Book Cover Illustration with Dan Dos Santos!! Download available today. :) [Archive]

MassiveDVD

February 17th, 2009, 07:06 PM

Ok guys... this project was beset with a few delays that were out of our hands but I'm really happy to announce that it's all finished! :) We're releasing the downloadable version now, and the physical DVDs are being produced and should be available in a few weeks. The price is the same for both... the only difference is shipping costs. // Anyway, enough chit chat!

Description:
This DVD documents the painting of the cover for Brandon Sandersons newest book, Warbreaker. It begins with an interview with Irene Gallo, Art Director at Tor Books, and ends with photographing the final painting. Throughout each step, Chesley Award winner Dan Dos Santos talks at great length about everything from salary to color theory. Though the subject matter is a book cover, all the principles taught are easily translated towards almost any commercial illustration. With over five hours of content, this is a definitive guide for anyone who wants to improve their knowledge and understanding of painting as it relates to working for clients.

5 hours, NTSC / 720 x 480 quicktime

Dan's Bio:
Combining classical techniques with modern themes, Dan Dos Santos' oil paintings span a variety of genres, including novels, comics and film.

He has worked for such clients as Disney, Universal Studios, Boeing Aircraft, Saatchi & Saatchi, Scholastic Books, Ace Books, The Greenwich Workshop, Penguin Books, Random House, Bantam Books, Tor books, UpperDeck, Wizards of the Coast, and Dark Horse Comics. Aside from freelance illustration, Dan also co-hosts a series of instructional demonstrations called 'Art Out Loud'.

Dan has been the recipient of many awards. Most recently, he has received the 2007 Jack Gaughan Award for Best Emerging Artist,
and was the Chesley Award winner for Best Paperback Cover of 2007. His illustrations have graced the #1 spot on the New York Times
Best Seller list.

http://dandossantos.com/

add to cart: http://www.payloadz.com/go?id=599176

trailer1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWJ54m9yX38
trailer2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqjWP18hPHE

book: http://www.amazon.com/Warbreaker-Brandon-Sanderson/dp/0765320304

BAMartin

February 17th, 2009, 07:21 PM

Thanks!

Dloading now - can't wait to watch it!
(so much for working tonight! ;) )

britt

romance

February 17th, 2009, 08:35 PM

God!!! look at that sexy bald head.

MassiveDVD

February 17th, 2009, 08:46 PM

God!!! look at that sexy bald head.

Damnit Rob, quit looking at Dan and work on your portfolio. :)

Noah Bradley

February 17th, 2009, 09:26 PM

OMG!

Been waiting for this baby. I'm sure it won't disappoint.

Thanks to everyone involved, especially Dan Dos Santos!

Mock

February 17th, 2009, 09:29 PM

Been waiting for this FOREVER! Can't wait to see it. Thanks guys. =)

Noah Bradley

February 17th, 2009, 09:38 PM

Also: Five hours!?

You have made me a happy, happy man tonight.

MassiveDVD

February 17th, 2009, 09:53 PM

Also: Five hours!?

You have made me a happy, happy man tonight.

It's _incredibly_ thorough. Dan's an excellent teacher and I'm really pleased with the amount of educational content we were able to pack in.

RogerAdams

February 17th, 2009, 10:17 PM

Congratulations on the release, it looks amazing! About how big is the download? I have a monthly limit on how much I can download.

Thanks!

Noah Bradley

February 17th, 2009, 10:23 PM

About how big is the download?

Five parts which range from 300-500 megs. I'm guessing the total is somewhere under 2 gigs.

Asatira

February 17th, 2009, 10:34 PM

I am downloading. I couldn't wait, decided to go ahead and get it. It just looks so good.

strych9ine

February 17th, 2009, 11:47 PM

God!!! look at that sexy bald head.

Eerin

February 18th, 2009, 01:52 AM

Thank you for all the time and effort you put into making this!

I've been waiting for this one for ages =)

Rist

February 18th, 2009, 04:53 AM

5 hours! Thats the longest yet. Really looking forward to it.

edit: Great idea to separate the download into parts. I downloaded them all at once, but i am sure there are some out there who would be really thankful for this. Also do note, those who find $50 a lot have to realise that GW (gn0mon w0rkshop) sell 2 hour videos for this price or more. This is a fantastic deal, get it while it lasts!

Noë

February 18th, 2009, 06:46 AM

Yes! And it's just been my birthday, now I actually have something to ask! ^^

Thanks for putting in all the time and effort to make this possible..
I'm absolutely sure this will not dissapoint :teeth:

Love
Marleen.

Intervain

February 18th, 2009, 08:36 AM

excellent - I've been waiting for that one!

Monkeydominator

February 18th, 2009, 08:54 AM

My God! Five hours of arty goodness? Is this Heaven? Surely, I must've died.

I'll wait until the DVD's out, though. Nothing like having the DVD-cover in your arms while fangirling over the actual content being played out on the big screen. Well worth the shipping, I say.

FranciscoShreds

February 18th, 2009, 09:28 AM

Awesome. I've been waiting for this video since it was announced. But yeah, I'm with monkeydominator on this one, I gotta buy the DVD. Watching this puppy on my big screen is going to be great.

Eichelberg

February 18th, 2009, 01:19 PM

Its fascinating. Not just the DVD, but the MB network. I've been checking up on Dan's website, knowing that he has videos out there somewhere and how much I wanted to get my hands on it.

And lo and behold, its featured and available here on CA, my skulking grounds lol. Big thanks to Dan and to CA and to everyone else that helped make it real.

Serpian

February 18th, 2009, 02:27 PM

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

I said that out loud.

Dave_

February 18th, 2009, 05:09 PM

since i got a way to use a creditcard now, i'm going to get this one, but i do have one question, the DVD (physical version), will it have a higher resolution then the download?

DSillustration

February 18th, 2009, 05:36 PM

since i got a way to use a creditcard now, i'm going to get this one, but i do have one question, the DVD (physical version), will it have a higher resolution then the download?

I believe not.
They should both be exactly the same.

MassiveDVD

February 18th, 2009, 06:17 PM

since i got a way to use a creditcard now, i'm going to get this one, but i do have one question, the DVD (physical version), will it have a higher resolution then the download?

They're the same resolution, but they're compressed differently so it might look marginally better on a TV. You probably wouldn't notice much difference unless you were really looking for it.

Advantages of the download version:
no shipping fees
no shipping materials that end up in landfills
instant access

Advantages of the DVD:
you get to hold it.
it's easier to navigate through the different chapters.
you can watch it from your couch.

MassiveDVD

February 18th, 2009, 06:24 PM

Also do note, those who find $50 a lot have to realise that GW (gn0mon w0rkshop) sell 2 hour videos for this price or more. This is a fantastic deal, get it while it lasts!

You can thank Dan for the price. We were planning to sell it for more but he was very generous with his own numbers in order to keep the price as low as possible.

Rist

February 18th, 2009, 06:51 PM

There we go :D

Thanks Dan.

Mercuralis

February 18th, 2009, 08:26 PM

Awesome, I've been waiting for this for a while now. Downloading already (says only 2 hours left) so hopefully I can set some time aside to start watching it tomorrow.

Thanks so much for putting this together

Sentinel.

February 19th, 2009, 06:26 AM

Best 50 bucks I've probably ever spent. I've taken oil painting courses that didn't teach me nearly as much as the first hour of this video.

You're my hero Dan :P

Rist

February 19th, 2009, 09:48 AM

I'm going to elaborate on how good this DVD is after each part (5 parts in all).

The first part was INVALUABLE. One of the things that has lacked in both CA and Gn0mon videos is the client to artist interaction. This first part has interviews with one of the top book publishers Art Directors. She gives invaluable information for upcoming artists.

As for Dan, he is amazing. He goes through explaining his approach in sketching on the computer (albeit briefly) and why he does it. He then shows the integration with photographs, gives sound advice on the pros and cons of using reference. (---i hope i am not being too detailed, mb?----) He then shows his techniques in sketching his idea on Illustration Board.

Throughout he talks about value, line weight, and composition.

If the other parts are half as detailed as this first part then I'm in for a treat!

-- I have already changed my workflow a little based purely on this first part, thank you Dan --

I do have a question, which I hope wont be a spoiler.

You begin drawing the head on a smaller board (about 210mm x 297mm), but after a few minutes the board seems to have mutated into the large one you was referring to (20" x 30"?). I was a little lost here, I could have missed some dialogue in why you were working on a small one and then changed. Or it could be my eyes deceiving me.

First part 10/10

Also fantastic editing Aaron, not once did I feel bored or tired (which 9/10 of the times I am with these). Speeding up things at the right times and the angles were perfect. Grats! Music was in tune too! Best editing I've seen in educational videos.

Chris Noeth

February 19th, 2009, 11:19 AM

Wow. After watching the trailers I instantly bought it!
Downloading the files right now and can't wait to watch the five hours.

Best wishes,

Chris (who maybe will start painting traditional now) ;)

DSillustration

February 19th, 2009, 12:33 PM

I do have a question, which I hope wont be a spoiler.

You begin drawing the head on a smaller board (about 210mm x 297mm), but after a few minutes the board seems to have mutated into the large one you was referring to (20" x 30"?). I was a little lost here, I could have missed some dialogue in why you were working on a small one and then changed. Or it could be my eyes deceiving me.

Rist,

We only had 5 days to film, which I didn't think was enough time to finish the whole painting, so I had started the drawing in advance in the hopes of saving a day or so.
Once Aaron got to my place to film, I realized that people are going to want to see the face being drawn, so I decided to re-draw it for the sake of the video.
I did this on a small board just for demonstration purposes.
I'm sure I explained this somewhere in the filming, but there was so much footage it just likely got cut.
Sorry for the confusion.

Rist

February 19th, 2009, 12:42 PM

Its all right Dan, Just gone through the part where you started the smaller drawing. You did mention it, I must have been too absorbed to notice subtleties. Thanks for helping.

squidmonk3j

February 19th, 2009, 12:49 PM

simply fantastic...thanks for sharing this:)

Uli

February 19th, 2009, 05:23 PM

Europe calling - Is the download in NTSC as well?

Serpian

February 19th, 2009, 05:49 PM

Just bought and downloaded it... I'm enjoying it very much so far! Thank you Dan, and thank you MassiveDVD!

MassiveDVD

February 19th, 2009, 08:11 PM

Europe calling - Is the download in NTSC as well?

The download is a 720x480 Quicktime and will play fine on any computer. Europeans will only run into problems if they buy the DVD and watch it on TV (instead of their computer).

aguilas990

February 20th, 2009, 02:04 AM

Quite possibly the best 50 bucks i've ever spent

Arshes Nei

February 20th, 2009, 07:04 PM

Just FYI your storefront page is displaying the price as 999.99

http://store.payloadz.com/str-asp-i.231908-n.Book_Cover_Illustration_with_Dan_Dos_Santos_Vide o_-end-detail.html

MassiveDVD

February 20th, 2009, 08:38 PM

Just FYI your storefront page is displaying the price as 999.99

http://store.payloadz.com/str-asp-i.231908-n.Book_Cover_Illustration_with_Dan_Dos_Santos_Vide o_-end-detail.html

There's a problem with the server file is hosted on... once it gets sorted the price will go back to $50. ;)

Whispy Mcwillow

February 20th, 2009, 09:35 PM

THIS is O_o amazing all by hand and no editing? This guy knows his painting...and 5 hours length tutorial ? I'm soooo getting this one.

thelefthand

February 20th, 2009, 11:45 PM

I just got done watching this one. That was incredible! Such a wealth of information. Dan is a great teacher!

I do have a business type question about commissioned paintings. My understanding is you are being paid by your client for the rights to print your artwork while you get to keep the artwork and can sell the original. If you were doing a book such as "The Collected Works of Dan Dos Santos", would you be able to use in print artwork that you were commissioned by others such as book covers? Is there a period of time you would have to wait before you could use it? Would you have to get permission from the client to use it in your book?

Thank you Dan Dos Santos and Massive Black for providing this tutorial video!

DSillustration

February 20th, 2009, 11:55 PM

I do have a business type question about commissioned paintings. My understanding is you are being paid by your client for the rights to print your artwork while you get to keep the artwork and can sell the original. If you were doing a book such as "The Collected Works of Dan Dos Santos", would you be able to use in print artwork that you were commissioned by others such as book covers? Is there a period of time you would have to wait before you could use it? Would you have to get permission from the client to use it in your book?

If/when I print an "art of" book, there will be no issue about re-printing covers.
Because the client has only purchased first-time printing rights, I am free to print the image in secondary markets as much as I want.

The trouble arises with 'work for hire'.
Things like Magic:The Gathering cards, and movie concepts all fall under this category.
In order to print these, I would have to have expressed permission from the client since it is they who own the copyrights, not me.
Often times it is written into the contract that you may print 'work for hire' pieces so long as it is for the purposes of self-promotion.
An 'art of' book often falls under this privilege, as do things like websites and postcards.

I'm really glad you like the video, Lefthand!
We tried our hardest to make it as comprehensive as possible without compromising anything.
Thanks for supporting it!

Jason Pedersen

February 21st, 2009, 03:43 AM

Is anyone else having a problem with the "add to cart link?" It comes up at $999.95. I went to Massive Black's site, and sure enough, it's $50 there. Unless ConceptArt.org is taking a massive finders fe(which I highly doubt), I'm experiencing a link problem here.... Either way, still waiting for the DVD. I like the idea of having it, and getting something in the mail with the rooster logo is always fun. Let the anticipation begin!!!

--Missed page two which covered the pricing issue. Oops.--

Oden

February 21st, 2009, 06:26 AM

wow, stoked stoked stoked.
I saw the teaser on youtube a little while ago, and have been waiting eagerly ever since. I just gotta get my paypal in order, and this will be downloaded. :yayca:

Studio Colrouphobia

February 21st, 2009, 12:39 PM

MassiveDVD

February 21st, 2009, 06:22 PM

The file on our server is fixed and the price is back to $50. Sorry for any inconvenience... and thanks to everyone for their positive feedback on the video! We're really happy you're finding it valuable.

Mumph

February 21st, 2009, 09:40 PM

Thank you very much Dan and MassiveDVD! Just finsihed watching part 2, so much great information. I skimmed through the first 2 parts to see if I had any questions but it´s so well explained I didn´t come up with one :) Thanks again!

blashyrkh

February 22nd, 2009, 01:35 AM

Thank you so much Dan for sharing your process with us, and thanks Massive Black for making this available. This is absolutely one of the most valuable things I've ever seen. Very much appreciated.

Uli

February 22nd, 2009, 09:32 AM

The download is a 720x480 Quicktime and will play fine on any computer. Europeans will only run into problems if they buy the DVD and watch it on TV (instead of their computer).

By some very weird coincidence it seems I have gotten the *only* DVD laptop thingy that doesn't allow to change the codec. Not even my hacker friend can change it. The laptop was given to me for free, so I don't complain, but it's good to know that I can watch it anyway. Thanks!

Uli

February 22nd, 2009, 09:39 AM

If/when I print an "art of" book, there will be no issue about re-printing covers.
Because the client has only purchased first-time printing rights, I am free to print the image in secondary markets as much as I want.

The trouble arises with 'work for hire'.
Things like Magic:The Gathering cards, and movie concepts all fall under this category.
In order to print these, I would have to have expressed permission from the client since it is they who own the copyrights, not me.
Often times it is written into the contract that you may print 'work for hire' pieces so long as it is for the purposes of self-promotion.
An 'art of' book often falls under this privilege, as do things like websites and postcards.

Ah, that was very interesting, thank you. I thought that US copyright was always about selling the copyright. In Germany we have only the first version you describe, where every contract is for a certain printing right and it is impossible to completely sell copy-rights. The "Urheberrecht" (right of the creator) is bound to the person of the artist and can not be sold.

Serpian

February 22nd, 2009, 11:31 AM

We tried our hardest to make it as comprehensive as possible without compromising anything.

And you succeeded in that! I mean you even had time bragging about video game hi-scores!

I just finished watching the last part, and I have a question for you. Can I live in your old paintings closet? I could be really quiet and not get into your way or anything. Pretty please?

Beatnik

February 22nd, 2009, 02:10 PM

Can't wait to watch this... downloading now. Thank you!

Rist

February 23rd, 2009, 01:06 PM

We need more Santos! Any news on a sequel?

:D

G@m

February 23rd, 2009, 01:58 PM

Downloading! I think im not going to sleep tonight :D

Hiipi

February 24th, 2009, 03:35 AM

Superb!

I have to join the choir of praise here, I watched the whole deal and also think it is the best 50 bucks I have spent at least this year. Maybe even this decade! Truly informative, helpful, inspiring - and interesting all the way.

I have REALLY been thinking about starting out oil painting (again) since I have had troubles before - and this tutorial really clarifies the steps needed. It kinda feels like a five year art school winzipped to five hours. All the education I ever had hasn´t taught me this much PRACTICAL info about painting - and I studied five years in Arts & Communication School (Visual Design). Lacking of course the personal trial and error, which is essential.

I will now get into that erroring: inspired by the video, I have already arranged a "case" with a "client" that we will carry out as I would be freelancing, just as you are. I will make a cover for a comics anthology, which will propably be printed at the end of the summer. And I will most certainly report the results.

One thing:

I don´t know if there are any posts about these legal matters (probably), but I would find it IMMENSELY helpful if there were some exemplary freelancer contracts available. I guess they may vary a lot, but at least some kind of form would be very helpful. So that we beginners wouldn´t sell off our rights as artists.

Thank you again,
You are an inspiration!

Rist

February 24th, 2009, 04:43 AM

Ryecatcher

February 25th, 2009, 01:55 PM

$50 absolutely well spent, I've only watched the first two parts and already learned a whole bunch of useful and fascinating stuff. If the other Massive Black videos are anywhere near this quality it could become quite an addiction.

iomoon

February 26th, 2009, 05:15 AM

Worth every penny.
Thanks, Dan. I got a lot out of it - watching it again now. You have a gift for the gab which complemented your work beautifully. Looking forward to busting out the oils now :)

Sop Art

March 1st, 2009, 08:41 AM

[QUOTE=Rist;2138376]"One of the things that has lacked in both CA and Gn0mon videos is the client to artist interaction. This first part has interviews with one of the top book publishers Art Directors. She gives invaluable information for upcoming artists."

I agree that the client interaction is an integral part of the process.

Thank you for you thorough review.

Rist

March 2nd, 2009, 08:49 AM

Hi Dan,

I have one question for you if you do not mind:

You use Cobalt Dryer mixed with linseed and terps. I just bought some Liquin. I am curious to whether you know if Liquin is applied in the same fashion (few drops mixed in with the terps).

Thanks,
Andrew

DSillustration

March 3rd, 2009, 02:45 AM

Rist

March 3rd, 2009, 08:09 AM

Thanks Dan.

Been reading a lot about oil painting since watching your method and buying some oil products. One thing I notice is that many painters do not use mediums, even linseed, for the first layer. I am assuming you use a 50/50 mix because you have already accomplished the first few layers with acrylic. I also notice your style uses as few layers as possible; I guess this is because you like to work 'thin'.

Noah Bradley

March 3rd, 2009, 01:48 PM

This video could be priced at four times what it is and still be worth every dime. This video is a goldmine of information and instruction that will help aspiring cover illustrators, painters, concept artists, and honestly anyone interested in doing art professionally. Dan Dos Santos is a wonderful instructor who goes through every step of the painting process in thorough detail. He constantly explains what he's doing and why and what he's thinking about. If you want to get in the head of one of the greats, this is an easy way to do it.

Personally, I learned so many things. Even though I'm in art school (and having a great time), there are things they simply don't teach you. Learning from one of the best cover illustrators out there is a rare opportunity, and for about $10 an hour? Come on? How can you not justify that? :)

Forgive the shameless little plug, but I painted this little thing (http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=151927) shortly after finishing the video. And while it's by no means a great illustration, it's a huge leap from the work I was doing last semester. And frankly, I attribute much of that to this video. I can't wait to watch it again.

I also can't wait for a sequel. *nudge*

:)

Thanks to everyone involved.

sin-d

March 3rd, 2009, 08:26 PM

I have been waiting for this since Dan first announced it, and now I have been reading all of these great reviews and it is killing me to wait, but I have to have this on DVD rather than a download. Anyone know when the DVD will be available?

Equality72521

March 3rd, 2009, 11:16 PM

I second sin-d, the only reason why Im holding off from getting the video is I want it on DVD, so I can take it everywhere I go ;)

and from reading all the good things about it I cannot wait to see it. Its like the gold at the end of a rainbow!

Cityboy

March 4th, 2009, 04:48 PM

MassiveDVD

March 4th, 2009, 05:46 PM

The DVD will be ready by the end of next week, hopefully sooner. We're just waiting on proofing and production.

DSillustration

March 4th, 2009, 09:14 PM

Thank you so much for this Dan.

Quick question, being that the canvas size changed from your original small one to the big canvas, my question is the grid spacing. You said on the reference image you place a grid on it that is 2 to 3 inches apart for reference and do the same on the paper you are drawing on. Being that the canvas size increased, do the same spacing numbers apply?

It would seem there would be some disproportion there because your subject would have to be drawn so much bigger. With your previous smaller canvas it was almost the same size as the reference image so I could see how you would be able to get the proportions dead on.

Hopefully that is not too confusing. Sorry noob here.

Cityboy,

The small head I drew is actually the EXACT same size as the head I drew for the full sized painting.
As such, I didn't need to adjust anything.
I could see how the canvas size creates the illusion otherwise.

If I did want to enlarge it though, I would simply draw 1.5 inch, or 2 inch squares instead.
I try to keep my measurements in increments of 1/4 inches so as not to make the calculations too difficult.
This way, I can enlarge/reduce in 25% increments easily.

Cityboy

March 5th, 2009, 06:17 AM

Got it...thanks for the response Dan and again, great tutorial. Money well worth spent.

Deon

March 5th, 2009, 03:59 PM

Awesome tutorial, Dan - thanks for all the effort! You got me in the mood do work with some oils again - I just wish I had the space:)

aguilas990

March 5th, 2009, 07:40 PM

Honestly if my hard drive were to melt tomorrow, this video would be the biggest loss

Rist

March 8th, 2009, 08:09 AM

Finally finished this DVD. I would watch 1 part once a day, sometimes skipping some days. I wanted to do this so that each part would become a lesson in itself (easier to absorb the information, I think!).

Here are a few things you will find from the video:

note: I will list them as HOW-TO, but nothing is a 1 method for all so this is just a generic term to describe something that is so informative as to show a professionals working method.

- how to paint hair, which has a glow (beautiful effect)
- how to paint skin. VERY informative. If you was to buy something for flesh rendering, this would be it!
- how to paint weapons. Only a sword is painted, but Dan shows a method which could be applied to many metallic surfaces.
-how to paint materials. VERY informative! Paint metal, gold, steal (?), jewellery.
- how to compose a painting with 1 character. Dan explains the hidden difficulties of such a composition.
- how to paint things which appear to 'glow', such as neon-like breath.
- how to paint drapery. VERY informative.
- how to glaze. I was still a little confused about glazing, this cleared things up.
- how to understand colour and how it relates to everything around it.
- how to use mediums and the palette.
- how to paint details.
- how to fix mistakes.
- how to work with clients.

There is so much I could easily go on and on...

If there is anything you should buy this year, and you are an artist, its this DVD.

When i find time I will probably watch it again. This DVD got me into oil painting, which I did not expect when I began watching it. It is certainly one of those method changing lessons.

:yayca:

Noë

May 16th, 2009, 03:21 AM

I was going to wait to buy this until I had the money :P but I saw the announcement that downloads will be streaming soon, so I thought I'd better get it now! Downloading at the moment..

I can already see myself in front of the screen with my notepad scribbling frantically haha :P

Love
Marleen.

Liam Harvey

May 16th, 2009, 03:43 AM

DARn! i was trying to convince myself not to buy it because of money issues-buuuuuuut i have to, it just seems too good to pass up!

Studio Colrouphobia

May 31st, 2009, 02:24 AM

Okay so I have a question or two, now that I finally got my paws on this beauty:

1) You state the amount of dollars you receive for he painting (typically) and you say it's generally based upon the client (art director) and their budget. Is this number a typical budget or is it something that increase with clients and ones own skill? One of the main reasons why I ask this completely raw question is because the number you mention is about 10 times larger then any numbers I heard before. So I need to assess whether this has to due to different climates in different parts of the world (you in the US, I'm in northern Europe) or whether it has to do with picking ones jobs.
--to clarify, I haven't gotten any jobs like this, no book covers made by me yet, but a friend/colleague of mine has asked me whether a certain pay is "business standard", it is this number that was about 10 times smaller then the number mentioned in the video)

2)When receiving money for a job, do you get paid in advance? do you get an advance payment and then a final payment? I have heard so many different variants by now but you seem to plan months in advance with your paintings so that's my main query, how you get paid since a painting can take months between being hired.

3)You say, in the video, that key in making a painting work out is using reference and to set up a good sketch(or something like this) and you have your own copy-pasted/sketched version (the orange dress). Seeing as how the final changed mainly in colour, what is your experience- Does this happen a lot? That the colour, or composition will change de to alterations made by client or author of the book?

4) Will probably come up with more questions after I viewed he vids again..

Oh, It seems like sometimes the vids are slightly "cut off" at the end of them. Dan speaks and the vid is stopped a fraction before a word is said complete (often in what seems to be mid-talk) and then the next vid start with a new chapter.. Just checking, but this is how it is supposed to be right?

MassiveDVD

June 1st, 2009, 07:01 PM

10 times? How could an illustrator earn a living if he spent two weeks earning $300? That's half of minimum wage.

I think there's 2-3 words cut off at the end of one file. That's the only mistake I know of. :bashful:

Studio Colrouphobia

June 2nd, 2009, 02:05 AM

10 times? How could an illustrator earn a living if he spent two weeks earning $300? That's half of minimum wage.

Hence my question. My colleague was presented with a budget of (about, translating currencies here) $320 for a bookcover, by a professional book publishing company. It was the only figure I have ever heard mentioned for bookcover-painting before the DosSantos video so hence my question ;)

I think there's 2-3 words cut off at the end of one file. That's the only mistake I know of. :bashful:

It isn't that bad you know, just made me think I might have downloaded it badly :)

Sascha Thau

June 9th, 2009, 12:19 PM

One word: Extraordinaire. I've learned soooo much.

Easily the best money I've invested the last months. Thank you so much, massive black and dan Dan Dos Santos for making this happen. It seems he's ne helluva nice guy, too and he still plays his atari 2600.

This is winning on so many levels. Incredible!

dhchamp

June 18th, 2009, 03:33 PM

bought it, downloading now.

OMG, I wanted this one for so long. now I finally got it and can't wait to watch it.

have watched the trailer so many times. waiting to be released, waiting for enough money.

It's a very nice dvd that covers all aspects of the project. wich is great.
thnx for the time and effort Dan.
the end illustration alone still enchants me.

(ok, enough with the praising. best of luck with your career dan and I hope I can someday reach a level good enough to draw whatever comes up in my mind.)

SteFlack

June 19th, 2009, 09:07 AM

Don't know why I've put off buying this for so long but the post by Rist has finally sold me on it. Downloading now :)

Moonlit*

July 1st, 2009, 07:52 AM

I am really interested in getting this but since I have never purchased a download before, can anyone outline how this works? You go to the paypal site, pay and then how do you access the download?

Sascha Thau

July 1st, 2009, 09:47 AM

I am really interested in getting this but since I have never purchased a download before, can anyone outline how this works? You go to the paypal site, pay and then how do you access the download?

You'll pay and get immediately a link for downloading.

Moonlit*

July 2nd, 2009, 09:17 AM

Pretty speedy download, but didnt realise you needed Quicktime. Nevertheless, it's set up for viewing. Can't wait for the weekend.

soz

September 4th, 2009, 01:22 PM

when you started the drawing did you have any guide lines like lines and squares to go over them?
how long have you been drawing, like how many years have you've been practicing?
I Love your drawings there awosome!:sungod:

magicgoo

October 5th, 2009, 09:41 PM

I'd love to order this today. Is it still available? It isn't actually listed in the ca store, so I didn't want to risk not receiving it.

DSillustration

October 5th, 2009, 11:19 PM

Hey Ursula,
It is still listed...
DVD: http://media.massiveblack.com/features.html
DOWNLOAD: http://media.massiveblack.com/downloads.html
You just need to scroll down a bit for the download.

Colrouphobia,
Yes, the amount I mention is typical in the US only.
In fact, commercial illustration in general is a relatively US dominated field.
Even my friends from overseas that make their livings as Illustrators do so by working for US clients.
EU budgets usually range from $200-$600 for a cover, with the highest I've seen being $1500 from the UK and Germany.
That's not much by our standards, and as such, the EU market depends heavily on acquiring secondary rights to images (which can be purchased quite cheaply).