humanity that must end their lives at once?

[Lazlow]

Is it considered rude, and/or bad business etiquette to refuse jobs due to a customer's deep love of Papyrus and Comic Sans?

If not, what is the appropriate way of educating such individuals that they're a blight upon humanity that must end their lives at once?

HA! We deal with this on a daily basis; bad fonts, shit layouts, cheesy photoshop effects. The average joe love's them

Refusing a job on those grounds though sounds pretty drastic, and a bit snobbish. At my job its a lot of churn an burn; we make money off the printing so the artwork is essentially free but we don't invest as much time into it (30 minutes at most for a business card for example, 2-3 hours for a six page DL).

We try to guide clients towards good design, by either explaining to them why its a bad idea and mocking up some alternatives. Sometimes you win, and they pick one of your far better alternative designs. But some clients can just be plain stubborn. They think their ideas are the ducks nuts, despite requesting the services of someone studied in the field. So if you want the money in the end, the ultimate goal is to make the client happy; suck it up and give them their papyrus heading with drop shadow and gradient fill.

This is where that old knifing feeling comes in. But I'd definitely advise against refusing work (unless you're pressed for time), as you'll only get a rep as someone who is difficult to work with.

Can't win them all.

[SWiSH]

Lazlow's pretty-much nailed it on the head. I generally try and show them through example why Comic Sans just doesn't cut it. If they still fail to appreciate my advice, then there's no point arguing. Generally these kind of clients are only after a small shitty job anyway, so there's hardly enough money involved to be too concerned.

Not everything goes in your portfolio... ;)

[SWiSH]

Back on topic, here's a T shirt design I was working on this afternoon. Would anyone wear something like this?

http://www.shiftrefresh.com.au/download/gorilla-lightning.jpg

dA link (http://skythlee.deviantart.com/art/Gorilla-T-Design-115564397)

[SWiSH]

I've also made a wallpaper based on the T design - check it (http://skythlee.deviantart.com/art/Retro-Gorilla-Wallpapers-115643645)

[JimmyKane]

Quite awesome SWiSH. I'd wear it.

[Vindik8or]

I'll be honest: I wouldn't wear that shirt design in a screaming fit. Not anything particularly against the design, it's just nothing like what I would wear.

[SWiSH]

Cheers JimmyKane.

Yeah, fair call Vin, it's pretty out there! I'm trying to go for that ridiculous, over-the-top look like the old metal shirts from the 80's.

[/backslash]

Its a nice design but it'd be something a youngster would more likely wear

[Lazlow]

or Dekar

[banjoeskimo]

It's not entirely my style, but I think it's a solid design. Looks like the kind of thing that'd make a sweet band shirt, assuming you could find a band that suited the material.

Thanks for the feedback on the questions, I of course realise you can't actually deny clients with shit taste, but seeing as I haven't worked at this full time before I was curious to see how veterans such as yourselves deal with it. :p

While we're on the subject of shitty designs and what to do with them, I found this site hilarious (http://www.design-police.org/). Now if only I had a label maker so I could use them...

[ElPresidente]

Its a nice design but it'd be something a youngster would more likely wear

Or someone who remembers songs like Pinball Wizard.

Great retro vibe going on there. Personally I love it.

[SWiSH]

Cheers ElPresidente. Pinball Wizard eh... might have to chuck some Elton John glasses on the gorilla! ;)

Eibach, those Design Police templates are cool. Although living in Townsville, it's probably easier/quicker just to highlight the examples of good design, assuming I can find some...

[banjoeskimo]

Townsville couldn't be any worse than Hawaii, I swear to god that state's official font is Papyrus. It's a traumatic juxtaposition of one of the world's most beautiful locations, and some of the world's worst design.

[StorminNorman]

Those templates are awesome. I should run off a bunch and put them all over the Manifest website and program book.

Admittedly, the "Helvetica is an unimaginative choice" one could be applied to stuff I've done, as I have a deep and passionate love of that magnificent font.

[ElPresidente]

Comic Sans all the way! J/k

[banjoeskimo]

Real life conundrum!

So I find myself in an interesting predicament. I recently started volunteering for an organisation that helps place, take care of and generally acclimate refugees to the United States. Problem is, I don't have enough time to do the grunt volunteering work (moving furniture, etc) because of conflicts in my schedule this semester. So I was asked if I could do design work for them instead; make flyers and posters and whatnot.

Which is very groovy, and something I'm quite comfortable with as most of the live, non-class design work I've done involves making posters for various clubs with an interest in social work, volunteering or social causes.

Here's the problem: they want to see my portfolio first, and the organisation is run by an evangelical Christian group. I'm happy to work with them, as I haven't seen any evidence that they try to indoctrinate people (refugees or volunteers) and the work they do helping refugees is incredible. Where I run into trouble is that my best portfolio work when it comes to designing posters and flyers is usually related to left-wing causes, or promotes pretty leftist clubs (i.e. the student gay & lesbian club, a secular humanist group). Most of these would more than likely make a lot of the people at this organisation deeply uncomfortable, even if they were polite enough to say nothing. The "Ask Not" and "Diversity Dance" posters that I posted previously in this topic are good examples of the things I usually find myself designing.

So my choices at this point seem to be the following:

a) Show my portfolio in its complete form, and risk pissing them off entirely and being cut from a group that I'm otherwise happy to help.

b) Show my portfolio in a limited form, precluding much of my political work, which also happens to be my best, most recent and most relevant work (since they're asking for poster design and these are all posters).

c) Decline the offer entirely, and quit volunteering for an organisation that's responsible for doing some very cool shit, despite the iffy religious background they come from.

Advice? Anyone had similar conflicts of interest?

[StorminNorman]

I'd personally choose option c), because I am militantly anti-religion.

In your case though, I think option b) is the most pragmatic solution.

[Vindik8or]

I think go with a). They are seriously unlikely to turn down free design work, and if they do you're in no different situation to c). I think that the worst that will happen is that they will scrutinise your work extra hard for signs of Satan.

[Blue]

Photoshop recreation of a photograph, with an object added in. I had to do one of these last year, but this one is better:

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee95/Blue_Aus/image4.png?t=1238497444

[banjoeskimo]

These are some posters I had to design for my visual communication class. The brief was that we had to create a series of posters (the colours were decided for us) for the city that advertises various careers to high school students.

The final piece was a poster we had to design for a political cause of our choice. Apologies if the last one violates anything, I can take it down if it causes problems.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Job_Poster___Aerospace_by_Eibach.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Job_Poster___Construction_by_Eibach.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Job_Poster___Health_by_Eibach.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Job_Poster___Manufacturing_by_Eibac.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/For_Against___Pt_2_by_Eibach.jpg

[Lazlow]

Awesome posters. Little bit of a tDR vibe, which gets points with me. :D

[castr8or]

nagger?

[Vindik8or]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/AlmightyBean/Doneski.jpg

I had to design a cover for a videogame, got to pretty much choose everything about it, all we had to do was include a character painted in photoshop. Aficionados of certain illicit Japanese artforms might recognise the figure from an individual known as Shunya Yamashita. I adjusted one of his pictures in photoshop, taking bits off adding bits in and traced in Illustrator to get the outlines. The rest is pretty much all photoshop. I might post some detailed images later. Bonus points for getting what the whole thing is a reference to (well maybe there is a second visual reference, also).

[IRS]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/AlmightyBean/Doneski.jpg

I had to design a cover for a videogame, got to pretty much choose everything about it, all we had to do was include a character painted in photoshop. Aficionados of certain illicit Japanese artforms might recognise the figure from an individual known as Shunya Yamashita. I adjusted one of his pictures in photoshop, taking bits off adding bits in and traced in Illustrator to get the outlines. The rest is pretty much all photoshop. I might post some detailed images later. Bonus points for getting what the whole thing is a reference to (well maybe there is a second visual reference, also).

A Spirit Too Delicate...






AHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Vindik8or]

I've been waiting for someone to laugh at that shit. Shown it to many people and they seem to think that it is serious and very evocative or some shit. I'm gonna pep you now, IRS.

[IRS]

Seriously though, it is decent. The back cover is especially good design. The front cover is especially good in hilarious titles. Good balance >_>

[Australian Ninja]

Back on topic, here's a T shirt design I was working on this afternoon. Would anyone wear something like this?

http://www.shiftrefresh.com.au/download/gorilla-lightning.jpg

dA link (http://skythlee.deviantart.com/art/Gorilla-T-Design-115564397)

Hell I'd wear that as a shirt. But then you have to consider that I like strange gaudy artwork and barely a day goes by without wearing a tshirt/pic/logo design.

I can definitely see the young/ alternative / band groupie type wearing this shirt. The swooshy lines give me a definite 80s feel. http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/Jonny9999/activision_logo.jpg

[Vindik8or]

Let me know about those barely days when you don't wear a shirt so I can avoid you.

[JimmyKane]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/AlmightyBean/Doneski.jpg


Oh, that's what that was. Well my lips are sealed about the reference (if you did tell me).

[Australian Ninja]

Let me know about those barely days when you don't wear a shirt so I can avoid you.

Will do. Avoiding is best and will prevent nightmares.

[Lazlow]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/AlmightyBean/Doneski.jpg

I had to design a cover for a videogame, got to pretty much choose everything about it, all we had to do was include a character painted in photoshop. Aficionados of certain illicit Japanese artforms might recognise the figure from an individual known as Shunya Yamashita. I adjusted one of his pictures in photoshop, taking bits off adding bits in and traced in Illustrator to get the outlines. The rest is pretty much all photoshop. I might post some detailed images later. Bonus points for getting what the whole thing is a reference to (well maybe there is a second visual reference, also).


Sweet visor!

[Vindik8or]

Sweet visor!

I know! Thanks bru

[Australian Ninja]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/Jonny9999/NZshirtimage.jpg

Today is a good shirt day. Quite literally, it's the shirt off my own back (bought while on holiday last year in NZ). I saw a flight of the conchords special on TV - live performance - and one of the dudes was wearing this shirt. Two days later, I was wearing this shirt - found it entirely by accident at the CAnterbury museum. It's actually dark black - the creepy white is light creeping in around the edges of the scanner.

[Lazlow]

Wait, what?

You designed the logo... or you just posted a scan of a shirt you own? O_o

[Vindik8or]

I'm pretty sure posting other people's artwork isn't really in the scope of this section of the forum. Though I don't see why it wouldn't make a good thread.

[Lazlow]

резьба благодарности mitDR?

[Australian Ninja]

No it's NOT my own. Just an example of the kind of thing I would / do wear.

*apologies* stumbled into this forum totally ignorant of rules / intended content.

So I'll keep out before I embarrass myself any further.

[Stevorooni]

I got bored and did this drawing after reading that there's going to be a new car racing game starring Sonic

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/Stevorooni/sonicpic.jpg

Here's the original pen drawing

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/Stevorooni/sonicsketch.jpg

[Mike-Towns]

My internet speed is capped, i'll try and grab something from the online server where I do my Graphic Design cert IV course...

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4660/85408831.jpg (http://img11.imageshack.us/my.php?image=85408831.jpg)


...was simple as shit but it'll do.

[Frostillicus]

piss attempt at Tina Fey. Ive done her face too fat, and i f-ed up the body pose.

http://i27.tinypic.com/2psn6dj.jpg

Bill Murray. Lol. painted this digitally while listening to groundhog day commentary

http://i25.tinypic.com/2upssiu.jpg

These i did as an excercise where i had the reference printed in front of me, but turned upside down. So i drew these the wrong way up. Apparently it helps train the brain to see shapes and features wfor what they are, rather than just simply a nose/eye/mouth etc.

http://i26.tinypic.com/22m3cx.jpg

http://i30.tinypic.com/fml6io.jpg

[ElPresidente]

http://i25.tinypic.com/2upssiu.jpg

I love this.

[banjoeskimo]

My wedding invitation...

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Invitation.jpg

My wife & I are pretty big gamers and wanted a more fun, non-traditional invite, so, we rolled with it. Had a lot of fun mailing these out and getting people's reactions.

[Gemerald]

My wedding invitation...

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Invitation.jpg

My wife & I are pretty big gamers and wanted a more fun, non-traditional invite, so, we rolled with it. Had a lot of fun mailing these out and getting people's reactions.

Awesome invite and congrats :)

[Mike-Towns]

'HEY LISTEN!' as in Navi from Zelda?

[banjoeskimo]

Of course.

[Blue]

I probably would have put a comma after the 'Hey'. Didn't Navi sort of go "Hey, listen!"

Picking nits. :p

[Blue]

My mates are starting a new DJing gig next week, so I made this tongue-in-cheek mock up:

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs184.snc1/6131_1204732922365_1349881352_577072_6317032_n.jpg

[banjoeskimo]

Some work I did during my final quarter at uni, bit of logo and poster design...

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/DOC_Logo_by_Eibach.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Greek_Week_by_Eibach.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Open_Doors_by_Eibach.jpg

[Serenity]

Love your work.

Meh...my stuff? Pretty nooby but I'm learning. I still haven't thought of what I want to call myself, design wise. This is all from today, I'm liking the Mosaic effect at the moment.
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt133/breakfastrats/serenitysquaresig.jpg
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt133/breakfastrats/kordesignskindaok.jpg
As I said, pretty nooby but I'm learning. Apparently according to my friend that one's more of a splash screen. Feel free to critique it to hell. They're probably pretty dodgy but I don't know it yet.
My old sig (my favourite, ever)
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt133/breakfastrats/redtextstrawberrysig-1.jpg
I try to keep it simple.

[ElPresidente]

Not so much graphic art as it is me messing about with layout to try and create an attractive strategy guide for my personal reference when playing BlazBlue.

Still gotta finish it off. :P

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/litchi-guide-preview.gif

Just trying to keep my toe wet in this thread because I've not done anything in so long.

Hopefully this holidays I'll be able to finish off my Arcade Stick art and I'll be able to show that.

[Natrak]

You dirty, dirty man.

Also, the layout's looking quite nice.

[Hotaru_oz]

An illustration that took me roughly a week on and off to complete.
I tried a new shading and colouring style in photoshop.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/Hotaru_oz/Deergirlfinalcopy.jpg
The character was drawn with pen and ink then coloured digitally.
The background was drawn digitally using various brushes, I'm not to happy with the trees as they look quite flat ><.
I used different filters for the light and shadows.
As you can tell backgrounds aren't my strong suit, enjoy ^^

[Mr.Mew]

Oh wow, that looks spectacular! I love the attention to light; give's off a warm faerie feel. The character looks a class that should be implemented in any method of fantasy MMO. There's one flaw in the design though which is bugging me, and by all means it may have been a design choice on your part so feel free to push this critique out of the way. With the faun's legs, they're both missing a knee joint; it may have been better to exaggerate on the femur a little for clarity.

I assume critique here is taken kindly? I find the BG appeals, it might be flat but it is stylised unless you were aiming for a more realistic pov. Good to know people still draw on physical paper too before digitising, I just open a file and draw from scratch on the screen.

[Serenity]

That's amazing...

[Vindik8or]

Right, that's enough platitudes - no it's not.

It has a very fuzzed out, unfocussed look that comes from inexperience/overuse of photoshop for colouring. Every single change in the picture, whether it be in tone, colour or form, takes place as a fuzzy-edged gradient. You have no hard, contrasting edges or strong line work, which is ridiculous considering you started with a pen and ink drawing! Try some of the hard edged brushes instead of the broad soft brushes.

The tone and shading looks like it has been done with the burn and dodge tools, rather than with colour theory and layering blocks of colour. Also, you have no distinct light-source implied by the highlights and shadows you have put in, the shading just is, even though you have two apparent light-sources, one high and from behind at the top right, and another close from behind on the top of the staff. And then you've got this weird picture-wide tone gradient emanating from that top right light source as though you've just dropped one of the rendered lights on the picture, hoping in vain for it to light your painting as though it's a 3D object.

The lens flares are gratuitous, and the composition confusing. You have two pyramid compositions, one sitting inverted on top of the other, so it leads the eye to where they meet, but there is nothing interesting to the belt of your figure, and it doesn't seem like this spot is supposed to be the focus of your drawing.

In conclusion, use some better brushes, try employing some colour theory both in your palette selection and in representing light and shadow, think about your composition, and stay the hell away from rendered effects in photoshop if you want to avoid kitsch.

[Lazlow]

Actually I found Vin to offer a fair amount of constructive criticism. He's hardly torn them to shreds or expected the impossible; the points he's raised pertain to basic fundamental techniques. And there's nothing he's said that I'd disagree with. Especailly the soft focus porno look and use of lens flare (>_<)

I'm sure if he wanted to be a dick, he could've made references to "animuus" and "furries" >_>

If you want some constructive criticism Hotaru, your style shows promise and I enjoy the palette you use and the general atmosphere of the drawings. It interests me. With more practice and time you'll probably carve out a genuinely very good style. Great start!

Who are you Marcia Hines? How is that constructive? You basically said "Nice effort, keep going"

Where's the guidance? What techniques could they use to improve?

[Hotaru_oz]

Thanks guys for your criticism.
I don't find Vin's critique at all harsh, comments like that help me improve and grow as an artist.
I'm saving up for a new graphics tablet as my cheap generic one is dying and it's hard to to work with. I'm looking at getting a Wacom bamboo tablet myself.

[ElPresidente]

I remember my first use of photoshop to create an image way back when I was 17 and the amount of flack I copped was surprising but 99% of it was completely accurate. These people weren't just saying "It sucked" but telling me why it sucked.

Best thing that ever happened to me with my art.

Platitudes do not improvement make. The statements Vin makes are 100% on the mark and give great advice.

Vin's comments only sound mean because these threads generally don't attract constructive criticism and compared to the surrounding commentary they sound really harsh when they really aren't.

Anyway so long as Hotaru is taking the advice in the manner intended I guess this is all rather by the by.

[Moggo]

In that case, consider my opinion revoked!

[Blue]

Vin was spot on. Anyway, carry on.

[Mr.Mew]

For the record, I stand by what I said. I mean, c'mon, why the hell are you doing this if you aren't looking for some praise.

That asside, I don't disagree with Vin, granted half of what Vin explained went way over my head. My feedback is simply from a less experienced background looking at the artwork above, so you'll need to excuse my ignorance.

Hokay. Thankyou.

[Blue]

Critique.

I don't know, maybe some people enjoy having smoke blown up their arses, but I think an honest appraisal is more valuable than praise.

Personally, technical aspects aside, the drawing just, well, let's say it 'isn't my thing'. But I'm not going to say "wow dood dat is gay animay fairey shit rite dere", because that isn't helpful. Technical pointers, however, should always be taken on board.

I'm the kind of person who will draw something, be happy with it for about twenty minutes, and then start seeing the flaws, before screwing it up into a ball. There are only one or two drawings I've ever done that I've kept, because if I consider something substandard, I'll take the lessons I've hopefully learned, and try to remember them next time.

The things I keep aren't even that good. I've always had a talent for drawing, but I never find myself wanting to do it, so my skills haven't progressed. I just don't find it rewarding anymore.

[banjoeskimo]

Yeah, I'm with Blue. Praise is nice for the first few months you do something new, but it holds very little value in terms of progressing your work. I'd rather someone tear me a new one and be able to develop and improve than have an army of yes-men auto appraising stuff I've made.

[TAT]

Vin's comments only sound mean because Vin has a superiority complex and acts like a twat
Fixed >__>

[Mr.Mew]

Not quite the point I had intended. Rather, criticism is there for progression, yes. Praise is there for a fact that someone enjoys looking at your work, the flaws don't poke their eyes out, and you walk away with that warm fuzzy feeling. You don't necessarily choose either, and neither hurt you in anyway.

Perpetually the best form of progression is to never be satisfied with your own work, therefore you strive to do better each time.

[Blue]

Not quite the point I had intended. Rather, criticism is there for progression, yes. Praise is there for a fact that someone enjoys looking at your work, the flaws don't poke their eyes out, and you walk away with that warm fuzzy feeling. You don't necessarily choose either, and neither hurt you in anyway.

Perpetually the best form of progression is to never be satisfied with your own work, therefore you strive to do better each time.Well, when you don't enjoy looking at someone's work, and the flaws do poke your eyes out, it's better to tell them why than to keep your mouth shut, otherwise they'll never have the opportunity to do something great, and earn genuine praise from you. If you get told you're doing something wrong, when you eventually get told you're doing it right, you'll know for certain that you've made progress, and actually achieved something.

[ElPresidente]

Fixed >__>

Was only talking about this instance. Not all of them. ;)

*ya knows I luvs ya Vin* :D

[Vindik8or]

It's not a superiority complex if I'm actually superior.

[Lex]

In that case, consider my opinion revoked!

Sweet backbone champ, you must really believe in what you say.

[Rambo]

Sweet backbone champ, you must really believe in what you say.

Haha, quit picking on the new guy.


I've had an idea for starting up a new company for a while now, it's like a rent a bartender with emphasis on cocktails.

I made this background, but I can hardly say I created it. Font was off Dafont.com, picture was ganked from google. I just made some clipping masks around the edges to fade out properly.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/Rambo_Aaron/desktopafterdark.jpg?t=1257853139

I want to start getting into drawing in Photoshop, can anyone suggest a good tablet to purchase? Nothing too elistist, but functions well. Oh and my last name is 'Dark' hence why I called it that.

[Mr.Mew]

I want to start getting into drawing in Photoshop, can anyone suggest a good tablet to purchase?

I have a Wacom Intuos4 and that gets the job done fairly well; I've been told a glass top tablet is better though; something along the lines of the touch pad deteriorating faster on a plastic tablet, higher sensitivity; but fetches you a more hefty price.

[Rambo]

How hefty are we talking?

EDIT: Oops, wrong thread.

[Blue]

Haha, quit picking on the new guy.


I've had an idea for starting up a new company for a while now, it's like a rent a bartender with emphasis on cocktails.

I made this background, but I can hardly say I created it. Font was off Dafont.com, picture was ganked from google. I just made some clipping masks around the edges to fade out properly.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/Rambo_Aaron/desktopafterdark.jpg?t=1257853139

I want to start getting into drawing in Photoshop, can anyone suggest a good tablet to purchase? Nothing too elistist, but functions well. Oh and my last name is 'Dark' hence why I called it that.So, you're a bartender, huh? Do, er … Do all the girls come after Dark?

[Rambo]

:D


Dr. Dark is at their service.

[banjoeskimo]

Not a bad image.

Clean up the text though. Anything but the most artful use of glow/shadow effects in Photoshop always look pedestrian and tacky, and that weird white texture makes it unreadable. Also makes it look like someone jizzed fog over your type, but that's neither here nor there.

[Lazlow]

I saw the mention of dafont and was praying to god it wasn't Scriptina. Am glad.

[banjoeskimo]

The f--- is wrong with Scriptina? Okay, so the default font spacing is awful and you have to manually kern the space between every single letter and its range of uses is extremely limited, but if you actually find an appropriate use for it and take the time to space it correctly it's a beautiful font.

[Lazlow]

That is horribly overused, it's the lazy designer's comics sans or papyrus.

There's a whole range of great calligraphic fonts out there, but it seems the vast majority of designers seem to settle for scriptina. I've seen two ads on the same page for different companies both use scritpina.

Everyone using the same font doesn't lend your design to standing out from amongst the pack.

[banjoeskimo]

That doesn't make it a bad choice though, it just means you have to use it in more unique or sparing ways. Besides, if a designer has to use a new font every time they open a new document you're going to run out of options quickly. A good designer should be able to use a very small palette of type choices across a variety of projects.

Besides, like you can't say the same for the usual suspects (Helvetica, Bodoni, Arno, Myriad, Univers, Futura, Minion, Trajan), but nobody complains about those. The only problem with Scriptina is that it calls attention to itself, and so it should be used subtly and sparingly.

Anyway, new work. Did a logo for a friend's new photography business:

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Untitled-1.jpg

[Lazlow]

subtly and sparingly.


Two words the main culrpits of scritpina overuse fail to understand.

I don't disagree with what you're saying, its just not being applied by the vast majority who use it - I wouldn't complain if it was being experimented with and used in unique ways (like you're aforementioned list of fonts have been). Admittedly I find it a very rigid font, with limited flexibility, so I rather use alternate calligraphic fonts, or hand write my own. When it comes to using calligraphic fonts for eye catching headings, I feel you shouldn't limit yourself to a small palette, there are plenty of options out there.

------------------

Cool logo, my only concern would be it doesn't read too well (ie ALEXIS HARDY PHOT)

[tau]

Yeah, I spent a second or two going "the f--k is a PHOT?.... O...oh!"

[banjoeskimo]

Some recent work. In order: my business card, a series of business cards for a local gay & lesbian youth center, and some basic web templates to be used for a range of local political candidates.

I really want to print up a variation of my business card for next year's April Fools day that changes the "designer / photographer" text to read "suicide prevention specialist."

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Business_card_by_Eibach.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Oydssey_Youth_Center_cards_by_Eibac.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Political_Web_Template_1_3_by_Eibac.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Political_Web_Template_2_3_by_Eibac.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/Political_Web_Template_3_3_by_Eibac.jpg

[Lazlow]

So that's who banjoeskimo in my friends list is!

[ElPresidente]

Ahhh... now I understand too. :)

[banjoeskimo]

Jeez guys, pretty sure I identified myself when I friended you. :p

In all seriousness though, how would I go about changing my username on the Hyper boards? I've had Eibach for ages but I'd like to get it changed for the sake of consistency.

Also, for reference? banjoeskimo is an anagram of my real name (albiet missing an "a"). Easy to remember, and my username is never taken.

[Vindik8or]

Yeah, you guides!

[Lazlow]

If only!

[banjoeskimo]

Yeah, you guides!

Christ, I have no idea how I did that.

[fleshtea]

Jeez guys, pretty sure I identified myself when I friended you. :p

In all seriousness though, how would I go about changing my username on the Hyper boards? I've had Eibach for ages but I'd like to get it changed for the sake of consistency.

Also, for reference? banjoeskimo is an anagram of my real name (albiet missing an "a"). Easy to remember, and my username is never taken.

My best guess is Jason Omeibak. Your handle's gotta be Eibach for a reason.

[Lazlow]

HUh?

His irl name is on that first business card. >_>

[fleshtea]

huh?

His irl name is on that first business card. >_>

...

D:

[TAT]

In all seriousness though, how would I go about changing my username on the Hyper boards? I've had Eibach for ages but I'd like to get it changed for the sake of consistency.
Just PM Ashmaran.

[Lazlow]

Having to typeset Japanese without knowing where you can put line breaks is... interesting >_>

I should learn Japanese, it'd make me a thousand times more employable in this town, but on the other hand I ain't no f***ing weeaboo.

[Kasplatza Red]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/kasplatza/Taimaka.png
Comission. Some WoW character I can't remember the name of.

Also: Hi. ;)

[StorminNorman]

Sylvanas Windrunner.

[Kasplatza Red]

Glad someone knows/cares :P

[StorminNorman]

I'm tempted to use it as an avatar, tbh. :P

[Hotaru_oz]

Aww she looks so cute in chibi form.

[Kasplatza Red]

Tim: be my guest- the person who paid for it is, ahahaha.

[Hotaru_oz]

Something I did to practice drawing angel wings (something I'm terrible at) and work on new colouring techniques.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/Hotaru_oz/Artwork/Weepinginthesnowjpgcopy.jpg
I've stopped using the burn and dodge tools to shade but instead just used the paint brush tool with the opacity turned down.

The angel herself was drawn traditionally while the back ground was done digitally.

[Mr.Mew]

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g165/Leo_and_Pals/ApeEscapeRemix.png

Picture I've done. ^.^

[ElPresidente]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/kasplatza/Taimaka.png
Comission. Some WoW character I can't remember the name of.

Also: Hi. ;)

That your work Kas?

Awesome! You've really come a long way since the last time I've seen your work. Mind you that previous work was pixel art so not a really fair comparison but that Chibi Sylvanas is too cool!

[banjoeskimo]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/HaitiChile.jpg

Poster for an upcoming benefit concert. Brief was to create something bright, colourful, attention-seeking and indicative of the concert's purpose.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

I rate it 5 stars.

[Kasplatza Red]

That your work Kas?

Awesome! You've really come a long way since the last time I've seen your work. Mind you that previous work was pixel art so not a really fair comparison but that Chibi Sylvanas is too cool!
Wow, thanks a lot Prez, that means a lot coming from you ;D

Anyway, newest works:
http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/174/a/2/AVCon___10__SEGA_Chibi_set_by_kasplatza.png
I'm taking comissions to help get me to AVCon to do my usual trader table stuff this year, so if anyone's interested.. ;D

[ElPresidente]

Freaking hell madam! Those are awesome!

But no Gum for Jet Set? You make me sad. :(

</Gum fanboy> :P

[Kasplatza Red]

I know, it breaks my heart too, prez *is as much a Gum fangirl as she is a Beat fangirl* (is it just me, or do we have the exact same taste in fictional women?)

[ElPresidente]

You may be on to something there. :P

[ElPresidente]

So as you can tell by my avatar I'm pretty excited about the release of Catherine.

And, as so often happens with my game fixations, I found myself doing some Catherine related work in Illustrator and this is what I came up with (well you've already seen it in the avatar I guess but here's the full piece).

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/Catherine.jpg

[VanAce]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5112150433_9e8715ed47_z.jpg

Decided to enter Tiger Beer's Tiger Translate this year.

If you have free time feel free to vote for it. LINK (http://www.tigerbeer.com.au/tiger-gallery/category/15-2010.html)

[VanAce]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanace/5281923376/lightbox/

A design competition for the indie band Tokyo Police Club.

[VanAce]

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5011/bdoartcompfinal.jpg

My entry for the Inpress Street Press Big Day Out Art Competition.

Feel free to vote for it here - http://on.fb.me/hCvx0f - All you need to do is click the like button on my image.

Not a fan of Die Antwoord but they seemed like an interesting enough subject.

[ElPresidente]

What version of Illustrator are you using Van?

If CS5 may I make a recommendation to grab the line thickness tool and do some tweaks around the your outlines. Uniform outlines across different sized subject can give some odd effects such as the girl in the background's head being significantly more defined as the smaller area means the outline takes up a greater percentage of space.

Also by strategically thickening at curves you can give your outlines a more physical media look than usual. Not the best example but if you look at the outline curves in my Catherine bit you'll note the curves thickens a bit at the middle and thins out at points - giving it more the look of a brush stroke.

Alternatively tell me to blow it our my arse. :P

That said my only complaints are with the outlines, not the work itself which is why I thought I'd offer some unrequested advice. :P

Forgot to mention too. Love the Tiger Beer piece.

[VanAce]

Thanks for the feedback

I am using CS4. I did have some different thickness on the line through the use of brushes but they either disappeared or went really weird once I used the Live Paint Tool.

[banjoeskimo]

A couple of things I did for work, as always, you can find more at my deviantART gallery (http://eibach.deviantart.com/gallery/).

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/ice_cream___digital_poster_by_eibach-d3hehfc.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/kroc_doc_logo_by_eibach-d3iqa2l.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/kroc_church_invitation_by_eibach-d3iq9tp.jpg

[501]

neat artwork guys, ill have to post some of mine soon!

[Rambo]

Hey guys. I need a hand with vector based tracing.

I'm absolutely terrible and I need to show my concept designs on wednesday. Here's my drawing, I just don't know how to use the pen tool right to trace it.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/Rambo_Aaron/SCAN0001.jpg?t=1313405182

[VanAce]

Here is a good tutorial on the pen tool (http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tools-tips/illustrators-pen-tool-the-comprehensive-guide/)

[VanAce]

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpy5x2t51M1qe2k2eo1_500.jpg

A design I did for the YoorallaTEE competition. You can vote for it up until Friday noon (AEST). http://www.yoorallatee.com.au/tee-05.html

I used Maya to create the shapes then rendered it out as a vector outline then added colour in Illustrator.

[Rambo]

So this is what he turned out looking like.

I like him anyway :Dhttps://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/University/Semester%202%20Year%201/Design%20Studio%20172/Session%204/Coloured%20Devil.jpg?w=98e58713

[SOX]

Link's busted.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Can you even link to dropbox content?

[Rambo]

There we go.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/Rambo_Aaron/ColouredDevil.jpg

[Lazlow]

Flip it's right eye. You've got the highlights in the eyes on opposite sides, which conflicts with the light source (which, judging by the shading, is coming from the viewer's upper right).

For example.

http://i.imgur.com/9Q5vF.jpg

The highlights match.

I'd also remove one or two highlights.

Also ;

What version of Illustrator are you using Van?

If CS5 may I make a recommendation to grab the line thickness tool and do some tweaks around the your outlines. Uniform outlines across different sized subject can give some odd effects such as the girl in the background's head being significantly more defined as the smaller area means the outline takes up a greater percentage of space.

Also by strategically thickening at curves you can give your outlines a more physical media look than usual. Not the best example but if you look at the outline curves in my Catherine bit you'll note the curves thickens a bit at the middle and thins out at points - giving it more the look of a brush stroke.

Of course your name in place of Van's, and girl with monster thing.

[ElPresidente]

So folks may have noticed my recent transition to Brony. Yeah, I'm equally as stunned.

Anyway, seeing what the MLP community has done in terms of creating fan works made me want to make my own contribution. So here it is.

Prez Pony!!!

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/ponyprez.png

I'm justifying this post on the basis it is a much better example of use of the line thickening tool as discussed in earlier posts. :P

For those curious, it was all done in Illustrator except the placement of the 'cutie mark'. Shading of the iris was handled in Photoshop as was compositing with the background graphic.

[Lazlow]

yeah I saw that last night

[Lazlow]

I....

[ElPresidente]

Some times with a gut full of wine you stare at Illustrator looking for inspiration and it comes with hooves.

I'm... I'm not getting out of this with any level of dignity am I? :P

[Lazlow]

I don't think I can follow you anymore

[Vindik8or]

So folks may have noticed my recent transition to Brony. Yeah, I'm equally as stunned.

Anyway, seeing what the MLP community has done in terms of creating fan works made me want to make my own contribution. So here it is.

Prez Pony!!!

http://members.iinet.net.au/~elpresidente/ponyprez.png

I'm justifying this post on the basis it is a much better example of use of the line thickening tool as discussed in earlier posts. :P

For those curious, it was all done in Illustrator except the placement of the 'cutie mark'. Shading of the iris was handled in Photoshop as was compositing with the background graphic.

So I'm guessing you've got a second hill behind the pony? I'd suggest either embiggening the hill so its edges are visible somewhere or taking it out so the sky is visible behind the pony. Other than that... I can't even find it within myself to respect the skill in mimicking the style of the cartoon.

[BB2K]

I've never even heard of the word embiggen before moving to hyper forums.

[ElPresidente]

So I'm guessing you've got a second hill behind the pony? I'd suggest either embiggening the hill so its edges are visible somewhere or taking it out so the sky is visible behind the pony. Other than that... I can't even find it within myself to respect the skill in mimicking the style of the cartoon.
I started at about 11:30 last night and was finished on the character by 1:30 at this stage I just stole a background and slapped it behind the pony. It is a rushed and rubbish compositing job.
Also you should never respect pure mimicry. This was just done as a gag thing last night when bored in front of Illustrator.

[banjoeskimo]

Couple of posters I designed for various events at work. As always, more at my deviantART gallery. (http://eibach.deviantart.com/gallery)

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/hip_hop___poster_by_eibach-d4cy8ik.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/jimmy_needham___poster_by_eibach-d4cy95c.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/panhandle_polecats_poster_by_eibach-d4cy57g.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/audio_video_poster_by_eibach-d4cy4fg.jpg

[banjoeskimo]

More stuff from work:

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/kroc_program_guide_cover___winter_2012_by_eibach-d4kk9vs.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/kroc_fitness_poster_by_eibach-d4o2b14.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/remedy_drive_poster_by_eibach-d4oa2c0.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w155/banjoeskimo/clarion_brass___poster_by_eibach-d4in5j0.jpg