Jaxko - After the Smoke Clears

[Jaxko]

ok, Im gonna go with a different concept this time, last one was a bit too hard to portray the world wide destruction.

[placeholder] until I get a new sketch done.

[atulkatdare]

all da best Jaxko,
loved ur previous entry...now waiting 4 da brand new sketch update..

[Jaxko]

thanks man, I hope I will get this one complete, I have exams in the middle of this month.

[dark-blast]

good luck for your exam and your entry :)

[atulkatdare]

thanks man, I hope I will get this one complete, I have exams in the middle of this month.

yeah man!
good luck 2 u 4 ur exam n 4 dis competition..

[Jaxko]

here is a nearly completed colour sketch, completely burnt ground and destroyed city, fire everywhere, I like this angle at the minute.

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4324/matteafterthesmokeclear.jpg

I also have another idea which I might do if I have time:
same concept as above but the camera is at absolute ground level, completely burnt soil but one single plant/shoot growing from the ash. kinda taken from "Sunshine" or the myth of the pheonix.

[2BIG3k]

Good start. I guess it would be really nice when you play even more with the contrast of warm (fire) and cold (mountains) colors.

[atulkatdare]

nice!

[Jaxko]

yea I couldnt be bothered to start with much fire detail so I just did a soft warm glow to show fire should be there.
glad you guys like it so far.

[DannyCG]

What you need here is some kind of "twist". To make it stand out of the crowd.

[Jaxko]

I totally agree, a twist on a concept like this would make it much better but Im not sure what the twist could be..
anyway here is an update of the foreground buildings with some bits of destruction.

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/4324/matteafterthesmokeclear.jpg

[eyecon]

I think this already looking great. It might just need a little more "center piece". A point of interest that might give the viewer a path to look at.

For now my eyes gets stuck on the two towers... maybe something in the background as an added interest?

[Jaxko]

I think this already looking great. It might just need a little more "center piece". A point of interest that might give the viewer a path to look at.

For now my eyes gets stuck on the two towers... maybe something in the background as an added interest?

thanks very much, I see what you mean. These comments are falling into place, I need a good twist that will appear in the background which will hopefully give an extra punch in the image. Thanks again,
Jack

[Akim]

Nice colors, keep going!

[DannyCG]

What about a vulcano in the midground or a hot crater?

[Jaxko]

heres a small update after watching District 9. I tried to get that cinematic depth by adding a sort of grey atmosphere as it collects over distance.
I also added some debris sort of particles etc...

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/4324/matteafterthesmokeclear.jpg

[TheSaraf]

Hi Jaxko.. The scale and perspective of the foreground building on the right is off. The photo you are using as base plate is shot from the airplane from the mile or more above the city and so high buildings are not going to make it in one piece after armageddon ;).
It would be much better without any foreground elements.

[Jaxko]

I see what you mean, you may be right, I might actually scrap all buildings and add debris everywhere.
Thanks man, much appreciated.

[yaRa]

Hi!
I like your sketch!
And I expect a bright ray breaking through the sky )))
Did you already think about it?

[Jaxko]

Hi!
I like your sketch!
And I expect a bright ray breaking through the sky )))
Did you already think about it?

brilliant, a "God ray" a sign of hope, thanks for that idea,
Jack

[Jaxko]

small updates, added a sky with an opening for the "God Ray"
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/4324/matteafterthesmokeclear.jpg

next I am going to destruct the city in more detail :D good night, 3 exams tomorrow D:

[2BIG3k]

Hi, nice idea and mood. :)

I'd suggest to darken and tint the smoke a little more so that it gets more united with the atmosphere in the distance.
Some of the smaller particles look a litte like stars which makes the dark clouds appear transparent. Mabe you can deal with that.

Cheers,

Marc

[Jaxko]

Hi, nice idea and mood. :)

I'd suggest to darken and tint the smoke a little more so that it gets more united with the atmosphere in the distance.
Some of the smaller particles look a litte like stars which makes the dark clouds appear transparent. Mabe you can deal with that.

Cheers,

Marc

Thanks for your crit, I know what you mean by the smoke, I wanted it to be more like fog at the start but it is more likely to be darker "smoke".
I didnt think about those particles looking like stars. But now I see it.
Ill work on it soon

Cheers,
Jack

[Jaxko]

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6938/matteafterthesmokeclear.png
starting to get some detail and touch ups done.

[2BIG3k]

Big improvement. :)

[Jaxko]

Big improvement. :)

thanks, any hints you could provide to help with my depth or lighting atm? I'm not fond of the lighting, but cant put my finger on the problem ;)

[2BIG3k]

Maybe you could look at some reference images that roughly express the mood you intend to depict.

As for the rays for example you could spread them a little bit more, like here (depending how high your sun is above the horizon) http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/06/72/1c/dawn-at-the-happy-cretan.jpg

And as for the lighting you could make it a little bit more definite by darkening the clouds near the horizon some more. (e.g. http://i13.tinypic.com/6wnxdh1.jpg)

Cheers,
Marc

[Jaxko]

Maybe you could look at some reference images that roughly express the mood you intend to depict.

As for the rays for example you could spread them a little bit more, like here (depending how high your sun is above the horizon) http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/06/72/1c/dawn-at-the-happy-cretan.jpg

And as for the lighting you could make it a little bit more definite by darkening the clouds near the horizon some more. (e.g. http://i13.tinypic.com/6wnxdh1.jpg)

Cheers,
Marc

cheers, Ive been mostly doing colour and brightness adjustments all day today to try get a better mood, Im also going to use your suggestions now to integrate the mountains more into the skyline.

update coming soon

thanks,
Jack

[Jaxko]

ok Im now nearing the end of my journey on this matte painting. I feel ive improved a lot in this matte painting, thanks for everyone's comments and critiques. If you have any comments at this stage be sure to tell me :) I am just going to add a few more bits of debris and a last touch up after this.

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/4324/matteafterthesmokeclear.jpg

cheers,
Jack

[Jaxko]

added adjustment layers and very subtle changes.
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/4324/matteafterthesmokeclear.jpg

thanks everyone.
Jack.

WIP Sheet:
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3150/wipsheet2.jpg

and just a quick animation on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_jBqEy0z7o

[2BIG3k]

It turned out quite nicely, though imho some areas could need some minor adjustments. Another thing you could do is to reduce the overall saturation a little.

Cheers,
Marc

[dark-blast]

this is getting clear and good! keep going!

[Jaxko]

thanks very much guys, I forgot to add a desaturation adjustment layer at the end thanks for reminding me.
Im updating the images now.