Forgot to Blog :/

So I forgot to blog this week so I guess I'll do it now. Anyways, we're starting a new project on the combination of two pictures. Currently, I'm working on combining a warhead and the steeple of a church as if the rocket is launching out of the steeple in a cloud of smoke and fire. I haven't got too far on the project aside from the composition and positioning of the elements I intend to use. Everything still has to be integrated a lot better than it is currently. I'll be posting the final project, hopefully, this Wednesday.

[WIP] Self Portrait [Preview]

 
   Currently, I'm working on a project in which we take the origins of our full name and compose them into a piece represent us. For me, I'm using the center figure as St. Stephen with influences from my other names and motifs surrounding or encompassing him. For example, I'll have Stephen hold a blacksmith's hammer with a weathered anvil behind him. The martyr stones where colored to look like coal, which turned out in my favor.

Self Porrait

   Back to school with a new project in the works, a self portrait composed of symbolism based off our names. My focus of the piece will, for now, be on St. Stephen surrounded in darkness which derives from my first name Cole which, in Old English, was coel, meaning coal or darkness. I not certain on the format quite yet but I'll work the piece more over the weekend and try to formulate a cleaver outcome.

Tutorial: Chainmail pattern

In this tutorial I'll explain how I made the chainmail pattern from my most recent piece which should be right below this tutorial.

1. First make a document at 500x500 pixels and 300 ppi

2. Fill the document with a neutral grey. You can do this by using this keystroke [SHIFT + COMMAND/CONTROL + 4] and choosing 50% grey. You can also make whatever grey you want using the Paint Bucket tool.

3. After filling the canvas, use a Stained Glass filter to make the initial texture using the setting I have listed.

4. Finally copy the current layer, set the copy to 50% opacity, and use the Move Tool [V] and arrow keys to move the copy up every so slightly.

5. You're done! now just export as pattern and the chainmail will appear in menu when ever you wan to insert a pattern.

Finished! (almost)

Here's the sort-of finished bust of Dr. Freeman. I've spent lots of time only on this part which I hope to finish sometime....maybe. There were some parts where I experimented with the mixer brush which gave a dramatically softer tone than the rest of my painting.

Progress!

Freeman's head is coming along! Still need to shade his cheeks and forehead and add light to the hair. I'm going to add texture and rough it up a little once everything is painted.

Painting: Gordon Freeman

This is the stating of the sketch of the Half Life main protagonist, Gordon Freeman.
Since this game is from around 1998, the Hazard Suit he wear has block geometry making it perfect for practicing my straight line drawing while also practicing curves. I hope to have this done within a week.