Evaluation

Overall, I was very pleased with the final 2 outcomes of my images. I got to say that I really enjoyed this assignment & compared from the start of this module my skills have improved & come a long way; I have learnt new skills, techniques & new elements within Photoshop which has enabled me to start creating better quality visual images.

The first image was a horror image but I decided to work with just a face because within my research, I felt that personally to can make the face look more horrific and frightening compared to the body. Throughout this image, I used  a range of different elements to create the concept and once skill that helped me a lot was using layer masks as it enabled me to go back and forth as many times as I needed regardless the amount of mistake I made. Tweaking the levels, curves, exposure, hue & saturation help a lot as it gave the image more depth and it enabled me to change the tone and scene of the overall image. For example from nice too evil. For the idea of the head being cut with the brain inside, I didn’t have a clue what I was going to place there but whilst flicking through the TV, a programme called “Casualty” popped up and the idea hit me for what I could do. The second image was a matte painting of an island. I decided to do a matte painting because I wanted to create something simple  yet effective to the viewer.

I enjoyed this assignment because it allowed me to go outside my comfort zone and produce work in different styles and learn new techniques.

Overall, I would say that “Simplicity is the best way forward”

Final Pieces

Horror:

 

Matte Painting:

Matte Painitng Stock Image Link

The links below shows the stock links used within the horror image:

 

Dead Tree:
http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&q=dead+trees+png#/d4s7iiz

Birds:
http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/?qh=&section=&q=birds#/d2sv2eq

Stone:
http://meta-stock.deviantart.com/art/Stone-Wall-cutout-png-Stock-2-194849603?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Aresources%20stone&qo=130

Island:

http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/stockart/?q=rock&order=9&offset=24#/d2eb1p

Stairs:
http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/stockart/?qh=&section=&q=ruins#/d17xqwh

House:
http://00alice00-stock.deviantart.com/art/Emmet-House-01-90014855

Eagle:
http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/stockart/?q=eagle%20png#/d2mah2n

Horror Stock Image Links

The links below shows the stock images used within the horror image:

Woman:
http://dyingbeautystock.deviantart.com/art/what-s-wrong-with-my-face-97083756?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Aresources%2Fstockart%20face&qo=26

Skull:
http://rgstock777.deviantart.com/#/dgku4n

Stitches:
http://pulse-stock.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d1sdwlm

Brain:
http://virginhalostock.deviantart.com/art/Brain-2-67038440?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Aresources%2Fstockart%20brain&qo=5

Snake:
http://sadestock.deviantart.com/art/snake-45340329?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Aresources%20snake&qo=8

Texture 1:
http://falln-stock.deviantart.com/art/Cracked-Mud-Payson-1-23608915

Texture 2:
http://grotesqueworshipinc.deviantart.com/art/Dark-Rust-Texture-IV-173819427

Texture 3:
http://mayang.com/textures/

Second Image in the Making

To start my second image concept, I looked for an image of rock upon the sea as this was going to the base of the whole image.

The screenshot above shows the starting images of this concept.

The screenshot above shows that I then got an image of the stairs and this I flipped it horizontally and changed the angle and positioning of the stairs to fit into the right proportion of the rock.

The screenshot above shows that I used a layer mask and then using the pen tool, I drew around the outline of the rock where I wanted the stairs to be placed ans showed. Using a soft brush tool, I erased the other elements of the rock which wasn’t need.  As well, I used a soft brush for the water and I wanted the water to overflow upon the rock; it corresponded with the wave splashes.

The screenshot above shows that I used a pen tool and layer mask to go around the rock to apply a background removal of the sky. I then inserted a new sky and distorted and tweaked the perspective of the sky so I didn’t look flat and dull but had a bit of depth towards it.

The screenshot above shows that I then imported an image of a home and placed around with the size and layout of it to find the best layout composition on the rock but keeping in the mind the rules of third.

The screenshot above shows that I used layer mask once again and used the brush tool and extracted out the elements within the original images that wasn’t needed. On the far left of the house, I didn’t really like it because it looked just pure dust and it just looked boring; it didn’t look right and looked  a bit odd.

The screenshot above shows that I placed and image of a rock wall. I transformed the size of the rock to fit within the section I wanted to cover up.

The screenshot above shows the I used layer masks once again to get the section of the rock I required. I used a soft brush to blend the bottom of the rock with the foreground element.

The screenshot above shows that I inserted other elements to create an island look. As well, I adjusted the levels, curves, hue & saturation and painted in the certain sections with the relevant adjustments I created for them.

The screenshot above shows that I then inserted a dead tree to give the effect of an dead abandoned island. I also tweaked around with the levels to get the image  to conform with the lighting. Overall, I felt that the over tree elements made the island look to lively and not dead and abandoned. In addiction, it made everything look cluttered and over crowded and it lost the attention of the house on top of the rock but then that could also be down to the lighting of the building as it was too dark compared tot he rest of the image.

The screenshot above show that I imported birds within the concept of the image. This particular screenshot shows that , as the birds are closer to the island, they are bigger and the further back they go, the smaller they get. I paid get attention in keeping every element proportionate within the composition.

The screenshot above shows, that I started focusing on the lighting of the each elements from the direction of the light.

The screenshot above shows that I used a cooling photo filter to neutralize the overall colour cast upon the image.

First Image in the Making Continued

So after looking at the tutorials, I decided to do some experiments to see the outcome. Have familiarized myself with the techniques, I then applied each tutorial too each eye. The outcome was freaky and weird and the effect was very effective.

After being pleased with the eyes, I then focused on adding texture to the rest of the body. I looked at cracked ground stocks images, as I wanted a decay look. Once again I used layer masks and a soft brush to paint in the texture upon the body. I changed the blending mode as well. The screenshot above shows this.

The screenshot above shows that I used a black brush to get rid of the hair as I wanted to focus just on the face.  At the end result, I felt that the shape of the head looked weird and something need to be placed to make everything more symmetrical.  It looked like the side of the head was cut of so then I started thinking what I could place there but keep everything horrific. I went along the line of it being realistic and decided to have an open brain.

The screenshot above shows that I used a layer mask and pen tool to remove the background.

The screenshot above shows that I created a shape for there the brain is going to be placed into. To do this, I used the pen tool to create the shape. When being pleased with the shape, I imported the stock image of the brain and transformed the angle and perspective of the brain to fit the shape in the angle cut of the head.  I then decided to add a snake on to head to reflect with the them of the demon eyes. To do this I followed the same technique used for the brain. I liked the overall effect by doing this, as it brought the image out and made it more revolting.

The screenshot above shows that I then painted in the colours of the eye for the snake. I choose to paint it that colour because it made it made it look more evil and it corresponded with the concept. As well,  I started experimenting with the levels, curves, hue & saturation to find the right level and texture of the bloody brain. I then used the burn tool to burn in the dark dried clogged up blood.  Dropped the opacity down to let the colours flow through each other and changed the blending mode. I also added texture around the shape of the brain to give the look of a rough cut.

The screenshot above show that I went for the stitching effect of the eye. I didn’t have the eye fully stitched as I wanted a ripped look like the horror face is waking up and the inner demon is coming out. Used the background removal technique and then adjusted with the brightness and the curves to enable the stitching to reflect upon the angle of the lighting. To make the stitching looking real and actually embedded within the face, I used a brush tool and dropped the brush size to 15 pixels and painted in the shadow around the inner points on the image.

The screenshot above shows that I used a brush tool and painted in the blood drips within the teeth. Using layer masks, I rubbed out access blood as I didn’t want the mouth drenched in blood;  didn’t want the blood to be the main attention within the image. Changed the colour of the red via the hue & saturation to give it a more fresh blood effect but after a long time experimenting with trail and error, it didn’t work out at all and it wasn’t looking realistic. Whilst looking at the image, part of the hair looked like it I saw a face structure and instead of darkening out the section, I decided to create a creature like it was embedded upon the body. I thought that this worked out well as it gave another focal point within the image when then viewer has a longer glance at it.

The screenshot above show that I added in a texture within the background as the feedback from the lecturer stated that the pure black background lost the texture style upon the image.  I also reduced the opacity of the textures upon the face as it looked to strong and straight towards your face. The image looked calm yet still spooky and freaky with all the elements not overpowering one another; it was very suttle and effective. I used the layer masks for the background and then using a soft brush, painted in the texture.Also used the burn and dodge tool upon sections within the overall image.

The screenshot above shows the final overall image for the horror concept.

First Image in the Making Tutorials

The tutorials below show the tutorials I looked at to help me created a  denon eye.  The video’s and links below shows this.

http://www.surrealpsd.com/black-demon-eyes-in-photoshop/

 

First Image in the Making

Tutorial: http://www.idigitalemotion.com/tutorials/guest/decay/decay.html

To start of this image, I looked at the tutorial which you can see from the link above. This tutorial was a guide line to how to decay the face upon a person.

The screenshot above shows that I have chosen a foreground image of a face in which I am going to build my concept around. I started of by using  a layer mask and pen tool to begin removing the background.

The screenshot above shows that I have imported an image texture in which I will embed upon the face. I adjusted the size and position of the texture to fit around the section of the face.

The screenshot above shows that I changed the blend mode to vivid light and used a soft brush to get rid of the texture I didn’t want around the selection of the face. I choose to go for the vivid light blending mode because I felt that I liked the overall effect because it combined the effect of colour dodge and colour burn.

The image above shows the inspiration image that I wanted to follow the same style towards.

The screenshot above shows the I tweaked the levels on the texture layer to get lighting similar to the inspiration image.  At this stage, it didn’t look as strong as the image but with a range of other elements, I am hoping get the same effect.

The screenshot above shows that I experimented with with the hue  & saturation to see wither it would make much of a difference having the image dull  but the effect I got from it was that it made everything look rotten and un-lively.

The screenshot above shows that I started to create the shape of the teeth to make it more of a vampire teeth as I felt it would make the image more dramatic but also work well with horror theme. To do this, I took an example selection of the tooth that I wanted the vampire teeth to be placed and using the warp tool, I stretch and tweaked the tooth into the layout of the teeth.

After warping the teeth, the colour was too light and  everything looked faded. So the screenshot above shows that I dropped the mid-tones of levels done to get them the blending mode similar to the original colour of the teeth.

The screenshot above then shows I added in a image of a skull. Using the distort and perspective transform tool, I adjusted the shape of the skull to fit along with the face structure of the foreground image.

The screenshot above shows that I once again used a soft brush tool using layer masks to get the elements I wanted on the face. I then started experimenting with the different blending modes. I choose to go with vivid light as obviously I wanted the same effect as the right side of the face.  I really liked this effect because I liked how it emphasized the bone structure of the face.

The screenshot above show that I worked with lighting of the image to get the same effect as the inspiration image. To enhance the intensity of the image adjusted with the levels of the overall image and then inverted the selection and painted in the lighting upon the image. I felt that the image look vicious and creepy; something that no one would wanna see or wake up too.

 

Matte Painting Research

To start off, I decided to do some visual research into existing matte paintings to grab a few ideas and styles. The images below show a few of the images that caught my eye.

Image link: http://a1exandro.deviantart.com/art/Midnight-train-214445248?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Adigitalart%2Fphotomanip%2Fabstract%20matte%20painting&qo=5

I really liked this image a lot because I felt that everything worked together. I could see that a lot of work effort was put into it and should be highly recognized. The composition layout of each element worked well together and the elements wasn’t bigger than one another. I liked the lighting of the image and how crisps and sharp each of the images used within the painting was cut out. The image was very abstract.

Image link: http://miss-velance.deviantart.com/art/Tropical-Islands-281920370?q=boost%3Apopular%20island%20matte%20painting&qo=24

At first glance, I wasn’t very intrigued with the image but whilst looking in detail, I found it interesting in the way a range of elements created this scenery. The forest and the relics of the past look incredible and I like the waterfalls and the green trees.

Image link: http://www.christiangerth.ch/plate/behind_the_hills_plate.html#/photos/

In this image, I liked the composition of the elements and how everything together brought depth towards it. I liked how the elements further back looked more cloudy and less clear; giving it a realistic look.  I liked how the sky and clouds lighting reflected upon the whole concept. It was simple, clear and eye-catching.

Image link: http://shiroman-e.deviantart.com/art/Tropical-beach-142118709?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Adigitalart%2Fphotomanip%2Flandscapes%20island&qo=573

I liked the island scene of this concept but I thought that the far hills seems to be in “sunrise” lighting whereas the foreground looks “midday” lighting. The white line near the tree worked well as it implied the waves hitting upon them. I liked the formation and style of the clouds but as stated the lighting didn’t work.

Image link: http://rafaelll90.deviantart.com/art/The-Island-288911147?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Adigitalart%2Fphotomanip%2Flandscapes%20island&qo=161

I felt that this image was awesome and interesting. It gave me the image of a stone iceberg, showing how much of the island is hidden beneath the water; showing the hidden history being hidden underwater.

Research Horror Analysis

To start off, I decided to do some visual research into existing horror images to grab a few ideas and styles. The images below show a few of the images that caught my eye.

Image link: http://littlefear.deviantart.com/art/Your-Monster-87654397

I found this image interesting and intriguing via the style and techniques that the artists used to create the image.  The stitching of the mouth open made the image look more gruesome and gave the concept a more deadly horror effect. The eyes being fazed out enhanced upon this as it made the image of the person seem like the tentacles coming from her nose was overtaking her body.  I personally felt that the overall images was too light and the main element of the stitching was too dark and by this it made the whole image not standout and just seem to get lost.

Image link: http://spinewinder.deviantart.com/art/Put-on-a-happy-face-63664617?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Adigitalart%2Fphotomanip%2Fdark%20horror%20face&qo=2

In this image, I didn’t feel it was very horrific but what caught my attention was the facial structure. I liked how it face an embedded look as if something was gone through the actual face. As well, I liked that the texture on the face brought more depth towards the image.

Image link: http://browse.deviantart.com/digitalart/photomanip/dark/?q=horror%20face#/d21shnd

In this image, I was focusing on the idea of the eye.  I liked the way that eye was presented as it gave a dead un-lively effect. I felt that the lighting and tone of the eye worked well with the image because the concept of the image looked like the person was dead and someone was opening the eye to see if the pupils was dilated.

Image link: http://agneva.deviantart.com/art/Beast-The-Horror-117177877?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Adigitalart%2Fphotomanip%2Fmacabre%20horror%20face&qo=9

In this image, I found the concept interesting because the lighting upon the texture of the face made the image more gruesome. The formation of the teeth worked well compared to having original teeth but looking overall at the image, it looked like it was over done and I didn’t think some elements worked well together. The image looks disturbing but also freaky.

Image link: http://shelbyxlala.deviantart.com/art/filled-with-disease-159102959?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Adigitalart%2Fphotomanip%20dripping&qo=162

In this image, I liked how the blood was portrayed; the dried blood to the fresh blood. I thought that the dried blood made the image more dramatic and  look  more realistic.

Image link: http://rev-jesse-c.deviantart.com/art/ripped-to-shreds-171745470?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Adigitalart%2Fphotomanip%2Fmacabre%20horror%20face&qo=220

This image looks creepy but I felt that it wasn’t eye-catching  because the ripping of face in the form of shreds was over done and everything seemed to of got lost within the darkness of the image.  I personally didn’t think it looked too realistic as the inside of the face should of had some facial bone structure being shredded inside of just blood.

Image link: http://psyhro.deviantart.com/art/the-real-face-38917395?q=boost%3Apopular%20in%3Adigitalart%2Fphotomanip%2Fmacabre%20horror%20face&qo=47

In this images, I liked  the way different elements were used to create this concept. I found it very interesting and intriguing and everything worked hand in hand with one another. The zip on the lips corresponded with the face being help on the hand as the mouth was open , stating that the inside person was linking with the actions with the outside person. The colours contrasted with each other and the use of lighting reflected well and made everything look suttle. The texture wasn’t overly strong but had the right tone and intensity.