merl1n's journey

[merl1n]

Check the last page!!! This is an old stuff

The university exams are comming soon! Only one month left... so If you can give me any critique on my latest work please post it!!!


http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/2809/litesamanab5.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9502/marshie0.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/1369/dreughfinqg4.jpg

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/3760/zombiefinalxg3.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7915/suburbla0.jpg

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/5748/angelsmallmt9.jpg

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/9477/egyptsmallmw5.jpg

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/389/uruk2gj5.jpg

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/5578/jei30aq9.jpg

thx

[Robz]

IM loving it, the person with the eagle helm reminds me of Pyramid head from that silent hill movie.

[MCL!on]

some realy cool work in there ... especially the eagle helmed guy :)

[Dreamworker]

Nice star with your SB! Welcome on CA man and keep this thread up ciao :)

[Janshi]

The enviro you posted I think shows great promise. Looking interesting, keep up the effort!

[merl1n]

thanks guys!

here is the odl environment I forgot to post before:
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/175/villagerg7.jpg

and here two concepts of the same.. I've tried to find the best look for this character, however I'm still not sure with the result....

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/8196/dreamcatherob5.jpg
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6695/dreamermn3.jpg

[dkounios]

some kick ass characters man. keep it up!
cant wait to see ya progress with your SB

[RaistlinTheDark]

very nice paints

[AmontilladoAg]

The girl with the tattoos looks quite nice.. and cool enviros...good job :)

You might think about doin' some hand/feet studies and work on your faces as well.. just a thought.

Cheers :^^:

[The Curehead]

man your second last pick is awesome, i love the backrounds.

[merl1n]

thx guys!!!

here are some new live sketches.... sorry for low quality, they were taken by camera.. :(

this one is inspired by one of Alan Lee's ilustrations....
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8379/hurinov4.jpg
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/7443/facesvy7.jpg
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6837/anatomygi6.jpg
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4341/crusadersoo1.jpg
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/7038/shapesug7.jpg
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7841/wildriverzu7.jpg
http://img478.imageshack.us/img478/5973/dollwv8.jpg

[funfetus]

I like your designs, and the palettes you choose. I think you could stand to do some study on anatomy and form. Maybe spend less time on the digitals, and more time on fundamentals with pencil and paper. You've got a lot of potential -- keep it up!

[merl1n]

thanks bros.. I've got lot of other studies, but I'm unable... or rather too lazy to take them by my camera.. because after that it's lot of work to retouch every picture in order to you are able to recongnise anything on them... :(

so here is some recent digital stuff
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/6519/statuetruegs6.jpg

[merl1n]

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/9355/unatcobotye5.jpg

[Silverwing]

Nice style you've got here. I particularly like your use of lighting on all of these.

Would be super cool to see some up close portraits or something though, would like to see how you render faces close up to give a better feel for where you are at.

[merl1n]

thx Silverwing...
today's one:
http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/49/2049gn7.jpg

[Farin]

dont know exactly what makes your work so interessting to me ... there is great atmosphere, above all at your digital stuff ...

I'm looking forward to see more

[AmontilladoAg]

Ooh, sweet enviro...

Go, merl, go! :bounce:

[merl1n]

to Farin and AmontilladoAg: thank you guys!!!!

here is today's new one:
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3513/ignusse0.jpg

[merl1n]

today's 30min speedie

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6885/ship2yd3.jpg

[merl1n]

today I made a quick and very random character sketch

[Autumnal Dream]

Yay! Impressive works.. very inspiring! I'll should finally start some digital landscapes.. they're beautyful :)

Keep posting, please!

- Jul

[loveandasandwich]

I love all your digitals that are in brown/tan tones. Do some more of those! :D That boat one's really cool too. I love how you did the fog/clouds.

[Robojon]

Sweet digitals! You have a very good portrayal of mood in your digitals, I especially like the cityscapes.

[libor]

Cau!

Well its fair to say that youre doing well! If I can give a piece of advice, study according to Vilppu and Loomis (good start to search the net for these 2 guys) their lessons (books) give you essential skills which have to be mastered. Basically they will teach you to draw 3dimensionally not flat like Egyptians :D Another great thing to do is to do figure drawing from life (using Vilppus principles best)

Keep going man! cheers

[merl1n]

@Autumnal Dream: thanks, be sure I will ;)
@28chelseaslater: thx mate, I love the clouds too :dead: ;)
@Robojon: Thx man, I'm glad you like them :)
@Libor: Ahoj, nice to meet someone for Czech in CA... thx for advices, that's exactly what I'm looking for... :)

and today's one is a quick portrait of a child:

[merl1n]

and another sketch.. this time about 3 hours of work

[silvestri99]

Great digital stuff...lots of creativity and imagination in there. Would like to see more definition in the designs and characters. Try work a few of these through more. Keep painting!!

[merl1n]

silvestri99: thanks, when I have more time I will... now I' satisfied with sketching and studying... :)

today's character sketches.. comments, advices and critics are desired :)

[merl1n]

I forgot to post thiss quick study yesterday, so here it is...

[libor]

nice update! I like those 3 sketches. My comment> try to shade (crosshatch) following the forms - not just in one direction (45 degree hatches) it will pronouce dimensionality of masses which are quite flat now.

Also would be cool to start by blocking geometric forms like boxes and cylinders instead of just outline...

Keep working! Looking forward to see more of your stuff!

L.

[merl1n]

@Libor: thx, I'll certainly try it next time :)

today I uploaded a face study and first page from my "live" sketchbook...

[merl1n]

today I made a pen & ink picture....
firts is a sharper picture for better view and second is a raw and low quality photo...;)

hope in some critics and comments :)

[First Keeper]

I like atmosphere in your work

[merl1n]

@First Keeper: thx :)

today's practice:

[ChaoticKnight]

Hey man I like your environments alot. Definitely do some portrait and anatomy practice, because your characters are below the level of skill in your environments. Cool SB, and keep posting!

[merl1n]

@ChaoticKnight: thx, you're right... anatomy is exactly what I need to fix :)

today's faces:

[IVNO]

I like that you have a variety in facial structures in this piece, which is something I'm working on.

[merl1n]

@IVNO: thx man :)

today's concept, robo-babygirl:

[kooon]

your environment look so imposing :confident

[Chief]

Wow, I love the environments. Wish I could do that ;)

[merl1n]

chief: thx man, I'll try to do more of those enviros... :)
kooon: thanks :)

and today's quickies.... criticise me pls, that's the best way to get better...

[The-Mentat]

Hey man,

thanks for critting my SB. Nice digitals you got here and nice enviros. Really like the last one, good atmosphere. Also like the page with the inks up on this page, nice lines and i really like the lower right face for some reason.
Keep doing those sweet enviros, but like Chaotic said, also do some work on your chars. Good luck!

[merl1n]

@Flameseeker: thanks a lot man, I really regard your comment! :)

and here is today's enviro as I promised

[merl1n]

and more.... btw: "PIVO" means BEER in czech language

[Chief]

Lookin' smooooth man! Characters are coming on great and those enviros just rock ;)

eta can't tell if it's the pic quality but those pencils look like they could do with some darker values :)

[merl1n]

@chief: thanks man! you're right, they are low quality and even need to be darker...

and today another enviro:

[merl1n]

today's quickies:

[funfetus]

Man, your environments look great! They have a great sense of depth, and a nice, loose feel. Your figures are improving, but I think you could still use some good life-drawing and anatomy study. Keep it up!

[themissinglink]

your environments are really nice, they all have a great sense of mood and drama. i think most of these would look great as a finnished illustration. i would really recomend going back and finishing one/some of these.

[merl1n]

@funfetus: thanks man, I work on it, I'll upload my live works soon - at least I hope...

@themissinglink: thank you bro, sure I'm gonna do something "finished", just gimme few weeks :)

today's character:

[Aardvarkphil]

You got some wicked pieces in here and a nice mix of different styles. Very inspirational. Will be calling regularly. Cheers Phil

[merl1n]

@Aardvarkphil: thx man :) I try all those styles just because I still don't know which one fits me ;)

today I post very quick piece used as "comming soon" index for a site about a live action roleplaying game...

[merl1n]

hey, todays character - saxon warrior

[RaistlinTheDark]

very nice stuff here! love the paints!

[copperfire]

Wow! love your stuff! Your CG skills are very good! I have trouble drawing pics on the computer without scanning an image.

[destinyapocalypse]

nıce painted works and drawing works but your paints very nıce
take care
me works:::::::>http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=87447

[merl1n]

hey gyus! it has been a long time since I made something digital... so finnaly here we go...

@RaistlinTheDark: thx man :)
@copperfire: thank you, I'm sure you will get through it :)
@destinyapocalypse: thanks..

[Blue Severin]

I really like the lighting and mood in your environments, they're very cool. I think some life drawing would help bring your characters up to the level of the environments. Cool sketchbook, keep posting.

[Flipnastywebby]

I dunno how you did this image
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6885/ship2yd3.jpg
but it is leagues beyond any of your other work.

the other work shows promise
keep working at :pirate:


slainte!

[merl1n]

@Blue Severin: thx, I work on it :)
@Flipnastywebby: I just tried lot of brushes to better know them... that's how was that work built... ;) thx anyway..

and latest quickies:

[Flipnastywebby]

service spider bot is nice :pirate:

thanks for dropin by my thread

slainte!

[merl1n]

@Flipnastywebby: you're welcome :) and thanks again :D

today something different... not sure if it belongs here ;)

[merl1n]

very quick enviro...

[Hurley]

Hello,

Great digital work, good variety of brushs and textures in this:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=228599&stc=1&d=1193771762

Pencils are also great,

keep it up!

[Nikoh]

you got very good atmosphere in your enviros, i like em alot!

[merl1n]

@Nikoh: thx :)
@Hurley: hi, I'm glad you like it.. :) thanks

this one is in progress... I hope I'll finish it....

[Blue Severin]

That's turning out really nice. One thing that might improve it is using bigger brushes and concentrating on texture. His helmet has small scratchy marks that don't really look like metal. Keep up the good work.

[merl1n]

@Blue Severin: thx, here is the progress... I'haven't finished it though

[merl1n]

This is supposed to be an eastern european abandoned mining village.... Why abandoned? What happened there? Why did all the people dissapear? Concept it yourself... :)

[Merlin]

I like the last environments, oh and you have a cool username ;P

[copperfire]

WOW, love your cg stuff!!! more MORE!

[JRStagg]

Whoa, Awesome! you have any threads on how to draw landscapes? if you do could you PM the links or reply to my SB, only if you have time tho!! id realy love to learn how to do them..

Fantastic work!

[Juhani Jokinen]

Hey! You have some really cool work here! I think you've got a nice sense of colour. I hope though that you took a little more time to define your brushstrokes. Try to think before making a stroke and you'll end up with more defined forms :) eventually it will become an instinct and you won't have to think so much anymore.

-Juhani

[Lake]

VERY neat. looks unfinished.... at least in the atmospheric perspective. you've gone to such great lengths to show us that there's fog, but the gap between the mountains has little if any atmosphere. thicken it up. the stuff further back would be almost indistinguishable from the background, seeing how close in value everything is.

[merl1n]

I'm sorry I haven't replied sooner, my pc had been broken.. :(

so thank you all for the comments :)

and some new stuff:

[Cyanid]

your environments are strong. figures need a bit more definition. but all the pictures have a great atmosphere.

[merl1n]

@Cyanid: thanks man, I work on it ;)

another quick doodle... not really sure about it

[libor]

hi merlin, lots of good work here! I esp like those 3 pieces from post #76

If I could give a piece of advice try not to draw with your strokes but paint! which mean use broad brush strokes first then smaller ones for details. And dont rush too soon into details, play with big bold strokes (big areas of paint) first so you come up with some nice composition. also changes in this first stage do not hurt so much (work in relatively small resolution at first too and scale it up then several times if needed) for ie I usually start with some thumbnail sketch using only regular hard round brushes in 600px wide or so, working in that res till I cant add details easily so I scale it 2x or more in size, etc.

Keep it up!

[libor]

to my explanation> for ie your abandoned forest piece, has a lot of tiny detailed strokes (whose are more like drawing) in the foreground but even in background which is not right. be more careful with details like these, you should place them just at the close areas to the viewer or even not use those little scribbles at all.

human brain can fill in the details itself > it can even be more interesting piece without the deadly details...

CHeers!

[smuli]

Great sketchbook with lots of originality. I'm a big fan of your ink drawings especially - those in posts 32 and 33 just blow my mind with the spontanety, trying to learn dip pen myself and the digital black and white sketches are great too. The environments have pretty muted colours overally which is good and well of course every time it serves a purpose, but some crazier playing around with complementary colours and warm/cold balance etc might be useful practice. In the newest post, it seems to me like values are the main thing and you've just added the colours later on to give some life if you know what I mean. Some sketches from reference might be the best help for that. The finished mining town picture looks awesome though. Keep these coming!

[merl1n]

@libor: Hi bro! thanks. I perfectly understand what you mean and will try to pay attention on that next time... Im grateful for any advice like this :)

@smuli: thank you too. you are right about the last character. I added some colours later.. I was too lazy and unsatisfied - thats why I found better to not to invest more time to coloring ;)

and here a wip....

[merl1n]

another wip for a client...

[merl1n]

and some older live remakes... I finnaly got some time to scan them...

[merl1n]

here a progress:

[Piecemaker]

great stuff you got here. i really dig your environments though i think they would become even better when you invest a little bit more time in building up a good composition before you start.

keep up the good work

[MurdokX]

You have great spatial awareness which is a strong point.
you can enhanced that even if your not doing environments. With characters put them in extreme perspective, I cant wait to see more from you!

[merl1n]

Piecemaker: thx man, I know, my images are bit random :)
MurdokX: thank you, I'm certainly gonna make some action characters. Trouble is, that it's not that simple, characters are my weaknes at the moment. I need some practice first.

[Jorge Gecov]

I like the european village and the night enviro wip. Keep up the good work.

Cheers,

[Lotet]

great stuff, ur getting there.maby faster then you think, nice envos..and keep testing new styles^^

[merl1n]

@Lotet: thx bro :)
@Jorge Gecov: thank you too, I´m glad you like my work, guys.

[Trashy]

Hi merl1n

Your environments are looking great. I think you got them down pretty good actually. Just keep practicing and trying new things.

[merl1n]

@Trashy: thanks bro!!! that's exactly what I do, practicing nad trying :)

here a progress since yesterday

[l0stinth0ughts]

hey man, your really good, i like the whole warrior and mid age themes. id like to see some more :rocker:

[merl1n]

@l0stinth0ughts: thanks man :)

here more progress.. I'm finishing this image soon

[speedysam267]

that last image is really spectacular and is a great representation of improvement from your first CG images. keep hauling!

[Lotet]

awezome, love the feeling and atmosfer u got into the last peice^^

[merl1n]

@Lotet: thx again man! :)
@speedysam267: thx, glad to hear that :)

and a 20 min doodle.. hope I'll finish it :)

[Bartovan]

Hi man, great stuff. I like your enviros: great use of light. Keep going!

[merl1n]

@Bartovan: thank you very much :)

here a progress....

[merl1n]

I finished the fairy and one more piece...

[mysteryofalbesila]

nice works! keep it up!

[merl1n]

mysteryofalbesila: thank you :)

here a new work + simple step by step tutorial >> http://merl1ncz.deviantart.com/art/Insanity-Inside-Me-tutorial-78807592
.... someone could use it.. .:)

[Coinpurse]

love the idea on that last one, cool things in here :)

[Lotet]

great update, the last one with the hands is really beautifull, u do great work with specular lighting and the sun.

whould be cool to se some characters to though.

[merl1n]

Lotet: thanks, I'm going to do them ;)
Coinpurse: thank you :)

and here a wip of a space fighter for IDoW...

[Dan Valkar]

very very good enviros....sweet style...maybe u have to work a little more on character design...keep it up!

[merl1n]

@Dan Valkar: thanks! yeah, I know that about the characters and I'm trying to do something about it...

[merl1n]

1 hour doodle

[merl1n]

And as I promised I've posted a character... hope I'll finish it

[snubbed]

I like the mixture of graphic design and illustration. Your mechanical spider thing at the end here is pretty sweet looking. Edges seem to need refining compared to other professional concept artists I've seen on these pages, but I like your stuff.

[merl1n]

@snubbed: thank you!!!

here a wip

[merl1n]

another

[merl1n]

next step

[Flutic]

Great stuff love the mood in the environments!

Keep them coming!

[merl1n]

@Flutic: thank you bro!!! :)

today's quick sketch

[merl1n]

some live works.... sorry for low quality...

[UnSharpened]

Your environments are awesome<3. I love your clouds best, its a nice depiction of light acting on the mass of clouds. Some of them are absolutely striking, such as the night view in #108, is that a matte painting? Gorgeous!

[merl1n]

@UnSharpened: thanks bro, yes it could be considered as matte painting, but very rough :) thank you again :)

today's news

[merl1n]

here are some news before bed

[jedininjaman]

Cool work here nice texture and detail keep it up its really cool

[merl1n]

@jedininjaman: thx man! :)

[merl1n]

and another quick sketch before bed...

[merl1n]

here new quickies... 45 min each

[merl1n]

here comes a character

[Chate Noire]

The second speedpainting in #124 is really gorgeous.

[ungoliant]

great works!

beautiful!

[Juhani Jokinen]

nice new sketches! Although I think you should check your proportions and focus more on getting your values spot on.

Keep on going! :)

[merl1n]

ungoliant: Thank you!
Chate Noire: Thanks!
Anthriel: Yeah, I know... I need to practice figures and characters and Im tryining to do that... thanks anyway!!!

here some news...

[merl1n]

and another speedpainting... 45 mins

[merl1n]

hey... here some news....

[Izi]

Whoo, you've got the touch...I love how you use subtle color and brushes...

[merl1n]

Naomi Ningishzidda: thank you very much!!! :)

and some progress...

[merl1n]

two new

[Juhani Jokinen]

Those new sketches are cool- good use of colour. One thing you should keep in mind is that all the bg buildings in your paintings are more or less transparent, try to keep them more opaque.

-Juhani

[Zain]

you are my favorite

[mbetteker]

these 2 new ones are awesome!! really loving the drama and lighting.

i would suggest studying some anatomy for your figures. i can see you have come a long way as far as brushes and control of your values. keep it up!

[Nightblue]

The studies are looking great, and the two new ones are very nice :) Love your colors and brush strokes. Keep posting!

[forgeman]

Your backgrounds are really good. Use of color value and tones are great.

my website: www.alexlopezart.com

sketchbook: http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=127781

[Danuh]

woah, either this new monitor is fantastic or you're just plain amazing.

[nickmarshallvfx]

Lovely progression throughout this SB. Really liking where you stuff is goin now. Congrats.

Nick

[munkes]

Nice sketchbook! I love the painting in #114.
The character in post #125 is nice, but your skills in environments are clearly more developed. I know it's about prioritizing, but I'd love to see you do some studies in human anatomy.

[Green-eyed demon]

WOW ! Your enviroments are really fantastic ! the colors and the mood and everything make me feel like i'm in it ! Keep up the good work because I realy want to see MOORE !!! :P

[xenomorph-designs]

Great SB! With this much talent at your age I would say you have a promising career ahead of you.

Very nice work, especially the enviroments.

[merl1n]

Anthriel: thx.. I'll avoid it next time... :)
Zain: glad to hear that, thank you!!!
mbetteker: thanks, I work on it... :)
Nightblue: thank you!
forgeman: nice to hear that, thanks...
Danuh: heh, I hope it is not the monitor.. :) thx
space-sprayer: good to hear that you can see some progress... it means this all could lead somewhere... ;)
munkes: thanks, you are right.. Environments are currently my priority... It is the biggest fun to paint them... However I draw figures and characters to my sketchbook just for basic practice... I know there will be the time when I start to produce them digitaly...
Green-eyed demon: thank you :)
xenomorph-designs: it is a pleasure to hear something like this... I hope I have... :) thanks

here some new sketches...

[artaphrax]

Omg, I really love these drawings. My work doesn't even come close to these works. Keep up the good work.

[Mischeviouslittleelf]

the enviroments are quite awesome. I think it is quite extraordinairy how you painted the washington monument thing, also I love the subtle color use in many of the other pictures. I believe you could do well to do some anatomy studies for your characters, but apart from that it is hard to tell you something you do not know. I think you should give some of the pics some more time to clean up the edges though.

-E

[merl1n]

artaphrax: thank you!!! I'm pleased you like it.. :)
Mischeviouslittleelf: thanks :D

here some new sketches...

[destinyapocalypse]

cool digital jobs

[Flutic]

Great stuff, Love the color shemes

keep the stuff coming!

Greets,Tom

[Reject-D]

nice job keep it up!

[Orenji13]

your rendering skills are pretty good man. good use of texture. I think for your characters though you need to work a bit more on giving them depth(they seem kinda flat?) and anatomy(this might be way they seem flat). however you've improved from your start off point. your environments are really going well, so keep up the good work!

[James Wolf]

nice work, I really like the color palettes your using for the environmental pieces, love to see more :)

[merl1n]

destinyapocalypse: thank you!
Flutic: thanks, will do that :)
Reject-D: thanks!
Orenji13: You are right, my characters skill needs improving... :/ ... nice to hear I improved... thanks!
James Wolf: I allways try to find best color solution, it is the biggest fun for me... :) thanks :)

here a new piece I'm currently working on...

[kelly x]

the guy in the business suit = hot & the environment work fantastic!

[P]

really love your enviros and thank u for comenting my sketchbook :)

[merl1n]

pijus: you are welcome and thank you!! :)
kelly x: thx :)

here some progress...

[merl1n]

hello,

I've finished the last one..

[Verehin]

oh fuck!!! THIS IS COOL!!! I save all of this) 5 stars

[se7en_]

Nice enviros... great lighting and atmosphere.

[Zeitwolf]

Gorgeous new environment, Thomas! I almost love the first wip in this page more than the final version... it's sketchy but you get a great impression of depth and atmosphere.

It seems it's trendy to oversharpen stuff load it with textures, but your sketch shows, that it's not really necessary when the base is painted well.

[merl1n]

Verehin: thank you bro! :)
se7en_: thanks!
Zeitwolf: thanks for the compliment! :)

here some quick sektches...

[merl1n]

two new speedies....

[algenpfleger]

Dude, this is sweet stuff! The last city with the huge structures is awesome. Great balance of foreground/background elements. keep it up :)

[Valerij V.]

That's really nice progress. I absolutely love last one finished mountain landscape with flowers. People like you inspire others to draw.

[QETALIVAN]

Good improvement....I was about to tell you to focus more on rendering more your concept enviroments, more detail, less "blurr,clouds and fog..." and then you appear with this last group op images....pretty nice indeed, keep being as much accurate as possible...its nice to do speedys...but to really push yourself you need to do finished things....I have seen entire SBs with "nice looking 30 minutes speedys" and no finished stuff. Good work!

[merl1n]

algenpfleger: thank you mate! :)
Valerij V.: Nice to hear, thank you!!!
QETALIVAN: I know I need more finished stuff, however I don't have that much time time to do that... that's why I prefer speedies.. thank you anyway!!!

few new speedies + one finished cd cover

[SamC]

Really great set of environments. You choose very good sets of colors to use.

-Sam

[kikindaface]

Hey man, your environments are so awesome. Your colors are gorgeous. Wanna see more of them !!

[merl1n]

Mumumash, Walid D: thank you guys!!!

here is little bit revised version of one of my recent images made for eow...

[Verehin]

again- Awesome works!...you inspare me soooo mutch!

[erik-jan v/d schuur]

very good sketchbook nice enviroments and characters

keep it up!

[Φ]

your enviros are truly beautiful…could stare at these all day long…any advice for starters (on enviros…?)
keep it up
cheers!!!

[Blinckk]

Great work! Keep it up!

[Danuh]

Woah your environments are INTEENNSE. <3
Keep posting, mang

[localfatheaded]

awesome environments, you are really getting good depth, which i think is the hardest part, you really can feel the distance and massiveness of your objects, keep it up.

[jedininjaman]

epic work mate
not much to say
-=jedi=-

[merl1n]

Verehin: nice to hear! because inspiration is the key.. :) thank you very much!
`ej: thanks
bigfooTrooper: thank you, my only advice would be: watch and study other artists, analyze their works carefuly and remember what you learnt. You will find it useful once you paint your own stuff...
Blinckk: thanks:)
Danuh: thank you mate!
localfatheaded: thanks, glad to hear, because doing environments is not that easy as it can seem.
jedininjaman: thanks, not much to say:P

here a quick concept... about 2 hours

[blackxedgexkid]

i like your style it has a dark feel to it which i love

[D@niel]

Really impressive enviro's man!!!

[SamC]

Awesome environments as usual. I much prefer your more detailed piece, like the last one.

[Rolo]

Dudeee! Your stuff is amazinggg!

you live in dc? http://conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=371441&stc=1&d=1211116399
that is amazing by the way!! The lighting is excellent!

[merl1n]

blackxedgexkid: thanks :)
D@niel: thank you buddy!
SamC: glad you like it, thx :)
Rolo: thank you. Nope, it was just inspired by the monument...

and here some liive sketches...

[Meilin]

ah so much great stuff in this sb, I don't even know what I'm gonna start with. I guess I must agree with previous posts that your environments are really amazing, the atmospheric depth that you creates seems like it could be take straight out of a photograph

[Farvus]

Good job with the environments.

Just keep checking the values beacause sometimes there could be stronger contrast. In Photoshop you can make adjustment layer (Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Hue/Saturation..) and reduce saturation to zero. Then you just keep it turned off and turn on from time to time to see if it looks good in grayscale.
Hope it helps.

Keep it up.

[merl1n]

Meilin: nice to hear, thank you!!!
Farvus: thx, I'm aware of it and I think I'll watch it more carefuly since now.
Thank you anyway... :)

I also know I should move my figures somewhere, because they really don't kick ass as they are now, so an autoportrait could be a good start... :) not well executed though...

[Dm7]

Man, i saw your sketch on DSG and I'm truly impressed. I had to check your sketchbook out and obviously, you can handle the enivornment like a piece of cake, it's so effortless and well-done. Everything are perfect...

I only wish I knew how to do that style... ah.... so beautiful. Please keep it up!

[wookiedabo]

wow, that landscape on the left is stunning. lovely palette choices and nice brushstroke textures. yeah, just that really.

[merl1n]

Dm7: nice to hear, thank you bro! :)
wookiedabo: thx :)

and here some pages from my sb... + two quick enviros focused on mood.

[voxelfog]

The lighting in your environments is beautiful. I love the rim-light on the city in the second to last one.

Do you use reference for those?

[merl1n]

voxelfog: thank you, no I didn't... those are from head at all...

here few digital speedies and doodles... nothing great but... live drawnings are comming soon as I'm too lazy to scan them now.

[Φ]

oooaaahh… I love the last one! well done already! and the blurred snow right in the front!! haha! great Idea!

I´ll stay tuned! looking forward to seeing more updates!!
cheers

[merl1n]

bigfooTrooper: thank you mate! glad you like it.. :)

here promised live pages from my sb.. they suck, my pencil needs improving... and sorry for bad quality, it's quite long way to scan them for me... :( .. last three are watercolor+sepia pencil photo studies

[kikindaface]

Man, your enviros still impress me !! I find your colors gorgeous !! Your drawing skills also rae really good ! Keep it up :)

[Kian]

Looking good man. Keep pushing!

[Jaytea]

Aaah, agreeing with what everyone else is saying. The atmospheres in your enviros are simply amazing; kudos for such nice lighting on all of those. :] Lookin' great with those studies too. Keep it up!

[lowercase]

Awesome sketchbook.
I really like your digital and concept artwork.

[merl1n]

Walid D: thank you again! :)
Kian: thx, :)
Shalite: nice to hear! thank you bro
lowercase: thx for dropping by my thread, glad you like it.. :)

and here two watercolor studies, first is a photo study and the second is a very simple study of one of the amazing paintings by Rado Javor. I know they suck but I have to learn...

[animosapien]

hey great sketches at the end...
i never knew that you were updating daily...
awesome monstrisities...
keep on rolling mate.

do pls visit my sketchbook too.
i ve got a cople of stuff there as well..
do let know wat you think.

c ya

[Ahim]

Those watercolors look amazing!

[artist_essam]

Great Artista

[P]

Uu good stuff, awesome sketches, watercolors!

[Ricardo Robles]

WowW! Your enviro work is amazing!! This falling sun light is wonderful! And this watercolor are so good!! ( I do wc too)
Keep it up!!

[zhonked]

Great quickies of the environments man! And those water colors are really good, I'm not sure why you think they suck :) The colors really capture the coldness of autumn. Beautiful! Also the lighting of a circle of faces in post 193 is great, it really reminds me of Will Eisner :) Some of the imagined figure/face work is a bit rough though. I think it's the eyes that make it seem a bit off for me. Keep it up! I'll definitely be back to see more!

[Aivy]

dang dude, ur digi doodles are the blast!love the way lights hits on those objects!

[merl1n]

animosapien: thanks, well I had planned to but things mz layziness won... :(
miguelslo: thank you!
artist_essam: still far from an real artist, but thanks :))) nice to hear
pijus: glad you like it, thanks... :)
Ricardo Robles: thank you! your watercolor is stunning! :)
zhonked: thank you!!! I'm on it. :)
Aivy: great to hear, thx :)

here few charcoal doodles (10-25mins each), few watercolors (10-45 mins each) and one digital work in progress...

[merl1n]

I'm going to meet the lead artist from the Academy of Visual Arts where I apllied to. That will be the time when I know if I have a chance to be accpeted... So let's go to work... :)

new sketches, each about 20 min

[zhonked]

Beautiful water colors :) The last couple of landscapes have a slight eerie quality to it that I'm liking very much. If you don't mind a crit, watch out for over defining all the muscle/bone groups (ie shoulders, biceps, collar bones). It makes the characters look constantly tense and muscular which might not always be the case for the individual characters. Good luck with the interview! Let us know how it goes :)

[merl1n]

zhonked: thank you mate, for everything... :)

here several new live figures, one pencil inspired by wesburt and two watercolors from head...

[Nettle_Mountain]

Last one have great mood and air perspective, last one down right corner feels unfinished

[merl1n]

Nettle_Mountain: thanks, that's a pity because I feel like all my watercolors are unfinished, don't know what to do.. :( thx anyway

here new ones, from mind, inspired by E. Seago...

[alshakno]

wow, great water colors!
the last one has awesome composite too

thanks for stopping at my sb

looking forward

[merl1n]

alshakno: thank you too! :)

some sketchbook pages... too lazy to upload more.. and sorry for crap quality

[merl1n]

hello, after quite long some of the traditional works I've done during christmas...

A4 watercolors + bigger oils (sorry for crapy quality)

[luness]

You're doing a great job with those environments. You have great imagination and knowledge of color, which is very important.

Keep up the good work!

[merl1n]

luness: I cannot thank you enough :) thx :)

two oil environments...

[merl1n]

hello guys, two new digital speedies, one pencil live protrait and three detailed pencil creatures!!!

[merl1n]

two quick enviros...

[Giow]

great watercolor paintings! :o

[kingkostas]

I have to agree about your great watercolor works, they are really great!!!
Also you have some nice characters.Keep up and thnx for stopping by my sketchbook :D

[Φ]

dude, this one (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=568775&stc=1&d=1232368728) has such a great atmosphere to it!!! I love that. Its amazing how you handle all the mediums with ease. and your pencil stuff is also improving tons I think! thumbs up, rock on

cheers

[Noukah]

WOW those sketches from 18 Dec are NEAT! Love them!

[Fregy]

Tak jsi druhý čech kterého jsem tu potkal :). Našel jsem tě přes Saggitaria blog. Máš tu moc hezké práce, na co se zaměřuješ? Koukal jsem že tu máš hlavně character a enviromental desgin. Hezký skici a malby. Neprocházel jsem si všechny texty, ale koukal jsem že jsi psal něco o škole. Kam se chystáš jít studovat? Někam do zahraničí? Zatim. Když tak můj sketch book je http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=140059

[merl1n]

Giow: thanks :)
kingkostas: thank you too!
bigfooTrooper: oo nice to hear, I truly enjoy learning new techniques, so Im glad it is worth it...
Noukah: thank you :)
Fregy: ahoj, no je tu víc čechů, jen nejsou moc aktivní a těžko se tu hledají... no baví mě krajinky, takže na ty, ale snažim se zvládnout it figuru... ted sem dělal zkoušky na AVU, ale ještě nevim výsledky, takže sem zvědavej jesli mě vemou... do zahraniční plánuju expandovat později ..:) určitě se u tebe ve skiácku zastavim.. zatim a dík za komentář :)

two new speed enviros... well it is one in fact, but I though that both two versions are worht it....

[merl1n]

my entry to eow....

and by the way, I was accepted to Academy of Visual Arts in Prague. you won't believe how glad I'm... :) .. I'm finnaly on the best way become a true artist....

[Φ]

congrats then! you were already on the best way to become a true artist, but that helps I guess ;)

nice entry, the sky kicks ass! keep at it!

cheers

[wilkerson]

Congrats. The last ones pretty good. whats going on with this one? http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=568775&stc=1&d=1232368728
trippy. Nice watercolours too.

[merl1n]

bigfooTrooper: yeah, It should help a lot.. :) thank you anyway!!!
wilkerson: thanks, I shall make a better picture of that painting next time...

and here come: a better shot of an older oil, new oil painting, a sketch and a life portrait.... all of this was in my accepted portfolio...

[Marlisa]

I really love the watercolours :) They're awesome!
Beautiful sky: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=606568&stc=1&d=1235917583 !

[P]

lovely environs as always, great watercolors. Dont stop.

[merl1n]

Marlisa: thank you very much! :)
pijus: nice to hear, glad you like my work, thx.. .)

here is one digital enviro and two life drawnings...

[merl1n]

Another two speed paintings....

[merl1n]

I made two new speedpaintings today... hope you like

[kingkostas]

Very nice pieces.I already told you that your traditionals are great and now i will also say that i like these digitals.Just keep getting more confident with the media and making more definings in the same time :D

keep up

[walnut]

Pretty enviros, especially the watercolours. You could be a little bolder in your pencils, you have the eye-hand control for it. ;)

[Eric Gerhard]

Much impressive on how you've improved!

Great. Beautiful watercolor studies... keep'em coming.

[Parsakoira]

Whoa, your environments kick ass! especially love the watercolor works, they look so natural and realistic! No crits here, sorry!

[kikindaface]

Hey man, congrat for your entry in the art school ! Really nice enviros, i'll say you a secret : you can de character design too ! lol man you're creating awesome pieces, i think it's time to tackle your weakness, study anatomy, study character design ,and in a few time you'll do badass characters ! Keep it up !

[merl1n]

kingkostas: hey, thanks for the kind words!! I'm glad you like my work
walnut: thank you, yep, I see I have long way before I master the pencil.. :)
Eric Gerhard: great to hear, thank you very much bro!
NoodleDoodle: heh, never mind, thanks for stopping by my thread bro!
Walid D: thank you, you won't believe how pleased still I'm... I'm going to practice everything I can next half year, so I guess I could improve even my characters... thank you anyway... :)

here a new doodle

[AlexTooth]

Awesome sketchbook man 5 stars! for sheer volume and quality, I love it all!

[merl1n]

AlexTooth: hey, thank you! ... :) nice to hear

[Marth]

Your landscapes are inspiring. Great work man.

[merl1n]

@Marth: thank you man!

Finnaly I've done all the exams which means I'm free for next 4 months! I'm gonna draw and paint as hell... ;)

two new digital 45 minutes enviros... two monts without practice and I degenerate....

[merl1n]

I have taken one of my past sketches little bit further.... truly just a bit :)

[merl1n]

two new sketches from today...

[merl1n]

A sketch from today:

[merl1n]

Here is a couple of images for a client, hope you like them...

[LBsmoke]

btw don´t you have some of your works what did you do on entrance academy exams? !)
I saw arctic blue painting and one drawing when you do that ........
don´t you have something more?:mod:

[merl1n]

Hey! I finnaly pushed myself to scan some sketches I did in past. These are studies of old masters, Rembrandt mostly. Doing this is great thing to learn something about composition.

@LBsmoke: Ahoj, nice to see you around here! Some of the pics I did there are in this sb... I guess somewhere on the prev page....

[P]

really cool enviros, this (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=699713&stc=1&d=1245167511) is my favorite :)