Outdoor Concepts

[Kress]

I threw around this concept for two days and of course finally decided to do the simple ones I came up with in the beginning of the process.
I wanted to do something that was integrated into the landscape and nature - I was playing around with wierd buildings and trees that grow cities (which I'll get to later), but something about these simple designs got me going.
I kept the drawings simple for painting. I'll try to add enough detail to make it interesting, but not "too" much.
http://www.dropship1.com/art/Landscape1.jpg
http://www.dropship1.com/art/Landscape1_2.jpg

[Grooveholmes]

very nice kress.

I think i like the first sketchy one more! the sketchiness kind of reminds me off some frazetta stuff

[Kress]

Damn no love...
Thanks Grooveholmes, you saved this thread. I hear you, I realized way into it that the image had gotten so stiff! There's a fine line between freedom and recklessness and I guess I'm too chicken to approach it! Gotta' learn how to loosen up and keep things convincing.
Here's the other one:

http://www.dropship1.com/art/Landscape2.jpg
http://www.dropship1.com/art/Landscape2_2.jpg

[mearrin69]

Nice, Kress. I like your second go a lot better...the 'buildings' seem a lot more fleshed out. I like the painting style you're developing there as well. The angle is cool too, interesting but not too kooky.

One thing I did like about the other set was that you seemed to have some sort of alien jungle thing going on there (though there are a couple of evergreens). I personally think those things would look better hanging over a three-layer rain forest canopy than a conifer forest. Just a thought though.
M

[theognis]

i thin addding mist to the picture would make it much more cooler :-)

[djfournr]

wow


I like the second one better because it seems to have more variation in color and the perspective is killer.

how did you come up with the idea for the environment? like the rocks and hills .. or did that just fly into your head?

[Kress]

mearrin - thanks. I realized that if I pull it off right, I could keep this image nice and loose. We'll see what happens.

theognis - good idea - I definitely have a lot to learn about atmospherics. One thing I wanted to play with was the haze on the horizon line... but maybe I could work some haze in elsewhere.

djfournr - I like the second one a little more too - but they both have parts that are growing on me. The second one is looser, yea, and I got more courageous with the color (partly from caring less). I got the idea from thinking about habitats for this really cool civilization my friend came up with. I just looked through some nature ref to get my mind going, and trying to see a whole vista. This is just ONE take on their buildings, but they live in an exalted harmony with nature, so...
Thanks all. Here's an update:

http://www.dropship1.com/art/Landscape1_3.jpg
http://www.dropship1.com/art/Landscape2_3.jpg

[Kress]

Do I have to be a pro to get some feedback around here?

http://www.dropship1.com/art/Landscape2_4.jpg

[Erik]

I hear what you're saying - i always get in frantic check-crit mode when i post something. Gets to your nerves ;-)

I really like the second concept, it is believable and has a very cool feeling. The combination wth the first is good too. I like it a lot and i also like the paint style.

The bottom of the big building is not completely in perspective though it seems. It seems to topple or something (?)

And maybe the background with the planet should recede a little more.

But it's gonna be cool! I'd like to see those buildings in sunset/dusk too or in a desert

[JecaTatu]

Hey these are very good, have some feedback.
you're concerned about the first image and it's lack of... well something. I like it, and this is why: The shape of the buildings and the 'camera angle' communicate a feeling a balance i think. I get the feeling of nobility and stability. If you were going for a piece that portrays a civilization's capacity for union and harmony with nature, i believe that is what you've achieved. Plus they look like tasty mushrooms. As far as atmospherics, i think you've got that well under control with the way you've pushed back the more distant towers with decreasing contrast and increasing coolness.

so with the second, there's less of a feeling of harmony and i think that comes from the tilted angle of the composition and the purpley sky. The strong diagonal at which the buildings and horizon slash across the page speaks conflict to me, like these buildings are looming out in contrast with the natural surrondings rather than in union.

as far as technique goes, it's very nicely rendered and i admire your technique, which is something i really have to work on personally. i don't like critizing technique, rather i enjoy discussing content. so, there's my two cents, i hope that helps you out some :)

bob

[Kress]

Erik - I don't mind waiting, it just seems like the feeling on this board - albeit chock full of really cool people - is that there are high expectations because it's run/sponsored/whatevered by pros, and not only pros, but pros who work a certain way...
But I digress: There are a couple problems with the elipses. I hand-drew them in the sketch phase and it's kinda' hard to keep perfect elipses when I'm painting in, without cheating, which is not what I want to do. I guess I'm willing to sacrifice a little unevenness...
And I still have to finalize the hotspot subtleties, thanks for pointing that out. I was so excited to have a huge cloudy bground that maybe I overdid it :rolleyes:

Wow - Jeca, thanks for the feedback. You know, whenever it comes to composition I'm always fretting about simply getting one to *work* as opposed to getting one to do something specific for me. I think you've shined a light into a region that I haven't had the wherewithall to explore. You speak of a deeper intentionality, in this case using composition, that can be applied to many facets of image-making: colors, angles, subject matter, etc. etc. It's a lot to think about, really.
I think you're right about what the angles of the towers across the horizon, as opposed to working with it. The first image is... calmer that way - and the second denotes, by the way I've drawn the buildings, that they most of all JUT OUT of the ground.
Anyway, like I said, a lot to think about. Thanks again and I'll try to maintain that intentional sensibility in my image-making from now on, as big of a challenge as that is... :)

Anyhoo - thanks again guys. Pretty informative this time around!

[Wilson]

I like both the finished comps, however I think your underlay with all of your line work had a nicer read. I'd be interested to see a watercolor or marker version which left some the sketch to be seen:)