[samdragon]

I'm going to borrow Fred's soapbox for a minute here...BTW where is Fred these days?

I believe Snake Grunger means well in the explanation of what he wants to see in the painting.

Thinking too much about the technical aspects of lighting, perspective or color can ruin a good painting. I'm not saying these things are not necessary to know, but they can be taken overboard.

I don't believe the image would be as successful if it stuck to the ridged guide lines of "this light falls here and bounces from that surfaces with this color change.."
I think those things are best left to cameras and 3D render engines.

Artistic license is a great thing that allows us to ignore the rules of light and use what we feel is better suited for the image/painting.
Something to do, try painting a landscape outside, not from setting in your room, but get up and go outside and paint something, use oils, very wet, thin oils. And then see how much you worry about the technical aspects of light

One will soon fine oneself plagued by horrid paintings and bad habits if one continues to dwell on these things and make them the focus of a painting. The paintings will become more a study of light refraction/reflection than anything else.

I could go on for days about this.....

I believe Merekat has given us a great example of how to properly use a photographic reference, as well as making a good composition with the painting. The painterly feel of some areas contrasting with the photoreal areas makes for an interesting image as well. I'm surprised no one picked up on these things yet.

I don't understand why some people are so fixated with rendering a photorealistic image. Is it because you're using a computer? hmmmm...

[Snake Grunger]

eric_m - Of course you can argue with ANYTHING drawn by ANYONE. What's the point in posting on this so-called "discussion" board, when discussion there is not, because anyone can think anything. "What's true to you isn't necessarely true to me." How can you have a constructive discussion, if both parties don't follow the same rules of logic? This is preposterous.

elam - That was done _without_ reference to anything. I _did_ write on my webpage that those arms were long. What more do you want?

Samdragon - When Cicinimo said that I was wrong, that the lighting wasn't "improved", this is when I decided to go into detail mode. (Ok, and I made a few jokes.) At first I only did the repaint, in which I honestly think I made the lighting better (maybe not the anatomy, because she used a photo, but because she drew different clothes over it, it made the anatomy loose it's integrity, thus my judgement was mislead). But then I had to defend the truth (not myself), since it has been accused of being wrong.

"Artistic license" is just a way of saying "I can't do any better."

Anyway, here I am, making ennemies. Oh well. See you all in HELL.

[ June 03, 2001: Message edited by: Snake Grunger ]

[FireWalker]

Amen brother sam.

[patrick]

Merekat,
I loved your reference pic, A tape gun!! whoodathiunkit?? Did you let that person know she was going to be on the net in that pose?? I hope she's a good friend, or you in the least. Awesome work, especially with a mouse. i cant get my mouse to draw a chunk of cheese, much less wht you accomplished.
Great Job!

[leakey]

Well, if noone else is gonna say it - I'll have to.

The girl in that photo is a babe

[ June 04, 2001: Message edited by: leakey ]

[Merekat]

Snake, please don't let comments discourage you. I thoroughly appreciate your suggestions and your theories are VERY sound. I like thinking visually with a little math involved. You gave really good criticisms, and I am taking your suggestions to heart to be used on future pictures.

As for Jhenna, there is a point where the dead horse should remain dead and unbeaten. ;} I'm tired of working on her, though that doesn't mean that the lessons learned here are not applicable in other pieces. ;}

As for everyone else, thank you so much for your comments, though let's not edge a bit on the mean side when agreement is not met. This is a learning experience, and I would not post on forums if I was just looking for praise. ;} Thank you for that, too.

I am very grateful that such a forum as this exists where professionals and hobbyists alike may have a community to gather information and try to improve our art. I mean, really, where else would you get such wonderful input? ;}

...the tablet is taking a bit to get used to, btw. ;} I'm sure it's worth it. ;}

Thanks again!