new painting and a rework on an old one

[scottg]

New painting. Don't feel I went far enough with the technique Sparth said to try( to be honest I wasn't very clear on what he was saying.

"first create new brushes, (the possibilities are endless) then make a few custom textured surfaces, and add them to your pieces in overlay or screen, or any others."

I did the overlay and screen thing. But I don't think I got what he was trying to say. Any help would be appreciated. And the custom texture surface thing through me. I feel stupid.

Fan art of Mike Mignola's Lobster Johnson.
http://nefandus.com/lobster-johnson.jpg

Also reworked the zombie piece Here is the before and after.
http://nefandus.com/monster006.jpg
http://nefandus.com/monster007.jpg

C&C please
thanks,
scottg

[deschamps]

Hey scott. Think I'll start with the second one. This could be a great zombie portrait! I feel like it is lacking in contast right now though. When I say contrast I mean more than just the light and darks. If your piece is soft overall then find a few areas that could use some sharp edges to contrast the soft areas. If your piece is made up of mostly broad brush strokes use a few thin lines to draw a focus to an area. I had some fun and did a paintover, I hope you don't mind... i hope this can help in someway. zombie paint over (http://www.ericdeschamps.com/ill/imgs/monster008_po.jpg)

The character in the 1st one is drawn and painted really well. My only concern would be the composition. I think I am pretty weak in that area so, I'll just suggest scaling down and moving the logo away from the arm with the gun. It kind of interferes. Also taking away the yellow and making the moon white could help make the color scheme more moody for an at night piece. Treating the logo with the same purple/green scheme might be nice as well.

[sparth]

scott

first one is coming along fine.
for the zombie head: details, details, details. the head is on the very first plane, foreground. so you must absolutely show what the eyes can see in this particular case.
too blurry for now, add details... :D

[Catryn008]

Hello!

Let me say that I like the style of the first one. I like the gestures you've been able to maintain in the strokes. It give movement to the piece. My only concern on the first one is that the "sign" that is Lobster's symbol is competing with the moon for the attention grabber. Personally I'd like to see the symbol moved and reduced in size. It reminds me of a street sign at this point and all I'm thinking is "where is the pole to hold it up?"

That would leave the moon as the high (color) point and it will be the first thing to grab the eye.

Oh, before I forget (hey, its monday! :P) I really really like the use of the negative space on the left. I think its weighted good to the otherside because of the darkness of the colors and the gestured strokes of the "paint".

As for the zombie, it looks like a great start. Like the other posts, I think its too blurry. Because the zombie is in your face, it needs something to draw your eye into it. Right now, I find my eye wandering over the piece and not finding a point of interest.

But it looks good. You've got a good base to continue from.

As for the Photoshop references, I wish I could tell what he meant...

Thanks
Karen

[scottg]

Thanks Sparth and Catryn008! Detail. Got it! What's weird is I'm usually really detailede in my work. I think I'm trying so hard to learn Painter8 I'm forgetting some of the stuff I do when I'm using traditional stuff.

Catryn008- yeah I didnt pull the logo thing off. It's something Mike Mignola does in his work. He's allot better at it then I am.

deschamps- You are the man!!! That over painting helps alot. Thanks again.

scottg