POLAR FOX
for Illustration Friday's theme of polar. I've always liked the look of the polar fox, sometimes known as the arctic fox. If anyone knows the work of illustrator Roger Vernam, you can see a shadow of his influence here, I think. But as far as technique goes, it is back to kindergarten for me! I did a drawing (the usual paper with pencil and ink) and scanned it (first time ever!) and then re-worked it in Photoshop (also first time ever!) I am stumbling along trying to figure things out as I go.
Some (gentle) advice would be very welcome. Obviously I need to find time to take the tutorial, but also, do you recommend using Photoshop or Illustrator or something else?
22 comments:
Wow, you're learning a lot! There are some great Photoshop tutorials that you can access on lynda.com for $25 per month, no contract. I think it's a great, inexpensive way to learn. I edit some of their training movies.
I like your illustration.
Keep up the great work! If you want it to look more like a photograph with soft edges, use Photoshop. If you want hard line art, use Illustrator. But, even when I use Illustrator, I always bring it into Photoshop to finish it up. I've used both pieces of software since they were introduced a million years ago. Feel free to ask any questions... I love to help.
Sweet fox! Sorry, I don't know a thing about digital illustration.
i like what u have done here. i use both illustrator and PS and since i got a wacom i've been thinking in getting painter too. each program has its advantages and dis advantages depnding on what you want to accomplish with ur drawing. my advice is to learn the 1st two then see if u need the 3rd depending on how ur art is evovling. for learning them there is a wide range. u can go on line or go to ur local community college that probly offer some kind of graphic design courses in these programs. all depends on your time money and what is the best way that u learn.
Lovely!
The fox is cute. It made me think of a book that was read on the radio when I was a child - about a polar fox called Napoleon III, which escaped from a polar fox farm.
As for digital illustration, Michael has said a lot already. I just want to add that I use Corel Painter, which I think is great if you want something that is a bit more similar to "real" drawing and painting, but at the same time gives you the opportunity to manipulate your drawing, change the arrangement of the items etc (it uses layers, too). But that's just my opinion :)
Adorable Nancy! I will have to check out that illustrator you mention here.
As far as the two programs, it really depends on the look you want and what you want from the illustration.
Illustrator (vector art) allows you to resize your image to whatever size you would want without pixelation. Illustrator is normally used with more flat color as there is no painting option in that program.
Photoshop can be done more painterly but you are limited to size.
I personally like Illustrator for these type of illustrations and photoshop for photomanipulation but I think it is a personal preference.
Photoshop is a little friendlier to learn because it was created more user friendly - made for professionals but with the general public in mind.
Illustrator was not designed for the general public so it is not as quick of a learn but you can do it if you like that style!
Adorable fox! Great work, Nancy! I use both Illustrator and Photoshop. I did the shapes and coloring in Illustrator and later import it to Photoshop to add details, shading and lighting.
Nice Fox - and nice work with photoshop. I didn't come via IF link, and thought you'd painted it, not photoshopped it
This is beautiful!
And I'm backing Corel Painter - I much prefer it for painting to photoshop.
very sweet! sorry I can't help--I'm very into the tactile feel of pen and ink to paper...I'm old-fashioned.
I love it! So cute! And it looks like it was done by hand. :)
If you want my 2 cents on PhotoShop, I have a bit of a tutorial here:
http://mikerbaker.com/knack/?page_id=74
It's humble, but it might help you get started. I hope. :)
I just had a look at the paintings on your blogs - beautiful! I love your brush work. You paint the way I would like to. Keep up the great work, and thanks so much for visiting my posting.
ps. I'm with "ronnihall" when it comes to the feel of real.
Great artic fox, Nancy, I love the thick lines and the colors. Like you I am interested in learning more about digital illustration, so the comments you are receiving are very interesting. I've used both PS and Illustrator, but very superficially, so I can't really comment. I think you did a great job on this illo!
BTW, thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment, much appreaciated. :-)
I know that stumbling feeling as I have just started to play with the digital way of doing things myself. Good start. I really like your still life paintings by the way.
Thanks also for leaving a comment on my blog, much appreciated.
You've done a fabulous job here. Love the little fox.
Muito boa ilustração! Simples e eficáz!
Parabéns!
Very good job! heheheh
Nancy! If you get an email from "Spanky", that's me. Old nickname, long story. At any rate, it's about a new quick-and-simple illustrated tutorial I did for you (and anyone else) right here:
http://mikerbaker.com/knack/?page_id=89
A true charmer of an arctic fox!
Such a fresh illustration. Great colours.
Very nice! I like your illustrations and your paintings, you're very accomplished! I'm new to making digital artwork also, it can get so overwhelming when faced with all the tools. I have been using Painter and Photoshop together. I love Painter's tools, but I kind of prefer Photoshop just because it feels a little simpler to me.
I like your fox... his solitude and pose.. and the linework !
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