Brush Control Pt. 2

In the previous video we looked at simple rendering samples - now it's time to apply those techniques to a larger image. Though I've provided the foundation ...

In the previous video we looked at simple rendering samples - now it's time to apply those techniques to a larger image. Though I've provided the foundation of this image for you, there's still a lot to be done.  This sort of practice is great for improving your digital painting confidence and craftsmanship.

Do you have any tips for accomplishing this assignment? Was it harder or easier than you predicted? Let's hear about it in the comments! And finally, remember to have fun drawing.

Assignment: Render the "Dome" Illustration.

Things to consider: No visible brushstrokes, edge control, brush and eraser only.

Recommended videos:Digital Painting 101 pt2 (Brushes), Brush Agility , Brush Control Basics

Worksheet Downloads:Dome Illustration Worksheet, Dome Illustration (Complete)

Brush Control pt.1

In this Photoshop digital painting tutorial, we'll see how to achieve smooth, clean, rendering. Beginners often have messy, overlapping strokes with the brus...

Are your brush strokes overlapped and messy looking? You're not alone. Many beginners suffer from this issue. To improve your technique, you'll need to practice making large strokes and using careful edge control -- which is exactly what this exercise was designed to help with. Look for the worksheet downloads at the bottom of the post.

Do you have any tips for accomplishing this assignment? Was it harder or easier than you predicted? Let's hear about it in the comments! And finally, remember to have fun drawing.

Assignment: Copy the (attached) rendering samples.

Things to consider: "Temp Layers", smooth rendering, edge control.

Recommended videos:Digital Painting 101 pt 4 (Layers),  Alternative Masking pt 1 (Clipping Masks) , Brush Control Basics

Worksheet Downloads:Grayscale Rendering Samples, Color Rendering Samples

Thumbnail Iteration

If you've ever created a silhouette sketch for a character design, what did you do next? All too often artists will consider these sketches in a binary way -...

If you've ever created a silhouette sketch for a character design, what did you do next? All too often artists will consider these sketches in a binary way - each drawing is either a 'hit' or a 'miss', and they draw until a 'hit' happens. This video offers a modified approach to thumbnail sketching - using Photoshop masks to help quickly iterate on a single promising thumbnail.  As I mention in the video, much of this idea originally came from the fantastic book The Skillful Huntsman, so make sure you check that out. 

Recommended video: The Danger of Painting Silhouettes

Critique

Critique is the way that artists help one another improve, yet it's a subject that many never properly learn. You've probably been subjected to a harsh criti...

Critique is the way that artists help one another improve, yet it's a subject that many never properly learn. You've probably been subjected to a harsh critique at some point - maybe someone said "That's bad" or "I don't really like that".  The idea of a useful critique, however, is to help the artist - not insult them.  This video explains how to deliver a useful critique - either to yourself or to another artist - by considering the "principles of design".  

Real-Time Design With Smart Objects

To get the most out of digital painting you'll need to let the computer do some of the work for you. Repeated objects are a great opportunity for Photoshop t...

To get the most out of digital painting you'll need to let the computer do some of the work for you. Repeated objects are a great opportunity for Photoshop to shine, and this video shows how you can do real-time design using the 'smart objects' command. Unike traditional painting where you work from the beginning sketch to a finished painting, the digital process operates in a less linear way. If you can wrap your head around the possibilities, you'll end up saving time and achieving fantastic results!

Film Studies: Gesture

In this episode of film studies, we'll dissect action movies in search of exciting poses. Just like in previous episodes, the way to get the most out of any ...

In this episode of film studies, we'll dissect action movies in search of exciting poses. Just like in previous episodes, the way to get the most out of any given film still is to erase the context. As soon as you can distill the image down to a single, core, component it becomes far more versatile as reference and idea generation.

Film Studies: Color

Movies can teach you a lot about storytelling. In this video I explain one way to use the beautiful colors found in movie stills, and apply them to your own ...

Movies can teach you a lot about storytelling. In this video I explain one way to use the beautiful colors found in movie stills, and apply them to your own illustration work. Like in the other videos in the Film Studies series, we dissect a frame and remove the context -- leaving us with a versatile piece of reference material.

Principles of Design: Unity

It's easy to get hung up on the individual rules of composition. Balance, Movement, Repetition... it's a lot to consider. This video introduces an important ...

This final entry in the Principles of Design series is all about "Unity", which is the state of balance in your image.   Think of your illustration as a sauce -- you don't want any individual ingredient to stand out too strongly.   Likewise,  no single principle of design should stand out above another, they should all combine into a pleasant mixture.  This is called "unity".  If you missed any of the previous entries in this series, make sure to check out the Principles of Design Series!

Principles of Design: Rhythm and Repetition

Have you ever considered a still image including "Rhythm"? How about repetition? This video explains how to improve your art with a few basic principles Ctrl...

This video explains two principles which are often inter-related.   Rhythm, and repetition, when used intentionally can help guide your viewer through your image.  Like the other principles, this can be added into your set of compositional tools to help tell visual stories! 

Targeted Learning Pt. 2

For more videos, make sure to check out www.ctrlpaint.com!

The first video (targeted learning pt. 1) gives a look into the future of ctrl+Paint's future with a sample assignment.  This video explores what you bring to the table, and how you might enhance the value of each and every art assignment you have.

Targeted Learning Pt. 1

For more videos make sure to check out www.ctrlpaint.com!

this video is a taste of what's to come in the near future.  Targeted learning.  As I mention in the video, here are the recommended videos to watch before attempting the assignment:

Simplifying Form

Proportion

Whether you post your results in the DA group or not is up to you - but have fun with the assignment!

[update:] Make sure to draw each vidwpoint from observation -- not imagination.  Don't be afraid to get up close to your jug!

deviantART Community!

If you haven't checked it out yet, there's a fantastic new deviantART group for you ctrlPaint readers!  I want to thank Jingiss, Danny Roemers, and Owen Harvey for getting this thing together.  They're holding weekly challenges, and have created sub-groups for critique.  

It might be a small group now, but won't be for long.  Don't you want to get in on the ground floor? Have fun, and happy drawing!

http://ctrlpaint.deviantart.com/

[UPDATE: 6/1/2012]  Amazing!  I'm really glad to see this taking off so quickly.  It's great to see all of the art being posted. Can we make it to 500 members?  Keep it up, everyone!

[UPDATE 2/11/2013] The community is still doing great, and is totally autonomous.  I check in now and again, but it's run by the community.  Check it out if you haven't gotten a chance yet!

Exaggeration

Though it might not seem obvious, I believe that learning to exaggerate is one of the best ways to master realistic drawing. See how far you can push it! Ctr...

Exaggeration is not only for cartoonists and caricature artists.   This video explores some of the practical benefits of exaggeration in your sketching and research drawings.  Also, it's fun!

Being a Beginner

It's hard to be a beginner. This video aims to give a bit of perspective and encouragement. Additionally, it will help you avoid some mistakes in the kitch...

It's hard to be a beginner.  This video aims to give a bit of perspective and encouragement.  Additionally, it will help you avoid some mistakes in the kitchen.

Fluid Linework

Are you having trouble getting confident, clean, digital lines? There's some tricks to fluid linework that will make your life a lot easier. Ctrl+Paint Store...

Drawing on a USB tablet can be challenging.  Especially if you're used to drawing on paper, it's likely that your sketched lines are less confident than you'd like.  This video offers a solution!

Ctrl+Paint Unplugged Road-Map

If your goal is digital painting, the smartest move you can make is starting with an actual pencil, and actual paper. Hear me out. Ctrl+Paint Store: http://c...

The Ctrl+Paint unplugged series is here to help you improve your basic drawing skills, and this video will show you what to expect in upcoming entries. Basic drawing doesn't seem as exciting as digital painting, so it's often skipped by beginners. Don't make this mistake!

Constructive Form Pt. 1

If your goal is drawing from your imagination, you'll need to start thinking like a sculptor. We'll start with the basic forms, and add details later. Ctrl+P...

In order to draw complicated shapes from your imagination, you'll first need to simplify. Constructive form is a mindset that allows artists to make big challenges much smaller by thinking first of basic primitives: cube, cone, sphere, and so on. Any object can be envisioned as a collection of these basic primitives. This video shows the process by which I can draw a character from World of Warcraft utilizing constructive form. Make sure to catch the other parts of the constructive form miniseries!

Constructive Form Pt. 1.5

Once you've blocked in the basic forms, you'll need to understand how to correctly add details along these newly created surfaces. We'll explore 'surface con...

In order to add details to a simplified 'dress-form' under drawing, you need to know how to think in proper 3D.  This short video explains the importance of following the surface contours of your 3D form.

Make sure to catch the other parts of the constructive form miniseries!

Constructive Form Pt. 2

This is the final part of a 3 part mini-series. With a new understanding of surface contours, in this video I'll show how to add surface details to complete ...

In this second part of our werewolf drawing it's time to get detailed.  With the 'manequin' drawing complete, I am able to confidently add in the specific costume and facial details that bring a drawing to life.  (Note that the werewolf character is property of Blizzard entertainment, this is a fan-art drawing.)

Make sure to catch the other parts of the constructive form miniseries!

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Film Studies: Foreground, Middleground, Background

In this episode of film studies, we'll take a look at three core parts of a composition: foreground, middle-ground, and background. Beginning with stills fro...

In this episode of film studies, we'll take a look at three core parts of a composition: foreground, middle-ground, and background. Beginning with stills from movies and then abstracting them down into these three graphic shapes can be an eye-opener for your sense of composition. Additionally, once you've stripped the context out of a scene it becomes more versatile personal reference for your future illustrations.

And make sure to check out the rest of the Film Studies series.