Textures and details

These helms are looking ok from a distance which is good as it means the Values, perspective and proportions are fine. However under closer inspection, they don't hold up to scrutiny; so the next step is details and textures. Hopefully in the next week or so I'll have another one posted up looking a bit better.

If you know of any good resources online or in books to help drop me a message.

*EDIT*

No use making another post, as I havent advanced any further with details or textures but here is a late night painting of one of my favorite book characters Dace from Dark Moon by David Gemmell.

Perspective is off on this piece but i think i can sort that with better lighting and body positioning.

Another Post: Insects and Structures

I've come to realise Im becoming more and more nerdy as I get older; I have an increasing fascination with insects next I will be snorting and pushing up my glasses as I correct someone on the real latin name of an Ant or whatever...

Back on track I really enjoyed this exercise is mapping out the structure of the insects, the grub bug (center) was especially challenging because of the changing nature and contours of its body. Tell me what you think and if youre a concept artist get in touch and drop me some feedback!

Bugs Galore.

Concept Work

This is a painting not based on reference. 

German Helm reference painting.

I feel like I am improving, only time will tell though!

"Get the Fundamentals down or the fancy stuff won't work." -Randy Pausch

Fundamentals in draftsmanship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=vXoLPU9AklY

The title of this post has become a personal motto for this summer leading into my 3rd year of University. So far I don't feel as if I have bettered my illustration work in the first two years enough and for a long time I blamed my tutors/course for that. Surprisingly that whole 'pointing the finger' is counterproductive...

With this new philosophy sparked into life I am kindling the fire with Feng Zhu's school of design tutorials as well as fanning the flames with a new Youtube channel 'CGMWORKSHOPS'. If you haven't checked these guys out already and you have felt the same way I did, check them out; its a lot of hard work and swallowing of pride but I already see it paying off.

Value Armor

Just trying to paint the values in this armor, didnt really work but hey we're all human! I really want to get on with painting some conceptual landscapes, but its bloody difficult. Might have to take a day out to give it a go.

Practice Makes...

Thought a bit of an update was in order; I'm currently trying to better my basic technique through life drawing and perspective. Here a select few from the 60 or so I did yesterday, they are 1minute a piece.

I alternated between black and white canvas to try and make my eye see lights and shadows, however when  trying to do this minute on minute I found it a bit tricky.

Progression with Paint

Painting is starting to get addictive, but I don't want to just learn how to paint this summer its important that I reach my target of learning to utilise basics such as perspective, so I'm going to try and combine the two.

This Helmet perspective is based off of the original image (see previous post) but I've created my own angle: to do this you have to draw and understand the image in a 3D format. 

Let me know what you think and keep updated with my work right here.

*EDIT*

Instead of making a new post Thought it would just be better to edit this one with an painting update. 

I dont feel as if this painting was as successful as my others, however it was a more difficult angle. This will be last painting of this helmet but may continue with some perspective line drawings.