Newborn: from dead ends to new beginnings...

[graphicgolem]

Below will be final work, WIP to follow...

I am done with this one - hope I still got a job tomorrow...

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newbornrobbie1000px.jpg

[graphicgolem]

Its a boy! Is this baby coming through from another dimension or is it the fruit of a massive engineering project? Just a quickie to get started.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/NewbornAI_500px.jpg

[pearlyking]

I'll go with 'fruit of a massive engineering project'. Will be interesting to see how this goes from now on.

[Nickillus]

It has an epic feel already, graphicgolem.

[graphicgolem]

Here's another in a more humorous vein...

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newbornsalute2_600px.jpg

Thanks for the comments on the spacey one although I dont really have a strong back story for it - and it never works for me unless it does.

[Nickillus]

Haha.
I'm not sure if it would be more worrying if that thing on his (?) head were a weapon of mass destruction or his man parts!
Intresting idea either way.

[Baron Impossible]

Man parts, Nick. It would be more worrying if it were man parts.

That image did make me laugh, though, and I'm rarely amused by intentionally funny pics.

[graphicgolem]

Hey after days of tinkering with the concept I think Im starting to feel the groove or maybe Ive lost the plot - anyway heres one more. Since ArtRage is so popular I thought Id take a look and Ive fallen in love...ahh!

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newborn_pharoahship1.jpg

[graphicgolem]

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newborn-godking1.jpg
Setting the scene now and starting to get the players into position.

[graphicgolem]

Update - added some colour with a big roller in ArtRage...almost like the real thing the way the paint smears and mixes.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newborn-godking4.jpg

[Baron Impossible]

Another ArtRage convert, excellent. Nice initial colour choices though I'm not sure what's happening yet.

[graphicgolem]

An update, lost some work when ArtRage crashed and it was looking just how I wanted it too - no matter couldnt seem to get back what I had done but seems to be getting closer to my original idea.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newborn6.jpg

[graphicgolem]

Changed things around a bit as it was getting a bit busy and the concept was getting a bit lost. Have I lost the plot? Any feedback crits/gratefully received.http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newborn7.jpg

[graphicgolem]

I am pretty much stuck, after many attempts I am no closer to resolving the composition/concept probelms in this and as no else seems able to comment on it either, I am going to try something else. I've got a couple more ideas, maybe things will become clearer after a break from this one.

[Black Spot]

This (http://conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2302046&postcount=10) was the best version. I don't know if you can go back that far, but it held a lot more promise than the later versions.

[Baron Impossible]

I like the one in post 10. If you lost the original just upsize the JPG and work on it as you would as rough concept. That one has the best mood and overall colour palette. The dim sun (sounds like a Chinese dish) is very atmospheric.

[buffichar]

:wtf:
woah. I'll have to get back to you when I regain the ability to speak.

[graphicgolem]

Black Spot, Baron,buffichar - thanks for the feedback really appreciate it - I probably will come back to this idea, but it has been gving me a brain ache with the all different versions Ive tried (I have only posted a few of these to spare others). Truth is Im not really sure what is going on. After a breather it may seem like it wasnt me that painted and Ill be able to see what needs doing. Cheers.

[graphicgolem]

Some thumbnails for the next piece...
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/robotthumbs.jpg

[alesoun]

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newborn7.jpg

This image looks more like he's being destroyed than that he's being born, but I don't know what you're coming from. Good luck, anyway.

[shamandalie]

Those are some good thumnails. :)
For some reason, i like the 2nd post most. You could clean it up a little more and see where it goes from there.

[graphicgolem]

2nd WIP going into colour next. Working in GIMP at the mo as using masks to separate foregorund/midground/background elements (ala Mandryk) and get composition right. Will flatten next and go into Artrage to start painting...any thoughts always welcome.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newbornrobbie4.jpg

[Baron Impossible]

I like it, looking like a very solid concept. You may need to crop a bit later, especially on the left. I think the background / foreground contrast is working well, making for a good composition.

[Nickillus]

Oh yes. I definitely like this last idea and the way the composition is going. Nice one.

[graphicgolem]

Thanks for the feedback Baron and Nickillus.

Artrage update: the boys face looks a little too scared at the moment - I will try and fix this later - should be more wow than argh!

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newbornrobbie6.jpg

[graphicgolem]

I wasnt happy with the development in Artrage so I have gone over to Photoshop to try and fix things - I feel a bit of a fraud for abandoning Artrage but I guess it can take a while to get used to a new tools.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newborn-robbie7.jpg

[Puck]

That last one is presented really well - nice composition and the lighting and colour really suits the old fashioned wind-up robot - like those toys made of tin from the 50's. If you really nail that boys face and his expression it will be a great piece.

I also like the humorous one with the nuclear robot! I think that's got potential - something both funny and a bit dark can be very powerful if executed well.

[pearlyking]

I really like this new piece a lot more. There's a touch of the pinocchio story about it, and after all that's about bringing something to life! Looking forward to see how it progresses from this point on.

[graphicgolem]

An update...

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newbornrobbie9.jpg

[comixnut]

I love the concept behind this last one and i think it is developing well as well.

[Justice Von Brandt]

The last ones coming out well :D

[pearlyking]

This is looking better and better Alex and I think it's one of my favorite posts to date.

[graphicgolem]

Thanks for the encouragement - comixnut, Justice Von Brandt, pearlyking
Trying to get the lighting/atmospherics just right next.

[Nickillus]

Coming on really nicely, GG.Some really good metallic tones coming through on little Robbie. Are you going to use depth of field at all - making the robot really crisp and the lad not so much? It's the sort of image that might lend itself well to it.

[graphicgolem]

Thanks Nickillus for your feedback. Thats exactly what I am intending! Although I am going to avoid using a lens type depth of field blurring - I am not so keen on that kind cinematic effect anyway. Thought I would try softening the edges that are in shadow - more of a painterly approach.

[Nickillus]

Sounds excellent to me GG. It should work really well with your natural talent to give a painterly look. I think you are spot on that using any sort of filter may look false with your style. Painted is always somehow more impressive to me when done well, which I have no doubt is how you will do it.

[Randis]

i like the last one a lot, very nice mood here!

[graphicgolem]

Nickillus - youre too generous I think - any natural talent i think is mostly trial and error ;)

R a n d i s - thank you.

A small update still trying to see the light. I thought I would try a crop - I thnk it may be stronger for it but I hate to lose those little details (which probably I only notice anyway). Any thought most welcome.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newbornrobbie10.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newbornrobbie10_crop.jpg

[Black Spot]

It's coming along nicely. I like the way the textures are beginning to come through.

[Randis]

thats a beautiful mood you got in this image, i love the colors too.
The perspectives are messed up tho

[graphicgolem]

Black Spot - thanks you

R a n d i s - thanks for spotting that - I did have a 3 point perspectice setup intially as I was going for a slightly distorted wide angle view with a low horizon line - I wanted to give the robot towering look as if it was on a large scale - to give a visual pun as it actulally quite small scale. It hasnt really worked however! After your comment I can see now that the boys face is in wrong perspective as you should be able to see under his chin and also the top surfaces of the robot should be hidden as it above the horizon line. Not sure if I can fix this - thanks for the perceptive crit.

[Jason C-M]

The robot there has a LOT of character (though I'm a bit unsettled by his short far leg, doesn't seem to reach the table. Keep at it, this'll be a top-notch finished piece.

[graphicgolem]

I cant look at it any more so I guess its done. Any cc welcome - thanks.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h303/graphicgolem/newbornrobbie1000px.jpg