Hi all,

I've been asked by the mods to initiate and oversee a digital painting challenge. The topic I've come up with for the initial run is Ethnic Lizards. I'm hoping for creative exploration of the topic, so really let your imaginations run wild. I'll be painting it as well, and I'm thinking doing something like a lizard/man hybrid with bones in his nose and Aztec-type jewelry.

Now for the rules! This is a digital painting challenge. Both vector and raster designs are ok, so use whatever software you want. I do my work almost exclusively with photoshop, and I'll be offering tips and critiques to anyone who participates. Hopefully we can get this thing going into a semi-regular event!

Deadline is next Friday, the 27th of April, but if you need that weekend to finish off the piece, no problem.

WIPs are welcome, please remember to post what software you're using, how long it took you for each piece, and any comments, questions or critiques for other participants. Also, if you've got any questions for me about any particular techniques, feel free to ask, I'll be on fairly regularly to check updates.

So, the topic is Ethnic Lizards. 3, 2, 1... Go berserk!

My gallery:
http://www.drawspace.com/forums/index.php?...&user=25439

I don't have the digital stuff ...yet but have been seriously considering getting the assorted programs and equipment 'cause it looks like fun.

It is totally fun, and not too expensive. A small Graphire 3 tablet is pretty cheap nowadays (at least, here in Taiwan.) That's what I spent my first year on, it worked really well. Now I use an Intuos 6x8, which I love. I'd have gotten the 9x12, but I carry it back and forth to work, and if you can imagine the drawing area of 9x12 plus an outer frame of at least 75% larger, it's HUGE. The 6x8 is perfect for me.

I am going to watch this thread ..I also do not have too many programs only psp lol or I would be joining in lol sounds fun .

Kim, you can still use psp and do the challenge you just have to draw with your mouse is all. Its a little hard but if you give yourself time and have patience you could do it. In fact, wacoms come with a mouse or a stylus. Some people teach themselves programs with their mouse and prefer it instead of the stylus.

Duane, I am soooo glad you got the Digital Challenge up!! I can't wait to start, BUT my mind draws a blank when trying to figure out a Ethnic Lizard??? Do you thin perhaps you could scrounge up maybe some references towards lizards and ethnics? ( Sorry, I am a blond and really slow..:lol)

Sure, Venus. Here are a few images that I came across while looking for references for the painting I am going to do. Basically my idea is take something cultural, ie. a Native American headdress, Mayan art, a totem pole, anything "ethnic" and blend it with a lizard, like an iguana, bearded dragon, chameleon, etc. You could do that however you want. I've got a completely different idea from before, but without spilling the beans about it, here are some images that I collected. These are probably copyrighted, so please don't copy them directly or anything. I just picked them off of Google images for reference only.

Duane...ok I searched the web a little to find a lizard that I liked. I found and Iguana on wetcanvas I used for my reference and his name is Clyde. I added a little kind of indian type for the ethnic part of the challenge and I used art rage to paint it. I dont think that the picture looks real but I don't think it looks bad either. I used Art Rage because I love how the paint blends together and it gives a real painting type of look. So here is my submission for your first challenge.

awsome job hun .... and you said it would be hard .. you pumped that out quick lol

I am not even sure if this counts .. but i will say one thing ... I used only a mouse and paint shop pro basic .. and this is all I could do .... LOL stop laughing now ...cause i know it is not even close to what some can do with as little as i had to work with .. give me prismas any day LOL ...mine is totaly cheese and crackers .

It lets people know that you HAVE to have a talent to work in digital art .. its not so easy as some might think .

oh yeah and I used a weave filter LOL

kim1963: Great job with the mouse! I was never able to really draw with it, I'm impressed with how far you were able to get with such a limited tool. I must say, I think the weave filter breaks it up a bit though... maybe you could download Art Rage and try one of the default textured papers, that might really add an illustrative look.

Venus: Cute iguana My mom used to have one of these guys as a pet, and she was always putting wacky clothes on it. I like your little sweater too, but how does it fit over his back-spikes? Here's my critique (as promised): Where is your light source? The wrap-around light on his head and the light on the chin seem to conflict a bit. My suggestion is to lighten the front side of the face and darken the chin, that would give you more "pop." Also, if you used similar light to the top of his head on his elbow, then his leg would look more forward. You could really get some nice scale texture if you give them tiny individual highlights, just like whiteish dots facing your light source, only on the highlighted areas.

I've got a similar effect going on in my new piece, take a look at the man's forward shoulder, and how the light glints off the highlighted scales:
http://www.drawspace.com/forums/index.php?...si&img=7477

Now that I'm finished with this one and the girlfriend is appeased, I can start on my ethnic lizard
Keep up the good work everyone!

Very cool sandworm .. what programs do you use ?

My husband is looking for Art Rage today .

Here is my sprite lizard warrior. Done on MS paint 100x100 pixel.
[attachmentid=4325]
Paulette

Paulette .. that is so neat MS is kinda fun to play with ...you did a really good job .

Nice Job, Paulette, for working so small! I suppose MS Paint is about like working in chalk on a gravel road, so I'm impressed with what you've been able to come up with

As for myself, I usually work huge, since most of my stuff gets printed. Usually the smallest I work in (pre-crop) is about 3500x5000 (A3 at 300dpi). I've found that the only way to get the detail I want is to go large.

How many people on here have tablets? I've got to imagine that working with a mouse is nearly impossible.

Kim - I use Photoshop almost exclusively, but I know this is outside the budget for most people (and it's not really a painting app, specifically.) My experience with Art Rage has been good though, and I'd like to spend more time working with it. Maybe I will try it for this project. Another option is Gimp, which is open source and can be downloaded for free, try a google search. It is very similar to Photoshop in most regards, and the price can't be beat! I've been intending to learn Painter, but my time is limited, and I still haven't gotten around to it yet

I was working on these sprites in another thread with Sketch Fiend and decided to continue on here. I learned that I have a lot of respect for the artists that can make a detailed picture with so small a page. As you know I am also in awe over what you are doing with your pictures. The newest one for your girl friend is very cool. Antisnow left a link on the other thread for the mona lisa being painted in MS paint, it pretty neat to check out. Antisnow post

wow finally found it venus
awesome work with the digital painting too. wow you have really been coming along with that.
kim awesome that really looks cool.
i am going to try to do something too. hopefully i can post something by this weekend. but i warn you all i am not very good at all. still really dont know what i am doing but....
Lori

Lori, glad you found the thread. I worked this weekend in Kentucky. I have to say I had a wonderful time even if I was working. The fire work show was put on by our U.S Army and The Navy Seals. There were tons of air planes from both branches of the service and quite an awesome airshow. It was their festival the week before the Kentucky Derby. I love to travel with this job and see the different festivities. I really need to remember to take the digital camera with me more often, but I think I need a smaller one that will not attract too much attention like the one I have now because I don't want it stolen.

I do hope people will start participating in this challenge, I know there are alot of digital artist on here so do please try this challenge its really fun!!!

Hi guys,

Sorry I haven't uploaded mine yet, it's been crazy busy in these parts. I'm going to South Africa on Monday, and my girlfriend is flipping out, so I haven't had any time to paint! Anyway, the deadline for this one is Friday, so hopefully I can get something up by then. Anyway, I'll just start another one after this (well, when I get back).