A sketchy thread

[StripedTiger]

So I wanted to open up this topic by asking, if one were to use a reference to a paint a similar looking image, would that be considered a form of art theft?

[LaserKarl]

At 12/17/11 09:07 PM, StripedTiger wrote: So I wanted to open up this topic by asking, if one were to use a reference to a paint a similar looking image, would that be considered a form of art theft?

I'd call it training, if you are not doing something original with the result.

I like this one btw, nice likeness of the body. The face could get a workover, the nose is too small and it looks like she isnt facing the same way as the reference, amongst other things. You should work more with whiter whites btw, the face could get much more shape if you added stronger highlights.

[shinobody]

Such thing is not very different from tracing, if we're talking copyright. It's cool as long as you won't try to take credit or , Gods of Darkness forbid, try to sell such image. Best keep it for training.

[bigjonny13]

Working by reference is a great training resource in order to learn many things, such as anatomy, colour schemes and lighting. It's a great way to improve, and it's not the same as tracing.
However, it is always best to cite your resource when using a reference, that way nobody has a hissy-fit over your work and calls you out on tracing.

[Vonschlippe]

A big part of your learning process should be to copy stuff as much as you can. See what works for you, and it's a faster way to improve your technique. Simply, as said by everyone above, make sure you don't cross the ethical line of claiming it as your own, or selling it.

Concerning your drawing above, I think that although the colors and shapes are moslty in place, the brush you are using is way too hard to blend together the smooth and subtle changes of value in skin color.

Try doing this: choose a very soft brush (with or without textured patterns, as long as it's not hard), set pen pressure to opacity (if you have a tablet), and blend every colored zone on your drawing on the next one. Keep a finger on the "alt" key to quickly switch to the color picker tool. You should be able to quickly switch to the appropriate color for a smooth blend, which should increase your skin rendering a lot.

Hope this helps, keep at it!

[StripedTiger]

Ah, thanks for the input. I was just unsure on whether or not it would be cool to share the "reference sketches". I don't think comparing it to tracing is fair if I start from a blank canvas and paint from scratch, it's just heavily influenced by a reference :P

Here's a dump of more sketches I've worked on(Some NWS).

9 4 11
9 15 11
9 17 11
9 19 11
9 11 11
9 12 11
9 28 11
9 29 11
10 3 11
10 5 11
10 27 11

[J-qb]

nice work, 10-5-11 is my fav of the bunch

[LegolaSS]

nice work, i love seeing raw art like this, i call it eye tracing, where you are not using a grid, not drawing over it, you are looking at something and then drawing it on a piece of canvas / screen like in real life, its a good way of understanding shapes, tones and colours, i am very tempted to do more of this stuff after looking at what you have posted... its also a very good way to see how to improve when put next to the orginal... for example i think her eyes are too far apart in the first picture as well as the comments already stated... great study stuff in this thread so far

[StripedTiger]

Thanks for the kind words.

Here's some earlier sketches I decided to dig up.

9 19 10 amberlamps
11 6 10
1 1 11
1 29 11
2 15 11
2 17 11
2 18 11
2 21 11
2 21 11 2
2 24 11

[StripedTiger]

First sketch of the year. Partaking a bit in the rum this evening/morning so quality may be lacking.

1 12 2012

[StripedTiger]

1 1 2012*

[StripedTiger]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUO_5EALZ oM

[StripedTiger]

A bump to commemorate the awesome site redesign!

Oh, and here's some art...

[StripedTiger]

An unfinished painting of a woman whom I feel dear.

BTW nsfw.

[bigCman321]

At 16 hours ago, StripedTiger wrote: An unfinished painting of a woman whom I feel dear.

BTW nsfw.

Cool sketches. You should try doing a finished work sometime. Also something I like to do is use many different references, and not really copy one but sort of look at them and let them influence my painting. It would be interesting to see some original artwork (but it's perfectly okay to use references for original artwork as well).

Keep it up!

[StripedTiger]

At 4 hours ago, bigCman321 wrote:

At 16 hours ago, StripedTiger wrote: An unfinished painting of a woman whom I feel dear.

BTW nsfw.

Cool sketches. You should try doing a finished work sometime. Also something I like to do is use many different references, and not really copy one but sort of look at them and let them influence my painting. It would be interesting to see some original artwork (but it's perfectly okay to use references for original artwork as well).

Keep it up!

Thanks, it just seems that I produce more quality work when I put more focus on my reference rather than imagination. Something I definitely need to work on.

[StripedTiger]

ME3 spoilers below

[StripedTiger]

"Black and white music? Now, ******, that's a mixed tape!"

[StripedTiger]

Witch Doctor WIP

A sketch I've been working on. I hope I'm not too lazy to finish it.

[Spac3case916]

At 2/8/12 04:39 AM, StripedTiger wrote: A bump to commemorate the awesome site redesign!

Oh, and here's some art...

this looks really good!!
you clearly have an understanding of colors and form. good stuff!

[StripedTiger]

Another sketch I hope that I'm not too lazy to finish.

[StripedTiger]

Process of my Punished Snake illustration, if anyone is interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-qxAY6pMN8