Matrix Online Project

[taves]

So, I'm on a big campaign tonight. Getting concepts, composotions, and final products all before 3 O'clock on Monday. Right now, all I have is this, but I just want to make sure the composition is strong before I even begin. Any comments about it would be MUCH appreciated.

http://img439.imageshack.us/img439/6682/loadingdockrough4bo.jpg

[Threshold]

I'm sorry, but we haven't the foggiest idea what you are talking about.
It seems that you have some sort of business proposal or deadline and you are posting samples, am I correct?

Anyway, assuming that this sketch has something to do with The Matrix Online, and assuming that you're trying to represent a city street concept, I would advise you to flesh out the characters. No, you don't need to fully render the scene, but at least draw some shapes instead of just skeletons.

And really. I have no idea what use this is, because I don't know what you want here.

[madster]

Very nice perspective work!
My only adjustment would be to the foremost figure, as it looks a bit off to crop him right at the crotch...perhaps just a few inches higher or lower. Other than that, this looks to be the start of a very interesting piece. I look forward to watching it develop. Please do keep all the steps posted, as this might make a great "as you go" tutorial on the development of a work.

Threshold, what you are looking at is called a "compositional rough." As such, "placeholders" are made as the general composition is worked out...
Please don't assume "WE" don't understand, as this forum has a LARGE contingent of artists who quite clearly understand this thread, and the compositional rough posted...
Sometimes, if you have "NO IDEA" about a piece, you should withold commenting on it until you have a better idea about what is going on...

~M

[mr.right]

This is my suggestion if you are concentrating on the figures.

http://www.clint.kickmagnet.com/images/help/hep.jpg
I don't know what those suns were (yellow orbs in this pic) but I assumed they were light sources from the machinery. But I think the lighting might be more dynamic if it came from the orange swirl. As you picture is, that area is kinda empty. Wait. Actually, bring the orange swirl down a little and it would look better.

But if the emphasis was supposed to be shared equally between the figures and the background, then this probably isn't the way to go.

-mr.right

[Threshold]

Threshold, what you are looking at is called a "compositional rough." As such, "placeholders" are made as the general composition is worked out...
Please don't assume "WE" don't understand, as this forum has a LARGE contingent of artists who quite clearly understand this thread, and the compositional rough posted...
Sometimes, if you have "NO IDEA" about a piece, you should withold commenting on it until you have a better idea about what is going on...
~M

Madster, I know what a compositional rough is. I've done a few myself. I know what placeholders are. But I'm having a great deal of difficulty seeing the space he's trying to describe. I was suggesting a quick block-in with shapes because I was having a hard time telling what the environment is.

[the dime store]

values would be helpful. i stared at this for a few minutes before i realised that the figure in the background was on an elevated plane, and that those were stairs/a ramp between him and the other two figures. at first i assumed it to be a street.

there are millions of ways to sketch and block things in. whether or not this is some industry standard, i'll admit, bolder lines, or some suggestion of stairs, would make this read easier to people trying to give you perspective help.

speaking of which, i think the peice is left-heavy. cropping him above the crotch would look best, i think, as there isn't much of interest in the bottom inch anyway. the figure on top looks a lil stocky, too.

[madster]

I'm sorry, but we haven't the foggiest idea what you are talking about.
It seems that you have some sort of business proposal or deadline and you are posting samples, am I correct?

Anyway, assuming that this sketch has something to do with The Matrix Online, and assuming that you're trying to represent a city street concept, I would advise you to flesh out the characters. No, you don't need to fully render the scene, but at least draw some shapes instead of just skeletons.

And really. I have no idea what use this is, because I don't know what you want here.
So which is it? You have no idea, which you stated twice in the above quoted reply, or that you know what a compositional rough is, but are not able to comprehend the basic layout of this piece, which shows perpsective lines, a cornered wall with illumination, a ramp with figures at the top and bottom, and columns suspended from the ceiling/floating? If you cannot see the lighter lines clearly, perhaps you need to adjust your monitor settings. As a compositional rough, this piece is sufficient to provide the guides needed to take it to the next stage of development...hence the term "rough." This piece has advanced past the point of a quick "block in" of shapes, which you may not be seeing on your monitor. Maybe increasing your contrast will help.

~M

[taves]

All right. It seems I have a few things to clear up. This IS a concept idea from The Matrix Online, but inside the REAL world. They are exiting their ship at a neutral point in the underground tunnels. It's a project I'm doing for my advanced computer art survey class to show I understand photoshop and it's layers (I understand the program fine, but I want to go that extra step.)

Anyway. . .

Thank you all for the quick inputs on short notice. I went ahead and chose some base colors, and things seem to be moving along pretty well. I'm just starting what I call "stage 1" renders, where I make quick additions to fabrics, metal, etc, but nothing serious. BUT, I'm stuck on one figure and his perspective. Any suggestions on fixing his awkward sitting position?

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/3663/loadingdock3c3id.jpg

Thanks guys. :)

[Pawige]

I would suggest spreading his elbows out slightly, and aiming the forearms more forwards, maybe hands clasped between knees with fingers interlaced. Assume his pose and see how unnaturally long his arms are, and how you have to be reaching down to get as low as his hands are.

[Shatterdome]

Yeah, it looks like he is tugging on something, or trying to pull something up...it looked good in your sketch, think it's because the elbow was more ON the knee, and in this it looks like the elbow is beside the knee...also, the guy in the background is looking to have pretty long arms...but otherwise this pic is looking good thusfar...

[taves]

I've been working on this for too long. :dead:

Thanks for the help on those hands. After re-enacting what it was like to sit as he was, I could feel the strain it was showing. So I fixed that up, and pushed ahead big time with more rendering, and starting to work with some shadows and light sources. More crits and suggestions would be very welcome. :^^:

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/4605/loadingdock5c3mf.jpg

[taves]

Well, this is what I'm handing in tomorrow. Hope he gets that I understand layers. :nohope: It's not done though. . .I want to do more with it, but with my schedule like it is now, I think it might take the back burner for awhile.

ANYWAY, here it is. Thanks to everyone who gave me help.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5743/loadingdock7c9it.jpg