AVATAR - 2d - FireSunFox - The Dawn Wood Witch

[FireSunFox]

Hi,

My concept is inspired by the work of Arthur Rackham, so it's going to be very fantasy based in look and idea.

The story:
In the most ancient time the beings of this planet enraged the very earth into summoning into life the most powerful of Tree Spirit's, mother of all mythical creatures "The Dawn Wood Witch". The avatar of this planet. A woman seemly one with all around her. She alone sent all back to the way of nature, and washed clean the page's of history, leaving nothing of before.

My final image will be of her birth. I'm yet to figure out colour, but I'm thinking of mono tones and working in landscape.

Software:
Photoshop

I'm really going to try mostly traditional techniques on this one, I'm sure it's going to be fun. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!! :haha:

[FireSunFox]

Research, and more research. I think I may just post some of drafts and such on tues, monday in the U.S.A. Off to do more work. Can't wait to see what everyone else is doing!!! Have a fun weekend!!

[FireSunFox]

:lame: Mad sketchbook TIME!!!:xx:

[BiG ToE-3DT]

hope you don't mind, but I'll be watching you.

[ajinak]

wow, I didn't notice your sketchbook before.. really interesting concept, I like all those buildings and also the face next to "face like wood" sentence - is it made from memory?
I'm curious on your work when it's finished, keep it up :)

[FireSunFox]

Thanks for your comments!
I'm hoping to get the final character design up by Monday and some colour test up by the end of next week.

So off to do more research and mad sketchbook work.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!....:haha:

[-IdanI-]

love the sketches man, definatley going to keep my eye on this page. keep going.

cheers,
Idan

[RawGreen]

do I feel a tree fetish here?

She's beautiful, lol.

[washka]

Mother nature always grow stronger... No?

[FireSunFox]

How could I forget Christmas????:crazy:

Still hoping to get some kind of final done by the end of the week?!^^
Anyway here's some more mad sketching to tide you all over till then, when?:cry:
Happy Christmas!!!:haha:

[FireSunFox]

:crazy:
I wanted to try paint.net, it's free, it's not bad but it's no photoshop.:roll: Anyway here's what come of that test!:xx: Off to draw more and really start working on this!!!^^ Happy hoildays guys!!:haha:

[Milan]

your concept sketches r cool .painted one looks little odd than ur sketches . I know it is on the process. her hands r not looking feminine.I think u have to work little more on that . show ur work as powerful as ur pencil sketches at final . Hope to see ur final brilliant piece .
This is what I saw on ur work.

[FireSunFox]

Yeah I know what you mean, it wasn't really a great sketch at all, just some thing to try out paint.net with. My main issue with paint.net is the lack of brushes or really to be able to edit the one you get.:xx::grr:
I was thinking of the same thing about making this image more about the line work, maybe Hoang Nguyen inspired? (very Japan) I'll try to get something up before I get on to the final to show what I mean, it would be a jump for me, I'm far more a painter, custom brush maker/user.:lurve:
You know all about the brush work!!^^:roll:

[FireSunFox]

What a time to go over my internet limit. It's not so much the jump back to dial up, it's the being cut off at peak times, which has seeing as it's hoildays and all left me with no access for the past 5 or so days.:shout:

So a quick update: On to drawing up the final, hope to be able to post anything after the tenth when my next/this month's access kick's in!!!:???:

New smilies???:smug:

[wargrafix]

nicely done!

Its a very interesting concept where she looks almost like some kind of goddess. Looking forward to seeing more.
________
MEDICAL MARIJUANA STRAINS (http://strainindex.com)

[FireSunFox]

Man am I lazy!!!:zzz:
This is taking longer then I hoped, the building's are holding me up. I'm hoping that if I base them on real building's, maybe like old Chicago?? Than maybe I can get the final drawn up by monday, man has the time gone bye, bye. I really need to get on with this!!!:crazy:

Sorry for the lack of post's, hope to have done something on this soon!!!^^:halo:

[AndrewQ]

I agree with Milan, try to bring more of the great sketches back into your comp.

[hulahuga]

I really like your concepts and sketches.
Just waiting to see how it will turn out eventually.

[zanman]

Love your concept and loose pencil renderings. Very organic.

<A HREF="http://forums.3dtotal.com/showthread.php?t=64295/">AVATAR – 3d – zanman – "Defend"</A>

[FireSunFox]

:blah:Still working on the final, here's my first go at it, the main problem with it is there's just to much going on, the building's need to be smaller, so she stands out more. Also a quick character concept, is it me or is the head too small?? Anyway I think I'm going to reference photo's for the final?! Maybe? Hope to have the final drawing done by the weekend, yes I mean it no more slacking on this, of to do more work on this, see you all around!^^

[washka]

Your sketches are great inspiration.
The head is a pinch too small but it's not really inconvenient.
I'm waiting for your composition, because the place and the size of the buildings will define your avatar's size.
Good work, I'm sure you'll get something really interesting.

[FireSunFox]

Here's the first darft of the final, thanks for all your commment's.....
I'll be busy drawing it up for the next two days or so, I really want to get the look right, at the moment I'm toying with the idea of the image coming out of a border, a tie in with old book illustration?!! What do you guy's think?:wave:

[FireSunFox]

Here's a final sketch update!^^:halo:

[POSEIdOON]

Its my first comment here and your work is the first i saw from the beginnig,
and you're getting better, in human anatomy and in background.

So far i really love the result :)

[FireSunFox]

Here it is!!!^^:wave:
I'll post a cleaner version later on, would love to hear anyone's feed back before I go to paint, so i'll give it a day or two!!^^

[zanman]

Wow that's beautiful FireSunFox, has an epic feel to it. Love the architectural details. Just wondering...are you going for a soft pastel fantasy mood or something darker like a Gothic type feel?

<A HREF="http://forums.3dtotal.com/showthread.php?t=64295/">AVATAR – 3d – zanman – "Defend"</A>

[Daniela Blanco]

It's realy amazing............
The first skechs was already great.......but now that the final is much better.......I'm looking forward to see it in colors......

[FireSunFox]

So here's the cleaned up version and thanks for all your comments so far!^^:haha::smug:

[BiG ToE-3DT]

I wish the clouds were see threw

[hulahuga]

I've followed this thread for quite a while, and it keeps getting better :). GJ!
I really like the hip twist.

[DigitalPutty]

Wow. Amazing work! :) :dance: Cant wait to see more!

[FireSunFox]

I throught I would be nice and write up a overview of how I plan to work and then post how good I stick to it.

I plan to start painting on friday.

First it's all abit old school, I draw up the image on paper, then scan it in and clean it up, ready for paint.

Then a new layer or two and I start to block up everything in black and white or I should say grey scale. I use a standed brush with shape dynamics etc... and also smooth and pen pressure, just play with it till it fit's what you need. I also mark out the light source. This is also a good time to work in any kind of texture.

When I'm happy with the level of realism, I start the colour layers. Set at multiply and op 60-70%. Smudge and efforts.
Then the highlight's, I still work on the same layer but sometime's it call's for a new one set at op 90% and or overlay.

That's roughly how I work. Hope to post more later.

Good luck all!!^^

[FireSunFox]

Hard round brush, first 19 size brush in the default set.
Altered like so:

Opacity: 100%
Flow: 100%
Spacing: 10%
Smoothig: checked

I play around with the Other dynamics from time to time but mostly same are checked but set at 0%. Make sure pen pressure is working, play's up on me all the time.

[Munkybutt]

loving how this is turning out dude! keep it up

[FireSunFox]

Just started.... ok so far!^^

[mr_carl]

Loving the style of this and I´m a big fan of art nouveau keep on the great work.

[POSEIdOON]

Yeah, the Art Noveau look is great:)

I have one question...you're going to give it a mid night look,
or some light of the day?

[mr_carl]

yea good question, I second that one.

[decosouza]

Very nice concept and wonderful sketchs! You're very creative mate. Good work. All the best in this contest!

[FireSunFox]

Been sick for the last 3 days or so.
Just really starting to get back into it today. I hope to post up same new pics soon. Everyone's work seem's to be coming along, great even, wish I could say the same for my own.:blah:

Not sure about the colour, thinking of going for a dawn/twilight like colour range, but really not so sure. May just post some colour ways here and base the final on all your feedback?.:shy:

Thanks for all your comments, and hope to have something worth seeing in the next day or so!! Good luck:halo:

[Jibberwocky]

Nice. The detail in the architecture sucked me in for a minute there. Yeah.. The architecture.

[FireSunFox]

Here's a update, most of the underpainting is done, just a touch up or two to do.....

[FireSunFox]

A colour test of sorts?? and a bigger view of the final frame in my last post...:lurve::crazy::haha::zzz:

[mr_carl]

looking really, really great, nice green colour the detales are amazing keep up the excellent work.

[ez5k]

nice work, composition and technique looks interesting

[FireSunFox]

the the fire burnssssss.......

[FireSunFox]

Most of the main character is done, just need to work on the tree head parts, then on to the buildings, hopefully on monday.:lame:

So what does everyone think of it so far??:shy::shout:

To have a up to date look refer to the first post!!^^:smug:

[hulahuga]

Looking really good dude :).
The lip's shadow seems a bit exaggerated though. The hair is looking really good!
The red colors made her look much younger and not as mysterious though...

[Daniela Blanco]

It's realy great............ the colors are amazing.......
She looks mysterious, magic and a little scary at the same time.........awesome....
And I agree with hulahuga about the shadow on her lips....
There is one thing that concerns me...........there is a lot of colors already (that looks great)......but what will you going to do with the buildings for not making it to confusing?
Don't need to answer me..........I hope to see the final........
Good luck!!

[zanman]

Looking awesome, reminds me of Batman's Poison Ivy.....

[mr_carl]

Looking awesome, reminds me of Batman's Poison Ivy.....

ooo yes it does,
Anyway colours look great, really want to see what's going to happen with the buildings.

[FireSunFox]

Hi, thanks for your feed back, keep it coming. I see what you mean about the lips, I'll try to fix it before the next update. On the too much going on part, I was going to first fade out more of the paint on her skin and also fade the whole background and texture as I started to paint the buildings, I know it's all abit too much at the moment!!^^

Anyway, you'll get to see what I mean.^^ Later!!^^

[FireSunFox]

Not sure about the buildings, maybe I'll keep them white stone???
Anyway heres a update on my wipsheet. Keep all your helpfull comments coming, thanks for all the help so far. Good luck everyone!!!!

[washka]

I think you've lost some contrast during your painting work. Maybe you should use a lighter background, it's the same for the "clouds", they seem heavy, (maybe too much shadows). But i'm talking about sensitivity here, it's really a non-objective comment, it's a subjective one.
Your painting and sketching work are fabulous, i also really like the fineness of the frame, how it enhances the whole image.

[BiG ToE-3DT]

what's throwing me off is the extra bits of boarder you have going on at lower mid level. Not sure why it's there. It would make sense if there was an opposite to it. But because there isn't one, it looks out of place.

[FireSunFox]

At least I got some of the work done that you guys said was needed. The stupid thing just stopped working and I have no idea why?:crazy:

Any way, going to post some close ups soon, really need some feed back!!!:shy: Thanks for your comments so far.

[FireSunFox]

Of the head....

[FireSunFox]

Of things that need to be done?

Lips: still not happy with the way they are looking.
Branches: same thing really. Leaves/Flowers??
Buildings: need a more painted look.
Clouds?: not sure if I can get them looking any better, not really good at painting them non stop.

Thats what I think needs doing, anything you think I should add?

[mr_carl]

NICE,
Love the eye and hair, and as you said there is something about the mouth just cant put my finger on it, maby it´s the colour and there is something about the upper lip.
And as I have said before love the art nouveau, the new corners looks awesome.

I also think the specular of the navel is a bit to big, other than that it looks really great and keep up the good work.

[miycko]

Gaia. Pretty cool idea and i like your scketches too. The style is awsome.

[FireSunFox]

Didn't get all that I wanted done today. Just a small update on the head.

[Josiah]

great stuff. instead of the little flow boarder on the bottom of the image...i would have it be a hard straight line cut. where the edge of the mist/cloud is on the bottom...

great work

[FireSunFox]

The tree grew a bit....Haaaaaha:lame:

[hulahuga]

The tree is a bit overdone now...
I don't know if the update was better than before.

[FireSunFox]

An overall clean up, the clouds are taking shape and a change in border, and the wood witch gets a prune. Next up flowers of some kind and more work on the clouds and then that's it???^^ Here's hoping!

[decosouza]

Very nice updates. Looks amazing in my opnion! Good Job!

[hulahuga]

HAHA Good job on the branches!
What are you going to do about the buildings?

[Kimagu]

Great work, I like it. This simple version looking better.

[Jibberwocky]

Looks pretty awesome, man. Love the colors.

[POSEIdOON]

I bet you spend alot of time in this...just that frame...
all those details.
Looking Awesome:D

[FireSunFox]

Thanks for all your comments, I'm not sure about the buildings, I think I just left them too late and I can't see myself painting them. So this may just be the final image. Any kind of leaves or flowers seems too much, kind of over doing it, seeing as how complex the image is already!:ugh:

[FireSunFox]

Well this looks like this is it, only abit of a clean up from the last image.:xx: Would really love to get some feed back on it all, I know everyone is rushing to finsh too, SO GOOD LUCK, hang in there!!^^:wall:

[FireSunFox]

I've done my image more then big enough, huge in fact. So I'm just wondering what you guys have set your images at for handing in???
Mine is in portrait by the way. Thanks in advance.

[BiG ToE-3DT]

the submittion info is still in the works, but when it's finally released, I'll let you know.

[FireSunFox]

Thanks Big Toe and here is the wipsheet!!^^

[FireSunFox]

Wonder what's up?? Not much it seems. Little info on handing in yet but a quick google does show up what seems to be the hand in site, I'll wait till March the 5th for some info here, before I'll jump to post on it. But it's cutting it close all the same and I'm getting worried.:blah:
Good Luck Everyone. This has been fun anyway!!!:haha:

[mr_carl]

Love the final image, the frame looks excellent and you're avatar is lovely.

[BiG ToE-3DT]

the ffinal submittion info is up, did you see it yet? There is a thread just for it.

[FireSunFox]

Just submited my entry!!!^^:dance:

Thanks everybody for your helpful comments and Thanks Big Toe!!!:haha:

Good Luck and hang in there if your still finishing up, your still got till the 8th to hand it all in!!!^^:lurve:

Bye!!!^^

GOOD LUCK!!!!!^^:wave:

[washka]

Some amazing work here, you got some great painting skills.
I really like your upper tree and the stomach's color effect.
I also liked the tatoos, but they disapeared, too bad for me.
I would have added her right arm and hand (on the left side) grabbing the edge of the frame, or in front of her. Your "art nouveau" concept is really interesting.
One of my favorite painting for this contest.