Interpretive edges are one of the most appealing and beautiful aspects of oil painting and watercolor techniques. Edge control isn’t easy in traditional painting but when it comes to digital painting in Photoshop, edge control has been almost mechanically impossible. The angle of a brush stroke is essential for sophisticated edges. Before I designed the […]
The Technique Trap
A perceptive (and talented) art student by the name of Chris Campbell recently asked me this impressive question: “What do the animation industry pros say about us when we’re not around?” He elaborated… “Have they noticed any common mistakes or bad habits in current student portfolios?” “What do most pros think we need to work on?” Obviously, […]
The Hudson River Painters Vs. The Texture Monster :: Digital Painting Tutorial
The Texture Monster is on the hunt. We all must remain watchful for no painting is completely safe. When The Texture Monster attacks, it will SMASH your subtle values, PUMMEL your perspective, SKEW your sense of scale and CONFUSE your compositions. …unless you trap it and tame it. So how can you protect your paintings? You […]
Disney’s ‘Pixie Hollow Games’ Visual Development Painting: Rumble
This was the first Visual Development painting that I did for ‘Pixie Hollow Games’ (line art by Ritsuko Notani; art direction by Fred Warter). This is an early piece of “Rumble” concept art. Rumble is Glimmer‘s partner on the storm team and the antagonist of the story. He’s not really a villain but it was […]
Disney’s ‘Pixie Hollow Games’ Visual Development Painting: Glimmer
In May of 2010, I was promoted to Character Visual Development Artist as I joined the crew of ‘Pixie Hollow Games.’ Suddenly, I went from designing props and tertiary background characters to designing brand new principal characters. …a rare and precious opportunity. My favorite of all the new characters we created for ‘Pixie Hollow Games’ […]