Pintail's Profile

Thanks! I've been really impressed with your stuff as well! Especially some of the recent art. As for the process - I suspect we might be doing a little of the same thing. I had some tips from a friend of mine that is a graphic artist and it made a huge difference once I applied the technique. First, pencil sketch of the piece. Sometimes there is a source drawing (Ken in the chair is actually based on a photoshoot of Tom Cruise in Vanity Fair a few years back. I just LOVED the lighting effect and had to borrow it), times it is straight from my head (Flight Jackets) so I need a few reference pictures to glance at. Once I'm really happy with the sketch and I want to make it a digital form, I overlay acetate and use the finest tip sharpee you can buy to trace the dominant lines of my sketch. VERY minimal. Scan it, and bring it in to Photoshop. Copy the lines to a second layer and transparent background. Block fill with basic solid colours in this layer. Use dodge and burn tools to start fleshing out the muscles, folds of cloth etc. The trick is to adjust the pressure and brush settings for different textures - ie skin VS hair VS cotton. Make a third layer for background and have fun. You can make easy shadows (and reflections - love that piece you did by the water) in this layer using copy, twist and effect tools. Make a fourth layer and do an overlay for your lighting and play with the transparency to the effect you like. You can also use spotlight for sun effects. Lastly, make a file copy and then merge it down (like to keep the working copy safe for alterations). Then use the adjustments shadows to really make it pop. Lots of hours, but lots of fun. Pintail

[quote][i]Originally posted by Springie[/i] Pintail! Welcome! I love your fics...and I just ran across a gorgeous "Late Nite" pic, that I think was yours...if I have your permission, I'll post it here...it is UBER-yummy!! :turndevil:[/quote] Feel free! And thanks for the warm welcome everyone! Gave me inspiration to dust off some of the stuff I haven't been working on in a while. :smokescreen: I hail from Sudbury - just 4 hours north of Toronto - not so far as the crow flies; but take heart east coaster - I spent the best 5 years of my life at vet school in PEI. That kind of influence stays with ya! (the roads are slippy today!) Much love to everyone and hugs for the welcome party! Pintail

Hey there - just popping in over from the mailing list. I had no idea this place was around! Kudos! Hmm. Guess I better make myself an avatar! Happy to be here, Pintail.