The First Digital Painting EVER.
…that I have finished. Well I say finished, I gave up in the end because I could not get the hair right at all. This image I started months ago and I forgot about it over the summer, so I have now finally uploaded it for a bit of criticism, constructive or otherwise. Click the image below to access full size version.
My first attempted (and finished) digital painting
I had a real difficulty with trying to get the hair to have a bit of life. It either went straw-like or fuzzy and blurry. Finding a tried and tested technique is what I need to do for next time, and I will definitely try and practice. Something else I learned is that I need to use harder edged brushes, to avoid it getting too soft and fluffy. I have read that there are appropriate times to use soft brushes, and this probably wasn’t it.
My positive thoughts about it are that I think I did well with the lips and the general proportion of the face. The fact that I achieved this first painting at all really surprised me, since I have never had any luck with traditional paint (I’m scared of making mistakes), so it was a real confidence boost for the inner artist.
Below you can see some of the stages as I went along. When you look back at earlier stages as you go along, it helps motivate you to carry on, I found. Again, lick the image below to access full size version.
Progression of the Digital Painting
Any thoughts you have would be greatly received. I may post an animated gif of the progression of the image in a future post, so watch this space.
EDIT: – For gif, see post ‘How to Give Your Girlfriend Scars‘
Royzy
September 17th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
This is impressive, and I think the hair looks pretty good, straw blur is a good work around. You can also tie the hair back for easier hair, but you would then have the ears to contend with, a peruvian stle hat can work well, motor cyle helmets are also an option. And a solution which has just this second occurred to me, tied back hair and a set of large head phones to cover the ears, headphones will not raise quite as many questions as say a peruvian hat on a japanese lady. Sorted.
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September 23rd, 2008 at 5:27 pm
[...] « The First Digital Painting EVER. [...]
October 7th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Rosi, 7th October 2008
What can I say? Its brilliant! Hair also. Can’t even start to give help as know nothing, but loads of encouragement you are definitely on the right trail.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I can’t believe you are getting comments from Grandma, Thorntons was bad enough but this is too much.
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October 8th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
[...] EDIT: Finished version can be seen the post ‘The First Digital Painting Ever‘. [...]
October 8th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Thank you for the kind words Rosi, and for visiting! I have started another portrait, and her face may be familiar (it’s Lisa).
October 14th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Wow, can’t believe that this is your first. It’s amazing and I love that you posted how the painting progressed. Thanks for sharing.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Thank you for the kind words! Since I like to see how other people do their work, I thought it would be nice for people to see how I did mine. I’m glad you appreciated it.
April 23rd, 2010 at 7:38 am
This is amazing!!
How do you guys do these things?!
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