Digital Artists

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Location: Australia
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Latest Activity: Sep. 28, 2008

Step-by-Step Digital Illustration by Aaron Pocock

Here's my latest step-by-step demonstration...

This one was an absolute joy to paint. I had great reference for starters... my Mother-in-law took the photos on a recent trip to the UK, it's very handy having relatives who take great photos and it's always worthwhile to keep a lot of files for reference, here's proof. I call this image 'The Sparrows of Redgate Cottage".

STEP ONE Here's the reference I used for the image. Note, I turned the cottage around, just in case the owners ever saw it, I'm not sure if the M.I.L. got permission. I'll carry on as if she didn't.

STEP TWO Here's the composited image with some painting done for the sky, the posts in the foreground and the road. Photoshop is fantastic for this purpose. It's a lot easier to put an image together this way.

STEP THREE Here I work out the the sketch to paint over. I keep it very basic as the photos have a whole heap of information. If I started this image from scratch, with no reference, I'd have to add a lot of info at this stage.

STEP FOUR I've added a colour overlay in Painter, I'm starting out using the 'chalk' option.

STEP FIVE See the chalky look to the colour? I use the chalk option for ease of getting the colours down quickly.

STEP SIX Some details added and keeping a watchful eye on the tones at the same time.

STEP SEVEN More detail. I start work from the back and gradually move forward.

STEP EIGHT I'm looking right through the image now and thinking about the relatiuonship between the background and the forefront. I begin adding a few highlights for clues and a little bit of work on the sparrow.

STEP NINE More tonal work to pull the whole thing together.

STEP TEN Tweaking some of the colours... the road, the path etc.

STEP ELEVEN Working right through the image, adding detail to the bird too at this point. This is the fun part for me, the finer detailing.

STEP TWELVE Lots more work on the foreground. Working out the relationship with the sparrow and the background, I want it to stand out so I add some gentle highlights, trying hard to avoid the 'cut-out' look. I always try to bear this in mind.

STEP THIRTEEN Toning the whole thing and adding more detail, the image is really starting to come together at this point.

STEP FOURTEEN More of the same. The red of the gate really provides a nice break between the front and the back of the image and also, gives me a title.

STEP FIFTEEN The finished image. I'm pretty happy at this point, but no doubt, as I do, I'll go back and touch it up in the future. I forgot to mention that I painted this as a cover image, so I left a fair amount of space at the top for type. There's nothing worse than dodgy typestting over a lovely image. Another thing I try to bear in mind at all times.

Discussion Forum

Photoshop Tutorials and Sites

Started by Lesley Smitheringale Aug. 22, 2008.

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Started by Lesley Smitheringale Jun. 15, 2008.

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Comment by Kathie Nichols on September 28, 2008 at 1:12pm: Thanks for sharing this with us Aaron, its so amazing what you can do. I just downloaded a free GIMP program, and am starting to Play now. I think it will take a while to get a handle on it...but its going to be lots of fun!

Comment by Lesley Smitheringale on August 11, 2008 at 7:14pm: Aaron, this is just wonderful and so generous of you to share it with us. I'm at the stage where I have the software but don't quite know how to begin - I can't wait to try it out myself but I have yet to master your high level of digital painting skills! As far as a critique of your work goes, it is superbly done and I would not have picked up that this was a composite of images until I saw your tutorial which means you have done an awesome job of avoiding the "cut-out" look as you mention. It is such a "British" artwork with the cottage and sparrow and reminds me so much of the gorgeous English villages I have visited. (I am Scottish, incase you didn't know). You mentioned that you are from England originally so this is definitely reflected in this piece. Very well done! Lesley

Comment by Aaron Pocock on August 11, 2008 at 1:29pm: Hi there,
I'm pleased to be involved in this new section of the site. I render my art in just about most mediums, but, as I am an illustrator mainly nowadays, I've been doing most of my work digitally. Lesley asked me for a step-by-step wildlife illustration, so I'm adding one on here. The programs I use are Corel Painter (version X) and Adobe Photoshop (a very old one... version 7).
I'll post the images and add comments re: my working process underneath. If any one would like any help or would like to over criticisms etc, feel free....
Take care, Aaron.

Comment by Lesley Smitheringale on June 15, 2008 at 2:48pm: Welcome to the brand new community designed especially for Australian Digital Artists. I created this community site as an avenue for Australian artists to launch their work, network, share and build resources, gallery openings, recommended websites, books, blogs, marketing, equipment and selling of work etc. I have personally found a lack of opportunites like this for Australian artists as most of the communites are for American audiences but not any longer ... Looking forward to meeting you all. Lesley

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Step-by-Step Digital Illustration by Aaron Pocock

Discussion Forum

Photoshop Tutorials and Sites

Introduce Yourself

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