Coastal Breeze

[andreasrocha]

This painting was done in Photoshop over the course of this last week whenever I had some hours to spare. It started out as a simple speedpainting, which I decided to take a step further. As I went along I decided to turn it into a matte painting without the use of photos or photo derived brushes for practicing purposes and to see how far I could take it.
Below, I also posted some details and some of the steps to show my workflow.

I hope some of you "feel" the coastal breeze...

Thanks for watching.

http://www.andreasrocha.com/stuff/2D/coastal_breeze/coastal_breeze_1500.jpg

http://www.andreasrocha.com/stuff/2D/coastal_breeze/coastal_breeze_detailA.jpg

http://www.andreasrocha.com/stuff/2D/coastal_breeze/coastal_breeze_detailB.jpg

http://www.andreasrocha.com/stuff/2D/coastal_breeze/coastal_breeze_detailC.jpg

http://www.andreasrocha.com/stuff/2D/coastal_breeze/coastal_breeze_steps.jpg

[Chris Bennett]

You're gonna hate me for saying this but the first Black and White is the best of the lot. In fact I really, really like it. Somehow you have to find a way of maintaining that 'right brain' grip on things that you have with that wonderful first B&W image and keep it there as you build on things. The next colour image is almost as good, but not quite and from then on I observe the steady reliance on left brain 'textual' thinking taking over in steady stages.

What has happened as you 'developed' this was that you didn't. All that has happened is a sort of listless doodling (we are all guilty of this!) upon your first atmospheric and emotional idea. You have it in you, you have masses of talent waiting to get out - have confidence in that righ brain of yours!

[andreasrocha]

Chris...no, man, of course I'm not going to hate you. I'll take it under advice. Thanks!

[JohnBoy.3]

AWESOME DUDE!!! I love how its so simple yet dynamic. Could you tell me why you do the gray scale first and how this helps you come to a final product? But I love how simple your painting is from the up-close screenshots you've provided. This is an issue that I have right now in Photoshop, I take too much time blending colors together to get that perfect gradient. This is the technique I need to pick up, the more simple blotches and strokes of color to get the color and shadeing that I want. This is awesome man, I love what you are doing, KEEP IT UP!!!:asspat:

[Chris Bennett]

Chris...no, man, of course I'm not going to hate you. I'll take it under advice. Thanks!

Looking at that B&W again and comparing it to the final version I think I can nail down why I think it is working better in more concrete terms, which may be a little more help:

The B&W exhibits a sense of drama and narrative through your 'brush stroke gestures'. Notice how the marks you have made describing the sea and air are drawing the 'verb' rather than the 'noun'. You are drawing 'tempest' and 'velocity' and 'pressure'. Now look at the way you have drawn the cliff in response to this - it arches back to the left as if it were a crossbow undergoing tension. So again, you have drawn the cliff as a character in response to the elements. Thus the work is alive with meaning; it says something.

The finished work only does this in the close up details, but the overarching structures of sea, air and cliff have been reduced to nouns, merely describing what they are. They are inert, have no 'point of view'. Not even 'stillness'. The first B&W reveals most powerfully what is on your mind in terms of the relationship between the protagonists of your story. The final work sees them just standing there with nothing to do!

Use the first skribble as a reminder of what the meaning was of your first impassioned utterence and keep refering to it for this reason - it tells you what you are really trying to say even if it does so ineloquently. Think of the eloquence of the finished work as a clarification of that initial, heartfelt cry and not some sort of well mannered alternative.

Hope this is a little more helpful and that you don't mind too much my directness on this!

Chris.

[andreasrocha]

Wow, Chris...after such a comment I even feel bad not to redo the whole painting. My problem really is the long painting process which somehow blinds me from what was the initial concept. It's quite difficult to keep the feeling of the initial marks while detailing the painting.

Anyway, thank you very much for the insightful comment!

Andreas

[Ahim]

Did you do a simillar painting about a year ago? Cuz i loved that one, love this one too.

[Duman]

Jeez, not only can I feel the breeze, but the sand between my toes as well. Really. I was going to ask for some process shots, but you beat me to it. Dead sexy. Really. The process shots will really help me, I think. The water is fantastic, as is the texture on the rocks. Damn fine job.
Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll take a short dip. Ha. Realism.

[RicardoGuimaraes]

Great painting dude! Excellent textures and atmosphere. Awesome work overall!!!

[airman]

what's your technique for doin clouds like that??
did you use erase on them or just differents pencil ?

[Dahami]

Not quite photo-real enough to be a matte painting (hard to do that without reference, I guess), but still fantastic!

[andreasrocha]

Thanks everyone.
miguelslo - wow, good memory. Yes, I think you're referring to "Distant Shores". Thanks!
http://www.andreasrocha.com/gallery/matte/070315distant_shores.htm
Duman - Thanks for the kind words...Really.
Ricardo - Muito obrigado!
airman - everything painted in one layer. I used a custom created brush made with a soft circular brush
Dahami - you're right...but I used reference...the problem is the technique, probably.

[airman]

thanx for infos on brushes!!

[derelic7]

I love it. Very well made, peaceful.
I don't fully agree with chris in the context of your painting, but he's got a point and the full painting contrasts very much with the initial sketch.

I wouldn't say redo the painting, because it's inspiring enough as it is. But I'll definitely take his observation for my own learning. Thanks to both of you :)