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faile35 — Amazon Slaves 03 - WIP1
Published: 2007-06-06 14:18:29 +0000 UTC; Views: 21573; Favourites: 188; Downloads: 345
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Description
Okay, here is my fifth digital work. It's not done, but just getting to this point in the process, I've figured some more things out and I'm feeling rather pleased with myself.
This took me five hours total, from the beginning of the line-art sketch on paper, to this point. Honestly, it was one of the funnest projects I've worked on in a long time, mostly because of how much smoother and cleaner it turned out compared to my other digital works. (In fact, I'll probably start over completely on "Amazon Slaves 01," if my muse/demon will let me...)From here, though, I'm a bit at a loss. Do I try and add highlighting effects to it, including some work with the gradient tool? Do I add some kind of jungle-floral-lighting pattern to the green? Do I leave it as is? Do I move this into scraps?
Lots of questions.Regardless, these "Amazon Slaves" pictures are definitely inspired by DocRedfield's "Jungle Captives" pieces, some of which are on his DA gallery. Love your work, my friend!
One or more of these "Amazon Slaves" will be entered into the "Jungle Jeopardy" contest on Doc's group, MonstersandMaidens, which is a LOT of fun.
Enjoy!
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Comments: 49
Hey, looks pretty good and clean.
The background is the most important thing right now, I'd say. You could leave the characters as they are and it'd still look good(though some highlight and shadows would be nice), but there must be a background.
Keep it up, man!
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Thanks! I'm toying with the background in my head. We'll see where it ends up.
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The easiest trick I have found is to leave your actual line work alone. On PC, press Ctrl+Shift+N, and just click "OK" on the box that comes up. It makes a new layer. Pick that layer (it turns blue in the sidebar when you have it selected), and then go to the roll-down box at the top of the sidebar (where it says "Normal") and scroll to the "Multiply" option instead. Now just paint (ON THE NEW LAYER--more on that at the bottom) with whatever colors you want! You can see "through" them to the lines of your artwork, for the most part.
It's the easiest/fastest way I've found to lay down flat plain colors or big blocks of color, though you might have to duplicate (ctrl+J) your lineart and drag it to the top in modes like "color burn" to keep it dark and sharp, and merge layers from time to time.
Layers really confused me until I realized it's like laying down sheets of tissue paper; you can "cut" or erase parts out, etc. etc., and it doesn't change the paper on the bottom! It's just important to be sure and "paint" on the right sheet of "tissue paper".
Hope this helps ^_^
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Thank you for the suggestion! 
Thanks!
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Great progress, I think.
A rough background, more like a camo texture, might look nice. Sort of like PirateStan suggested.
But the picture definitely is nice the way it is.
BTW, what came to my mind as a dialogue caption for the picture was:
Blonde: "We're special guests at the feast tonight, that's what he said."
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Thank you. Glad you think so.
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it's all good to me... cuz i don't know jackdoodlysquat about this digital stuff...
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Wait. It HAS better color on the redhead, or it NEEDS better color on the redhead? Thanks!
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HAS.
Blue Bikini: "Hey, Red?"
White Bikini: "Yeah, Blondie?"
BK: "Uh, I don't want to creep you out... but these guys don't have any feet!
WB: "I know, and what's with the Dorothy Hamill haircuts? That is *sooo* 70's."
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Yeah, those feet are a problem. Thanks!
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Nice, even if technically Amazon women were supposed to only have one breast, since they cut off the left one so they could shoot better. XD Hence the origin of the name.
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Augh! Yes, you're right. The title should (will) be changed to reflect my original intentions: Slaves on the Amazon (River).
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Title: "Up the Amazon Without a Paddle"?
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I figured it would be something of the sort, but all the same. I think for one reason or another you shirk from drawing women with only one breast.
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I do, for one reason or another.
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I think he means Amaz0n as in the Amazon basin
I'm pretty sure, Xena aside, the Greeks weren't running into many chicks who shopped at Victoria's Secret...
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And the Amazon Basin is correct.
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Yup. Not a page-by-page "Demon's Due" style, but there will be about 8-10 total, I think.
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I think you've done a wonderful job so far and I think it would be a shame not to see it all the way through. I think you should do the shading and lighting... And maybe to cut corners a little maybe work with a jungle picture for the background, blurred so that the main focus is on the men and thier captives. I'm terrible at backgrounds and I tend to do the photo thing, but if you want to go the whole nine yards (and probably the same amount of time) then create a jungle background too, just don't forget that the ladies are the main focus.
Again good job so far. Are you using Adobe Photoshop CS2 or some other digital coloring program?
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Yes, it is CS2 I'm working with. Thanks for the suggestions! I want to try and keep the textures the same throughout, so I'll probably hold off on using a photograph in the background. However, incorporating a bit more highs and lows, and muted streaks of light and shadows will probably work. Thank you!
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I love your clean line-work here, and the colors really work thus far. The most basic form of coloring in in Photoshop can use color shades or dodge/burn to give some depth (and then I usually highlight after that's all done). The background here could be deeper greens and blacks to give an impression of a dark bit of jungle while focussing on the characters...? In any case, it looks like you're getting the hang of this, and its cool that you're having fun (new tools and skills rule, eh?)
Thanks for the awesome nods!
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You are quite welcome.
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Dodge and burn are tools in the photoshop pallet - if you can't find em, lemme know
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I'm working on finding them. Except that I'm now in Denver and without my tools. But, I'm eager to return and try my hand at them.
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I generally think in terms of three levels of color on pieces like this... the midtones (which you already have up), the shading, and the highlights.
If you want to send me the PSD file I will knock out the other two levels on separate layers to give you an idea.
This does look damned good with just the flats, but the shading and highlighting will bring it out even better.
You can also add a background with a sort of watercolor look, much like traditional cel animation.
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You're very kind to offer that. Note me with an email address and I'll send you the file.
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Wow, the your line art came out really well! Now you just have to take care of shading, tones, layers...
I have to say, the first thing that came to mind was what the second woman was saying, something like "Wait, where are they taking us? I've got an appointment with the manicurist in an hour, and look at my hair--I'm a mess!"
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Thanks for the compliments. I'm still contemplating how to work with it from this point on.
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Great job. I wonder if I can get them to trade those two on a few cheap, modern items.
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They are a sucker for hand-held paddle-ball games... 
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The bodies could benefit from highlighting to make them looking more plastic. Although there is mostly diffuse light in the jungle sometimes the sun find its ways beneath the leaves and adds a directional lighting. By changing the light colour one can also give a suggestion which daytime it is. In a way you have to find a certain continuos style for your drawings. Maybe the highlights have to be smooth along the body curves but maybe only some small, more rough highlights at the elevated points of the body (like the joints) could also do well.
And i would defffinitly add a background. I would favour something which adds some drama to the scene and explains why redhead is calling so desperatly to blondie. Maybe some animal totems, bundles of skulls hanging from trees or the overgrown entrance portal to a sinister temple.
There is a very fine drawn comic in a somewhat similiar way about a jungle story from Jim Silke called "Rascals in paradise"
Maybe you want to have look to see how the colouring had been done there. although i think this one hasent been digitally painted but is drawn and coloured the old fashioned way.
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Yeah, the diffused lighting could eliminate a lot of harsh shadows, but I think the simple rendering of form requires some shading, so I need to add a light-side/dark-side element, with some subtle highlighting. I'm working on that background, toying with various ideas and looks. The problem is, however, that until I can render the figures a little better, the background HAS to be less-detailed than they are, so I can't really decide on anything.
Thanks!
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Very nice, i'm just learning the ins and outs of Photoshop myself, wish i could help. I'm sure you'll manage as time goes on.
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Thanks, and thanks for the vote of confidence.
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