Staff PIC:: My latest project - Mule Deer

[PNeal]

If you didn't know, my favorite subject to draw/paint is North American wildlife.

My latest project is a mule deer buck. I thought it might be interesting to show how I work.

I'll post updates along the way...

To start off, the file is 10" x 8" 300 dpi.
The first thing I do is a rough sketch...

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step1.jpg

Next, I block in the base colors. I normally start with a black base for the body and build up colors.

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step2.jpg

Starting to define the direction of the hair...

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step3.jpg

Close up... (I created my own brush for the hair)

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step3a.jpg

Building up more hair...

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step4.jpg

Starting to work on the face...

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step5.jpg

That's it for now. A long way to go yet:D
I hope you find it interesting...

[Edited on 11/22/2005 by PNeal]

[Edited on 12/12/2005 by kiwicolin]

[srd]

Did you do the rough sketch with the pc, and if so how?

[slaphapy5]

srd: i'm bettin he has a tablet.

and great stuff so far!! can't wait to see the finish. will you include a background?

~mark

[ElCafe]

Looks great so far, keep up the good work, can't wait to see the finished work. Oh hey Neal, i know you have a lot of these nature pics, but you should put the finishing one of this into the scenic picture project :) Good work man.

[PNeal]

srd - Yes I use a tablet.

slaphapy - I normally do my subject, then the background. I'm not sure what I'm going to do for the background and foreground yet.

ElCafe - By the time I finish this, that challenge will be long over:)

Update:

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step6.jpg

[phreakytuneage]

very VERY detailed work - exceptionally impressive. :)

only minor thing for me is that the foreleg looks odd as it stands, although I am sure that you will sort that one out.

well done indeed! (thats a tick from me!)

[edit: what resolution are you working at?]

[Edited on 11/21/2005 by phreakytuneage]

[Freedom211]

Your work is so aweswome, i finally had a chance to check out your site too amazing work.

[PNeal]

phreakytuneage - Thanks. I havn't worked on the front leg yet, but that will come in time :)

The picture is 10 inches x 8 inches @ 300 dpi

Freedom - Thank you too. You mean people visit my never to be completed website:lol Glad you like my stuff.

Small update:

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step7.jpg

[cfire]

Very cool, looking really good already and it's a treat to watch the workflow. :)

[PNeal]

Thanks Frank

Next...

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step8.jpg

[emm]

It's gorgeous!!
wow.. this is a treat!

[mkeefe]

That is awesome, I liek seeing the progress as well.

Matt

[mountain lady]

Excellent. I really like the antlers, the texture is very realistic. The face is great as well. He looks very happy and content.

[PNeal]

emm - A big thank you. Your work is always inspiring.

Glad you like Matt. I never thought about posting progressive shots before this. I wasn't sure if it would go over well or not.

And a thank you to you too mountain lady.

I'm at the point now where I need to start on an environment for him to "live" in. When most of the background is finished, I'll continue to work on the details of the deer.

Right now I'm just working on ideas and positions. Basically, it's just a big mess.

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step9.jpg

My canvas size has since grown to 14" x 11" (still @ 300 dpi)

[PNeal]

Working on the far background trees... Not as messy as the skecth:D

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step10.jpg

[cfire]

Looking great. Do you make your own brushes for the tree leaves or are they all just brushstrokes? Either way they look great.

[PNeal]

Thanks again Frank. You know I'm just trying to keep up with your fish picture:D
I normally only use default brushes unless I'm doing fur/hair.

More trees 'n' stuff...

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step11.jpg

[Hannu]

:o Just awesome :o

[FreddyBee]

Wow great as always!!! I also like the progressive views it helps delve into the great mind of the artist and hopefully take a little knowledge from it by learning some new ideas. Looking unbelievable can't wait to see the finished product! :cheers

[PNeal]

Hannu - :D

Freddy - Not as always, I turn out a lot of crap too. I just don't show anybody:lol And, I've never really thought of myself as an "artist". I don't fit the mold (I'm Right-wing, left brained) :)

Not much of an update... Just some bushes.

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step12.jpg

[PNeal]

Woking on some grass...

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step13.jpg

[uk2usadaz]

That coming along very very nice Philip

[leaforte]

Interesting build. I soooo wish I had that talent. Thanks for sharing, for sure!

[PNeal]

Thanks Darren - Almost done...

leaforte - It just takes time, and thanks.

Added a deadfall... I'm not sure if I like it or not.

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step14.jpg

[Biggangji]

did you make that in photoshop, or 3d studio max (or another one of many) - its awesome btw

inspiring work should think about sellin them on canvas', computer enhanced or designed pictures look awesome printed in a canvas, i enhanced a picture of a boat and it looks like the boat is actually infront of you (one xmas pressy sorted ;) )

[srd]

Originally posted by PNeal
Added a deadfall... I'm not sure if I like it or not.

I like it!;)

This is something else Philip.

[Marthig]

Thanks so much for this beautiful "story" PNeal ! :x
I am sorry it's about to end. But ... perhaps you could treat us with another job progression ? ;)

Like it or not you are an artist ! :notworthy

The deadfall addition I don't think is a good idea. One thing only, would it be possible -advisable ?- to move the deer more towards the center ? You made a marvelous job on his tail side and it is almost hidden by a small bush.

It is so easy to criticize :blush

Thanks again and cheers :cheers

[leaforte]

The log is perfect, yet now I can't see that his front leg is folded under, showing rest, calm and relaxing: It looks like he may be splay legged, maybe injured or ready to bolt. In fact I could totally imagine his front leg extended under the log... Is is possible to bring down the dead fall enough to show the front leg, and still keep the great balance and color the log adds to the comp? I definitely like the edition of the timber, though. Leaforte

[FreddyBee]

I think the whole point of the deadwood was because the deer's front leg was kinda jacked up and now its covered, so I like it and it makes him seem more concealed like he heard someone coming and is tryin to lay low. Regardless your work is amazing!

[Vlad]

The deer is good(but i think there are some problems with legs)
though - the forest is rather bad - doesn't look like real

[PNeal]

Biggangji - It's all photoshop:D As far as having them printed... it's in the future:)

srd - Thanks Sammy. I'm still going to rework/rethink the deadfall.

Martha - Criticize away... I can move the deer around and I'll try a few things out (just for you :))

leaforte - Thanks for your insight. It's cool to have someone "see" things happening in the picture.

Freddy - Deer do lay low, there are mountains lions out there trying to eat them... After I finish more of the the background/foreground, I'll continute to work on the deer. Which includes finishing the legs.

Vlad - I didn't think the forest was that bad.
Trees has always been my down fall. But, I'm not trying to achive photorealism. I just wanted the impression of trees in the background with the foucus on the deer.

If you have any suggestions on how it could be better, I would gladly welcome them.

Thanks for taking the time to look and for posting your comments.

[Hannu]

As it goes along :notworthy:notworthy and :notworthy

You sure know Your stuff:cheers

[phunk]

wonderful.
imo it needs a bit more work on lighting, but the overall concept as well as execution is wonderful, as i said before. great work bud!

[cfire]

Looking great man! I'm not sure about the deadfall either (maybe put it in the bg?). The grass and bushes look really good. :)

[PNeal]

Thanks Oliver - I still have a lot of details to add yet. I havn't worked to much on lighting yet. I'm still not sure what time of day it's going to be (dawn or dusk). And it looks like the weather is going to be stormy, maybe starting to snow or maybe a storm starting to come in, any of which will change the lighting dramatically.

Frank - I was thinking the same thing about putting it in the background. You read my mind:)

[Vlad]

Man, i forgot the main thing! - if the deer is in a green forest - he must have green reflexes on it's skin, and as the color of his skin is brown and warm he must drop cold shadows.

[Biggangji]

Yeah what ^he^ said????

sry Vlad i'm to simple to understand that

anyway can't wait to see the improvements and by the way, I dont think i have ever seen anythin like that done so well in photoshop, bravo chap!! I guess you have stood us all up....

Thanks..

[PNeal]

Sorry, but no updates right now. I haven't had much "play" time.
I thought I'd better respond anyway...


Originally posted by Vlad
Man, i forgot the main thing! - if the deer is in a green forest - he must have green reflexes on it's skin, and as the color of his skin is brown and warm he must drop cold shadows.
The lighting and shadows haven't been completed yet.
Fur bearing animals aren't reflective. In other words, their fur/hair won't pick up colors from their environment. The only thing that will effect (in this case deer) their coloring is the time of the year and the lighting (i.e. sunrise/sunset, midday, overcast sky, etc.).

Biggangji - Thanks. Updates are on the way.

[cfire]

*taps fingers while waiting.... :)

[PNeal]

:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol
Check your U2U Frank...

[phreakytuneage]

just a thought... why not bring the deadfall right to the foreground?

Put the deadfall right low on the frame, increase the texture etc and blur it, so that it looks a bit like a focus thru a lens on the deer, causing the rest to be slightly blurred?

This would allow you to include the deadfall, which adds to the atmosphere of the peice. This would also allow you to show the deer in full. To be honest, the impression I get of the deer is that of tranquility... almost a wintery serenity.

A really lovely piece - I have really enjoyed watching this grow from something special to something quite different and ona whole new level.

For what it's worth from a n00b... wow! :o :notworthy

[DeVV]

maybe a litteral focus on the deer when its all finished would be agood idea,
blur the back ground a bit possibly,
just a sugjestion,
not that you NEED those

cause the photo is amazing so far

can't wait to see the final project

[Gankstah]

its perfect would be a great portfolio piece especially if you showed the development that went into it like how you made the photoshopcafe viewers got to experiance its development.

[PNeal]

Sorry for not updating everyone. I’ve been working on other things lately.

Because the background is starting to frustrate me so bad, I decided to go back and continue working over the deer.

Just a small update for now...

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step15.jpg

[PNeal]

Playing with an idea for the foreground...

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step16.jpg

[DeVV]

i like but i think shorter grass

dear usualy lay in open fields n stuff if i'm not mistake

so the shorter grass would be pressent, but i like the texture of the grass

[Whubee]

Your attention to the detain on the deer is amazing. The surroundings are very blurry though. Makes the deer look like it was dropped into the picture. The only other object that is around the deer that is sharp/in focus is the branch covering his rear. Should'nt the blades of grass around its neck, body and front foot be a little bit more in focus.

[Dilly]

the whole picture is awesome. I just think that your background and foreground are taking away from the incredible work you did on the deer.

[PNeal]

Thank you for your comments...
At this point in the picture, I'm just experimenting with this and that. I'm not sure how it's going to end up:D

[Edited on 12/9/2005 by PNeal]

[Edited on 12/9/2005 by PNeal]

[Gankstah]

I liked the first one better maybee if you moved the branch up a little further you might like it more.

[phreakytuneage]

to be honest, i like the out of focus fore/backgrounds... it places more emphasis on the deer, and really draws in the viewer. It makes one feel like thay are THERE, peering over a verge at this scene of complete tranquility.

DeVV - depends on the species of deer. There are some which do not lie in fields at all and others that lie in long grass for camouflage. And yeat OTHERS that prefer to lie in shorter grass.

Keep it up!

PTO&O

[PNeal]

Thanks to all for playing along with my little adventure...

At this point, I'm calling it done.
Maybe sometime in the future I'll go back to it and change things.

http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/Step17.jpg

For an overview, I put all the progressive pictures together HERE (http://www.3pixels.net/pics/deer/)

Thanks again to all for your suggestions and comments.

[cfire]

I know how you feel. :lol Looks great, nice sense of depth, the bushes in front look great and I love the richer tones on the antlers. :)

[PNeal]

Originally posted by cfire
I know how you feel. :lol
I knew if anyone would understand, it would be you:)

[Whubee]

WOW! Thats amazing. It looks awesome!

[DeVV]

Amazing man


i say it all came togeather perfectly!

You should do this again some time, with the tranitions, it helps people see how a true visual artist works

[phreakytuneage]

very impressive final work. Simple beautiful :)

[Gankstah]

love the final version you put up =)

[SupfooworD]

cant wait for your next one!

[byte4byte]

outstanding work!

I love seeing talent that outshines anything I'm currently capable... it's very inspirational.

When I was in art college we learned that just because something takes long to complete doesn't give it more artistic merit than something that is created quickly... but how did you create the fur and the leaves without growing roots into your computer chair?

{scratching my head in amazement}

I also checked out your site... once again, kudos on your work including the site itself... very clever design combined with a very original idea/graphics.

I added you to my 'hero' list.

[Marthig]

Congratulations Phil ! :notworthy on finishing the project and on being chosen for the Staff PIC

It was a pleasure following each step since the beginning of your thread and now, on viewing the finished image, one can understand why the deer looks so proud and regal, he knows is a masterful creation of a true artist (like it or not , that's what you are ;) )

Cheers :cheers

[cfire]

Congrats Phil on a well deserved Staff Pick! :cheers

[PNeal]

:o:cool::D Wow, a Staff Pic... I never thought I'd get one of these. I feel like I'm "somebody" now ;)

Thanks all again for following along.

Whubee, DeVV, phreakytuneage, Gankstah, SupfooworD, lazerluv - Thanks for your kind words.


Originally posted by byte4byte
how did you create the fur and the leaves without growing roots into your computer chair?

I just use custom brushes with adjustments to the dynamics (i.e. Shape: Angle Jitter: Direction, Scattering, etc.).
Glad you like my website too :)

Thanks Martha. There you go with that "artist" thing again:P

You and me Frank :cheers

[fotodog]

Holy crap, batman!

That's amazing work, PNeal!

I like viewing the steps.

WOW!

[byte4byte]

I just use custom brushes with adjustments to the dynamics (i.e. Shape: Angle Jitter: Direction, Scattering, etc.).
Thanks... I'll have to put in some time with the parameters of those dynamic options; your skill is really impressive.

And big congrats on 'staff pic'!

[leaforte]

Congats on staff pick. Nicely done, and a great opportunity for a newby like me to see how a piece like this is structured. I like how you used the forefront foilage to bring the frame/matting into the comp. a bit different indeed. Thanks for posting. Leaforte

[TomM]

Nice job.
I like seeing the steps.

[photokitty]

Awesome
A real piece of art

[minge]

I am interesting photoshop. Althought i can use it, not expert. Help me?

[minge]

:(

[mountain lady]

Incredible Phil!!! Your work is an inspiration!!
:cheers

[rebelrabbit]

Wonderful! Lovely! ahh!

[Edited on 12/30/05 by rebelrabbit]

[luv2hack]

No Way WoW................!!!!!!!!!!! :cheers

[w@rtistic]

:o nice! great use of the frame to create depth

[Edited on 4/1/2006 by w@rtistic]

[ShyShy]

I think no I know I'm in love with this, he looks so noble thank you for sharing PNeil .

[unknowngiver]

U R A PHOTOSHOP GEEK!! omg how can u make tht in photoshop!! i wana learnnnn lol

[ranjit_nepal]

very great job!!!

[actionfx]

Phil, you're skills are simply amazing!

Now where was this critter when I was filling my tag?:lol

Methinks next year you need to take a trip to Montana for a week or so and keep me company while we watch the elk run away.:cheers

[PNeal]

He wasn't around when I was filling mine, that's for sure.

I've been working on a new one. A self portrait, titled "Hide and Sneak". I'm hoping to have it done sometime in July :lol

I've already looked up the pricing for out-of-state tags ;)

[Olie]

Beautiful work, I can't believe I hadn't commented on this long ago, better late than never.

I love the shots of this painting in it's various stages of development, it's great to see how someone handles painting hair/fur in digital.

Again beautiful work and I can't wait to see your next.

[munkey]

Impressive work. It looks real o__o although i have some issues with the BG. It looks a bit off somehow in my humble opinion.

[Tanner Graphics]

That's all great and aruous work.
I think if you add some animation like wind and butterfly or birds sound it'll be great screensaver. just an idea

well done

[Hermie]

Origineel gepost door PNeal.....
I've been working on a new one. A self portrait, titled "Hide and Sneak". I'm hoping to have it done sometime in July :lol


It's almost july. Just a few months left. Need any thoughts:lol

[shbly12]

Co0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0olz;););):D:D :D:o:o:o:x:x:x;););)

[elemento]

my God!...thi sis impressive...i like the falling tree,i think add more realism, not that is needed...

[explosive13]

really breath taking!!!

[Suger]

omg excellent work ;)

[Edited on 9/6/2007 by Suger]

[Abubekr]

very interesting, and the detailed steps are a very good thing you did,
why don't you make some tutorials on the techniques you are using.
thanx for the good work,

[dcloud]

Originally posted by Abubekr
why don't you make some tutorials on the techniques you are using.

Knowing Obi-WaNeal, this is as much of a tutorial as you're likely to get.

:D

[Plugster]

VERY NICE, this is my favorite of the staff pics!!

[jk]

Nice work, cool to see the whole process there. Looks like alot of work.

[PNeal]

Originally posted by dcloud

Originally posted by Abubekr
why don't you make some tutorials on the techniques you are using.

Knowing Obi-WaNeal, this is as much of a tutorial as you're likely to get.

:D

This year, I will write some tutorials on my digital painting techniques. That's the plan anyway :D

[StylizE]

PNEAL is one of a kind. I saw your work on your website and all are great! Maybe your good also on painting in canvass?


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[Mussarela]

Unbelievable PNeal,
you are a great artist.

Always with very beautiful stuff.

:lol