Sparth-inspired environment

[jubjubjedi]

After seeing him at the Gnomon workshop last weekend, I figured that I'd try out his technique for my very first environment concept. Any commments/critiques?

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/6851/fierylandscapesmall9mt.jpg

[character]

hey man, i was there too. we'll have to hang out at the next one. as for the environment, it's looking pretty spiffy. the clouds look too muddy tho and they don't match the rest of the piece. the brushes are too soft there as opposed to the rest of the image which has a bit of a sharper look

[jubjubjedi]

Hey, thanks for the comments! Glad to find another Gnomon attendee here.

I have yet to create adequate cloud brushes...what you see is basically a heavily manipulated layer of sorts...I believe it was a landscape. It makes sense, though, I can imagine that the image would look more balanced if the top/sky where as sharp as the bottom/ground.

[savii]

Quite a nice attempt, I really like the way you've created the effect of focus, as if someone is watching this action from in between the rubble/damage. One thing to just think about maybe is giving the scene a deffinate source of light which effects the surrounding environment. If you look at most (if not all) of Sparths work you can see an advanced understanding of form which acts as the basis of all his paintings, as interesting scenery and cool explosions isn't enough. For example, that explosion must give off a lot of light, so why not make some reflections of it on the pillar of rubbish next to it.

Also, have a go at redoing the sky, you might be surprised that it isn't as hard as you think and you don't need a special cloud brush to do it. Cool piece, Good luck!

[jubjubjedi]

Thanks for the response! You have to understand, there was absolutely no planning involved in this thing... I found the image below after doing a google search for "machines" and made a brush out of it, and then just started doodling... then I realized it was actually going somewhere, so I just kept it up :x

I really like the process philosophically, the whole art-out-of-chaos/found objects thought process.

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/5499/040121d6pc.jpg

[Tanem]

I was there too. Watching sparth paint and seeing his technique was worth the 100 bucks.
I agree with Savii. If you go in again with some light and shodow it'l look really good. Perhaps some light from the explosion being bounced into the clouds above.
Regarding a cloud brush. If you take a nice clear cloud picture section off a peice, make it grey scale, got to image/calculations. Which gives you a selection, reverse that selection and fill in a seperate layer. then make a brush out of that. you can get pretty nice fast clouds out of a brush. Sometimes you have mess with it a little. Also if you make a second one that is a little different and use that as your duel brush you can some nice unique clouds.
-T

[savii]

Thanks for the response! You have to understand, there was absolutely no planning involved in this thing... I found the image below after doing a google search for "machines" and made a brush out of it, and then just started doodling... then I realized it was actually going somewhere, so I just kept it up :x

I really like the process philosophically, the whole art-out-of-chaos/found objects thought process.


Haha, thats great! I think I'm gonna give it a try, you've inspired me now :D

[jubjubjedi]

updated...

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4696/fierylandscapesmall2hm.jpg

[jubjubjedi]

can't think of much more to do to this...you guys think it'd done or does it need more major work? i can probably massage this thing ad infinitum...

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8987/fierylandscapefinished7uw.jpg