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Chromamancer — Commanding from Above
Published: 2009-12-29 18:12:06 +0000 UTC; Views: 10055; Favourites: 460; Downloads: 309
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Description
Art time! Yay!The general idea is that he is a general or commander. The flag and sword are there to give direction, not for combat. Although, the dragon could probably handle that side of things without any difficulty.
This was a vector trace and Photoshop retouch I made off of an oekaki I drew recently. Here is the process behind that, in case anyone is wondering how it was drawn. After the end of this animation is where I switched to Photoshop.
Drawing Process: [link]
I'll have to do a few pictures with some more greens and earth tones. I've been using a lot of warm colors recently.
Comments and criticism are always welcome.
Color retouch done on 12/30/10
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Comments: 101
Well, yes, I guess so. 
I'm not really sure if I'm ready to be doing art from scratch quite yet. My hand isn't steady enough with a mouse to go and create something without scanning in the lineart first. I want to practice this, of course, but I'm not there yet...
I think recording the drawing process would be a big plus for me (especially because I know I'm not doing things in a very effective way and people could give me tips XD). Don't know about drawing from multiple computers, seeing as I only use this one...
What format can you export them as? Sounds like it's beneficial to switch between the two programs like that. I've only got one that I ever use, right now...
Yeah, tutorials definitely help... I always keep an eye out for them. It's nice to know not just what you need to practice, but how to practice it. Most of the tutorials I find aren't incredibly helpful, though... A lot just state information I've already figured out on my own, but in a slightly different way.
Well, while I could argue that my current art is several levels above what I should be drawing anyways, it's comforting to know that someone can get from this point to where you're at without just being born that way.
What is the technique for drawing with a mouse? While I can't draw good circles with a pencil, I can barely draw an oblong egg shape while freehanding with the mouse.
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The boards usually just compress and upload the images as png files, so you don't really have a lot of choices on how to export the images. You'll just upload your picture to the board, then save it right from the page, once it's up. It's never too take a shot at making art from scratch.
There are a lot of basic tutorials around, but there are also a few more advanced ones. They continue to be helpful, as long as you dig enough to find the right ones.
As for the technique to use a mouse... Hmm. I don't know if I have any special technique to it. I tend to rest my wrist on one of those pad things, so my hand is comfortable, and mostly move the mouse with my fingers... I use my wrist a little, but not as much, and I hardly use my elbow at all.
I don't know if that is any different from how you use a mouse, but maybe it'll be helpful.
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Well, as far as exporting, I meant for the purpose of getting the file into another program to edit. Or is that what you were talking about? XD
That might be my problem. I never really go digging for tutorials.
So it sounds like you use less wrist than me, for one. Though I usually just keep my whole hand rested on the mousepad as well, but I think I tend to draw more with my wrist than my fingers.
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That's what I was talking about, too. You'll end up with a jpg or png from the oekaki board, so you can edit it with Photoshop easily, but you lose all your layer information. Without layers, it can be tough to make big changes, but color correction is still very easy. That is much easier to do with Photoshop then it is in oekaki.
As for good tutorials, here is an interesting composition one, for example. [link] It is designed for photography, but it is applicable to art, as well. There are all sorts of interesting ones around.
I made a journal a while back asking people what their favorite tutorials are. There are some good ones in there. [link]
Using less wrist might be the trick to using a mouse well. I've never really thought much about how I use the mouse before.
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Okay, that makes sense. Has it ever been much of an inconvenience for you, to not be able to export an image in layers? Or does the board have everything you need to do a picture besides most of the color correction?
Oh, btw, could you toss me the link to the board again? I lost it.
Oh, yeah, I've heard about the rule of thirds before. Never really been something I've thought about before when I draw (I'm usually more concerned with everything just fitting into or filling all of the page. I don't think it's ever been an issue though. XD).
Ooh, I'll have to take a glance through that journal then. There's enough tutorials out there for sure, but it's hard to know whether they're good or not. Getting a referral helps. XD
It's always just worked for you, hmm? Or maybe you've done enough art with the mouse that you've just subconsciously found a way that works without really needing to think too much about it.
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I usually do everything I need layers for on the oekaki board, so it hasn't really been inconvenient at all. I mainly just do color correction after I save it.
I saw the picture you made on that board.
What did you think of it?
Using a mouse hasn't really been inconvenient for me, but that's probably just because I was really bad when I started, and that was more due to me being really bad, not just being limited by the mouse. So, I got better with the mouse, when I improved with my art. It was never really an issue. I assume using a mouse would be more frustrating if you had more experience, so the mouse would be an actual limitation.
Until you get used to using it, of course.
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Hmm, I guess if the oekaki has most everything you need it wouldn't pose an inconvenience then. XD What do you mean by color correction, specifically?
Well, that depends, the picture or the board?
As for the board, I haven't had enough experience to really formulate any kind of opinion yet. I'm planning on drawing some more on it, though, so I'll soon learn whether I like it or not. XD
Heh, well, in all honesty I don't think using a mouse really holds me back that much (mostly because I don't do any better when I try a tablet, or when I draw traditionally
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Wow, a lot of warm colours! It's not a bad thing, I just think it makes the dragon stand out a little less. Maybe if he was blue or green?
Nevertheless, a well drawn/Photoshopped picture!
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Thank you.
I spent a bit of time playing around with the color of the dragon, and made a minor edit to the picture. I added a bit more red to the dragon, to set it apart a little more from the background. Blue works for the same task, but it does change the balance between the warm and cool colors. I thought red had more impact, in this case. Thanks for pointing that out.
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No problem! I only thought that if the dragon was blue or green ( a cool colour) it would create more contrast to the background and make it stand out, although it might have made the dragon less linked to the background, and appear separate to it.
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I know. It's definitely a good idea, and thank you for bringing it up.
It was blending in with the background quite a bit, so I was experimenting with the colors...
A cool color does create more contrast and make the dragon stand out more, but I think a warm color adds to the atmosphere a bit better, so I tried to make it stand out more, while sticking to a warm color in the end.
The most interesting alternate version I stumbled across was desaturated all colors except for the firey oranges and yellows. The dragon ends up looking mostly gray or black, and blending in to the sky in a way, but it is quite an interesting look.
If you want to take a look at that, I could always upload it into scraps for you. Or the version with a blue dragon.
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Well, I suppose it paid off in the end!
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amazing!the colouring and lights is so beautifull!
i love the fire of the mouth of dragon
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Thank you.
I always like that firey mouth effect.
It makes for some interesting lighting and contrast, especially when the rest of the dragon is darker.
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Thanks.
I'm glad to hear it.
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Thank you.
It's good to hear that worked out well.
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it is really awesome :3 and I must say I like art time more then reading time xD
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Thanks.
I think it depends on what I'm reading, myself. Good books are a lot of fun.
Of course, art is too.
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your welcome
and yeah that is true XD
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Oh wow! I really love the lighting in this picture. 
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Thank you.
I only used warm colors in the oekaki I made. I only thought of putting some cool colors in when I took another look at it in Photoshop. It's good to hear that those turned out well.
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woaaaaaaaaaa so great O_O
i love the mout of the dragon and how it glows O_O
so greaaaaat i looooove it ^w^
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Thank you.
I'm glad you like it.
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Thank you.
I spent a while playing around with colors on this one.
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Another wonderful piece from you. I love your dragons so very much, they're quite exquisite and I love your use of colors.
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Thank you.
I actually changed the coloring and lighting a fair amount from when I first made the oekaki.
I'm glad to hear that the colors turned out well.
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Another wonderful piece from you. I love your dragons so very much, they're quite exquisite and I love your use of colors.
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This is positively incredible. I loves it oh so much
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Thank you.
I'm glad you enjoy it.
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Very smexy. I love how you can see the brushed quality of it <3 Very nice. I should try something like this.
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Thank you.
Give it a shot.
This is one that I did in black and white before adding color. That seems to make it easier to get some good contrast in the picture, I think.
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-nod nod- I shall. Cool technique.
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Thank you.
I'm glad you enjoy it.
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I love it alot alot I TELL U. I love ur pictures.
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Thanks again.
It's an honor to hear that.
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Very beautiful, as usual! The shading is great, and I love how the light comes out of the dragon's mouth.
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Thank you.
I always like doing that glowing mouth thing. It usually makes some interesting lighting and contrast.
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Cool, I really like it. The shading is really good ^_^
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Thank you.
It's good to hear that turned out well.
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