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form2function β Avatar in Vector Limbo
Published: 2006-05-23 07:55:36 +0000 UTC; Views: 1036; Favourites: 0; Downloads: 44
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Description
The concept here was my avatar caught in or passing through the Vector Limbo. Different vector styles carry throughout the piece in different areas, in an effort to illustrate the chaotic state. Some parts have a rough, chunky feel, others more of a sketch style, and other still are pushing towards realism. Additionally I wanted to give the piece a retro / art deco feel, the sort you might find on the label or advertisement of absinthe. The eye you might recognize from my dA avatar, which goes back to my handle (form to function). The horns sort of grew on their own... I think of them as less sinister and more Bacchus-like, which I think ties back into the idea of absinthe.I worked on this for about two weeks on and off, some days for a couple hours and other times through all-night stretches. One note-worthy point is that no photo-reference was used in this, just a handy mirror and a sketchbook kept near for trying out ideas. This helped in keeping things conceptual instead of getting locked into a set image. It changed and evolved a lot over time, as most my pieces tend to. There's still areas that could use improvement, and I just might go back and work on them, but for now I think its as close as it'll come to my final goal.
Timeframe: 5.8.2006 - 5.22.2006
Tools: Illustrator CS
- FULL VIEW RECOMMENDED -
Update: This one didn't get chosen for any of the winning spots, and didn't even make it into the project highlights.... But I gotta say, I'm happy I did it. I think the end result was pretty close to what I had envisioned, and that's more than an artist can usually ask for.
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Comments: 55
I personally think you did a great job on this one. Sorry to hear it didn't get highlighted,
but you are right to say our work should be what we have in mind.
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Thanks for the kind words.
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I wish I could critique vectors better, but I just want to say that I like this one. It's very in your face and edgy.
This one didn't get chosen for any of the winning spots, and didn't even make it into the project highlights.... But I gotta say, I'm happy I did it. I think the end result was pretty close to what I had envisioned, and that's more than an artist can usually ask for.
It's always so frustrating to envision one thing and come up with something else. Congrats on achieving your vision! I think that's the best way to pursue art.
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One doesn't have to be an expert in a field to know what they like. I'm glad you like it, and I agree... Art without vision is tedious at best.
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I absolutely love this. The look on his face is priceless.
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Strange indeed. Thank you.
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Interesting concept, itΒ΄s really hard to capture facial expressions without an image but as you said it evolved. The horns are definately the most interesting part of this.
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Yeah, it was a pain. But at the same time, I felt that if I used a straight reference it would defeat the point of the contest... It wasn't just to draw our portraits with vectors, it was to present ourselves in a surreal world of vectors. I think doing it directly helped me envision that better.
Of course, if you look at the quality of this and some of my work from reference, you'll definitely see the difference. Should have a good example of that up soon.
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Highlighting on his face is well done. I don't particularly like the fringe though.
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If you mean the hair fringe... It was a stylistic choice to keep it straight and sharp. The hair in general goes through several styles, from choppy on the beard, the lightly and quasi-realistic feathering on the temples, the the blade-like fringe on the middle. Remember, this is meant to be a surreal portrait, not a realistic one.
I appreciate the critique though, thank you. And in part I might even agree.
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oh i know what you were trying to do i did read the description. That particular part didn't sit well with me that's all. I would have done curls or something, that would also contrast the other techniques used.
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hmmm.... the wink and the position of his lips kinda makes him look like he's observing something odd.... like he's thinking something similar to "huh?".... and the colors are really nice.... over all i give it a hearty bout of applause 
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*bows*
Glad you like. As for the expression... In a way, yes. Perhaps visualizing something odd, instead of observing. But either way, that's a pretty accurate call.
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the eye is awesome! good choice in colors too...I don't know why, but vectors always amaze me...maybe its because I can't do them or their so simple yet so realistic...meh...goodjob
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Thanks! And I agree, a good vector can be pretty amazing. I often feel the same way when looking at the work of the many accomplished illustrators here.
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yeah, I love browsing vector art...its so hard though! no matter how many tutorials I do...I still suck shit
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While I know little about vector art; I'll say this. Methinks it's just a wee bit too gray/washed out. Give it a really intense punch of color somewhere; say the eye for instance. Beatiful art on the whole, though. Well done.
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Thanks for the feedback. Seems half the folks love the subtle tones and the other half wish it had more of a punch. I'll say this though, it pops a lot more in Full View.
Appreciate the critique though as well as the compliment.
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No problem, there.
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If it weren't for the haircut, I'd say I'd be looking into a mirror. Nice one, good subtle shading.
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Thank you. Glad you like the shading...
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the horns look great, im just not sure if I like the colors
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Well shoot... I'm not married to the colors either, but I think they work for the particular feel I was going for. I might do a variant eventually though, and if I do I'll definitely play around with the colors more.
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I think it would look great in something darker
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Very nive cell shading in the face and i like th half gear eye it interesting
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thats a cool one
i can see u r good at that style
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Thanks. I'm nowhere near where I'd like to be, but... Life's a learning process, as is art.
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I'm horrible at commenting on vector, but I love it everytime I see a good piece. Great work!
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Brilliant work. A little humorous as well.
I wish I knew how to vector (well, that is)
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Thank you! And yeah, there's definitely a tongue-in-cheek side to the piece.
As for vectoring.. Really, all it takes is time, practice, and a vision. Same goes for most anything else in life as well. If you have a desire to improve, just keep practicing simple things as much as time permits you every day. One trick when learning anything is to have a set goal in mind. Don't ever just open a program and mess around... Have a clear goal in mind and work towards it. Even if the outcome doesn't look close to what you had in mind, you'll have learned a lot by doing it. And before you know it, your visions will start translating more accurately.
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it is kinda creepy. you put on some nice colours, like the way you made the eye
tho i think it could need some more details. maybe make the shadows a bit harder..
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There's actually more detail than is first visible... Zooming in helps you see it to an extent. However, leaving some of the areas sparce was done on purpose. I could have easily made this realistic, with soft, visible shadows, etc but I wanted to keep parts of it very geometric in nature. I could darken the shadows a bit more though, you might be right.
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kinda weird and creepy, 
Great stlylin
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Thanks and I agree.
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I love the style of this and his expression is very well done. Nice choice of colours too.
-Elise.
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It is, isn't it... Glad it comes across.
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hahaha i like this. very creative, keep up the nice work
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