'nother Fade
Dubbilex
Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Cel-style(at least it STARTED that way)</div> HEre's a picture I've been working on recently. It's a fade, as you can see <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
For source material, I used the fade concept art sketch.
This is an early version - I haven't finalized anything yet. And I'm definitely not happy with the belly <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->
So...what's wrong with it?
<img src='http://www.dodstudios.net/uploads/uploads/Fadez0r.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>
For source material, I used the fade concept art sketch.
This is an early version - I haven't finalized anything yet. And I'm definitely not happy with the belly <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->
So...what's wrong with it?
<img src='http://www.dodstudios.net/uploads/uploads/Fadez0r.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>
Comments
I don't know if the infestation works well because it's overlapping the black lines... As far as I know in cell shading (not much) everything is within the black lines.
The main black outline is the topmost layer - it comes out over everything. Of course the infestation <i>does</i> overlap the earlier-mention crappy stomach. The detail on the stomach is quite different from the sketch - I was working on the in-game "armor-platedness" as my nspiration. . I will now change the stomach to be crisper, more black lines. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
That seems to be the problem <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
I was looking at it and I went "buuuuh, wth?"
I'll fix the infestation <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
<img src='http://www.dodstudios.net/uploads/uploads/FADEARIFFIC.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>
Allright. I went back and added another background. i just put it through some filters to get it to look "cartoonish."
I slightly toned the pink on his belly down (most likely not enough, but I tried). I also fixed some minor color details on various parts of the body.
<i>Without further ado, I unveil Part Deux!</i>
<img src='http://www.dodstudios.net/uploads/uploads/Fadezorredux5.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>
The reason I said it looked hunched over before was because the belly line was almost at a 90 degree angle at the top. I never said anything because you probably wouldn't know what I was muttering about. But it is fixed now so I thought I would mention it <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
Make sure to keep consistant with your lighting source. With cell shading, the real trick is simply making sure that your shadows are directly on the other side from where the light source is. This is even harder if you're going to work with multiple lighitng sources, as well. I know you aren't right now, but on some of the spots of the fade, it gives some of the appearance that there is, which, to be blunt, is making the image look a bit poor, where it could look a lot better.
In addition, try to keep in mind shadow depth. Make sure all the shadows correspond with what's casting them. A persons head is going to cast more shadow than say, his armband, or what have you. Just keep in mind how everyhting is contouring to the body of your work.
If I get time tonight, or some time soon, I'll do a quick sketch like your fade, and color it up, so you can get a better idea of what I'm tlaking about. I've always been glad to help aspiring artists get their footing solid into their enjoyment, with as little frustration as possible, so I'll be glad to help <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
Sorry bout it :\
Thanks.
I was taking into account that I would most likely have my normal 4-5 hours of homework tonight, but, I didn't, and there were no plans for the evening, so, you got bumped up on the list of "stuff I really need to do/help someone with" <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->.
I'm going to post the image, and then I'll do a post below explaining everything.
Anyway, first we'll start off with some of the basic concepts of cell shading, or at least my method on them.
First, early on, establish where you're light source is coming from. With mine, it's fairly obvious (at least to me <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->), that the lighting source is coming from directly above and with a little bit of an angle to it. Think something like a high up flood light.
The next thing to take into account is the depth of the parts you're going to shadow. Note how on some of the rivets of the skin and such, that there is barley much of a shadow, but still enough you can establish that there is certainly a small bulge in the skin there. With things like the body tubes, though, note that they cast different lengths of shadows, based on how close they get to the skin of the fade, such as on the top of the head, there is not as much shadow being cast as the tube on the back is.
Now we'll get into things that are a little more minute, but overall benefit the image. If you pay close attention, you'll note that the cell shadows not only are on the underside of skin bulges (a good place to look for this is the fad'es left arm), but also a little bit on the skin bulge itself. This helps establish a little bit of a curve with the skin, providing a more 3d look to it, but still sticking with cell shading style. In addition, the same concept is placed on the body tubes. With these shadows being added to the opposite side of where the light is on these tubes, it provides a much better look as though the tubes are round than if you simply used curved lines to indicate as such.
Alright, now, the part you've probably been anticipating. I'll explain EXACTLEY how I made this picture.
First, load up the image in Photoshop. (I use Photoshop Elements, so if there are any differences, they shouldn't be too hard to accomodate. In addition, for the drawing itself, I did a freehand in one of my sketchpads while looking off the source image you posted (Thanks to cory for making fades sexah!) and then inked over the lines, erased the pencil, and scanned.) After you load it up, first thing you want to do is highlight the image, and paste two copies of it, that way, if you check your layers panel, you have the background, and 2 layers.
Now, select layer number 2, and set it as a "multiply" layer, leaving the opacity at 100%. Everything should darken. This is a good thing, and won't ruin the picture one bit, because in a few seconds, you're going to deleat most of the top layer anyway <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->. Select the majic wand tool, make sure you're still on Layer 2, and start clicking in all the white space, and deleating after each selection. What you're doing is basically making holes in the image, and leaving the lines, so when we go to color the picture in Layer 1, we won't have to watch the lines so closely <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> Once all the white space has been deleated, switch to Layer 1.
This is when you'll start coloring everything. Don't worry about shading or anything, simply make sure you're still on Layer 1, (and if you're click, and nothing is being drawn, that means that the last white point you selected to delete, is still selected. Just go up to the box selection too, click somewhere on the picture, and then go back and start painting.) You don't have to watch lines as closely, since they are techincally hovering above the layer you're on now <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> Isn't life so easy? <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
Once everything is flat colored, select to make a new layer. Make sure you're still on Layer 1 when you choose this, so Layer 3 will be inbetween Layers 1 and 2. Make this layer a "Multiply" layer as well, and set it's opacity to 30%. This is where we do the actualy cell shading itself. Select the pencil or paintbrush tool (I prefer the paintbrush tool so it looks rounded, but still crisp, since the pencil tool leaves jaggies. You can fix them with the smudge tool, which is what I actually do on pictures where I need precise detail <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->). Now, select the color selector, and find blue, we're talking pure blue. An easier way to get it is to type in 0/0/225 in the color selector boxes. Then, choose a blue lower than 225. I recommend a SERIOSLY dark, deep blue, almost black. Then go around the picture, taking into account you're light source, and what you want to give off the look of being curved. This is where it's more just "practice makes perfect". There is no real way to describe how shadows should take shape, other than that don't add to many, and don't add too few. Rmember to add shadows to under the arm, where it is sticking out, and under places like the jaw.
Alright, once that is done, we're going to move on to the highlights. Make a new Layer, and select it as an "Overlay" layer, with a 50% opacity. Select the airbrush tool, and keep the same color you have right now. This is going to add deeper shadows to areas, instead of simply having the cell shading. Place these dark shadows in places such as the underarm, or in places where there are deeper grooves than usual. Once you have everything shadowed (remember your light source!), select a lighter color. I used a pale yellow for the highlights. Basically, these highlights will mix the color of the skin of your subject with whatever color the light source is. If you want red, use a paler red, and so forth. Now, once that is all done, you're going to make once last layer, specifically for the eye. select Layer 2, and then make a new layer, on top of all the other layers. Make this new layer a "screen" layer, and keep the opacity at 100%.
Basically, select what color you want the eye to glow, and use the airbrush to lightly and the glow around the eyes. And you should be done!
A few tips....
-Don't get frustrated. Frustration just makes art no fun at all. If you're trying to compare you're work to someone elses, you usally will get frustrated. I know I've been through that about a million times, and in the end, nothing is achieved from it. Just keep a clear mind about what you want from the picture, and try and make it happen by taking the advice of others, but not comparing their art to yours <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
-Experience is key. No one naturally starts off as good as they can be. I'll admit that some people have it easier than others, with more of an "art gene", as I'd call it. I've only taken art classes in 7th grade, where it was forced. Now, that's now a wise decision on my part, but, I'll work on that. It basically jsut amounts to practice. The more practice you have, the better and more experienced you'll become. Also, keep your eye out for how things are really drawn. Don't jsut look at how the picture appears. Look at little tiny things, like a fold in the cloth. You'll probably catch yourself going "ohhhhh, ok" a few times <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
-Just plain have fun.
Sorry if some of these parts of the tutorial you already know. Just figured I'd type up the whole thing in case others were wanting to know how to do coloring as well <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
If you have any other questions, I'd be glad to answer <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
-Xander Wilkins
Aaaaaaanyways....
Wilkins: Thanks for the tips. I used many of the same techniques that you did - I merely went into less detail. For instance - I didn't do the "lightening of the raised surfaces" with the yellow color, it seems. To be honest, that technique's new to me <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> Nonetheless, it looks quite helpful and I'll try to include it in my future work. About the shading: Yes, I realize that it is...<i>wrong</i>, to say the least <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
I was merely trying to make it look cool without much thought for true mechanics or whatnot <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> I don't think I'll fix this model - I'll make a <i>new</i> one sometime soon, hoping to fix my previous mistakes. problem mis, my scanner committed hari-kiri, so I have to rely on my clumsy ol' mouse.
Again Wilking - thanks <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> Expect another picture sometime in the near future. I'll be a good student - I promise <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Oh yeah. And here's the blasted picture: