Visual Arts and Animation - Lava Monster Assignment

Our homework assignment was following from the lava tutorial session, to make a lava monster! Underneath is my reference and research images guiding me with where I wanted to go after choosing my final concept from my experimental designs. Previously, I had found quite a few images through DeviantArt gallery which aided me in deciding the monsters visuals.

Below are my three ideas of a lava monster. The first design is a massive crawling mountain of molten rock. The second is based mostly off of a shrimp and seahorse where the legs have been replaced with liquid lava helping it move along similar to a snails slime trail. Lastly is the monster I choose for my final piece which is a colossal three miles high; similar to the titan Krono's from the film Wrath of the Titans.

For the final concept, I made a full body profile and alterations to features such as the face. To the left I have included a small diagram comparison for the sheer size of the monster. For the composition to represent the overwhelming scale of the creature, I had to think quite a bit on the placement of a camera angle called 'worms eye view' (a really low head-raising shot). To achieve this, I placed my iPads camera close to my feet while standing, walking and stomping, setting various timers, to get a realistic angle.

After finding my favourite image I took, I imported the photograph into Photoshop and worked over it with basic colours; adding a dim overcast sky to bring out the silhouette. Here is my progress in four segments of my final piece concept. I called the lava monster Godono's The Goliath (as though a big brother of the titan Krono's like from the film Wrath of the Titans). 

Below is my finished piece taking around nine hours. I needed an element of lava to stand out in the image as the dark rock colours blended together too much. To support this, I made it look as though the monsters wrists were cut; seeping lava down the hands and dripping to the ground below. To make the lava look as though it was actually falling towards the point of view, I used image references (I took for an art project back at college) where I placed my camera under falling paint which has a similar density to it. Furthermore, I really enjoyed using only a Photoshop brush pack made by concept artist Jonas De Ro with a wide range of components and shapes.

Photoshop Session - Lava Tutorial

This session we learned how to create realistic lava with several techniques. Below is my digital palette in Photoshop where I played around with toning and placement. In addition, I watched some footage of lava movement, as its not a still object; to better understand how it flows. Our teacher showed us how to use Photoshop's effects to further manipulate a working layer which also allowed me to use the brush to paint with the applied effects.

We were then given in our session, an image of a rocky creature model to sculpt and paint over lava cracks and fissures around the form. Below is my finished piece that took about two hours. I added in some context and background to make the model feel more alive which I thought went quite well. Furthermore, I attempted to include one-point lighting as the models highlights are reflecting white light.

Overall I found this session was a helpful insight into constructing a natural element (molten rock) and its placement over shape. 

Photoshop Session - Pixel Art Tutorial

In our last session with Photoshop we created pixel art. Following a tutorial into how to accurately align the angles, we had to make a fire hydrant using only five colours of red and black. The image below is what I was able to make in the four hours we had (enlarged for full view). I created the Tardis from my imagination as well as attempting to construct Flappy Bird in a front viewpoint! One of my favourite games on the Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP was The Sims Bustin' Out which was in a pixel isometric perspective; I just had to make and include the player's character!

Underneath is the accurate dimensions of the singular pixels in their form. What I believed most fun when creating art like this, is how much detail you have to try and place with as few strokes as possible. I have really enjoyed experimenting with small colour use and hope to create some more art like this in the future!

Life Drawing - Session 11, 12, 13 & 14

In our eleventh life drawing session and the first of the new term, we created a range of pieces from quick sketches to quarter of an hour works using charcoal. I tried to vary my flow by changing methods to several techniques like stippling and rough lining which was fun but exhausting!

For our twelfth session, we swapped using easels to working on a table and board. I found it rather difficult to put 'pen to paper' without having to lean forward and hurting my back in the process for a long period of time; to cover the A2 page. However, I managed to prop up the board a bit and felt I was more comfortable to working with it like that. I experimented with tone and blending a harsh background against the lightest areas on the model's skin which I thought went well.

Our thirteenth session consisted of the same processes as the week before but with more practise of mediums. Underneath, I have shown a few such as Compressed charcoal, Biro pen, Ink pen and a 4B pencil. I decided to try and bring out some of the backgrounds context to make the body's form stand out; instead of just placed on a blank canvas.

For the fourteenth session, we had one of the regular male models. Personally this was an advantage, as I was able to easily recall his body shape and outline, giving me more time to focus on shade and context; while studying new techniques. I was also able to get a portrait or two done which I have been practising on recently (I rather enjoy the complex symmetry). On the other hand, I have been surprisingly leaving out the feet of almost every model in every session's sketches. I have no idea why this is, as I have no problem with sketching them but maybe more recently sitting down, it's because I can not see them behind the board; anyway I chose a composition and included them in this week!