The lesson is: Don't try to figure out a process while doing it!
I wanted to make a second illustration this month. TBH I kind of set myself up for failure with this one:
I wanted to do something with multiple figures, more dynamic anatomy, really practice linework, and also use colored lighting. The drawing went fairly well (obviously there are some issues: hand anatomy, varying scales, varying line width, consistent face styles...) but this is more I can handle WRT actually finishing the work.
I wanted to airbrush in some basic hue variation/a little tone before going to work painting, since I had some success with that in a personal project:
...And here's where I just ran into a brick wall for two hours. This is as far as I got before my partner literally forced me to stop because of how late it was.
It's extremely inconsistent and doesn't read very well! I think I did ok with the top left figure but her face shadows might be a little severe and I can't use that detailed approach for five figures without really going crazy.
I'm pleased by the fact that the tones and hues read despite the limited value and color range, and I think the shadows are *generally* well-placed, but the point is that I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to rendering or choosing light/shadow colors/values.
I think this is really exacerbated by the colored light and the variety of skin/hair tones. I want to return to this one day but for now I need to move on for my own sanity.
I wanted to explore my own painting/rendering skills so I did some paintings from imagination in the style of Sinix's anatomy quick tips videos:
These are ok but I'm not really satisfied. Here's what I learned.
- Even on my favorite parts of these, my brush control is GOD-AWFUL. Literally terrible. It ruins my shapes and blending.
- Vulva anatomy is so hard and confusing! With dicks you just plop it down there and it occludes everything, don't have to worry about tendons in the thighs or whatever.
- My other anatomy isn't a focus for me right now, given that I did an ok job without reference.
- My ability to place highlights and shadows as well as choose colors for them is fine. Not great, but not something I want to devote time to right now.
FWIW I used no reference because I really wanted to test my visual library and knowledge. I do use reference whenever I'm not just sketching for fun.
I really want to pursue the rendering style of these artists for now:
- InCase: https://twitter.com/InCaseArt/status/1736695983981854970?s=20
- Lady Santos: https://twitter.com/ladysantos__/status/1736667741074124902/photo/1
- BlancLauz: https://twitter.com/BlancLauz/status/1747793043019935906
- Maren Nerei: https://twitter.com/rhabarberei/status/1604344523911487489/photo/1
- Crom: https://twitter.com/cromafterdark/status/1656739982873096209
I know a lot of these artists work in different styles and do a lot of rendered work, but I want to pick a lane and stick to it for now, and that lane is basic light/shadow shapes with limited hue variation and very little rendering. I think these works of theirs do a good job showing that off.
The reason I'm picking this approach is because understanding hard light/shadow shapes is a building block for being able to make fully rendered work.
Let's keep going.
(I promise the last 2023 post is next)
://x.com/InCaseArt/status/1736695983981854970?s=20https://x.com/InCaseArt/status/1736695983981854970?s=20 hasdfttps: //x.com/InCaseArt/status/1736695983981854970?s=20