Speed Study: Whale Boy (and brush techniques)

In this class assignment, we looked further at building the illusion of form using light and shadow. After, we did another speed painting study. 

We looked at how you can achieve form using a low pressure soft round brush, keeping the opacity very low. We were given a black blob to paint on top of to give the impression of form. This is what I came up with. 

I really like the outcome of this. I feel that most areas of the blob now look like a different kind of 3D shape, with a clear light source. I struggled a bit with the bottom area, because I didn't want any light hitting it directly but I still wanted it to have form. Although you can tell there's some form, I feel like it could be better. 

Next, we were given a small blurry version of an illustration by Bobby Chiu and had to do a study based on that. The idea was to get in all the important information, such as the values, hues and shapes, and not worry too much about the tiny details. Here is what I came up with after 30 minutes.

Next, we were given a higher res version to then add some details. I'm satisfied that I've got a solid foundation so I move on. I tried to make the silhouette more accurate and added some detail on the face. Not wanting to spend too much time in one spot (like I learnt from the speed painting of the old lady we did some weeks ago) I moved onto the whale eye and tried to define this area more. Next, I added the red into the seam on the head of the whale and also the little holes on the head. I kept on refining as much as I could in the time frame and this is what I got after a total of 2 hours.

Bobby Chiu is a fantastic digital artist and he uses many colours in his work that at first glance may appear to be just one. His work has a lot of brush strokes. I found it difficult to pick out all the colours, especially in the face. I tried my best and am happy with the result, but if I had more time I would have liked to get the colours more accurate. Still, I learnt that adding little faint details, that might look messy and sketchy, over time will accumulate into a much more detailed painting. Also, all the whites I used (apart from the teeth) were picked from the lightest part of the sky I painted. I tried it out and realised that I did not even need to use pure white or a lighter version of the base colour, I could use a light blue, which was also in the centre of the painting, as the whites and I found that this brings the painting together. If I had used a light pink, for example, on the boy's mouth where he is dribbling, or a light green for the sea foam, I don't think the painting would look as unified.