FourTonSketchbook **UPDATE-ZORZ! COME DESTROY!**

[FourTonMantis]

My lack of work here is absurd. I had another sketchbook, but it was dumb and I grew weary of scanning junk. This will be exclusively for digital work.

[FourTonMantis]

Zuerst!

[FourTonMantis]

Today's batch.

[FourTonMantis]

Great paintings. I like the expression on the guys face in the last post. It was captured really well. I'm still a newb at digital painting, so I don't have any advice, but keep it up. :)

Thanks. That one was fun...now that I look back it kinda looks like his eyes are gonna pop through the lids. :)

[FourTonMantis]

Another quick update. Don't pay too much attention to the guy in the blue jacket. He doesn't like it. He's also abysmally ugly.

[Hamms]

Hey, thanks for the comment in my sb.

I'm not really experienced in digital very much, but I think you should try pushing the contrasts between lights and darks a bit more. Other than that I'd just recommended studies (of the traditional kind) if your not already doing them. Keep working!

[FourTonMantis]

Hamms: You are definitely right about the contrast issue. Definitely need to work on that. Keeping up on studies as well, just not posting them as they are too big to scan. I love working in big sketchbooks. :)

hellfiresniper: I kind of dig the sketchy look, but I think I should smooth it up a bit. When I look back at 'em, the seem a little rough.

[hala]

hiya :)
I think you are using a brush size that is really small, if you make it bigger and block things in with bigger chunks to start, then go over with smaller brushes, it will help clarify things and clean it up a bit :)

[FourTonMantis]

hala: Thanks. Just trying to work on detail work, though I find that not using big brushes as much leaves unwanted gaps. :)

[JailHouseRock2]

Hay there,

Liking the art so far man, expecily the animals, good stuff!

I agree with hala that a bigger brush size may help. Some of the images are a little bit scratchy.

This portrait is great - http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=718747&stc=1&d=1247091682- Nice light, and good skin tones!

Keep posting man,
Cheers,
matt

[FourTonMantis]

JailHouseRock2: Thanks. I'm having a ton of fun with those animal paintings. The more I do the more I realize "Man, animals are freakin' weird!" :)

Hopefully I'll update tomorrow. Didn't get much of a chance to paint today; decided to hang out with some friends.

You know, the whole social thing. :)

[pantless_wanderer]

It seems to me like most of your studies are made from pictures, so I would recommend you to paint some still lifes once in a while. When painting from life we have to be very focused to be able to match the colors correctly with those that we see, so we end up learning more and faster than when using photographs (my personal experience, at least). I say this because the colors on most of your works look a bit "wrong" (although I can't be sure without knowing the original pictures).

Also, use bigger brushes. And keep going :)

[FourTonMantis]

Today has been a horrendous day so far. These are the only things I've done resembling art. I'm am beyond a doubt giving up.

For now. I'll be back when I'm less likely to ram my fist through a wall.

[FightingSeraph]

So far, your digital stuff is a bit muddy. However, your animals stand out more.

[reaxion]

hey thanks alot for the comments on my stuff, all i can say is be persistent, but i have alot more to learn

nice sketchbook you have going here, the animals and cityscape look to be the strongest so far, work on including some brighter values and some harder edges on some stuff to get it to the next level, just my 2cents

peace!

[Janos]

The two things I noticed straight away are that you need darker shadows, more colour mixing, a difference between hard and soft edges and bigger bruschstrokes.

Keep 'em coming!

[pantless_wanderer]

Today has been a horrendous day so far. These are the only things I've done resembling art. I'm am beyond a doubt giving up.

Every crappy work you do now is one less crappy work you'll do later, so try not to worry too much during those "bad-art" days when nothing seems to come out the way we would like. They happen to everyone else too.

Sometimes it means that we are stepping out of our comfort zone, which is a good thing because it results in growth (after all the frustration, of course). It might also be because our expectations are too high, causing us to be too critical\hard on ourselves.

If nothing works then stop painting for awhile and spend some time looking at other artist's works (mainly those who paint in a realistic or semi-realistic style) in search of inspiration and technical knowledge. Look at their paintings with a critical eye, trying to understand what they did and why. Who knows... you might just have an epiphany while doing it (it happens with me a lot).

But most of all, don't give up. Instead what you have to do is to enjoy the process of producing and learning art without having too much expectations. Do it for yourself, do it for fun, and do it to surpass yourself each day, not others. As a friend of mine used to say, "don't worry about the whole stairs, but keep your head down and look only at each step as you climb it".

Keep up! :)

[DazDaryl]

YEAHHH!!!!

You rock man, keep knocking over those pictures! Your starting to get your form right allready! :D

[gabyness]

love all your paintings! [:
especially the animals!

[FourTonMantis]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys. I really appreciate it. I managed to get a couple of things done today but nothing serious. This desert heat combined with summer drudgery isn't very conducive to a motivational environment. Hopefully I'll get more done later this week.

[vardoburrito]

[Sorry for the late drop bro].
I'm still starting out learning techniques/hows/and what's, and I've been slowly
trying out more traditional mediums. Still a bit wobbly, but, no other way. :)

-I'm with hala and JHR for the big brush. Block it in first and then slowly tighten up
the focus/details. Squinting technique. I've got so many pieces that I've thrown out,
because yes, they're detailed, but the fundamental base is shocking.
-pantless wanderer's (funny nick) drop I also agree.

"Imperfection makes perfection" Isamu Noguchi.
Keep pushing to go that one step further. There is no end.

Perhaps you could set aside a subject that keeps re-curring in your mind and
think up a project that you can continually update and apply your learnings to.

Keep filling your head with references and studies. I'm not sure when, but
when they start clicking and start making sense, your hearts skips beats.
Adrenaline for the soul.

[brain dumped]

PS. Image flips or mirror checks for composition and proportions.
Everytime I check using the mirror, I'm horrified of my lines. Horrified.


[I just checked your old sketchbook]
I don't know why you'd start a new one. I'd love to have started one that long ago.
Those Bridgman's look good. Just keep cross referencing with other
lectures/tutes/text.

[FourTonMantis]

OH HAI!

Been busy this past week and haven't gotten a ton of time to paint. BUT I did do a few things. I'm a little mecha crazy right now since I found out that Bandai is uploading Gundam 00 to Youtube. Typically not an anime fan, but it's a pretty good show. I'm probably going to take these further.

[rikkiniehaus]

Hi, thanks for stopping by my sketchbook! I especially like that last veg study you did, and that's a nice gesture on the rat. The robots have a cool graphic quality about them. Keep it up! =D

I'm not too experienced with digital, so I haven't got any good tidbits there. dwardo is right about the flipping though, something I need to remember myself (it hurts... but it helps a ton!)

[FourTonMantis]

It's been a while. I could say that it's because I've been busy with school (which I have), but not so busy not to paint. I've still been drawing, just haven't gotten the tablet out in a while.

[Kim_bot]

Hi, looking pretty good! The mechs are great; it looks like you're being more economical with your brushstrokes, so the latest paintings are a lot more "clean" looking. Basically the rule of thumb is to go from large brushes to smaller ones (you might know this already tho).

Oh, and Gundam 00 was pretty cool, but I didn't know they decided to stream episodes on youtube....I got mine from...other sources.

[krel]

Hey man, looking pretty good. Do some from life. Show me a fruit, a tissue box or something.
Keep it up, bro.

[Cthogua]

Hey man,
Thought I'd drop by your sketchbook. I have to say I think your observational skills aren't that bad. One big thing I would suggest is really focusing on simplifying your areas of color/value and getting the proper value relationships/structure. Maybe try rendering just some simple shapes: cubes, spheres and cylinders. A better understanding of those simple things will make EVERYTHING else better.

[Zazerzs]

Hey Hey UPDATE!!!

are you going to scan all the drawings you've been doing? I'd like to see how you do with traditional materials as well.

don't leave us hanging :)

(oh just read that you are keeping this digital, awwwwww don't :( scanning is a pain but I think you use could the feedback.)

[FourTonMantis]

I decided to revive this device. As you can see, I've leveled up slightly. I just got an Intuos4 so I should be painting more. Also, after being decided on getting an English degree, I've decided illustration is the route I wish to take.

[FourTonMantis]

+7 exp.! What's this? Bulbasaur is evolving!

[Lightmode108]

haha our sketchbooks have the same name lol
if you dont already you should constantly be flipping your artwork because you find how non-symetrical you work can become. it helps so much when your just wonderng why a picture is just "off"

i really like the indian girl painting that was done really well espiecially.
yea man keep up the good work. the more you get done the faster youll get better =D

[andrea w]

Good stuff in here and nice progress! Glad you've settled on illustration :)

Don't be afraid to push your values a bit more though. Play around with darker darks and brighter lights to make things pop more. Keep it up!

[FourTonMantis]

Lightmode108: Don't worry, I changed the name. It's all yours. :) Thanks for the crits.

andrea w: Will do. :) I can't wait to get my general credits out of the way so I can start.

Here's a quick Bouguereau study. I haven't really done any master studies but this was enjoyable. I may be taking this one further but will definitely be doing more.

[FourTonMantis]

Bad day. This is all I got done. Hopefully more to come later.

[FightingSeraph]

I say that you have improved somewhat since I last checked, but you still have a ways to go here. Plus, you may want to save up for a scanner when you get a chance.

[FourTonMantis]

FightingSeraph: Thanks. I have a scanner, this is just for digital work.

[FourTonMantis]

I wasn't going to do it but you guys convinced me otherwise. Hopefully I'll have some higher qual stuff up tomorrow.

[FourTonMantis]

Moar! Sorry for the quality of some of these scans. After taking this thing traditional, I'm coming to realize that my scanner really is the piece of crap I've always believed it to be.

[FourTonMantis]

Let me be clear, I did not knit these. BUT they are my designs. Me and a friend are going to be selling these. We will have an Etsy site soon so stay tuned. If you can't tell, they are hats. :)

[FourTonMantis]

Here's a quick update on this one. After flipping it and realizing the atrocity of the anatomy, I decided to fix it along with changing up the design a bit.

[FourTonMantis]

Some sketches and a digital WIP.

[FourTonMantis]

Quick update on this one. Comments and/or critique would be super sick.

[FourTonMantis]

I decided I'm going to ease up on the gestures for a while and focus more on longer studies. I haven't uploaded quite all of the gestures I've done lately, but close enough. Besides, you guys are probably sick of looking at them. ;)

I'm pretty stoked in that I've realized that I've blazed through about 53 pages in my sketchbook after buying it only about 3 weeks ago, and I have no intention of slowing if I can help it.

[FourTonMantis]

Here's some stuff that aren't gestures.

[FourTonMantis]

I thought you guys might find this interesting. I was going through old drawings one day when I found one that was dated. I decided to try and re-draw it with my current skills and have been doing so every once in a while since then. The first one is dated 5/7/2004, the second 1/19/2007, the third 11/21/2007, the fourth early-mid 2009, and the latest 4/25/2010.

[Taefa51]

Hey, man, the progression on those last sketches is just sick. I wish I had something substantial to say, but my brain is on school overload and, therefore, has turned to mush. Nice looking figures, anyway!

[FourTonMantis]

Hey, man, the progression on those last sketches is just sick.

Sick as in, super tight? Or sick as in sickening? Like you want to vomit? ;) Thanks. :)

[Lakka]

Sick as in, super tight? Or sick as in sickening? Like you want to vomit? ;) Thanks. :)



haha...

I do a<gree with him, you have leveled up(as in using the elevator to go to the second floor because walking stairs is physically challenging, and quite repeatative...) on your knowledge of human anatomy. Tons of progress there. Seems like you were able to apply it to some non-study images too, which is the hard part.

So keep it up, I think it's catching on :)

Btw, I really like a couple of those hats, wouldn't mind wearing em!

http://attachments.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=955132&stc=1&d=1271209695

http://attachments.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=955138&stc=1&d=1271209738

http://attachments.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=955136&stc=1&d=1271209720

C U

[Onisan]

I think it is a good think that you revived your scanner :D I like your stuff, very good studies so far. Maybe you could be a little more brave with the choice of your colours. Try to think a little bit more in warm/cool colours, maybe search for some colour theory tutorials or do a master study. There really is some crazy stuff you can do.

[FourTonMantis]

Lakka: I don't mind taking the stairs. Much more XP that way. :) Those hats are for sale here (http://www.etsy.com/shop/Taraflaig?ga_search_query=Taraflaig) by the way.

Onisan: Definitely need to do more color studies. Probably get on that tomorrow.

Thanks for the comments guys. They really motivate me to keep working.

[Taefa51]

Sick as in, super tight? Or sick as in sickening? Like you want to vomit? ;) Thanks. :)

They're grody. I was in the can for an hour because of you.

No, seriously, they're awesome. Draw moar, foo'! You must become legendary Pokeman.

[FourTonMantis]

They're grody. I was in the can for an hour because of you.

No, seriously, they're awesome. Draw moar, foo'! You must become legendary Pokeman.

On it.

[Holeinscalp]

My man, why do you never show me any of this in person?! Very nice ^_^

[FourTonMantis]

My man, why do you never show me any of this in person?! Very nice ^_^

Wait...Do I know you...?

:D

[Holeinscalp]

I'm the guy that inspired your avatar, remember? :P

[FourTonMantis]

Ugh. Not enough drawing going on. Need to remedy that.

[FourTonMantis]

I decided I really need to nail my basics (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=53517) of painting (finally).

Here's the first exercise.

[FourTonMantis]

Blockz. Not sure if the lighting is correct on this one but I am trying.

[FourTonMantis]

Same object lit 3 different ways.

[Idiot Apathy]

Hey man, glad the peer project thing is helping you (Is this vol. one or vol. two?, two is better)

Only thing I can really say right now is I would do a one to one photostudy to help hone your eye and learn your tools. If you find something is taking too long - try and find a faster way to do it. Experiment and refine - you don't need to follow a path, make your own. Search the mentoring sections for "cooking with idiot" and you should find one or two writeups I did for those threads on a photostudy.

Hope that helps. Drop me a PM down the road.

[FourTonMantis]

Hey man, glad the peer project thing is helping you (Is this vol. one or vol. two?, two is better)

Only thing I can really say right now is I would do a one to one photostudy to help hone your eye and learn your tools. If you find something is taking too long - try and find a faster way to do it. Experiment and refine - you don't need to follow a path, make your own. Search the mentoring sections for "cooking with idiot" and you should find one or two writeups I did for those threads on a photostudy.

Hope that helps. Drop me a PM down the road.

It's from Vol. 1. I'll check them both out.

Thanks for the tips. Experimentation is something I definitely need to do more of. Thanks for all the resources you've provided and I'll definitely hit you up.

[FourTonMantis]

Self-portrait I've been working on for a while. I may take this further but for now, I'm off to bed.

[Zazerzs]

WAKE UP! you've been asleep since May 24th :(

[FourTonMantis]

WAKE UP! you've been asleep since May 24th :(

don't you worry, i'm still creating. i just hate scanning/uploading. a lot.

[alex_ichim]

One thing about the last one: the shadow on the ground should be a darker shade of the ground color.

[Arc]

Great to see you doing all these studies! =) One tip on the self portrait, it looks like you're relying (intentionally, or not) a little to much on grey's to define the shadows. If you're drawing from life, maybe try to really see what different colors make up the light and shadows.

[Cielocchi]

Thanks for dropping me a comment in my SB~ Too bad you didn't update yours in so long, the portraits look pretty good! :> Can't give you much advice though xD

[Viking_Of_The_Wolves]

Thanks for the visit to my sketchbook again. I really am digging your sketchbook, however I would like to see more goodies in yours! I gotta have something to admire in my spare time.