Finished Final Image

I have now finished my environment image and working on my research portfolio. Sadly this will be my last post concerning this project, I have enjoyed writing this Blog and look forward to starting a new one when my next project start.

Environment cont 2

Environment cont 1

Environment Start

I have started working on my environment piece. I have outlined the draft of the image, and added colour in specific places. I am going to done some research into noble gardens in Japan for research and practice.

Model sheet with full colour

I have completed colouring the last part of my model sheet. This is how it looks. In all i am happy with this i have learnt alot when making the character sheet. Yet i understand that artistically the piece is not of the highest quality. Yet i am still relatively new to drawing and am happy with how much i have progressed since the start of this project.

Model Sheet (working on the angle shot)

I was really unhappy about the 45 degree shot in the model shot, this made me redo it i started with a silhouet to help me get a grasp of it, as doing it in the first stages really helped me get a base outline out. This model sheet really needs to be complete by the end of the day. I would like to start on my environment piece as soon as possible.  I had a life drawing lesson two days back, on tone and lighting, this made me experiment quickly with the lighter areas, of the image before adding colour.

Adding Colour to the Model Sheet

Character Sheet

Character Sheet Non colour. Will add colour soon. Going to email Nigel a copy of this to see if he can offer any advice for the angled shot (far left)

Side Shot

Touching up the Character sheets

I also had a talk with Nigel we talked about the composition for my enviroment piece, he suggested widening the canvas and put the vanishing point in a focus point, in relation to a classic composition

Final piece quick outline with focus on compisition

Was thinking about my environment piece for this project and decided to do a rough ouline of where i want all my aspects to go. So just a brief outline hopefully get some feedback in tomorrows workshop and see if any advice can be given.

As you can see ive already taken the eraser to my draft

Composition

This is one of my choices of images too look at composition, this image struck me straight away, this Iconic composition, shows the image split into sections, straight down the centre of the image, yet the image is also split horizontally in the horrison line and the pillars, the only aspect that doesn't fit the composure is the figure in the centre of the picture. 

This is another composition i am going to looked at. This one as it has very clear focus points and is done in the style of a classic composition, not only is it the brightest place but the whole image is set up to draw your eye to the protagonist. The light being one focus point offers a fantastic attraction point for the viewer.

All images i got for talking about in compositions and lighting were found on these websites

Deviant Art-
Concept Art World -

Light Image

This image caught my eye when i was looking to work on images with light, as i have other projects on Edo Japan most of my image research will be similar images. This image shows off a very unnatural light, over the figure and over the grave, this isn't to say that it is correct. The light on the right shows bounced light from the walls of the building and is primarily looking down on the figure. The rest of the image, has a very dark feel none of the light appears in the centre of the picture. The shadows give us a clear indication of where the light is coming from, the shadows on the tower and the figure show that the light is coming in from behind them.

This is an image from silent hill, after looking at a very unnatural image and its light, i wanted too look at a natural image, this light shows the perfect example of different lighting, the natural light floods the hallway, and the bounced light is refracting against the texture on the floor onto the wall to create that streak of light in the center of the image. The bounced light is also reflecting off the tiled floor onto the celing.

This is the last image i wanted to right about mainly because i think it is a gorgeousness image, and the light really makes this image, the clouds absorb the warm colours from the sun and illuminates the rest of the image. In the centre of the image the parasol is a good example of sub surface scattering not only dose the parasol glow, but all the colour is being absorbed showing that brilliant warm red. The texture of the parasol is depicted perfectly. It clearly shows how the light travels through that fabric. The shadows that the building creates shows the perfect way the light is travelling throughout the image, and when looking at the shadow you can see the iconic composition that the artist used for this image.

Notes on Senshi Before Story

Born into a samurai family in 1588

Senshi lived normally with family until debt struck the family

The family was in debt due to the daymio who forced the family to pay through their son joining the war

Taught warfair since the age of 15

During the battle of Sekigahara he fought on the front lines the whole battle, surviving even his master

Due to defeat at Sekigahara Senshi and his comrades were told to commit Seppuku, many of Senshi’s friends died yet Senshi refused

Due to refusing he was banished and labelled a ronin, told that he was never permitted to buy land or have a family again.

Worked as a mecarnary for money for 6 years

That is when our story begins

Fleshing out story on character

So i have decided to do a number of certainties with my character, to do with his play style but more importantly I have been thinking about what my character had been through, name, est.

So with the name i was kind of unoriginal i am going with the name of Senshi, which is Solider in Kanji. I then started to think about his history, family. I have come up with this layout

Senshi was walking along the road through the paddy fields, the stars were bright the moon reflecting into the water of the paddy fields. When he sees a luminous light in the distance. A lantern came bobbing along the path and a shrill voice echoed "a young warrior; good; good," a hunched woman carrying a lantern came into view. " do you seek riches, i can tell you a place, not far from here, much money, enough to fill your belly for years to come". Senshi felt his stomach twist at the sound of food, "If you follow this path you will find a mountain at the top and old temple resides" Senshi saw the woman's hand rise from the folds of her rags, and a pale bony finger pointed towards the mountains in the east. "The temple is guarded by three spirits, each terrifying, each strong. You will have to fight them out using this" the hags hand shook the small stick and the lantern towards Senshi who took it abruptly and tried to view the woman's face, yet her cowl was pulled close. "If you defeat them the rewards will be yours." Senshi paused; he was no fool. "And what do you wish for in return" A harsh cackle that quickly stopped as rain began to fall. "Smart and strong, good, i wish only that you bring me an intense holder the third spirit hangs it by its neck, bring me this and this alone and i will be satisfied." 

"And if i do not" Senshi replayed  "you will rule the day" The hag looked up Senshi saw a deep red face with large yellow eyes, two horns patroding out of her head, jaw long and wide. Teeth jagged and as sharp as his katana Senshi backed away their was a flash of lightning followed by a crash of thunder and the Oni had vanished.

Senshi grabbed the lantern and strolled through the fields, his hand firmly on his sword. Though he was sure he was alone again. After a mile of walking Senshi found a tea house, he walked in. The nobles were sat around, laughing and sharing sake, silence struck as Senshi walked in, he was a samurai yet he was unkempt and unruly, he pulled his hat low down his face and ordered some sake, he felt a man eyes on him from behind, he knelt down and drank the taste was warm harsh and refreshing, that will be 4 silver, Senshi felt in his pouch and felt the cold feel of coppers around his fingers, he pulled them out. 12 coppers not even half of the amout for the sake. "Trash" shouted the shopkeeper as he saw the money, Senshi sighed bowed and turned to leave only, to find his way blocked by one of the nobles. "You filthy Ronin" He spat at Senshi's feet " How about i pay for your drink and you can entertain me" Senshi noticed the mans hand ready to draw his weapon  He smiled, like a flash his right hand found his katana while his left gripped his wakashi. The noble never knew what happened, both blades had done their job and were sheathed again by the time blood started to fall. Senshi shook his head and slide the door open as the man dropped dead behind him. He was sick of this, being treated like a dog. His eyes burned as he looked up towards the temple that the Oni had told him about "The rewards would be all yous" the words revolved around his head. And he stepped forward. 

It took him two days to reach the peak of the mountain, he had a small run in with some of the previous's nobles friends two were weak and droped like children the third however had grace, speed and power. enough to wound Senshi a rare incident indeed. Yet not strong enough to kill the ronin. Senshi let him live, the man's name was Ansuga, and he lived in a town east of here. Senshi climbed the steps, towards the tall building Senshi got was exhausted but in aw at the scale and architecture two large beams held open an archway that lead to a set of huge double oak doors. Senshi approached as he did he noticed the door had a large scroll thrown over the door. The words "Death waits" printed on the door. Senshi ripped off the note, and yanked the door back, a cold wind blew into him, he grabbed for his hat and held it firm, suddenly the wind stopped and only darkness remained.  Senshi stepped into the room as he did the door shut behind him a gust of wind hitting his back, suddenly the room was a lit, candles littered the walls, going all the way to the celling, in the centre of the room was a pile of people 10 foot tall, all thin, pasty. Their mouths were open, the sound of groaning echoed around the wooden hall. Senshi approached as he did the body’s screamed, they twisted and squished, first a head then a body, then legs came. Until a body made of pale, weak corpses was standing over him. 12 ft tall, thin hollow spirit loomed over Senshi, it had a faint blue glow that wrapped its around its body like a cloak, suddenly a small bell like ringing could be heard, suddenly it strike, Senshi rolled to the side and drew his sword as a hand the slammed at the floor beneath him, Senshi leaped forward digging his blade through the corpses, yet the blade just hit hard wood beneath him.  The blade made no contact, Senshi then saw a fist ram him in the side, it sent him flying he rolled next to the candles and felt the small lantern fall out of his pocket, he reached for it just as the creature loomed over him, as his fingertips touched the small red lantern it came to light, as it did all the others went black. The spirit froze, both of them illuminated by a single lantern Senshi saw his opportunity and charged, a hand made of corpses shot towards him, he slashed his wakashahi and served body’s from bodies. The creature could be touched again, he jumped high. The creature vanished into darkness. Senshi plummeted down raising his sword, and the creatures head loomed into light as the lantern light hit him. Every mouth screamed as Senshi’s blade cut through the head of the creature. The lantern suddenly went out, and the candle lit up again there in the middle of the room was a pile of corpses, all dead. Senshi could now see that in the middle of the body’s were in the middle of the room he saw a small pedestal, he pushed the top off. To see a flicker of metal as the top pushed off to show a horde of bronze pieces.

This is as far as I got, before realising that I hit my 500 word limit a long time ago. I just got on a writing spree. I will evaluate the story in bullet points or chapter briefs in another post.

I did this for a number of reasons, me making a story helps me build an environment for the character, which also inspired me for my final piece, I have decided I am going to take the execution scene at the end of the story, and make a environment art piece of it.

Props, and character sheet posture

I realised today that I haven't done any work for a while. This resulted in me starting to work on props and character posture for a character sheet. I first started working on props, primarily the hat and tinderbox.I am currently working on the scarf yet am having trouble drawing fabric, i am going to ask my tutor tommorow for any advice they can offer.

Then I started looking at different sword styles. I started looking at how I want the sword to look like. I took inspiration from Chinese swords, and samurai swords. I then adapted these ideas and make my own styles. Some may not be very accurate for instance the broad sword  and the rings are primarily Chinese shaolin weapon designs yet this is just an inspiration draw I will iterated all my primary props as soon as possible

After last weeks group session i found out that character sheets normally have one arm outstretched at a 90 degree angle while the other hangs at the side. This is my newest outline of my character sheet from front view. After this i need to do a character sheet from a angular view a back view and a side view.

Try at Character sheet from back

Same way as from the front just used photoshop to make a silhouet and added detail with a brush, i made the back a bit more intricrate than the front as tje front has alot going on already. 

Start on a Character Sheet

So after my lecture today on sculpting i found out we were going to be practacing 3D modelling tomorrow. It was mentioned that a character sheet might be needed, for this reason this evening i did not manage to improve my model sheet, yet i have started on my character sheet, i used Photoshop to create this image, starting with a silhouette base, i outlined my character, then added detail using a low opacity eraser. i hope this will be ok to start making a low poly frame for tomorrow. 

I Plan to add colour to this as soon as i get round to working on the character sheet.

Model sheet with colour

So I added colour to the current model sheets I had drawn. I've only done the model sheets with the hats on, I'm still not too good at adding colour though I am noticeably better than my first attempts of drawing with colour. I am going to ask what Nigel and Lo Tar think would improve these images. 

Model Sheet with hats

This is my model sheet try without colour. I have a problem with one of the models, shown beneath   I am going to ask my tutors next time i am in to see what advice they could give me; and for the work they haven't seen. for the rest of the evening I am going to add colour to my two potential model sheets (unsure weithter they are up to standard as of yet) I will post the coloured images when I finish them, hopefully by the end of today. I am going to do some quick scour of the internet for inspiration. I will upload any images i think have influenced my drawings.

Model Sheet practice

I worked on these face shots today, they are quite simple yet i am going to add some colour to the image tomorrow to see if i can build a nice effect. Before I add colour I want to add the hat accessory to these shots, meaning i will have two model sheets one without a hat and the other with it.

Second Iteration

After working on my first iteration, i decided to try another, to see if my original colour scheme was still my favourite The next colour layout i wanted to work on was this one.

I am still using photoshop as a pose to Corel, however the results seem fine. I did this by using the smudge tool to clean up the image, then started working over with an acrylic brush, finally i added in some exstra detail. (faint scar on face, Old masters symbol on armour and Japanese calligraphy onto the sword)

Regrettably this is the best I can do with my current skill level, I am going to make this my primary iteration and start work on the model and character sheet using this silhouette. I may make changes as time goes on however this is a piece that i am happy with. I am next going to start to illustrate the accessories on the character, scarf, armour, swords, hat, pack, shoes. I will start by doing some research on how these items would look. 

Touching up on Iteration

So after i completed the 8 iterations i chose 1 and decided to neaten the image out. I asked Nigel on any advice on improving my Iterations, he suggested using a smudge tool from corel, however at the moment i haven't got the program. In its place i used Photoshop to clean up the image using the smudge tool.

After using smudge tool (maybe overuse of tool)

Before using smudge tool

1-8 Iterations

I have completed my iterations, I'm not sure weather these are up to standard of the iterations required, I am going to show this to my tutor, and see if he can offer any advice or criticism on these in case I need to improve or change them. Personally I am happy with what i have learnt and achieved while working on these, im normally unskilled in using Photoshop and i think these are some of my best to date.

Choice of silhouettes to iteration

After practising the iterations last night i started looking for my primary silhouettes to work on, i looked through my 100 silhouettes and settled on this one.

I decided I would highlight the the silhouette  before adding colour and detail.

I am going to work through the day adding coulur to a number of these silhouettes this will help me.

• Increase my drawing skill and experiment with brush styles
• Find an appropriate colour scheme for the character
• make any adjustments to the silhouette that i feel would be interesting or beneficial

Practice

I am now looking at iteration of characters and environment practice, so far i have tried a few images, however they never quite look real enough, the characters look blocky and unrealistic, where the environment doesn't feel right with the perspective, i have emailed one of my tutors asking for advice and where i am going wrong with the artwork, i hope i will get a reply soon, so i can practice more before making the iteration sheet.

All the silhouettes

I have now completed my 100 silhouettes, i drew inspiration from the various samurai sword styles,such as Iaedo and kendo, I also drew inspiration from the armour and everyday clothing they would wear. Once i had looked at swords, and outfits i started looking at the other weapons the samurai and ronin would use, spears, wakasashi's, nagata, and bows. These were the primary styles of warfare and combat that the samurai had and used throughout the Edo Period. Finally i started looking at accessories, such as head wear  straw hats  backpacks, and flags all of which made their way into the various silhouettes. 

Now i must decide on which one i should work on improving for my character iteration. My goal is by the end of the day have an outline of what silhouettes to improve and work on.

This was a small character iteration i tried in a lesson, so far this is just a rough idea and primarily practice for the main character concepts. This outline, helped me learn to add colour into my images a concept that i am enjoying and will have to improve over time.

Second hand Research

After doing the first 25 silhouettes, i started doing some second hand research on the internet, primary i have been looking at stances, in primarily kendo, from their i started looking into other sword styles like iaido and other weapon styles, such as nagata, bow stances, and some hand to hand postures.

Once i had a nice range of posses for this character concepts, i started looking at other parts of the project i should look at in this case the armour that samurai and ronin would of used in the Edo period. As i have already quite a few armour photographs in my first hand research I didn't look to deeply into the second hand research when looking for images for armours.

This image will be very useful, when i start looking at how armour fits on the characters.

The final Second hand research, I wanted to look into was my environment images, looking into buildings, scenery and other environment inspiration for when i start working on my environments artwork.

This concludes my second hand research at this point in the project, if i feel i need to do more then i will upload it when time comes.