Wednesday, March 12, 2008

ULTRAMAN!




Detail.

-DAY4-
I had two or three more sessions on this painting without updates to have a bigger leap from the last stage to the final painting. The background was the hardest element to figure out.
It was a challenge because I didn't want it to be too painterly and take away from the figures and I also didn't want it to be too graphic. The figures was just a process of building on the light areas and finally adding the final highlights and details. . I definitely wanted Ultraman to be the focus of the piece so he has the most details and strong bold colors. I made the background lighter so the silhouette of the figures could stand out. Now I need to find the right frame for the piece and varnish it when its all over. The varnish will bring out all the dull colors and unify the piece making it glossy and giving it that wonderful wet look. Hope you guys enjoy the final painting and I hope I didn't bore you too much with my rants about painting. I will start work on a new painting but this one will move a lot slower and it will be a fairly big piece. ENJOY AND DROP ME A LINE IF YOU DIG IT!!



-DAY3-
I worked on the piece for about 2 1/2 hours today. First I worked on the grey areas of Ultramans costume, keeping it simple and not trying to get too light or detailed. Then I worked in the red and got it pretty far along just needing the final touches and highlights/reflections. I established a neutral background color which I will later develop into maybe smoke or something that will give interest without taking too much from the figures. I want the final color of the background to be brighter as well, because I feel it will fit the subject matter better. I glazed in a violet color on the shadows of the monster and worked a bit more in the light areas defining them a bit further. I need to let this part dry so I can go in the piece and start defining areas better with more detail and color. I'm thinking one or two more days and the piece will be finished. I'm enjoying this piece and will hopefully carry momentum into more paintings, i need to paint more and maybe it will lead into a gallery show later down the line.

On another note I saw "The History of Pixar" at the Cleveland film festival and it was amazing and inspirational. If you have a chance to check out this film please do, it's a must for any artist with a need to create quality original material.



-DAY2-
This part is where the fun really begins. Now my focus is on applying my basic light areas on the monster and a dark tone of red on some areas of the ultraman figure. Note that the light areas on the monster are very loose and I let the brush do a lot of the work for me. My objective is not to scrub paint but let the paint dictate what it wants to do. This part of the process gives the monster an organic feel and it creates crevices and other fun things that will later guide me when I am refining the light areas. Also note that the light color is still very much a mid tone just to define my lights and darks. Now I let this stage dry overnight.

I don't mean to ramble on but I figure it would be nice to share my painting process, hope you enjoy it!



-DAY1-
Day 1 was a short day of work on this painting because of pesky freelance jobs. I was basically just able to put down my acrylic base coat and once that was dry, my basic figures in oil. The trick about painting in oils is having patience, so I let this stage dry over night so the next day I am able to apply paint without the worry of taking off paint that is already there.


ULTRA MAN!! He's great, spending his time fighting monsters the size of buildings and saving the life of thousands while he's at it! I'm really exited about this piece and I'm glad to say this will be my first oil painting in a long time. This image is actually a photo of the sketch already down on the masonite ready for paint! I've never really painted anything this stylized in oils before but I'm confident I can make this work and I feel up for the challenge. Maybe I will post process pics as I go along but I haven't decided. It feels great to step away from the computer and get you hands dirty. There is so much going on as far as work and freelance so forgive me if the final takes a while but I'm hoping I can buckle down and grind this one out. Everyone stay fresh and if ya DIG IT drop a comment and say hello!

17 comments:

Jorge@jlacera.com said...

Very cool Carlos, can't wait to see the final piece.

Caleb Prochnow said...

Nice. I checked in yesterday to see what your up to, and then back today only to find more process painting work. I'll be checking in regularly to see how the painting turns out..... Can't wait to see what you've got planned for a graphic novel, whatever it is, I'll be in line to purchase one.

Duncan Barton said...

Carlos- I totally second your comment on stepping away from the computer the recent stuff is looking great man :-)

Candace Trew Camling said...

Uh...pesky freelance jobs? I wouldn't complain about that...
Anyways, the piece is going to be awesome!

Frank said...

Dude, great post, great piece. I'm digging the layout a lot and that was awesome of you to take the time and break down your process like that! Keep it up!

Josh Hoye said...

Hey brutha! Im not sure if I told u this or not, but thanks for the kind words on my blog about the book. I do have more stories in vol.2 and vol.3. Your painting is lookin great. keep it up.

Unknown said...

looking good parce..

Chris Battle said...

Awesome seeing the step-by-step on this one! Can't wait to the finished version.

Jason Miskimins said...

awesome design. i love the crazy shaping.

Unknown said...

Love the flow and the style!

Joaquín Rosado Martel said...

Hola!

Por fin está en las tiendas ADOLFO Y SUS MONSTRUOS!!!!!!!!! :)



Un saludo!!!

Beth Brettell said...

it turned out awesome!! iorn man is my favorite, but the red dragon is pretty cool too. ;)

i cant wait to see how this next one turns out!!!

Caleb Prochnow said...

I DIGS IT!

JMart said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JMart said...

Nice work man... you know I DIGit!
Really nice to read your process as well, keep it up!
Glad to see you doing so well, very motivating for us on the cusp of the big bad scary real world.
LATER!

Albert Sorrentino Jr. said...

WOW! Ultraman is one of the greatest things the japanese has given us. I used to watch this show everyone! I love this man, it's great...I hope you are doing well, it's been awhile!

Jared Fiorino said...

Carlos this is sick man! The stylization is great! Nice superhero throwback too.