Mattepainting: Coastguard

[Franz Steiner]

This is a try to add an free designed architecture into a photograph. I would like to know how you feel about this image and what does not look right to you.

http://www.franzsteiner.de/pix/cgtalk/coastguard_m.jpg

[Franz Steiner]

http://www.franzsteiner.de/pix/cgtalk/coastguard_f.jpg

[CleptoCat]

I really like the design Frank. The shot lacks mood thought and the buildings dont feel solid to me. But really an excellent try.

[Atmospheria]

nice painting my friend...but the photo has more contrast from the work you did on it...try to give more shadows and mysty areas...then it'll be cool as hell

[WildSpruceMoose]

Its shaping up, however it doesn't seem to fit with the picture. It doesn't have enough contrast in values as the cliffside does, making it really stand out. The architecture truly is inspiring though. Looking at it again, perhaps just a bit of darker shades on the structure could work better, but I'm not sure.

[Franz Steiner]

I wasnt quite sure if this wasnt to early to post this image.On the other hand Im a little stuck. But I was hoping to get some critics that help me out.
I will try to work on the contrast.
Do you think it needs more detail?

atmospheria, what do you mean by mysty areas?

thanx so far everyone.

[cucaracha]

The detail is good, but you have to think of the reflections. The biggest thing to reflect is this very dark cliff. So I suggest to make the whole building darker on the right side.

And remember the size, those waves are very traitorous :)

But like the others already said, nice piece so far (makes me wanna do one too...)

cu

[Ant4d]

wow.. I love it.

[Franz Steiner]

Making the right side darker might work. thanx cucaracha.

Thanx Ant4d

[Franz Steiner]

I tried to add some contrast in this one. Tell me if its any better.

http://www.franzsteiner.de/pix/cgtalk/coastguard_n.jpg

[WildSpruceMoose]

For one thing this crop imo looks better. I'd still like to see some darker values above the first pole from the cliff. It is really shaping up though. Good work.

[Balton]

grüße aus berlin! :)

gutes architektur design aber irgendwie wirkt das gebäude an den stellen aufgeklebt und ein bisschen unecht aus, wo gebäude und vegetation aufeinander stoßen. wenn du die transfusion besser hinkriegst, ist das ein top bild... hmm... man sollte das als concept für eine map fur irgend ein high end engine game benutzen... ut2k3 vielleicht oder so... ;)

[cucaracha]

I hope it's ok for you that I do this - If not, I can of course delete it from my post.

Very quick overpaint
http://www.epm-clan.org/cv/coastguard_n.jpg

Now with seriously more contrast. I'm not quite sure what the others think, but I like it this more.
Think of the main values of the image, it's a low-key photograph, so the whole building should be dark, too.

I hope I could help you a bit, but maybe you like your own version much better :D it's ok of course :chug:

cu

[WildSpruceMoose]

Yes that makes the infrastructure fit in more with the terrain around it. That is good contrast, the darks in the arches really helps bind the painting together. Without the darker values in the lower parts of the building it seems too off the rest of the terrain around it.

[Franz Steiner]

I know what you mean when I look at your version. So it gives me ideas to improve the image.

[Solidarnosi]

I have to say that the building's structure & design itself is beautiful - very elegant work, it is an interesting contrast to the very masculine cliffs! Also a completely different approach to a building design than 99% of any work out there - almost anyone else would build a concrete, blocky behemoth in the place of your majestic work.

I am very impressed! The c&c has been excellent too, your third post with the darkened contrast gives a much better feel of depth to the architecture itself. I personally feel that cucaracha's rework went a bit too far in the opposite direction, that is probably just from it being a hasty fix tho.

All in all, I'd love to buy a coffee-table book full of this type of work! Can't wait to get my Wacom, so many inspiring artists here, you are officially one of them for me :D

[alti]

the support beams remind me soo much of the elvish archetecture from lord of the rings.
the etherial feel aswell- maby get rid of some of the trees and just have it cut into the shear rock face,- add some runes-
but that's what i say about everything "add some runes"



some guy: (oh look at my cat)- --

me: "yeah it's an ok cat, "add some runes"

some guy: "ah yes i see thanks."

[chukw]

Your basic drawing is flawed. Look at the perspective in the photo. Now look at the architecture. It's diagrammatic- the building seems to be round, but there's not an ellipse in sight! You can paint and paint, but if the basic drawing is not correct, you can never create a sucessful illusion. (Edit) I forgot to say it DOES look cool, tho! A great excercise, indeed.... :)

[Franz Steiner]

Sorry alti I dont know what you mean my runes?

chukw- I know what you mean. As you can imagine I didnt have the entire building in mind when I started. thats why the perspective is a little off. I will try to keep an eye on the ellipses in the future.;)