Introduction:

I feel that I have the basics down. I've switched from using Fireworks(FW) and Photoshop(PS) to almost 100% Illustrator(Illy).

 

On a few pieces that I've done recently, I've used PS to color my vectors - but i always like the simple, 2-D version better.

 

I believe that I am beginning to develop a style of my own and making a new thread is over-due.

None of my recent Illy pieces have been posted - they've been nothing but practice, and you've all seen enough of that.

I still BEG for criticism, because I wont have any new tricks to add (or flaws to work out) if I receive none.

 

I use no renders, no photographs by other people, and no C4D's.

 

This thread will be actual works and works-in-progress, rarely (if ever) will I post practice work on this thread.

Again, I am nowhere NEAR done learning, so please please please, point out anything that I could do better.

 

With that said, I'll begin posting my work below. Thank you all for your continued criticism and feedback, it's helped immensely!

 

 

 

Project 1: SOTW - Lego

 

 

This was the only piece that I prepared and finished during the past 2 weeks.

It was my entry for the SOTW - Lego.

It is 100% Illy, no meshes used.

I could'of/should'of spent more time developing this, I may go back and rework it eventually.

 

 

 

 

Project 2: Frog Signature

 

 

I made this sig tonight. I spent most of the time on the frog. I think that some background color could have made it easier to see but...

Nothing makes brown and green easy to see, and still look decent. (except white)

100% Illy

 

 

 

 

Project 3: SOTW - Underwater Theme

 

 

This is my entry for this week's SOTW - Underwater theme.

Everything is done in Illy except for the outside border, which was made in FW.

This is also the first piece that I have used meshes on and posted publically.

Wish me luck in the SOTW :D

 

 

 

 

 

Project 4: Face Vector

 

 

This is my first presentable piece this week. Took me 3-4 hours.

This is the first time that I have traced something on Illustrator. I like how it turned out.

It might have been better to leave it simplified, but this is a background, so i thought some color'd be nice :)

 

 

Pen tool ftw :D

 

 

 

Project 5: Personal Business Logo

 

 

This drawing was for class. I talked my graphic/web teacher into forcing everyone to do assignments in illustrator, and this is what I made.

I made a rough "logo" for a business I'd want, the main point was the glass, everything else was "extra"

C/C please, tho i didnt spend much time on the other aspects :rolleyes:

Illustrator - Pure Pen / Circle tool / Time&Love

edit: I now see the green line along the side. Its not ready to turn in, but its a prototype :wall:

 

 

 

 

Project 6: Photo-realistic (or what should be :rolleyes: ) DS

 

 

100% illy, pentool, distortion tool, and rounded rectangle tool.

I tried to do this as close to my ds as i could. The control-pad is flat, the reflections arent quite right, but it met my expectations.

I haven't posted in a while, but I've got a few large projects in the oven.

This only took me about 3 hours, I might go back and rework it later, but i already have enough crap started :wall:

 

 

 

 

Project 7: Anime-Style Face Mesh

 

95% Illustrator - 5% Photoshop

I'm not sure what my opinion is of this piece. Approximately 3 hours on illustrator.

I finally put some time in on PS with this one. I used the burn tool to add a few shadows.

It's nothin that I would call a finished piece,lacks a background etc... but the woman is finished.

Here's the final product:

 

 

I'm trying to learn to draw people using meshes. Meshes are most simply described as...

A large gradient that can have endless points of color-reference. You can theoretically make a photo-realistic anything using them.

They're incredibly useful but tricky to learn.. This is my 3rd face, however it's my first one that turned out.

Here's a picture that might help me explain this better.

 

 

 

C/C please! It's always greatly apprecated and usually (if not always) applied later on.

looks awesome! post this on WGWB :)

I really like the Frog signature. The colours actually work very well imo, any more and i think it would ruin the look.

Finally, someone who is new and will take criticism and actually improves. I'm glad to see your experimenting, that is what you should be doing. I'll edit this post later with crit when I have time.

looks awesome! post this on WGWB :)

 

Thanks man :) I will when i find the time

 

 

I really like the Frog signature. The colours actually work very well imo, any more and i think it would ruin the look.

 

Thank you for your feedback. I actually tried at least 15 colors for a background, and chose none. Probably was for the better :rolleyes:

 

 

Finally, someone who is new and will take criticism and actually improves. I'm glad to see your experimenting, that is what you should be doing. I'll edit this post later with crit when I have time.

 

I'm looking forward to it. From what I've seen, you have pretty applicable feedback. Maybe I can cash in on some :D

New piece up everyone.

 

It's definately my best pen-tooled piece yet. Its a backgound and ME at the same time :)

Another piece, was for class. c/c, appreciated as always :D

New project up. I never had to beg for comments but, give me something to work with :P

In my experience in coloring things you never use the burn or dodge tools, just tints/shades of the color you want. I tend to use the smudge tool a lot when I color stuff.

 

It looks quite good though.

interesting, nice use of colours. -ter

thanks for the tip hawk and thanks for the compliment terley.

 

i've been working on DreamWeaver and learning a little Java lately.

Idk if anyone cares about programming, but i have a pretty nice trig ratio calculator up and running :)

 

as far as artwork goes, its been a little slower. stupid life obligations and measly 24-hour days :roll:

 

keep posting feedback, i love to hear what you all have to say!

Don't 24 hour days just suck? I agree, you do have a nice use of colours.

The lips look like the've just been kinda thrown on, maybe try to darken the shadow under the lips to make them seem a little more realistic.