Final

For my final project I wanted to redraw my character from the Hansel and Gretel assignment with a different, more illustrative approach. I chose a green color pallet (it worked well with my original composition), and kept my painting loose, as i like to see the energy that my brush strokes leave, and I'm not really all that great at keeping it tight.

Here's the progression of her portrait (reference used after the first sketch (haven't gotten permission from the artist yet...)):

Here is the rest of her body, where i decided that it would be fun to mix a flat, graphic style with the painterly appearance of her skin (inspiration):

For the background, I wanted to continue the interplay of the different styles, use a Japanese ukiyo-e theme, and try out different stock brushes in PS (inspiration, inspiration2 ):

And combined together (with some contextual shadows added)(if you want to see it larger, right-click the image and open in a new tab):

Final WIP

Hansel and Gretel Characters WIP

Final Project

Influence: http://steinlo.tumblr.com/

Idea: I would like to create a portrait similar to the artist I linked above. I'm not sure if i will be doing a straight up digital painting (which will involve creating some interesting brushes like his pixel brushes), or perhaps integrate the project with one from my other class (which will involve creating a digital bust of the character, compositing, and painting over it.)

Aztec Snake Witch [Hansel and Gretel]

Hansel and Gretel Characters WIP

Caleb and the Kicklighters

Works in progress:

Reference Inmages:

William Niu

A student I used to go to HS with. Here's a trailer for his thesis project:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wZcri2bB60&feature=youtu.be

and here's the link to his blog:
http://niuner.blogspot.com/

2nd portrait

WIP Self-Portrait

Self-Portrait (Caleb)

Useful brushes that someone else made

This is my favorite set of brushes that I thought I'd share with everyone. With a little practice, you can paint almost anything with these brushes, and get incredible details and textures with some simple layering.

If you're interested, the download link is near the top right of the page. The artist has also been generous enough to make them free to use, meaning you don't have to give him credit in any artwork you produce with this brush.

Here's an example painting the same artist did using these brushes: 

Brushes (Caleb Kicklighter)