random inks and colors

[jaketerlecki]

Just finished this page. I've been experimenting with different techniques (both inks and colors) let me know what you fellas thinks. Crits and comments welcomed and appreciated.

inks


colors

[wheelchairman]

I like the colored version. The color balance feels just good.

[sdowner]

Pretty sweet, Jake!
A couple crits:
The goateed fellow in the back- his hairline's too sharply defined. I think moving it back a little to match with the edge of the inked hair would be a good idea.

You could wring a lot more depth from the whole page, I think. I like your color palette, and you're on the right track as far as values and hues go but it could be punched up quite a bit. I see a warm primary light source and a green secondary light source. Why not really amp those up? Make your shadows a lot deeper and richer, and you won't have to wash out the lit areas to get depth, and it will be much easier to keep your secondary light source weaker and still look good.

Don't get me wrong- I do like this page a lot, I just think you could push it a ways further and really make it awesome.

On another note--
It's really cool to see how you've grown as a colorist in the months you've been here. Way to go!

[jaketerlecki]

Steve,

Thanks. I always look forward to your critiques. You really know how to articulately analyze a piece and break down it's strengths and weaknesses. Plus, your advice is dead on. It is one of the most that I really have learned to trust ever since I've been posting. It is true (and thanks for noticing). I have been really studying hard and working diligently in order to "wise up" in the coloring department. I agree with everything you have said.

One thing about the satuation of the piece, for some reason the photoshop document doesn't look as desaturated. Only when I send the file to photobucket as a jpeg does it lose saturation and contrast. Do you think that has anything to do with it?

Thanks again

[sdowner]

Are you using Photoshop's Save for Web feature?
Whenever I use it, I have to bring the JPEG back into Photoshop and adjust the saturation because it gets washed out. I've never had a problem with Photobucket screwing up the colors on upload, though. Weird.

However, saturation isn't really the issue here. I was seeing more of a lack of depth (volume) in the picture, and I think that darkening the shadows would be a huge help.

Check this out:

Two light sources, of almost equal strength (The cool rim light is a little weaker.).
This example image by James Gurney maintains depth despite the strong light because the shadows are still dark between the light areas. Maintaining a strong core shadow (Also called a terminator, and most evident here on the model's forehead) is the key to depth with multiple light sources. Right now your shadows are pretty light- almost as bright as your midtones. I think going in with a dark color to darken the core shadows would add a lot to the pic.

And I'm glad to hear you appreciate my crits! That means a lot.

[jaketerlecki]

Once again thanks for the follow up. I took what you said into account and re-worked it. I also overlayed a greenish tint over the two floating heads to pull them into the bg a bit. I tried to follow your recommendations which, btw, a very helpful. I think I may have went a little overboard. Let me knows what you thinks.

Thanks again.