While the blog isn’t officially live yet, I can still blog.
This is a sketch I decided to do at 2 in the morning. I don’t know why, but I felt spontaneous. It took a little less than 45 minutes to do this one, though I think that if I tried, I could work faster. Unfortunately, this was one that I didn’t think to record a video of, since I figured it would be just a quick little sketch.
Advice for those of you who want to do this sort of thing: Record ALL your work to video. You can always delete it later if you don’t like it. I think I’m going to make a habit of doing that…
But, to outline the process quickly, I did a quick underlying sketch at 8×10, 72dpi. When I actually found that I liked it, I upped it to 600dpi, and started a new layer with a more refined lineart. Still somewhat sketchy though.
I set the underlying sketch to about 40%, and keeping it there kept the “soul” of the illustration, which I found the cleaner lineart had lost.
The rest was just filling in with more black, for the hair especially. I used a 75% opacity brush, and switched it to white to get some of the highlights.
To get the sort of fuzzy look, I did a Ctrl+Shift+C to copy all layers, pasted it down, Gaussian Blur, and then set the blend mode to Screen. I added a Levels adjustment layer to bring the exposure back down.
I’d like to know from you – what do you think of this picture?
When you look into her eyes and see her face, what thoughts cross your mind?
There isn’t any hint of a situation, other than the almost non-existent hint of a collar. What do you suppose is going on in the picture?
I’d love to hear your comments!
Read more!
Ahah! I was up at that hour still too! What nightowls we are. lol
Hmmm what comes to mind when I look into her face…
…A gentle sweet smile from a highschool girl to a guy who can’t seem to muster the courage to confess to her his feelings for her. It’s like one of those heartfelt *doki doki* moments for the guy where she says something profound or touching, and elicits reactions from him in ways only her words and actions can.
I really like the way you’ve rendered her warm eyes, and soft yet natural looking textured hair. Though I am left wondering what kind of hairstyle she wears? It is just cut off where, she could possibly be wearing a high ponytail, or possibly just have short cut hair. Both would look nice, really.
Very nice for a quickie sketch. Really digging this overall style. Should consider developing this character as a potential blog mascot…Not to rag on your current pic as your theme, but I’ve seen that picture before and it doesn’t have any depth in terms of the character or story. What better way to usher in a new blog than with a new mascot? X3
Wow, you are the very first person to comment on my not-yet-live blog. I applaud you for your dedication! 🙂
I like your thoughts and description of the picture. It does have that sort of doki doki feeling, doesn’t it? 🙂 I deliberately didn’t think of anything in particular when I drew this, so any sort of response is acceptable. 😀
When I drew her, her head kinda got cut off, and I didn’t bother to fix it. I’m not really sure what her hair style is, actually. Personally, I’m not that fond of it, but whatever. As long as she likes it. 🙂
Not really sure if she’s blog mascot material yet. I’d have to develop her much more, of course. But I do see what you mean in terms of her warmth and expression. And yeah, the loligoth girl isn’t exactly mascot material, but she’s the most popular of all my youtube videos for some very odd reason.
Ooooo I really like the layout!
Looking into her eyes, I feel like she’s in a school setting looking at someone she either likes/loves or adores (like a senpai). The soft monochrome makes me think of something out of a shoujo romance manga.
Can’t wait to see more of your works ^^
Hey! Thanks for checking out the new site! It’s still in the process of being updated. I didn’t expect people would be looking at it so soon after I switched the domain! I was caught off guard!
Interesting how you are getting the same thoughts as insanekitten. 🙂
what do you think of this picture?
Looks like an 80’s style anime character.
what thoughts cross your mind?
She looks innocent enough, but I bet deep down inside she’s hatching up some kind of devilish scheme!
What do you suppose is going on in the picture?
Like I said, scheming, probably at her desk at school or something.
BTW, I really like the girl in your background image. At first I thought she was holding some leeks, but now I see they’re actually flowers XD
Yo Nopy!
Yeah, she does look kinda 80’s style eh?
Devilish scheme? Wow nice! I wonder what she’s thinking… 🙂
Glad you like the new background image. I figured that since the old radiantdreamer blog was turning darker and more emo, this is a deliberate shift. 😀
Speaking of 80’s style, she kinda reminds me of Ayukawa from Kimagure Orange Road. I really liked her character… She was like a bad girl, but then also a good girl at the same time.
It’s around that time that we’re usually inspired and pumped up to do something..this being one of those brilliant aftermaths. *w*
Plus, I’m glad you’re finally back! Life decided to pay you for your efforts I believe? ;D
Ahhhh~ As for the picture..It’s a nice break from all the moe that’s been turned into a staple nowadays, the art style I mean. I find sketches to be prevalently better than super-refined finishes as it still has that emotion the artist intended it to have while drawing.
Her face, the way everyone else sees it, reminds me of when I met a very important person (which still is to this moment). I was still an acute introvert back then due to an episode in the family. I turned my back from the world as I’ve lost hope in trusting “other people” thanks to that skit. But then there was one single moment in time during me alone-time that someone sat beside me..I snubbed it of course, thinking she’d just go away..but she didn’t. And when I turned to say something to her, she turned as well, looked me in the eye (like this very picture)..and I fell in love with her, and my whole life changed for the better. <333
Lovely isn't it? How one person can just change you life by sitting beside you for a few minutes, just enough to let it thru that they care.. ^^
First of all, I would like to say, I like the change in your layout theme. It looks so fresh and bright :3 I also love how the first photo in your blog entry zooms in when you open the entire post :3
As for the sketch, I find her quite lovely. She looks like a nice girl with a little bit of meekness even though she looks a bit boyish :3 It’s quite rare to see boyish-looking girls who aren’t depicted like jocks, so I really like this one very much :3 I also love her soft smile and her eyes look so clear and innocent, as with majority of the comments, the sketch also makes me think she’s with someone close to her, not necessarily a love interest, but someone she adores dearly. Makes me think she’s from a shoujo manga of some sort.
I’m quite excited to see the formal launching of your blog’s new home :3
Ahhh new site and new theme! Oh but you says it is not officialy live, ok. I will pretend I am not aware of it then :p
Looks gorgeous ^^
Somehow I really like this sketch. Inspiring =)
I really like your art style, the way you capture the texture of hair is good.
The impression I get from the picture is that she is looking at someone that she knows. Her facial expression indicates this.
Whoa its been a while since ive been to your blog! Sorry about that..
First of all loving the new layout its so clean and a real joy to browse around!
And the sketch is just mind blowing in my opinion seriously professional looking stuff!
The depth in those eyes really draw you in o: