Winter Quarter 2012: Image Manipulation

This class was all about using photoshop to make collage, improve images and occasionally mashing up unrelated images into a hopefully seamless work of art. Photoshop CS5 is the tool used for all the images that follow. The design work presented is my original work in regard to arrangement and layout. The source images however belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended and if the owner recognizes their work as part of my collages then please contact me if you would like it taken down and I will do so. That said, I will try to site all source material to give credit to the original artists from whom I appropriated the images via web image searches. All images were made in print form from the Photoshop files. Sizes and mounting vary and will be noted in the description of each piece.

Project 1: 5 image collage
For the first project we had to choose at least five images, either appropriated from an image search or original content and make a collage. Any subject matter was allowed but you had to demonstrate the theme of your choice in your image. The theme for this piece was based on natural radiance and rebirth. The only credited piece I know of is the center image from the game art of Castlevania: Lords of Shadows. It depicts a scene showing Pan, the ancient god from mythology. The other images used to construct the scene were of the sun rising over the earth as seen from space, a sunset sky and various photos of dandelions in their puffball form. 8x10 image printed on Kodak Gloss photopaper.

Project 2: Album Cover
This project built on the last, but this collage was to portray the album cover for a fictitious band. The only requirement was that the imagery fit the genre of music and be appealing to the intended audience. Of all the album covers I've seen, Heavy Metal bands usually have the best and most epic artwork, so that is the genre I chose. I heard Space Lord by Monster Magnet on the radio driving home from work and it cemented the idea. So, I came up with the name of my band and their self-titled debut album, Skullfucker Apocolypse. I did the Skullfucker logo by hand and scanned it to edit and color in Photoshop. The text for Apocolypse was made completely in Photoshop. The remaining images were appropriated through a Google search. The Parental Advisory label and background belong to their respective owners. The image in the foreground is from a depiction of the video game villain, Mother Brain. The background is one of H.R. Geiger's pieces. 8x10 image printed on Kodak Gloss photopaper.

Project 3: Midterm Triptych
We had two weeks to work on the triptych for the midterm. I envisioned this piece as a human classical statue gallery, however could not find enough variety in nudes that would fit the classical style. I ended up flanking a male nude photo in classical pose with photos of two classical statues. To me it emphasizes the whole art imitates life imitates art cycle. The title for the project was "Man Made" since artwork is made by man and also and as men we are what we make of ourselves. The art nouveau framework was done hand and scanned. I then used a clipping mask to place a rust pattern from an image search onto the template. Each image is a 13x19 print on EPSON Exhibition Fiber photopaper mounted on black matboard with one inch border.

Project 4: Movie Poster
For this project we had to re-imagine the poster for one of our favorite movies. I chose Aliens and the above image is my interpretation (l) next to the original poster (r). Each image is 8x10. Left image is printed on EPSON Luster photopaper, and the Right image is printed on Kodak Gloss photopaper.

Extra Credit Project: Movie Poster
I'm a huge fan of the Barsoom series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. I have the books, the comics, and even own a copy of the HORRIBLE Syfy channel movie with Antonio Sabato Jr. and Traci Lords. So it's a no brainer I'd be excited about the new film. I really loved the movie even if it deviated from the source material a little. It was lots of fun to watch and everyone in the theater cheered and gave applause at the end. It's sad that Disney deems it a loss to their finances. I was hoping for a sequel. Here's hoping. Anyhow, continuing in the movie poster theme, I reimagined the poster. My version is on the left and the original is on the right. I kept most of the imagery in line with the publicity photos released by Disney, but added a painting by Joe Jusko in the background. I found it strange that the story based on "A Princess of Mars" didn't feature Dejah Thoris more prominently. Lynn Collins is a beautiful woman but I wanted a more traditional rendition of the Martian princess for the artwork. Each image is 8x10 printed on EPSON Luster photopaper mounted on Red mat board with a two inch border.

Extra Credit: Preview of FINAL
At this point we were to start thinking of our final project and what it would be. I'm a big fan of He-Man and used to watch the cartoon religiously when I was a kid...and still do today on DVD. :) I always thought of He-Man in being more barbaric a story than what you got in the cartoons, so I started this piece to show how I envisioned the world of He-Man. Credit to one of my artist idols, Earl Norem, and also to the concept painting of Tim Hildebrandt for the source material of this piece. The lightning effect is a manipulated image of electricity from an image search. Printed as 8x10 on EPSON Luster photopaper and also as a 22x30 Stonehenge fine art paper poster print to present with the final.

Pop-Quiz
This image was created for a pop quiz in class. We had to construct an image out of images in a shared folder that were provided by the instructor. Four source images and a text layer were used to make this piece. Photos of an old man's profile, a close-up of mineral water, a sculpture, a bird and a robotic head were the source images. (no print but sized at 8x10)

Extra Credit: Male Nude
I went back to the source image for one of the Midterm prints to rework it as a stand alone piece. The original work by the photographer is on the left, and my depiction is on the right. I played around with the colors a lot on the figure to give him a more healthy flesh tone and set him in a desert/sci-fi setting inspired by the John Carter movie and my love of the Barsoom series. Two images of the moon, the Utah desert, and the male nude were used to make this piece. Both prints 13x19 on EPSON Exhibition Fiber photopaper.

Extra Credit: Pulp Novel Cover Conan Poster

For this work, I reworked an Earl Norem painting from the cover of an issue of The Savage Sword of Conan. For this work, the object was to create a poster of how an anthology or omnibus for the Conan books may have appeared in the 1970's. The original scan of the comic is in the middle and is flanked by two renditions I came up with. I used text from a different comic scan because I liked the worn look it gave the text. I constructed Conan's right lower leg and boot from another scan that I grafted onto the figure and modified to fit the image. 22x30 poster prints on Stonehenge fine art paper.

FINAL: He-Man
Earl Norem is a big inspiration for my love of Masters of the Universe. For my final I chose to continue the rework of the iconic He-Man pose from the earlier extra credit image. Except for the Tim Hildebrandt painting I used as the setting, the remaining elements are all from paintings by Earl Norem. I used the figure from one painting and the lightning and sky from another, then blended the sky into the Hildebrandt painting. It is nice to have an image of He-man tuned to how I envision him. It's a more Conan-esque take on He-Man and the sword has lightning instead of sparkly energy. I took the castle away from the image and lowered the sky to give more prominence to He-Man and also re-sized and re-arranged the skulls to give better direction to him as the focus of the piece. All images are 22x30 poster prints on Stonehenge fine art paper.

Fall 2011 Color Fundamentals

Color Fundamentals or Color Theory as some know it is another basic design course needed for the foundations of my degree. Most of the work in class was based on mixing color from the primary colors in acrylic paints. Much of the coursework involved reproducing or demonstrating knowledge of the different techniques as outlined in the course. The following are actual projects that were more than color charts and swatch experiments:

Project 1: Color Wheel Reproduction

Objective: reproduce a color wheel in the shape of your favorite animal. I opted for a more pre-school version of a whale since the Humpback Whale looked a little funny for the project. Cut-out 5"x5" acrylic on 100lb bristol board arranged as color wheel.

Photography Assignment: Create a composition of items found in nature. Approach composition as a painting assignment, and arrange the natural objects in a design for your photograph. Photo composition of tree root, river stones, acorns and leaves.

Project: Depth

Objective: create a design that shows depth by overlapping, changing saturation and size, and create points of emphasis using color. I used a primary color triad for the color scheme. For this project I envisioned drinking water from the vantage point of inside the esophagus. I reason the water to get lighter in color the closer it is to the viewer and the throat would be darker. 8.5"x14" with 1" inset border, acrylic on 100lb bristol board.

Project: Final (diptych part 1)

Objective: to create two paintings showing opposites based on adjectives of your choosing. This is based on the adjectives Pure and Hot. I used an analogous color scheme for the image. For purity I always think of the religious figure Mary, mother of Christ. The challenge was to portray her image as hot temperature-wise without it appearing too hellish and coming off as an act of sacrilege. I went with the more luminous warm colors in their lighter tints in most cases to show a warm side of the color wheel and still give the painting a more luminous feel.

Project: Final (diptych part 2)

Objective: to create two paintings showing opposites based on adjectives of your choosing. This is based on the adjectives Cold and Corrupt. I used a monochromatic color scheme for the image. For corruption I tend to think of the government, as it seems no matter what the party affiliation, our elected officials are out to be more career politicians instead of serving the public. The challenge was easy to come by as far as color choice. I went with the more icy shades of blue to show a cool side of the color wheel to give the painting a frigid feeling.

Fall 2011 Design Fundamentals Portfolio

Design Fundamentals is one of the basic courses you have to take for the BA in Media Arts/Animation. The course covered everything from line, shape, size, color theory, etc. to give you a balanced intro to making a successful design. The following are the design projects as assigned and the challenge/goal to achieve:

Project 1: Line and Shape Reconstruction

Objective: Make a unified composition that generates a feeling of rest and agitation by aligning, matching and adjoining lines and shapes. Provide a wide variety of shapes, lines, as well as value to create visual interest and movement through repetition and pattern provided by the grid structure. 11"x14" acrylic on 100lb bristol board (compsosed of arranged 1"x1" squares) mounted on black mat board with 2" border.

Project 2: Value and Pattern Study

Objective: Develop and allover pattern over the entire surface of the picture plane using either lines and/or shapes with a repeating motif. The use of different types of value will be used that include low-key, high-key and high contrast to create different effects. 11"x14" acrylic on 100lb bristol board mounted on black mat board with 2" border.

Project 3: Texture Interpretation

Objective: The focus of this design is texture and value and how these elements of art function in a design relative to: Actual Texture, Invented Texture, Impasto, Collage, Assemblage, and Value Keys/Contrast. Using texture as your emphasis, create a design by using any of the texture techniques listed above (one or multiple ones). Then begin by composing a design that focuses on collage. Using your illustration board, create a design that can either be pattern based, abstract, non-objective or representational. Once you have chosen your design concept/layout/subject matter begin by adding material to build up the surface, such as paint directly onto the surface (impasto), attach actual textures/subjects (newspaper, aluminum foil, sticks, leaves, fabric, paint, cards, etc.) and assemblage to create your concept. Once your design is complete, take your paint and cover the entire surface with one singular value tone (whtite, black or any gray tone). 11"x14" collage (cheese cloth, deconstructed humidifier filter, grommet tools, key chain rings) on 100lb bristol board, painted in chrome spray paint and mounted on black mat board with 2" border.

Project 4: Photo Deconstruction/Reassembly

Objective: Take and print photographs of one subject of your choice from different perspectives. Rearrange and organize the photographs and glue them down to either the mat board or bristol board when a successful composition is acheived. Mount your Project on blackm at board with 2 inch border. 26"x40" total design including mat board. Photos of Special Edition God of War III Pandora's Box from different angles deconstructed and reassembled into design. Border incorporated into work, design mounted directly onto mat board.

Project 5: Monochromatic Scales

Objective: To explore the reaction of creating tints and shades and experiencing the changes that take place. This also involves the ability to mix tints and shades accurately, in even and gradual steps, as well as the control and application of paint. Also, to develop an interesting and dynamic composition using all six value scales in a nine step progression. The value scales are to be created with all six of the primary and secondary hues. 14"x14" design (acrylic on 100lb bristol board) mounted on black mat board with 2" border.

Project 6: Color Harmonies (Final)

Objective: to develop a dynamic composition using different types of lines which interact through juxtaposition. Also, to employ different types of color combinations that can include both traditional palettes as well as unconventional color palettes that create color discord. 16"x12" acrylic on 100lb bristol board (assembled from 4"x4" squares) mounted on black mat board with 2" border.

Fall 2011 Observational Drawing Final Portfolio

For the final in my observational drawing class, we had to present a portfolio for critique. Two pieces were assigned and the third could be a work of our choosing, all of which needed to be matted. All mats were hand cut by yours truly, and the works framed.

Artwork of Choice to round out the portfolio is a still life set up on my desk. Two drinking glasses courtesy of IKEA, a mini-bust of David and a Space Ghost action figure comprise the work. Ebony pencil on 70lb drawing paper. Image size 16"x20", hand cut black mat board frame, total work size 20"x24"(image plus 2" border)

This is my Master Reproduction piece. For this assignment we had to recreate the work of a master in our field of study and also give a presentation on the artist. There are many artists and cartoons that have inspired me to want to get into animation, but since this project had to be rendered in charcoal it had to be an artwork by the artist that had some dimension to reproduce. Unfortunately for me, a lot of the animation I like is 2-D. Fortunately for me, Bruce Timm, does a lot of fan art that you can find on a Google search. I took a piece he did of Dejah Thoris from the John Carter/Mars books by Edgar Rice Burroughs and did a 2 up of the image in charcoal. The charcoal work was done with charcoal sticks, both vine and compressed, and no charcoal pencils were done for line work. Any outlines or hard edges were produced with kneaded eraser and sharpened charcoal sticks. I used chalk for some highlights as the workable fixative was too strong that I used between drawing sessions, so the highlights wouldn't lift out. Charcoal sticks (vine and compressed) and chalk on 70lb drawing paper. Image size 16"x20", hand cut black mat board frame, total work size 20"x24"(image plus 2" border)


For the Final, we were assigned to do a self-portrait in charcoal where we could transplant our face onto any background or setting. Options were to work our portraits into movie posters, game box covers, etc. I chose to put myself on the cover of the game, Castlevania Lords of Shadow. I did a 2 up of a close-up of Gabriel Belmont from the cover of the game, and drew myself from a mirror. This was fun because I got to become an epic video game star for my portrait. I love the game and couldn't pass up the chance to write myself into it somehow, that and give myself the thick moppy hair that I'll never have. The charcoal work was done with charcoal sticks, both vine and compressed, and no charcoal pencils were done for line work. Any outlines or hard edges were produced with kneaded eraser and sharpened charcoal sticks. Highlights on this one were done completely with kneeded eraser and blending the charcoal. This time I built the portrait out of vine charcoal first then went back with the compressed. I think I got a good atmospheric effect with the clouds in the background and the lighting on the armor. Charcoal sticks (vine and compressed) on 70lb drawing paper. Image size 16"x20", hand cut black mat board frame, total work size 20"x24"(image plus 2" border)

Evil-Lyn

I keep taking all these breaks from my art project, but I have fun doing it. Anyhow, I haven't finished this one but got the line art done earlier today so decided to post it. Here we have Evil-Lyn as played by Meg Foster. She has awesome eyes. I know lots of people hated the Masters of the Universe movie but she was the shining jewel in the show to me. I plan on continuing with a color job similar to my previous color pieces.

I just added the color test. I've used what I've learned so far in my computer coloring class and think I'll keep Evil-Lyn here as my test subject for a while. It was lots of fun to color and it took a while to color and play with the filters to get the right effects. Here's hoping she keeps improving with each new pass.

Just added the modified pic that shows new layers and shading effects. I've been working on my comic project so have not given this pic much thought since the last posting.

Cartooning Class Final Project

Here we have a semesters worth of learning layout, character design and storytelling put to use. It was kinda rushed and definitely gives me new found respect for people who do layout for a living. The goal was to make a few pages of comic adapted from a script. I came up with this dragon slayer type guy and the scene just took off from there. The first page is the cover I mocked up for the printed copy and the last pages were filler to give an even page count. They're just some quotes and concept sketches I did earlier in the semester put on a stock scroll background I found on the internet.

Cover

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Cartooning Class Final Project continued...

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Inspirational Quotes

Sketches