STAFF PIC :: Full Reef Done!

[cfire]

Thanks again for all the really kind words and incredible support during this. I finally put together a simple page with the finished reef and a few detail shots here: The Reef (http://priboy.com/cafe/TheReef/reef.html)

100% Photoshop






[Edited on 1/13/2007 by cfire]

[Edited on 2/7/2009 by cfire]

[Andy]

that's awesome!

[ElCafe]

That is incredible cfire. Looks like a lot of time was put into it, and there has been. What about putting something in the background, or having another one (my brother has clown fish and they never swim alone). I really really like it, unbelievable job.

[kiwicolin]

I really like the texture and patterns on the fish

[cfire]

Thanks Andy. :)

Thanks El Cafe. I'm actually planning to do a whole reef scene at full rez and maybe have it printed on to canvas for my wife. :)

Thanks Colin, I spent a lot of time on texturing and shading. :)

[PNeal]

Originally posted by cfire
I'm actually planning to do a whole reef scene...


Oh, that's great.
But if you do that (the reef), it'll be spectacular!

[uk2usadaz]

WOW Now thats a fish! :)

[ElCafe]

Dont forget Nemo :P you have to have the extra :D

[cfire]

Thanks PNeal and Daz! I appreciate that. :)

PNeal~I'm gonna try it, I've never attempted anything on that scale before. I'm gonna build it in pieces at first and then assemble it. I figure it'll take 150+ hours altogether. I'm all set for MNF projects for the rest of the season and I'll probably have to add a few sunday night games as well. :lol

ElCafe~I'm gonna have to check out Finding Nemo, I showed my fish to someone in my office arlier and he asked me if it was Nemo. :lol

[Edited on 10/13/2005 by cfire]

[Freedom211]

yes elcafe was right they never swim alone. Even marvin from finding nemo had dori....lol I love it, i cant wait to see it with the reef.

[mountain lady]

Amazing Frank, just wonderful. Beats MNF any time. And what an ambitous project to undertake.
Good luck and keep posting.

[liquidwerx.com]

One of your best yet!

M

[kumod]

Originally posted by cfire

PNeal~I'm gonna try it, I've never attempted anything on that scale before. I'm gonna build it in pieces at first and then assemble it. I figure it'll take 150+ hours altogether. I'm all set for MNF projects for the rest of the season and I'll probably have to add a few sunday night games as well. :lol


[Edited on 10/13/2005 by cfire]

Well hopefully the JETS will play a couple MNF games and you will have plenty of time to work on this...:lol

Thats awesome

[abhi007]

Amazing !!! awesome!

[cfire]

Thanks Freedom211! :)
Thanks mountain lady, I appreciate that. :)
Thanks Mal, I'm glad you like it. :)
Thanks Bobby, I haven't checked the MNF schedule but Jet games this year will probably leave lots of free drawing and painting time. :lol
Thank you abhi007! I appreciate that. :)

[NikhilVerma]

wow ! :o

Looks wonderful ! Wonder how it'd taste like ? Pixels I guess... :P

[FreddyBee]

Very nice job...can't wait for the reef!!!

[Davey]

so tell me a funny joke clownfish



Nice work frank!!!!

[George55]

Wonderful job! I have been trying to draw something like that. It takes a lot of time and patience (and lots of layers!) It looks very, very nice. I would add some little bubbles coming from its mouth. Waiting to see the coral reef and some little fish around it. :cheers

[cfire]

Thanks NikhilVerma! :)

Thanks Freedy, I made a bit of progress over the weekend on the reef. I made another fish and a sea anenome. :)

Thanks Davey! Ok, a seahorse walks into an Oyster Bar and the bartender says, "So, why the long face?" *insert cheesy snare drum here :lol

Thank you George! Yes it definately takes time, patience and lots and lots of layers. :) The complete reef's gonna be a while but I plan on having fun with it. :)

[PNeal]

Hummmm...
It's Tuesday.
MNF was, of course last night...

Just lookin' for an update :D:lol

[cfire]

I'll post an update when I come back in (it's on my laptop) from mowing later. Thanks for the interest. :)

[cfire]

Here's the new guys (a Queen Emporer and an anenome). I put them together with the original one just for fun. :)

http://www.priboy.com/reef/sample1.jpg

[ElCafe]

oooo, im liking it so far frank. Looking good. Can't wait for next MNF so we can see more work :P Thanks for putting the other clown in, hehe, its happy now. I know there is still a lot more work you are going to do, but remember it is very tropical, so the water may be brighter (gonna hate me for that) Like it a lot man. :cheers

[cfire]

Thanks ElCafe, Yeah, this water is just a temporary bg, I'm using the darker blues for contrast now since there's not much done yet. Also the final will be 24" x 36" and these guys are on like 3"- 4" each so yes there's still tons left to do. :)

[ElCafe]

ooo, even better. That is going to be sweet! Thats actually what i was hoping you were going to do, is have these much smaller than they appear. Im excited man.

[PNeal]

That was worth waiting for :)

Nice job on the anenome, but what draws me in the most is the blue on the fins of the Emporer. I think you captured the coloring perfectly.

Now I can't wait until next week...

[piberoptikz]

Not bad at all, nemo!

[cfire]

Thanks guys. :)

[dnewby]

did you draw this from scratch wow! you will have to tell me your tecnique:o
Dave

[mountain lady]

Looking good, Frank! Looking real good!

[FreddyBee]

I think you should incorporate a scuba diver as well if there's enough monday night footballs left...what's a reef without a scuba diver? lol looking awesome man!

[Omengeorge]

hey this work in progress is great mon, loving it, each angles good
love,
Vinesh

[cfire]

davey~ Thanks. Yes, it's all 100% PS. No real secrets but I'm keeping notes and some progress shots in case I do decide to do some tuts etc.

Thanks mountain lady !

Thanks Freddy but it's not going to be THAT big of a reef section. :lol

Thanks Vinesh!

[FreddyBee]

theres always playoffs & the superbowl lol keep working

[leaforte]

wow. Think you could do a trout or salmon? Stealhead or kokanee? I leave in the northwest and would love to see native. Nice work. Thanks for posting.

[cfire]

Originally posted by FreddyBee
theres always playoffs & the superbowl lol keep working


:lol Thanks Freddy, I'll keep plugging.

leaforte~ Thanks, Yeah, I may do a rainbow for a commision for a geologist (he liked this one) that works in my building and is an avid fly fisherman.

[DasBear]

Very nice, sorry I didn't response sooner just been playing outdoors.

[cfire]

Thanks DasBear. It's a good time of year to be playing outdoors. :)

[mountain lady]

It's MNF night....I'll be thinking fish fish fish tonite.

[dahongpao]

good!!!

[cfire]

Thanks dahongpao! :)
mountain lady~ Sorry no update from last week, I spent monday night (and every night since) at the hospital with an Uncle who's visiting from out of town (and who got ill shortly after his arrival) and haven't had much time to work on it.

[Stevesvlbabe]

Awesome, that looks so real! We've got a couple of clown fish in the marine aquarium in the lounge, I think your project is going to look so awesome when you finish it.

[ElCafe]

Good luck with your uncle, hope everything is going well or everything went well. Looking forward to seeing your next work on the project when it comes around.

[cfire]

Thanks Stevesvlbabe and ElCafe!
I thought I'd post an update. I've been working on the environment a bit. I've still got tons more to do, anyway here's an update:

http://www.priboy.com/reef/fullReef3.jpg

[PNeal]

I forgot it was Tuesday;)
Lookin' great!
It looks like you've put a lot of work into it so far. Or should I say a lot of good work.

I'll be checking back again next Tuesday...

[Freedom211]

Love the new shot cfire!

[George55]

WOW! I have not been here in a while and see what had happened? It is amazing the kind of talent you have Cfire, you got a nice control on your brushes, the colors look nice on the anemonaes and coral, the fish look out of this world, carefuly done. Note: I would extend the sandy area to the bottom a little more, not much, and also I would add some bubbles to the fish or to the anemonaes, remember fish and folliage breath. Looks wonderful over all. Seeing work like this, keeps me going using my Photoshop skills. My :cheers and :cheers to you!

[Seasalt]

AWESOME!!

[FreddyBee]

Wow awesome!!! Im sure the bubbles will come but besides that it looks fantastic. Besides the scuba diver...i also think a nice great white silhouette would be nice off in the background or something. And I really like the snail shell in the sand...if thats what that is...a nice realistic/subtle touch. Cant wait til tues.

[mountain lady]

That's great and was worth the wait. I like the anemonaes, ties in well with the fish. Your work is very inspiring, makes me want to go start a new project of my own!!!
Hope all is well with your uncle.

[ElCafe]

incredible cfire!! it is looking better and better. I really like the blurred out effect in the back (not too much but a little bit) perfect. The environment is unbelievable. very nice work man.

[cfire]

Wow! Thanks for all the incredibly kind feedback! It helps provide the inspiration to keep going. :)

[Nimbus]

Your work is unbelievable. Very Nice :cheers

[magneto243]

Hiya Frank been awhile since i've seen some of your work this looks great nice work :).

[cfire]

Thanks nimbus and magneto! :)

[Marthig]

Loved the first posting of the single clown fish and for some reason did not make any comment, but now I am speechless !! Besides what can be added to the expresions already written. :notworthy :notworthy

But just have to say it, :o fabulous, beautiful, outstanding !! Thanks Frank for this weekly installments. Hope your uncle gets well so we can get our next chapter soon. :roll

[cfire]

Thanks Martha for the really nice compliments and the well wishes for my uncle. He's back in Maine and under his own doctor's care so hopefully all will be fine with him. It being tuesday, here's the latest reef denizen ( I think I'm gonna tweak him a bit more but this is where he's at for now.

http://www.priboy.com/reef/royalgramma.jpg

[Hannu]

:cheers, Frank! Amazing work, all of them. So, You are specializing on fish (order a portrait of Your favourite fish, only XXX$).

Seriously, some seriously good work (doublethumbs up)

[joe roe]

that should get a staff pick its unreal.

[ever-real]

A W E S O M E ! ! !

someday I'll have the time to do amazing designs like that.............. maybe lol

super job!
:cheers

[FrozenSpirit]

lol, that's awesome, looks close to an actual fishtank

[ElCafe]

Frank, im sorry, i have to keep saying this again and again, but this is amazing. I honestly cant wait till it is complete. I love the new fish. Oh, and you have to do something for me, make jacque the "shrimp" that guy is badass. :D Excellent work man.

[cfire]

Originally posted by Hannu
So, You are specializing on fish (order a portrait of Your favourite fish, only XXX$).


That can be arranged. :lol Thanks Hannu!

Thank you joe roe, ever-real and FrozenSpirit for the kinds words! :)

Thanks El Cafe, I'm thinking of either a shrimp or a crab to be sticking out from the hole on the bottom in the center. :)

[emm]

I can only join in and say; :cheers
Great job! Amazingly detailed, your patience amazes me too!
:)

[ElCafe]

Well the only reason why i picked him is because they are awesome shrimp. By brother has one in his aquarium and they are the sweetest shrimp ever. Jacques real name is Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp. Whatever you do, it will look sweet man.

[fotodog]

Well, here I am, late to the party as usual.

Dude, this is a killer piece of artwork.

I can't even begin to tell whay I like about it.
The colours are vibrant and well planned. The fish are drawn with intense detail.

This would be a nice poster to sell! seriously dude!!

[cfire]

Thanks Greg and emm! I really appreciate the kind words.
Greg~ I may consider that if it looks good once I print it. :)

Well, it's tuesday so here's the latest resident and an overall update. I spent a lot of time on improving (I hope) the environment. Still lots to do. :)

http://www.priboy.com/reef/bluefish.jpg


http://www.priboy.com/reef/fullReef4.jpg

[PNeal]

It just keeps getting better and better...

Keep it coming... I can't wait 'til next week:)

[fotodog]

cool, a blue fish,
Now how bout a red fish
Then a green fish
And one fish then two fish. . . . .

Sorry, just had a Dr Seuss moment.

keep it coming, dude!

[srove]

how about a dark mysterious animal in the background like a sting ray or a jelly fish

[ElCafe]

Looks really good frank, good work. Just a question, is that pink and yellow one really that big? i think they are smaller, other than that, it is amazing so far. good work.

[cfire]

Phillip~Thanks man! A couple more critters and then it's just detail. :)

Thanks Greg! Nothing wrong with Dr. Seuss moments, I had whole decades like that. :lol

srove~I've toyed with the idea of a stingray silhouette kind of in the bg. Not sure if it'll make it in or not but thanks.

ElCafe~They're all pretty much actual size except for the blue guy who's supposed to be a bit further back and the others that are back further as well. Thanks again for the comments. :)

[PNeal]

Hey Frank!
It's Wednesday...
Just checking up on you :D

[cfire]

Hey Phillip, I've been working on a crab to put in the hole in the front middle. I'm not 100% finished with him yet but I'll post him at lunch as is for now. Thanks for checking. :)

[Grady Meston]

:cool:

excellent work I really like how you just changed the opacity of the scales on the white bits and kept them in... I think it really makes the whole thing flow together and adds a real sense of realism to a piece that (i'm guessing) wasn't supposed to be 100% photo-realistic

cheers!

[Grady Meston]

my last reply was only on the first fish... i just saw your "aquarium" ... unbelievable.. great work man!

[cfire]

Thanks Grady, I appreciate that. :)

Phillip~Here's the crab as he is for now. :)

http://www.priboy.com/reef/crab.jpg

[V_Chrizz]

great work keep it up!

[PNeal]

:cool:
That's my favorite so far...
How much more are you going to do? You know this project could go on forever:)

[cfire]

Thanks V_Chrizz, I'll try. :)

Thanks Phillip! I'm not really sure how much more I'll do (it definately could go on for a while :lol). I was planning on the crab, a Yellow Tang and a bit more coral and then just detailing but after my wife saw the crab she asked for a seahorse and then I remembered I wanted to do a seafan too so who knows, I guess I'll quit either when I think adding anything else will be a detraction or when it stops being fun. :)

[FreddyBee]

It mustn't end!!! We demand more, and theres at least 5 or 6 more MNF's. Then there's playoffs and the Superbowl. Anyways I love it and the crab is coming along wonderfully.

[PNeal]

Originally posted by cfire
Yellow Tang and a bit more coral...
seahorse...
seafan too...
And an eel and a starfish and a lion fish and a shark and a ray and a puffer fish and a flounder and a...
Oh and don't forget the treasure chest with bubbles coming out :lol Okay, that one's a bit over the top.

Originally posted by cfire
I guess I'll quit either when I think adding anything else will be a detraction or when it stops being fun. :)
Image > Canvas Size > Width: 200% -- No more distraction and twice as much fun
:D

[yasser]

wow this is very cool frank

:D

[cfire]

Thanks for the support Freddy! :)



Originally posted by PNeal
Image > Canvas Size > Width: 200% -- No more distraction and twice as much fun


lmfao, I already thought of that one night after a bit too much liquid inspiration. Fortunately I thought better of it. :lol

Thanks yasser! :)

[DeVV]

awsome job so far, 100% photoshop's are always a nice challenge, one that you are aparently up too

i look forward to seeing the final

[liquidwerx.com]

Hey Frank, you never told me you had crabs! I'm off to take a bath in rubbing alcohol and bleach... :P

So far so good brotha. :)

M

[cfire]

Thanks DeVV!

Malachi~You never asked...:rofl Thanks for checking in and checking it out. :)

Here are the latest denizens:

http://www.priboy.com/reef/seahorseNtang.jpg

[uk2usadaz]

Hey Frank I like it alot :) Is this done with a wacom or mouse.

[cfire]

Thanks Daz! The whole thing has been done with a mini mouse on my laptop so far. The full scene I'm compiling on my desktop as it takes like a minute to save it on my laptop (it's about 250MB already) and forever to use the blur or smudge tool. I've been tempted to use my wacom and desktop a few times but I got rid of the tv in my office a while ago and MNF is MNF. :lol

[PNeal]

Originally posted by cfire
The whole thing has been done with a mini mouse on my laptop so far.

Doing it with a mouse?!? You're braver than I am:)
They look great.

When do we get an update of the whole pic?

[Edited on 12/8/2005 by PNeal]

[deewebgirl]

awesome work! love the colours

[FreddyBee]

Love the seahorse! Love them all! Love it! Weeeeeee Keep em coming.

[cfire]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate that! :)

Phil~I'll try to post an update over the weekend but if I don't, I'll do it for sure on monday. :)

[Marthig]

Hey Frank !!

Lovelier and lovelier. Marvelous ! Fabulous ! and all the "ous" anyone can think of ! :cheers

Don't EVER think of finishing it! The withdrawal would be terrible ! :notworthy :notworthy

[cfire]

Thanks Martha! :) Actually it's getting pretty close to being finished, I printed one out at full size (24" x 16") the other day as a test and I saw a few things I want to fix/tweak but if I add too much more it's gonna be way overcrowded. :) I'm already thinking about doing another large scale high detail project like this (although I have'nt yet decided on a subject) just because I've learned more doing this then I have in a long time. I recomend it to everyone.

[Marthig]

OK I respect that ! :(

But ... as long as your next project will be posted weekly every Tuesday or Wednesday, I am used to your posts and to see the new additions every Wednesdays :P

Look forward to seeing the full picture then :)

Cheers :cheers

[cfire]

Here it is, finally. I'm calling it done for now. I'll post a link to a larger pic with some detail shots a bit later in the week. Thanks for all the support as I went along everybody. :)


http://www.priboy.com/reef/fullReef5.jpg

[mkeefe]

Wow this looks like the screensaver from Windows. Simply amazing.

Matt

[emm]

you've done a grand job on this. Congratulations, it looks fantastic!!:cheers

[kiwicolin]

Thats amazing Frank!! (If you added a few bubbles it would be perfect)
Im making it a staff pic right now :)

[Edited on 12/12/2005 by kiwicolin]

[uk2usadaz]

Congratulations, fantastic job!
At last Frank you have FINished your fishies :)

[Marthig]

Truly deserved Frank :cheers !!

[cfire]

Thanks guys!!!

Colin, where would you put the bubbles? Somebody else said the same thing earlier and I thought about it but couldn't think of where to put them??? Do you mean like a small plume of them in the back or just a few random ones or what? I'm always open for suggestions. Anyway, thanks for the Staff Pick, that's great!

[DeVV]

Amazing job

looking at that pic. it blows my mind that its 100 percent photoshop

Major props to you

and congrats on the staff pic.

[cfire]

Thanks DeVV, I appreciate that! :)

[kiwicolin]

Like I have done here
http://www.photoshopcafe.com/gallery/photoshop/images/12_water.jpg

Put the bubbles coming out of the fishes, not too many, just some tiny streams here and there, perhaps put a couple of trails in the bg blurred too

[cfire]

Those look cool, I may have to play with adding some at some point. Thanks. :)

[PNeal]

Hey congratulations Frank :notworthy:notworthy
Well deserved Staff Pic.

But what are you going to do next to top this? :D

[kumod]

Great job Frank, I guess we should all thank the Jets for allowing you to have so much free time on Sundays to get this done. :lol

[cfire]

Originally posted by PNeal
But what are you going to do next to top this? :D

Thanks Phil, I'll have to think about that one. :lol

Thanks Bobby! J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!

[swinnie11]

Simply awesome, it does'nt get much beter than this Frank, job well done

:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy

Spencer:cheers

[cfire]

Thanks Spencer! :)

[w@rtistic]

wow excellent.i love the way you created depth with shadow on the bottom of the piece

[cfire]

Thanks w@rtistic! Nice to see you here. :)

[w@rtistic]

random animated flash bubbles ^^

[fotodog]

:cheers

Well worth the wait!
Well worth the effort!

Fabulous exhibition of your mad skills!

:notworthy

[mountain lady]

twas gone for awhile and missed the finale, so glad to see it now.
Incredible and amazing. You are VERY talented.
Congrats on the (well deserved) staff pick.:cheers

[dcloud]

Frank, that is stunning work. Almost looks like you did it in Illustrator. Beautiful job, dude.

- dc

[deewebgirl]

:o congratulations on the pick frank!! i kept waiting and waiting, and it sure was worth the wait, simply marvelous, how long did all this take you?
the colours, mix, depth so perfect!!:cheers

[Olie]

Fantastic job Frank, incredible detail, I look forward to seeing your next project.

[cfire]

Thanks all, I appreciate the kind words. :)

deewbgirl~Somewhere between 100 and 150 hours(over the course of about 2 months). :)

I'll try to edit the front page tomorrow and add some detail shots so people don't have to go through 5 pages to find the end result. :lol

[deewebgirl]

Originally posted by cfire

deewbgirl~Somewhere between 100 and 150 hours(over the course of about 2 months). :)



:o..that's a long time..lotsa patience..but well worth it!:notworthy

[Court Jester]

Love your work man, keep going and keep us posted. It makes me want go and steal my mates tropical aquarium for myself.

[cfire]

Thanks deewebgirl(sorry for the delayed reply) and Court Jester! :)

[Mussarela]

That's awesome Frank!
Very beautiful work!

:cheers

[cfire]

Thanks Mussarela! :)

[rAyVoLvEz]

absolutely amazing! (cant remember if i did respond)

sweet nemo times, and well u did a nicer clown fish than nemo.

[cfire]

Thanks Elaine! :)

[Gankstah]

I dont even remember this.

[ConnectionFX]

dead link?

[phosho]

says 404 not found

[Thorax 48]

Too bad, sounds like its a breathtaking piece of work. none of the sub-links work either. :(

[cfire]

Sorry about that, I've moved servers and neglected to update the old links. I'll do that over the weekend. :)

[phosho]

still not updated?