Movie Still Brush Tests

I’ve been obsessed with using Photoshop as an oil painting simulator. Here are some 1hr studies with a ban on undoing.

Current brushset (CS5) here, used with mixer brush settings as shown. Used flow like medium (higher flow = more paint, less medium)

And Page Finished

Trying to stick to rigid steps, to avoid spending too much time rendering:

WIP: Comic Page

Here's a page in progress. Been enjoying this project, it's been sharpening my approach a lot (so much to learn):

Photoshop Mixer Brushes

Been ages since my last post. In that time I've been trying to set up a good set of brushes for CS5's Mixer Brush tool. The aim is to have a similar enough workflow when switching between Photoshop and traditional oils (for example, after working in Photoshop, going back to oils I would tend to press too hard and end up scraping up more paint than I put down). They feel good enough to share, but will probably be an ongoing effort.

Here's a quick sketch using them:

Download link (CS5).

Study Break

3 painting/drawing things to work more on in 2014:

1. Seeing and working the whole at the same time (figure is ground).
 
2. What is unstated reinforces what is stated, and vice versa.
 
3. Marks on canvas/paper can be arranged like a symphony.

Film still studies

With notes to self. Have to figure out that composition thing.

Long time no updatey

Been a while, here's some doodles:

And a painting I started on the moon landing anniversary but didn't get to finish (Apollo 17 LM ascent stage):

November is going to be busy, but hopefully I can keep up posting weekly again.

2 Recent Illusrations

Here's two illustrations I finished recently for Futura: 

Been busy, some doodles.

Efficiency and Big Picture

These studies are basically training to see the big picture. Then the slightly smaller big picture within that. And so on, until it feels resolved (or I lose interest). Efficiency is most important.

Did a Quick Study...

...because another painting was going badly.

Face Studies

Done with reference from photos around Tumblr. About 2-3hrs each, improving bit by bit:

Portrait Practice

I'm rather bad at faces at drawing faces in the middle distance. So the next series of studies will focus on this. Not sure how I've been getting away with that huge flaw!

Last Batch

Last batch of movie still studies for a while. Now need to do studies for better drawings (maybe some speedpaints will do).

Things I learned:
- Bold, simple marks
- Keep moving, don't dwell in one area too long
- It's okay to inch toward tonal goals, no need to nail the color first try
- Make distinct touches. Don't get obsessed trying to blend or draw perfectly