Hello all!

First of all, i am mostly 3d artist, trying to specialize into environment.
My big problem was always concept phase, as i totaly suck at painting and stuff, so it's limiting when i move to 3d part (As in, actual modelling).

For that reason (well, and i always wanted to try it), i decided to give digital painting a try. Got myself some books on perspective, colors and such. So, even though i'm more into 3d, i'll be focusing here, atleast for some time, mostly on 2d.

I decided for now, i'll try to make 3 very different environments for practise. Also, for all three pics, i'm trying to not have specific envo in mind, but play around with colors and shapes until i get idea.
This is to try generate ideas that i may not come up with otherwise.

After that, i might do some drawing from real life photos.

First, the fantasy environment i started a week or so ago.
These are some WIP of it and the current stage at the end.

OH, and ofcourse, any critics are more then wellcomed!

Fantasy Environment, WIPs:





Also, started on the second. Not too sure in what dirrection it will go eventually, but i'm thinking some scifi city or settlement, placed in the desert canyon- like place.

Desert City:


Cheers!

A little progress on desert envo:

Trying to focus on the focal point of this image, that will be thos temple on far left. Just playing around with ideas for now:

Worked a bit farther on this desert envo, and having quite some problems with the perspective. What do you guys think?

Ok started to play around with the lighting....

Small progress:

Also started do do some studying.....not too great, so i'll need to work on these a bit more:

My first speed painting from reference. 35mins:

Here are two speedpaintings from refence:

No color picking, and just using hard brush:

38 mins:


And 32 mins:

Somehow, this last one was very chalenging, a lot of similar, yet quite contrasted colors, so it was hard to get the right colors

Quick B/W study:

DId a quck 2 and 3 point perspective practise, with three point having horizont tilted:

A little progress on the landscape:

Aaaaand a bit more progress. Slowly starting to finish this:

Hey Zocky, your latest picture is looking really good. I see you are trying hard with painting- I think you will improve very quickly!

About the studies- I guess it depends on if you are training your drawing skills or trying to be clean/sharp with colouring, but you can make it easier on yourself with the sphere by using a circle selection tool to help guide your brush marks. Depending on the software, you can also lock layers (transparency) and just work on a simple shape without having to worry about colouring out the lines. Just thought I'd say, since it seems like you put a lot of effort into shading, but taking shortcuts will make your workflow quicker. :o

heh, tnx a lot for your suggestion!

Though, i'm not really sure if i understand you. So basicly what you are saying is, that i should make on seperate layer "proper" shape via selection tools (Circle, lasso, etc)...and draw on upper layer to practise how to get the shapes manually?

And yeah, while i can if i put a lot of effort, make ok models and maps, i always have problems putting down the idea on the paper first, so it is partily the reason why i want to learn 2d. Well, besisdes the fact that i quite enyoj it .:P

Ah right sorry I guess it wasn't clear.
You make a new layer (on top of the bg colour), use circle marquee tool (if you're using photoshop it should be next to the lasso tool). Hold shift+alt, drag to create a perfect circle. Then on the layers panel, there should be an option to 'lock' that layer. That will stop you from colouring outside that circle- therefore making a sharper image. I know a lot of digital artists do it that way, but if you are trying to train your hands on a tablet, I guess whatever way you do it is good. If you don't use photoshop, I'm pretty sure all painting software have those two features.

oh, now i see what you mean. Tnx for your effort!

Yeah, i was actually thinking of doing just that. I have some photoshop knowledge because of textures i make using it for my 3d models. But 2d is still somewhat new to me, so i wasn't really sure if i should do it this way, or rather hand paint it. Wasn't sure what way is it really suppose to learn it.

I will try to use your method to, it's the shading i'm trying to learn as first, so i guess it should be great aswell.

Tnx!

That's no problem! You can learn any way really. I find most people just do the way that works best for them. Some concept artists use the selection tool + lock layers a lot to quickly paint out something sharp and detailed. It will definitely help you out, especially if you need to just do some straight/precise lines and shading. Keep up the good work!

Ok, i'll try to do that, tnx for all your help!

Also, I call this picture finished. And i named it "Gathering At Somberglow"


High res: http://i.imgur.com/DTbJQ.jpg
Cheers!