[Juto]

Hey guys!

In an effort to really push the students around here, I wanted to introduce this thread. (quite coincidentally, it appears that over on ca.org, Algenpfleger and Janaschi just made a thread themselves a few days ago! They are doing some great crits in there, worth it to check it out!) Paintovers are often times the fastest, easiest, and most potent forms of critique, I think anyone who has given or gotten one would agree. Sometimes though, you spend 20-30 minutes, and the person never posts again or disregards the help you put in. My hopes are that this thread can provide a place where people who really want a paintover, instead of hoping a passerby will do one on their thread- can come and post. Back on conceptart a few years ago, paintovers were a common sight and you had amazing members who would contribute on a whim, and I'd love for this community to have the same spirit!

Anyone can feel free to paintover other people's work, just be aware of the date of the post and any follow-ups that have been made to it.

The more text you can put in the image or along with it to help explain the concepts you corrected, the better. Do not just post a paintover with no explanation- it's the combo of well communicated crits next to the paintovers that make them super potent.

Inversely, tell us what you want fixed- or more importantly, tell us your motivations behind the image...'its a soldier' vs. 'this image is about retired space marine going back off to war, saying farewell to his family' so that with less time we can focus on more concepts. However, understand that the person doing the paintover may choose to alter more than your request. If you get offended at that, it's your fault (Just as a precaution.)

With that said, let's get down to business! Anyone can feel free to jumpstart us (please!)

edit:
Just a small word about style. It does come in to play, and people doing paintovers should do their best to analyze what the creative goals of the artist are (for extreme example, if someone posts an anime image you wouldn't paint a realistic face over it as a crit). I think for the most part, paintovers are useful in applying principles and not correcting designs- showing materials, using light and atmosphere, perspective, anatomy- when you begin to alter the design or art direction of an image, it doesn't serve the artist as well. So just try to maintain a sensitivity to that if a paintover you do has a style you are not comfortable in replicating. (I'm totally going to be a hypocrite by saying this, I know it :|)

If you can help it, please do not post older pieces that you do not plan to finish. Despite the fact the paintover will still be educational, we primarily want to focus on in progress pieces. Sankyu :>

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Admin note, this thread has been stickied for visibility and longevity in the 2D forums. A companion paintover thread will be posted in the 3D WIP forums shortly. Thank you Juto!

[Juto]

Alrighty, to jumpstart things a little... I spent alot of today on a dog concept for the Drawing Jam, and after seeing her work, I asked her if she would mind sketching over it to correct the anatomy, and she very graciously agreed!

Here are the results, I will post again when I make the changes.

Thanks to Brynn, and Shane for the amazing support. Don't be afraid to post, this thread can be an amazing resource for any level artist!!

edit: Brynn offered more explanation in her images after hurri raised the issue, and I'm updating the post to reflect the changes. Thanks to Hurri for addressing that and Brynn for responding so quickly to it!!

[JohnSilva]

this is by far one of the most useful threads on every forum i saw... I will gladly help and be helped!

Subscribed to this thread and soon i will post a work i would like help on!


Let's go people, its really hard to deny this thread right?
Don't be ashamed and show us no matter how "bad" you think it is!

"To fly like an eagle you need to be surrounded by eagles"

[stefan-kopinski]

I'm fortunate enough to have personal critique when I need it and find it very important and truly helpful. You learn so much from others' input... usually :-)
Every day's a school day!

Great thread!

[PhilippDege]

This is a great topic! I will use it for sure if i have something i need help on. I hope the spirit grows with this.

Cheers.

[toby]

What an awesome idea! Go Justin!

[JLW]

I also think paintovers are the best way to provide feedback.

[TheDarkKnight]

well let me start it off then



Having some problem with my overall side view, front is pretty much where it should go, roughed in the ears on where they generally should go, havent spend that much time on them afterwards.

If someone could give me a view pointers for the side, much appreciated

EDIT: Just realized this is in the 2d section, never mind then

[HELMUTT]

fantastic !!!! thanks for starting this up !

[BjornHurri]

Juto, make sure to point out why you did the changes to the sketch. Personally you have changed the personality of the dog and even the concept depending on how you think about things.

I am not trying to make what you have done into a negative but make sure to point out that it is your interpretation of what is correct and not the way the person needs to do it.

[Juto]

Hurri- that's a good point- though it's Brynn's sketchover of my own work , and I think it does a good job of addressing anatomical issues in my own. But yeah, some elaboration on that would definitely be appropriate!

Also- thanks to everyone for support. DarkKnight, once lunch hour comes I'll try and do a paintover for your model!

[kovah]

This is an awesome idea, could i have a little advice.

I'm more or less happy with the dragon but something about the dwarf is really bugging me and i cant quite figure out what it is.

[Juto]

Hey Koavh!

As Hurri pointed out and I feel should definitely be reinforced- everyone interprets images differently. No way is the 'correct' way, and no paintovers should be taken as absolute truth. Alot of decisions like colors, composition, etc. can and often times are completely personal choices. It's up to you to take away any knowledge you feel is useful for you, and paint the image with your own preferences. On to the paintover!

I addressed a bit more than the dwarf only, I hope that's okay.

I tried to put all the info in the image (so you will have it when you save the image), but if you have any more questions, please ask! Also, thank you for being the first one, I hope more will follow!

edit:
There are a few things I forgot (or didn't have room) to say-
As for the rocks, try to use reference- instead of random amorphous bumpy patterns, rocks erode in a very specific way. By mimicing that, and finding the look they get, you add more realism.
Also, using the bounce light from the gold on the cliff wall to the right allows even greater separation between the middle and background by showing the edge of that rock face.
edit 2: rule of 3rds is not a 'rule'... it's sort of a helping hand that works often. Click here for more info about it.

[kovah]

Wish I could click the thanks button a MILLION more times. That is awesome. It just makes it look so much more...more...awesome. This thread is the best thing EVER!

That has helped me so much, I was going to have like a glowing sword for the light but the light shaft is so much better, i hadn't even considered it and suddenly there is depth and...

*hugs*

You have really really made my day helping me with that because i've just been stuck in a rut and realising that simple little things like that can be changed and improved and why didn't i see it before. THANKYOU!

[pantaloonX]

so if i am truly interested in this, do i post the image i would like feedback on in this thread or direct people to my other thread or profile page?