Ben's progress (Updated October 27th 2009)

[Ben V]

Hey everyone,

My name is Ben and I am currently 19 years old. After lurking about for roughly 2 years I think its about goddamn time to get my ass in gear and start maintaining a sketchbook here. I will try to update as much as possible.

And remember boys and girls, give it to me hard and honest (critique that is).

Random doodling...

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/3803/donttouchpp1.jpg

More random doodling...

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4461/moremezd4.jpg

And some random doodling in the train

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4719/nosleep4uvp8.jpg

[mrpank]

Welcome aboard
need to work on your anatomy more but faces are great
cheers

[Ben V]

mrpank: Yea you are definitely right, going to make some studies soon!

Here is a quick speedpainting of my favorite movie. Guess wich one it is!

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/115/whiteballofhealinglighthz6.jpg

[Diphallia]

hmm it looks a bit like fight club.
Nice speedie, you got the colours right, that's for sure!

[PerinGalitte]

Really love your style. Keep it up. [Oh and the first is from Fight Club... I think? =P ]

[Kman.]

Hey there, nice pencils! Keep it up, lets see some more!

[AnthonyFoti]

that first digital painting of the girl with swoopy hair is very Ashley Wood, which is a wonderful thing.

[selvagem]

Ben: Nice to see you posting.. guess that means its time to get off my ass now too eh?

Kudos tho. you know my thoughts cuz you say the same to me. rocket like davey crocket...

[Ben V]

Diphallia : Yea you're right, it's Fight Club.

PerinGalitte: Thanks!

Ksama: Thanks and I will!

AnthonyFoti: What a great compliment, I am a huge Ash wood fan myself. But then again, who isnt.

selvagem: Time for you to stop slackin you lazy bastard!

one more speedie, these are pretty fun to do and learning alot about color and composition.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/1332/ballcancerra4.jpg

[Ben V]

Some anatomy studies, need to do more of these...

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/9499/torsostudieshe8.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7977/torsostudies2zw4.jpg

[Ben V]

Super speedy at work, just a few minutes. Will probably finish this one of when I get home.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6752/damnquickdd9.jpg

[Ben V]

mmm.... random train doodles... tasty...

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/9403/traindoodlesas4.jpg

[Ben V]

Speedie at work

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7797/yawnworkpk0.jpg

[Ben V]

Some crappy character concepts... might finish some of these

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2658/conceptsco6.jpg

[AmontilladoAg]

Lookin' good; I like yer speedies :)

Keep it up! :D

[Ben V]

AmontilladoAg: Thanks :D

Another quick sketch... I should really learn to finish some of this shit I produce...

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/5333/sketchzorzsd7.jpg

[Ben V]

I am going to force myself to work on this for a few more days... lets see what I make of it..

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/2152/finishyourshitqj7.jpg

[Andy P]

Hey man, nice stuff. I really like the shapes you've got goin on in stuff like this (http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4719/nosleep4uvp8.jpg) and this (http://conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=205976&stc=1&d=1190400258). I also really like how quick you're keeping this stuff, doing lots of speedie stuff will teach you stuff that laboring over one long piece won't. More stuff like the fight club jams and get some figure drawing in! Lookin good man!

[Ben V]

Andy P: Thanks alot man, I am looking to do some more movie stills as soon as I get access to my home PC/dvd player again.

mm character design inspired by marko, going to try and model this one in 3d, the ortho's deffinately need some touching up... DAMN YOU ORTHOGRAPHIC VIEWS!

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/7853/damnrf3.jpg

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/955/youfr8.jpg

[Ben V]

Small update on the ortho's.. they should be better aligned now.

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6098/you2yy1.jpg

[Ben V]

Filling the last friday afternoon hours at work.... sillyness...

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2441/sillynessuu5.jpg

[Frank Gressie]

ziet er goed uit man,, movie stills zijn verslavend haha
voor de rest: more anatomy i guess, back to the beginning..

[Shaw]

Nice work! I like your full figure concepts, you have a good sense of the way the people are standing. A note on the head study, it looks as if the face is too long on the profile view, like there isn't enough skull on the back. Measure it to be sure.
Keep up the good work!

[Ben V]

Frank: Bedankt man, and yea you are right on the anatomy.. damn those studies!

Shaw: Thanks for the crit! here is a small update on it

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2198/you2ma3.jpg

[Blaz]

Hey nice SB!
Those speedpaints are very nice...the colors and all...

No crits from me.
...maybe just some more anatomy studies? (which I also leak of eheh)

Keep updating! :)

[Frank Wade]

Hey Ben, looks like we are going to be working together!

Really nice book you have here!

First of all, your faces are my favorite part of your work. There might be some inconsistency in the features or proportions, but for the most part, they are very believable and well done.

Your line quality is great. I really like your pencil work, you have a nice sketchy style that works well.

I do agree that your anatomy needs work. It is holding you back. This is the weakest point I see right now. Study! Life drawing, life drawing, life drawing.

You definitely seem to have a good eye for color!

Good work man, keep it up.

[Ben V]

Blaz: Thanks man, you are right on the anatomy.... need to find more time.

Frank: Thanks dude, damn you life drawing DAMN YOU! hehe, yea going to do some more paintings/drawings from photo/life reference.

Here is the stuff I did for Idiot Apathy (he is mentoring me and frank over here (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=107208)).

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6958/thumb01wv2.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7769/thumb02zn6.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4326/thumb03se6.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6029/thumb04lz6.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/9004/thumb05db3.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2866/thumb06az9.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/9237/thumb07vz1.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1751/thumb08io8.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7860/thumb09tx9.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/5199/thumb10aj3.jpg

[Ben V]

Man, I just want to say, respect to all the guys out there who have the patiance to do 3d modeling. here is my first attempt at a 3d model, please god NO MORE VERTECIES!

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1185/damnyou3ddh4.jpg

[Ben V]

ugh... been sick all week. Here is some stuff I did for Idiot Apathy:

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/2911/assignment03thumb02nj6.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8171/assignment03thumb03cd0.jpg

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/1423/assignment03thumb01xy6.jpg

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/7026/assignment03thumb04vu0.jpg

[Ben V]

some game asset desgins

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/9547/totamzeh4.jpg

[Idiot Apathy]

These designs are sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

[Ben V]

Idiot Apathy: Thanks man!

Couldnt sleep at all for some reason last night, here is a speedie I did

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7766/nosleeppw6.jpg

[Diphallia]

Self potrait perhaps?
It's great!
Hard to crit on that, so I wont.

[Tigermilk]

nice thread, Ben. You otta have some stars :)
really diggin the last speedy.

[speedysam267]

cool stuff, I think its time for me to get my ass in to gear also, crank out the creativity cells... Keep posting I'll be watching.

[Ben V]

Diphallia: Hehe yea sort of a self portrait.

Tigermilk: Thanks man!

Speedysam: Thanks!

Some stuff for a project I am working on... going to refine/color them later on

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1068/12159947qv3.jpg

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/5674/30712244lb8.jpg

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6402/70934718rh5.jpg

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/8436/12031346uk4.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/7683/62379777wk7.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9786/56020300bh3.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/3389/27277216qu8.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/866/94573161du0.jpg

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/169/10wx5.jpg

[Idiot Apathy]

These comps are fantastic ben!

[selvagem]

Ben!

Dammit. Why is it when I gotta go and get laid off and get busy with life-stuff you have to get involved in craziness like this! Been watching your mentor thread and this thread. looking kickass!

[Ben V]

Idiot Apathy: Woot! Thanks man!

Selvagem: You know the reason... It's to get you to stop slackin' and start crackin'!

Here is the map I made that all the above shots are based on

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/7122/mappw5.jpg

[Ben V]

Gawddamn attempting colors... need... more.... practice...

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/9743/4colorel1.jpg

[Idiot Apathy]

So ben - you did an overhead map first?

Colors on the last one are good man. You might differentiate your planes a bit more but I love the warm feel to everything and the composition. But please ditch the rainbow!

[Ben V]

Oh snap, I excidently left that rainbow in... I swear!... haha
and yea I did the overhead map first

little tweaking, will work on it some more tomorrow

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/543/4colorel1ps8.jpg

[TheDirtSyndicate]

damn dude, kick ass sketchbook.
and you're only 19?
keep plugging along at this pace and you're GOLDEN.

[Ben V]

complete2: Thanks for the inspirational words man! I appreciate it.

Here is another version of the colors... meh... I dont know...

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8664/4color2ga4.jpg

[Ben V]

Ugh... that last one is so fucked up... another attemp:

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6264/workqa7.jpg

[Ben V]

mm.. quick colour test, might take this one further.

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8026/colourtesthh4.jpg

[Ben V]

Quick anatomy study during lunch. I think its about time to start picking up the pencil again instead of all this digital....

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6879/studyjp1.jpg

[Ben V]

And another quick one before going home

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1160/quickgy9.jpg

[Ben V]

A friend of mine told me that every professional artist had a cave with glowy things floating around picture. I realised that I didnt have any! so I got right to it...

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8338/glowycaveye8.jpg

[Ben V]

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5121/2color2gu1.jpg

[MeTaL-Mike]

Cool stuff man. keep posting! :D

[Ben V]

Metal-Mike: Thanks man!

mmm... wip...

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/930/nowforsomethingcompletelu6.jpg

[Ben V]

Quick concept for a main character for a 3d animation I might make some day.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4637/concept01sh2.jpg

[Ben V]

more garbage

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/5871/garbev4.jpg

[Ben V]

Another quick one

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7550/3colorro6.jpg

[Ben V]

Another quick concept:
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8778/concept02lu7.jpg

[Diphallia]

Moar pencils!
It's always intresting to see poples pencil sketches compare to their digitals :D

[Ben V]

Diphallia: hehe yea I'll post more pencil drawings as soon as my scanner is back up. Until then I'll try to get better at this digital painting thing you youngsters keep babbling about.

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/9712/9colorth7.jpg

[Ben V]

Another quick concept for an animation project.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/6557/64158200ve6.jpg

[Ben V]

Quick one about 5 minutes.

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/1034/qqfb3.jpg

[stoph]

that last piece is quite delicious. i love it when so much can be conveyed in such a minimalist approach. question - what brushes do you use normally? i can see youre a blatant ashley wood fan (i own almost everything he's ever printed) and i love his look, but i can never find it in myself to loosen up, break down everything into the angular, simplistic planes that he does. any tips there mate?

[Ben V]

Stoph: Oh yeah, ash wood all the way, wich of his work do you like most? For me personally its his Metal Gear Solid graphic novels. To get down to your question, the way I work on pieces (not that I am a master or anything) is to always work on 2 pieces at a time. I set up a timer to beep every 5 minutes, when I hear the peep I switch to the other piece. Tho sometimes annoying it helps keep things fresh and gives you a new perspective on your own work. As far as accomplicing a simplistic and angular look, I guess it's all down to knowing your anatomy and define faces with clear strokes (no texture). As for any specific brush? I mostly use a flat rectangle brush I made many moons ago and keep it as big as possible to make sure I dont go into detail too soon (because god knows it's tempting!). Hope that helped :)

mm... got my scanner fixed and a new pencil! WEWT!

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/912/73812390ur2.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7112/93993344zc4.jpg

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/158/75062154ft5.jpg


WARNING: THIS IS A COPY FROM WESLEY BURT FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/7336/25539761sv0.jpg


WARNING: THIS IS A COPY FROM HPX FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/5215/12662011ao5.jpg

and some wips
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2752/81561607vi1.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6269/47727092ek0.jpg

Might lay low on the updating for some time, its LMS TIME!!1!

[Ben V]

FINALLY have my new tablet! thanks texahol :)

Quick one, trying out some color combinations...

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3467/01ff3.jpg

[Call0ps]

hey there, digital stuff is really becoming better by the minute :D, about the pencils try to concentrate more on the lines, and not lift to many times cuz tends to look a bit scratchy ( for me at least ^^; ) than go to rendering, will be more easier. keep up the good job and some stars ^^

[Ben V]

Call0ps: Thanks :D I definitely need to get cleaner with my lines. Guess i'll lay off the rendering for some time and focus on line quality instead!

mmm... wip...

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3345/wipuy2.jpg

[Ben V]

Environment sketch, I <3 1024 pressure levels!

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6327/02pa3.jpg

[Idiot Apathy]

Hehehe, I remember when I went from 512 to 1024 :D
Looking good dude, let's see even more depth and levels in the terrain, more love towards edges and form!

[Diphallia]

is it such a huge difference?
Nice sketch!

[Ben V]

IA: Thanks for the tips! I'll try to work on more envi's

Diphallia: Thanks, I think it's only a big difference if you have worked with 512 for a loooooong time :D

here's another envi...

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1502/03nz0.jpg

[DARAF]

Great studies man. Rock on.

[toastertoaster]

nice job on the studies! loving the environments you got there! getting better and better! :}

[Idiot Apathy]

Yeah! Much better! Don't forget to spend some time near the end cleaning up brushstrokes and tightening shapes!

[Ben V]

no artz this post, just a happy new year to all of you! Did 2007 really last one year? It really seems to have flown by so fast...

As for new years resolutions? yea I have some.. I am going to update here daily and try to keep it up till 2009. Also a whole bunch of other stuff that you guys couldn't care less about :D.

cheers and a merry new year to all!

[Diphallia]

(I actually say merry new year!)

Merry new year!

[Ben V]

aaand another environment...

Before crop:

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/5374/04yy8.jpg

After crop:

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1042/042xg2.jpg

should learn to get cleaner with my brushstrokes...

[Ben V]

quick color study

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6259/05xz4.jpg

[Idiot Apathy]

Ooo take this one further dude!
About your New Years resolution, daily is crazy! But definitely try, just painting as much as you possibly can will pay off hooge! Just make sure you always enjoy it.

[Ben V]

ugh.. did I make it suck more? I probably did, as always..

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/709/052ng4.jpg

[Ben V]

Some movie still speedies, 10 mins each..

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/2328/speed03cg5.jpg

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8025/speed01lj7.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2735/speed02fy5.jpg

should have pushed the values more.. also need to watch my brush spacing

[Ben V]

Orignally meant as my LMS piece... somehow I lost where I was going with it.. ah well.

Still a wip

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/7456/06zq2.jpg

ugh.. need to start over on LMS piece again.. deadline closing in on me!

[Ben V]

working on value relations... mostly working on LMS at the moment so just a speedie here

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4993/superspeedam8.jpg

[daveskogstad]

great stuff in here man, i really like the brush strokes on the face in post #78
keep up those studies

[Ben V]

Daveskogstad: Thanks!

more value related stuff...

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4589/garbhm8.jpg

[Ben V]

Quick color study...

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4170/39573312ff0.jpg

[rakil]

I think environments are your strong point. So monumental and surreal. Have you ever read the manga blame? I think you would appreciate the style, yours reminds me of it a bit.

I like your speed paintings too, I like seeing the artist's strokes and initial feelings in sketches.

Em, maybe too much because I don't finish anything. :^^;:

Anyways, Keep it up! You make me want to start a sketchbook too.

[Howie]

Awesome sketchbook, the environment studies look great... keep up the great work!

[Camara]

Some really cool enviros here!!Reminds me of IA!!!

[Ben V]

Rakil: I see this is your first post on CA... Welcome! I've seen some of the blame manga and those environment they are rocking are really awesome, so thanks alot! And yea, you should start a sketchbook! let me know when you start one :)

Howie: Thanks man!

Camara: Wowzer, I dont think I am anywhere near IA's skill level yet, maybe in a few.... hundred years... haha, thanks tho.

Here is a little concept for a 3d animation short I am workin' on..

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7257/environment01ct5.jpg

[Idiot Apathy]

Rarrrrrr!
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4170/39573312ff0.jpg
Just real quick - spend more time on clean up and polish! Distinquish those shapes and edges man!

[Ben V]

IA: yea, I know.... but knowing and doing are two different things :p I'll work on it.

*snort* feeling sick.. just like 90% of the dutch population it seems... so here is a quick silly big giant cosby head

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/8991/yellokk9.jpg

[Ben V]

Trying to follow IA's Advice, trying different tools and working methods

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8113/10jr8.jpg

[Idiot Apathy]

cool ! C shape on the left of the canvas bugs me a bit, sort of keeps my eye from entering the picture *shrugs* Could probably just flip it and it would work great.

[Ben V]

IA: mmm, yea I see what you mean, tried to fix it a little:

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5294/102hs8.jpg

and another thing that started decent and turned out like garbage once again

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/6199/11qp4.jpg

[lalovergel]

Pure Depth!, Very nice SB, keep posting!

[Zepang]

Hello Ben V!

This is my first post on CA outside my sketchbook! I just wanted to stay that the painting with the man fishing makes me want to fish. I never catched one, I tried several times tho >_< All your environmental designs makes me which that I had your prespective skills : )

[Ben V]

Lalovergel: Thanks :)

Zepang: Thanks! I am never going fishing ever again, lets just say the one time I did went fishing the fish caught more me's than I caught fish :D

more failure:

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2138/12xb3.jpg

[Ben V]

Main character for animation project:

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/9518/peteui9.jpg

[Ben V]

A little bit of my LMS, dont worry, you dont want to see the rest, it sucks ass.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9280/lmsbt0.jpg

[Ben V]

An hour speedy:

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/7676/speedymk0.jpg

and my LMS:

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3844/match25benvround1jpgsp5.jpg

I learned alot in the making of the LMS piece, next year I'll make it to round 2 mark my words!

[roidvoid]

the stuff you are doing with tom is really good stuff. you should be proud of it.
the lms seems rushed.

[Ben V]

Roidvoid: Thanks, you are right on the LMS piece, tho I think its not really a matter of it being rushed (spend alot of time on it and making major overhauls all the way trough) but more the fact that I just suck at finishing stuff. I just go blank when it comes to rendering things out effectively. Definitely something I need to work on.

some random sketchbook drawings:

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6540/untitled12jc2.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1288/untitled13yh8.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/6730/untitled14oc1.jpg

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5980/untitled15la4.jpg

and hands...

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/2192/01sv7.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3254/untitled16tn6.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/9648/untitled17cg3.jpg

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/5131/untitled18ip9.jpg

also, Project stuff...

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/6993/designsdl2.jpg

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/8791/silhoutteal1.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1213/designs2vb8.jpg

[Ben V]

more project stuff

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/7350/benconcpettz3.jpg

[Ben V]

Randomness... I really dont know what it is myself :p

http://i31.tinypic.com/b7hrg4.jpg

[Ben V]

Working on different workflows for environment work, nothing worth showing yet tho so here is some sketchbook stuff:

Environment sketch

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/5161/96570900oi6.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/1527/30292317oo6.jpg

random sketch

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/5088/14541736zy4.jpg

Collab with a friend

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/6445/17469458me8.jpg

and hands

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1825/62283990oh9.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/167/90630845zs8.jpg

[Frank Gressie]

leuke dingen hier!

[Ben V]

Frank: Bedankt! :)

I've been looking at lots of photos and other peoples work, trying to figure out why colors work the way they do. Also been trying different working methods on loads of environments, not worth showing tho.

This is the result of the study's, not really happy with it .... meh, I'll keep trying.

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6615/18pk4.jpg

[Ben V]

Also a quick thumbnail before going to bed

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/1521/14tn7.jpg

[l0stinth0ughts]

nice work man, i too have been slacking and devoiding time away from my sketchbook. Its prolly the motivation, i tend to lack it. ALthough back to the pictures nice anatomy, id like to see some more speed painting.

[Ben V]

l0stinth0ughts: Thanks man, more speedpaintings on the way ;)

some late night doodles...

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3070/untitled2rd8.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/7478/untitled3tz9.jpg

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2170/untitled13rq2.jpg

Critique always appreciated

[Jens]

These portraits are fun, but they lack contrast. When you're working on something a long time your eyes start to adjust to it. Try to get a more full value range. Try establishing your lightest lights and darkest darks in the beginning. Or put a patch of 100% white and 100% black somewhere on your canvas.

[Ben V]

Jens: Thanks for the crit man! you are right about the contrast I didnt notice it while I was working on it but now that I look back at them I can definitely see the contrast issues.

Tried another one, no longer late night sketch tho, more like early morning by now :p

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/6610/20dw9.jpg

[Jens]

Hey ben , that's better already. Also keep in mind that you can work in low key values or high key values if that's what you want. You don't always have to have 100% white and 100% black in your picture. For example you could have added just black to those previous ones, and some subtle highlights (still not 100% white), I you wanted to keep the dark mood.

I decided to have some fun with your image. I tried to get more rounding on that chin, more light on the forehead, etc. Hope you don't mind

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[Ben V]

Jens: Ugh, you make my work look awesome... DAMN YOU! haha. Thanks for the tips man, I am working on some more portraits I'll post soon.

EOW WIP for now

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/5532/21fv4.jpg

[Danuh]

I must say, your environment practices are lovely. I love the way it always fades into the distance and that lone figure standing amidts it all in a foreboding manner. There's so much story behind it.

And fight club kicks ass, love both studies you did from that :D

[Ben V]

Danuh: Thanks man!

I've been taking a short break from art in general but I am back at it again!

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/7042/23wh1.jpg

[Ben V]

Just experimenting... not much..
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[tensai]

i actually really like this (http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/6199/11qp4.jpg) one. it's funny how even if it's not solid or refined/finished at all it gives such a strong mood and sense of place already. keep it up man.

[Ben V]

Tensai: Thanks alot :)

hmm cant sleep... so here is a Self Portrait sort of thing...

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[Reject-D]

awesome work! i love the enviros and your drawing skills keep it coming!!

[Ben V]

Reject-D: Thanks man :)

going to do some more face studies.

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[Ben V]

trying to refine shapes and all that good stuff.. to bad I fail at it.

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If you have some critique to give please do!

[Ben V]

and one more wip before bed... trying out some differen colors and... stuff

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[Ben V]

some pencil and pen drawings!

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and a new sketchbook irl! whoo!

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Self portrait:

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[DannyMuskens]

Great sketches, and a real nice study of wes his work, and 3 stars for the Bill Cosby doodle allone haha! Good luck with your procedings !

[Ben V]

DannyMuskens: haha what can I say, got to love Bill Cosby! Thanks.

another try at a woman, why must their beauty be so damn hard to capture! ah well I'll get it right some day...

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[Ben V]

trying something new...
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[Ben V]

beh..

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[Diego]

really cool studies dude. This one is my favourite of the batch http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=313801&d=1204241236

Cheers and keep up the good work

[Idiot Apathy]

you ass kicker you!

[Ben V]

Diego: Thanks man, I will!

Idiot Apathy: Thanks :D Good to see you are still watching, I've been stalking your gorilla artfare blog... awesome stuff!

moar

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[Ben V]

I've been working on alot of 3d stuff, rigging, unwrapping... it makes my brain hurt :( soon i'll have more time for arts again... meanwhile, here are some sketches:

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and a wip

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[Ben V]

environment wip

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[Ben V]

small update on the wip

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[Ben V]

Hey everyone.

Its been a while! I've been crazy busy with my graduation project (which is done now) and now I am done with school... for now. So lots of free time again and again, time to start working on my art! :D Also you will see some more animations in here in the future becuase I am really falling in love with animation.

Anyway, you can check my graduation project here (http://ben.tr3art.com/Animation/Animation.html). I am really not happy with 99% of the animation because everything had to get rushed towards the deadline. Learned alot of techniques tho and it was a lot of fun!

This is what I have been busy with drawing wise over the past few months, these are just a few but I dont want to flood you guys :)

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[Cookiedough]

Hey Ben,

Great sb you have here. Really nice updates as well. You're getting that hold on the values and stuff.

One thing i noticed: you seem to give your girls wide mouths consistantly. While it can look cool and unique and you pull it off usually, they seem a bit too wide in general. General rule is the inside of the eye is on about the same line as the corner of the mouth (vertically). Just mentioning, as it can give a li'l clownesk effect on some of the girls.

With the glasses, maybe go for another model: perhaps make the lower part more like this:Click (http://www.rvdiepen.nl/images/bifocale%20bril.jpg). No ridge/montuur there, only keeping the black area above. Perhaps that helps?

[Ben V]

Cookiedough: Thanks for the crit! I actually never noticed that I made the mouths too wide, but now that you mention it I see it too... weird...

Here are some concepts for my next animation project, Punch people in the face man! guess what his super power is..

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"so what is your superpower?"
"I punch people in the face..."
"That doesnt make you a superhero! That just makes you an assho..:*PUNCH*

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[Ben V]

Not much to show just a quick girl portrait

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and frogs... british frogs...

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[Idiot Apathy]

Hehehe, love the frog :) Pop some bolder colors in there for accents perhaps?

[Ben V]

Idiot Apathy: Thanks, yea I agree but for the project they are ment for they are supposed to blend in with the background.. hmm, I'll experiment with it.

Some updates... not much. Finally realised that when studying anatomy its all about the MASS and not about how well you can render that piece of muscle out. This is actually the first time I feel I've learned something from an anatomy study... ah well

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Also Environment from life, this was pretty fun to do, especially with the nice weather

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Also character studies

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[Ben V]

just a little somethingsomething, practicing environments

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[Ben V]

studies...

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[DannyMuskens]

If garbage always looked as good as this I would turn every trash bin I see up side down! I like it, keep going, and change the name of your SB haha!

[Ben V]

Danny: Thanks man, I still think its garbage tho compared to some of the stuff I see on here ;)

Kitty studies!

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[Ben V]

vacuum...

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[Brun]

man these last updates are amazing, u're really evolving allot here, great stuff (love the frog really love love loveit)

nice stuff, can't wait to see how u will be drawing in a few months

ciao
brun

[Ben V]

Brun: Thanks alot for the kind words, means alot to me.

So, it's been a while, been away for a long time, went to canada for a month alot of new experiences gained and new people met. Now that I am back home I'll make sure to update regularly again.

stuff:

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[Lakka]

Hey, I think your pencils are starting to come to life. I'm happy to hear you're starting to get something out of anatomy studies, though seems to me like they've been useful before also :)

Good progress, digi's arn't quite on par with the pencils, specifically when you use colors your values could need some more attention.

Keep it up! :steph:

[RandAlThor]

Loving this page, the pencils are awesome. More please ;-)

[MeTaL-Mike]

hey nice improvements man. keep up the hard work!!!

[kidult]

Keep it up - looking good

[Ben V]

Lakka: Thanks, I agree about the digi's, they always seem to come out so... lifeless and boring. Going to start doing some more digi's and try to get a little better every step :)

RandAlThor: Thanks alot, more pencils coming up when I get access to a scanner again ;)

MeTaL-Mike: Thanks

kidult: Thanks

Here is another digi...

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still a little boring, needs to get more dynamic! ah well, back to practice... :thinking:

[Frank Gressie]

looking good man!! do i see a little wesley burt influence in the last sketches?
nothing to crit, just keep it going! you're doing great!

[Ben V]

Frank: Thanks man, yea probably some wes burt influence in there, trying to get away from that now tho :)

Lots of stuff going on, switched from a 3d animation major to a traditional animation major, getting ready to move out on my own for the first time. Very exciting.

Anyway, here's what I've been up to lately:

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[selvagem]

heh.. I really like that last one with the morphing realist to mondrian.

I particularly like how the transition looks very Bill Plympton-esque in between...

<3

[Ben V]

been a while, here's a few of the things i've been up to:

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