m.c.miller's environments etc...

[m.c.miller]

edit: as with my current sketchbook most of these images were created on an incorrectly calibrated monitor. I am not going to fix these old images, so a few that looked really bad are gone. I've also inserted the attachments so that formatting is better. Hopefully no one views this old stuff too much anyway...

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I'll be posting my work here as I strive to get better. Coming from a fine art background I'm trying to focus on working without reference as much as possible.

The first few images are Photoshop only, obviously, the rest I'm playing around with painting over in ArtRage. I think somewhere in between is an ideal direction to work in. I'm not trying to fake an oil painting or anything.

I'm especially interested in hearing opinions on the level of finish/looseness.

[m.c.miller]

art relocated here:

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[SEVANS]

The environments are good BUT what really gets my attention is your fantastic colour schemes.

Beautiful lighting and colour choices.

[m.c.miller]

That's great to hear as it was one of my major goals with these images. The subject matter has actually kind of been secondary up to this point.

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[m.c.miller]

Here are a few more images made in the style of my first post. These are a bit more basic, from when I was developing my color process.

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[m.c.miller]

Photoshop>ArtRage>Photoshop for this one. Some scale/perspective and design (ship construction) issues I think, but I'm pretty happy with the color and lighting.

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[m.c.miller]

I really need to start considering composition and design when I start my images.

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[m.c.miller]

edit: this image looked wrong on a properly calibrated monitor...so it is gone.

[Zero Sum]

The colours in these pictures are fantastic, maybe though you might consider spending some more time on one these peices and push the level of detail to really enhance your colours and lighting.

[Zirngibism]

I really love these! (I have such a hard time pushing myself to that more expressive style.) I would probably agree with Zero about some detail- just save the versions you already have seperately. It would be neat if you could put one on top of the other, one having more detail, so that they can be compared easily.

I really love the last one, 2nd to last. I'm also partial to the machinery ones, but I think I'm like that with everything :wink:

[Myako]

yeah beautiful colors, can only accompany Zero Sum but like on this piece http://conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=139544&stc=1&d=1179360956 i wouldn´t finish it more it has his own attraction like mediterran pictures ^^ but on some of them more detail and an arranged perspective on buildings would be great !

[m.c.miller]

Thanks for the comments guys! I actually got really angry with myself after posting the last image. I was looking at the last thee things I posted and thinking the colors were silly and that I was generally going in the wrong direction. I feel a bit better now, but I'm still going to try to rein in the colors and shininess a bit.

Zero Sum: I agree. I plan to keep my expressive style, but I have not yet found the balance of detail and finish that these images need.

Data_Strings: The way I use layers in Photoshop is mostly as you say. Whenever I get to a point where I think I will mess up my image, I just create a new layer and add more detail there. I don't really separate objects onto their own layers. You should see the 'simple' layers of my images! I do need to go even further though. I'm trying to move out of my comfort zone (landscape) and into, as you say, 'machinery' as well as architecture.

Myako: Yes, when I do a city image I need to plan out my perspective better. I tend to cheat and just let buildings face whatever way they look correct (instead of lining them up with common vanishing points).

[m.c.miller]

I'm trying to work faster. I've found that as soon as I slow down and start thinking, it's almost impossible to advance much further. I think speed is the key to detail for me.

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[m.c.miller]

Just pretend that there is some strange combination of light and shadow off screen.

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[Windmaker]

Hey:) These paintings are great! I really admire people who can make a painting that looks like it was done with just a few energetic strokes.
Wonderful lighting and atmosphere in your images!
Keep it up:)

[m.c.miller]

Thanks Windmaker!

Some quick stuff:

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[m.c.miller]

Trying to create more active images here:

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[m.c.miller]

I need to be more productive...I'm slowing down.

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[m.c.miller]

The second image got a bit ambiguous. The big thing on the right is supposed to be a building/structure and not anything flying or hovering (those other things are domes...on the ground as well). I pushed too fast into details and finish before everything made sense. On the other hand, I really like the colors and effects.

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[m.c.miller]

Its been a while....trying to work more texture in.

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[Jonas Heirwegh]

Last ones are strong. Watch out with those colors, a bit oversaturated sometimes.

Keep it up!

[mehran]

Simply lovely colors.....simply lovely.. your color pallet is so rich and so attractive,that even those large strokes all the pieces are very appealing
keep up the good work...

[kyronimus]

Your colors are magnificent. Just work on the detail and composition.

[m.c.miller]

Epias: Yep, I get a little crazy with the color sometimes. Some of the images I post I end up really hating a few days later in hindsight. I post everything that I do though, so you can kind of see my thought process bouncing around and trying different things.

mehran: Thanks for the kind words! Color and brushwork are very important to me, even if I do overdo it sometimes. I like retaining some abstract energy in the final image.

kyronimus: I must admit these images have almost no regard for composition the way I'm working now. I basically do what I can with whatever random image begins to emerge. I guess I'm more concerned with other things at the moment. I will have to keep it in mind though and force myself to work on it.

[bakatron]

hubba hubba!

[Nigh7shad3]

all hail the glow tool!

[SeanAni]

love your brilliant light and imagination~:)
keep it up~

[designboot]

lot's of nice enviroments and landscapes!
you should pay attention to the details!