The Art... of Spritedude

[Spritedude]

Just one this time.



I don't usually do realistic paintings, but it felt appropriate this time.

So... yeah, Chester Bennington, the lead singer of Linkin Park, died yesterday. I'm not even sure what to say, honestly. Linkin Park has been my favorite band since I was 13. I bought every one of their albums, I saw them live in 2009, I listened to them pretty much non-stop throughout high school. They helped me through the depression I experienced during that time, and I remember listening to them when coming up with ideas for my drawings and comics. I definitely wouldn't be where I am now without them.

I just wanted to pay tribute for all Chester's done for me, and so many others.

[Spritedude]

NEW STUFF.

Well, thing, singular. Another expression sheet. 4 characters down, 2 to go.



(It looks like the new forums shrink large images down, so you can click on the image if you want to see it full size)

You guys know who Trace is right? I don't have to explain that he's a disembodied human mind stuck in the body of a wolf and has psychic powers? Alright, good.

I've kind of been wondering if these sheets are even worth doing or if I'm just being paranoid about not being "ready" to start drawing the actual comic, but I think they're actually helping quite a bit, especially with cementing the designs of my characters and finalizing the styles I want to go with. I always wanted to give Trace more of an expressive, cartoony look, as well as human-like eyes, to emphasize the fact that he's a human mind in a wolf's body. That's also the in-universe reason he has his markings (which are just dye), an earring, bracelets, etc. I figure that having human intelligence would also mean he could make decisions about his own appearance. Plus, you know, it gives him a more unique design than just a gray wolf.

[е и ժ е я]

Hey mate, got lost in the shuffle somewhere when I bookmarked this thread to comment, but that picture of Chester is so good that it really bears repeating: I'm impressed, you've done a fantastic job, it really looks like you know your stuff.

Also, nice pic of Moonmoon. I dig the blue markings, they're very chique.

[е и ժ е я]

And honestly, I think the character sheets absolutely are a good point of reference. How I think about art changes with the time of day, so it's really a matter of nailing something down and using it as a base-line for quality.

[Heroine of the Dragon]

Awesome painting and fantastic character sheet, Spritedude!! *gives you marshmallows*

[Apollo the Just]

BORK BORK IS THE CUTEST I LOVE THIS

Also, I thought I responded but I guess I didn't - I adore that piece of Chester. What a touching and excellent tribute. Well ****ing done man

[Random User]

Nice expressions sheet, man! Trace really is a lovely character.

I think I liked your painting on the old site, but I would also like to express how impressed I am with the painting. It looks excellent.

[Valigarmander]

These are looking really great. You've gotten amazing with your colors.

[Spritedude]

Hey look, we got some more.

This is the first time I've tried any kind of vent art.


If I had to give this one a title, it'd be "I'm Not Here", after the lyric from How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found, by Radiohead. Sorta sums up the kind of feelings that inspired this. I'm alright by the way, I just have my days.

Anyway, here's something more colorful.


Another drawing of my DnD character Elteres, a centaur wizard. He might be my favorite DnD character I've ever made, I absolutely had to draw him again.

As for the finished drawing itself, I have mixed feelings about it. It's not bad or anything, but once again I fell into the pitfall of drawing the character first and then drawing the background around them, and I think the overall composition kinda suffered as a result. It just looks too... flat and empty. You can obviously tell I spent less time time on the background than on the character. That's a habit I have to break if I want to make whole planned compositions and environments. I dunno, something I need to practice, I guess. Sometimes you have to just call a piece finished and move on.

Elteres himself came out really nice though. Man I love him and his big adorable donkey ears.

[Heroine of the Dragon]

I'm particularly drawn to that drawing of Elteres. Beautiful!! *gives you marshmallows*

[Jere]

I Don't know mate the shading looks proper and the bakground shows the overall area, yes with little less detail but it's the bakground it don't have to be as detailed as the character this time.

[smol Kat]

I can tell the background is less detailed, but it isn't at all obvious to me that you did the character first. I actually kinda like it--it makes Elteres pop (and the colors are fantastic, btw).

[Apollo the Just]

Love centaur wizard. I've never played a wizard as of yet but I know the feeling of getting attached to one's DnD characters all too well.

I still think the overall composition looks solid despite what you've said but it never hurts to be critical I suppose. Awesome colors as always.

The shading and presentation of that vent piece is brilliant too. Sometimes it helps to have an outlet and in this case that outlet is visually quite stunning imo.

[е и ժ е я]

I am a fan of the centaur, and I like your picture of me shielding my pale form from the sun's hateful rays also

We should do a drawchat again soon, you free any days coming up?

[Spritedude]

^I'm actually free all of next week after Monday, we can set up something then, if you'd like.

Also thanks for the comments as always, guys. Usually I show others my art to see if they can see any flaws that I don't, but sometimes the opposite happens as well: they see the good things I don't. I tend to be my own biggest critic, as many artists do, so I depend on that kind of thing a lot. I really appreciate the encouragement.

[е и ժ е я]

^I'm actually free all of next week after Monday, we can set up something then, if you'd like.

Also thanks for the comments as always, guys. Usually I show others my art to see if they can see any flaws that I don't, but sometimes the opposite happens as well: they see the good things I don't. I tend to be my own biggest critic, as many artists do, so I depend on that kind of thing a lot. I really appreciate the encouragement.

Sorry mate, my attention span went AWOL and I dumped most of my net time into some other net groups. I'm around if you're still game, and will be checking VGF regularly. Gimme a shout on FB to coordinate if you've got a few hours to jam.

[United Nations]

I love your vent art. The lighting and brick details are really nice.

[Spritedude]

MOAR.



I needed a new non-animated profile pic for DeviantArt and such, so I drew a self-portrait of sorts. Or, at least... how I draw myself. I'm not nearly as cartoony or majestic in real life.

Alright, next one is a big one. In fact it's one of the most ambitious drawings I've done thus far.


Click on the image for the full size (if your computer can handle it without exploding).

Remember that old drawing I did of myself as a Pokemon trainer with my team of 6 Pokemon? No? Well, anyway, an old friend of mine saw it and commissioned a similar picture of himself and his girlfriend, with their shared team of Pokemon. I got PAID to draw this, yo.

I used the opportunity to experiment with some lighting effects that I haven't really gotten to try before, like using a lot more gradients and soft shading, as well as cast shadows. I'm super proud of how it turned out.

[Dux is not you]

Hello, I'm here just for the cool pics

[smol Kat]

I'm not much of an art critic but can I just say that Pokemon team pic is so incredibly cute