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Zeimyth — Hunting the Wild
Published: 2012-07-20 22:47:23 +0000 UTC; Views: 975; Favourites: 39; Downloads: 15
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Description
...looking for sheep. He is flying in New Zealand, after all. 'Tis a bit blurry, download for a clearer view.
I got progressively frustrated with this as I went along. In the process of shading it, I've learned a few lessons: first, it's fine to use dark pencils (this was done primarily with my 3B and 5B pencils; thanks those of you who commented that I needed more contrast in my drawings!), and second, it's a really good idea to sharpen your pencils first.
I'm fairly happy with the end result, though. The wings were especially fun to shade. I'm going to have to use that technique more often. The scales were annoying, partly because it's hard to do detailed shading on something that small with a not-sharp pencil. I lost a lot of the scales' definition because of that. But, overall, I guess it looks alright.The background is a photo I took of a beautiful river valley in central Otago in New Zealand. I took the color out and gave it some noise to try and make the pencil drawing fit the background better. Also a learning experience. XD This was one of those spots I photographed because, when I saw it, I thought to myself, "I could totally see a dragon flying through there." XD
Medium: pencil on sketchbook paper
Time: Three hours, including adding the background in GIMP
Completed: 19 July 2012
Feel free to comment! I love hearing people's thoughts and tips on what I can do better.
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Comments: 33
I love the way you drew much that landscape, the mountains, the river and the plants look so realistic, look like a black and white photo, but I liked the pose of the dragon that is flying the skies.
It's ................................................ ............... BEAUTIFUL!!!
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Oops, I fooled you, the landscape is a black and white photo after all! XD I must have done a good job making the picture look like I drew it.
This is a photo I took in New Zealand. I can't draw landscapes that look this nice. XD
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Yes
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Hmm... Then maybe one day I will be able to draw a landscape that looks as good as a photograph.
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Aw, thank you so much! 
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Well, so long as you're not a sheep, I think you'll be alright... XD Unless the dragon gets tired of wool getting stuck in its teeth. Then I'd be careful. ^..^
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Thank you very much, I'm glad you like it.
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i just can't refuse to not comment on an amazing pic!
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Wow, this is really good, keep up the great work! This really is impressive
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Thanks. XD I'm really kinda surprised, 'cause I didn't think much of this as I was drawing it, but I've been getting some good feedback. I guess I should do backgrounds like this more often. >_>
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Wow that's an awesome perspective- great job! Your computer skills are coming nicely into play
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Notice that I keep somehow getting out of drawing too much of the body with perspectives like this. It's not a conscious decision, but it works for me. XD
At least they're good for something!
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That's a good point...okay new challenge- draw more body
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I'll see what I can do. XD
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You definitely did do a great job of blending the background and dragon. It took a bit for me to realize it wasn't all sketch.
Now if you can just use sharp pencils, I would say you could make some magic!
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Hee, good to know it's so convincing! I wish I could draw backgrounds like this... Oh well; while I practice, I guess I can keep using this photo technique.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, it means a lot.
I really appreciate the comment.
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You...oooh you know someone with a 3-D printer??? XD I've wanted one so bad ever since I found out they existed. LOL
But...it's going to have to wait until after I get a computer that can handle regular 3-D without croaking every time I turn around, first, which is going to cost nearly as much as the printer. LOL. I have a ways to go.
Need commissions...must get more commissions!
Anyway! I use Zbrush for my modeling. It has a free trial version (or used to anyway) that lets you try it out for a couple months, and it is AWESOME! It doesn't do animation or anything fancy like Blender or Maya, but it is great for the creature creation itself. I've been using it for 6 months now and I'm still learning as I go. So much to learn! It's mind-blowing. But it's FUN!
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The concept is just amazing, isn't it? XD Well, you do some pretty awesome stuff, so I shouldn't think you'd have much trouble getting enough commissions to buy both eventually.
I've heard Zbrush is pretty good. It's supposed to be more like sculpting, or something like that. I hope that doesn't mean people who can't sculpt will find it hard to use.
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Yeah, it's just like fooling around with a ball of clay, only better. LOL No mess and an undo command. XD I love my ctrl+Z in all my programs!!!
It does take a 3-D mentality, which I've always had anyway, but I bet most folk could learn with a little practice. It also can be used for 2.5-D, which is basically using 3-D paint on a 2-D canvas.
And it would amaze you how difficult it is to get commissions. Getting my name out there is proving challenging at best. *smirk*
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Is it easy enough to do with a mouse, or is a tablet pretty much required? And, yeah, I luff my ctrl+z.
It seems like it would take a while to get used to the idea of sculpting in 3D on a computer. Fiddling with an object on a screen is a far cry from fiddling with an object in your hands. Still, they must have found a good way to work around that, huh?
If ignorance is bliss, then yes, I'm blissfully ignorant about the difficulties of seeking commissions. XD The art world today is so competitive, though, it's rather ridiculous. I could never hope to get by with just commissions, even if I was good enough to get any. Best of luck to you, though!
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Actually I haven't even used a tablet until the last couple weeks when I finally gave in and got one for 2-D work, ironically. I haven't even tried my pen in Zbrush yet, only Photoshop.
Playing in 3-D is so easy if you know how to use your keyboard shortcuts, which it sounds like you are already good at. I've literally worn my left elbow out using so many shortcuts as I mouse with my right. I might as well be playing a video game I work so fast. LOL. It just takes alt, ctrl, or shift + a mouse drag to move it around however you like, and Zbrush is DEFINITELY the easiest for that sort of navigation and rendering. It automatically assumes the camera is your viewpoint, so no worries about trying to position the camera just right.
And yeah, even the best artists I've talked to say they don't dare quit their day jobs right now. There's just not enough market.
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Well, that's reassuring. XD I'm actually hoping to get a tablet in a few weeks myself, but it sounds like I don't have to wait for that to give Zbrush a try.
I noticed that in my time messing around with blender. There's just way too much to do without depending heavily on the keyboard. I haven't gotten the shortcuts down very well, though. I suppose that takes practice, of course. Where did you learn to use Zbrush? Were there some particular tutorials you followed along with?
I guess the economy just isn't so great for it still. :/
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I just googled Zbrush tutorials, depending on what I wanted to learn. Pixologic itself has a ton of tutorials for the newest version, but sometimes that doesn't help so much with an older version like mine. I don't like to watch them because they show all these fancy new goodies I don't have, and really REALLY want! LOL.
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Sounds like it's similar to blender in that regard, then. Tutorials all over the place. XD
D'oh, I just checked, and it looks like the trial isn't running anymore. Maybe they'll do another one soon.
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Oh man that sucks! Well, here's hoping it comes back. OH! I completely forgot Sculptris! I think you'll enjoy it. It's like a super-simplified version of Zbrush! Actually the newest Zbrush uses this technology... [link]
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Ooh, yeah, I'll definitely have to check that out, then. What's the main difference? Is it mostly just Zbrush without some features?
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It's insanely simplified. It doesn't have textures, or a lot of the fancy sculpting tools Zbrush has, and on some computers it has little glitches like can't paint with materials (mine is that way). It's actually a prototype for the dynamic sculpting, where it creates polygons as you sculpt, instead of just stretching and pushing what you have.
Just be sure to use your polygon reduction button fairly often, or it'll bog the best computer right down into the ground. LOL.
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