Embedded Files
Tools Required:
Tools Required:
Drawing tablet
Adobe Photoshop*
*alt software can be used, but all tutorials have been created with PS
Photobashing
Photobashing
Photobashing is a process used to create speedy concept art using photography and other found images as a foundation for your concept art, then adjusting shapes, colour, lighting, shadows and painting over elements to bring the overall scene together.
Below are some fantastic end-to-end videos showing the process.
Start this video from 4 min 50 sec for painting over a photobashed scene.
Websites for stock images:
Transform Tool & Selection options
Transform Tool & Selection options
To view the various transform options:
1. Select the layer you want to transform
2. Press CTRL + T
3. RMB on the selection will bring up the transform menu (pictured right)
To view selection options:
Click and hold LMB on each of the icons pictured below
Follow the in-class demonstration for how they work
Handy tip: you can select all pixels on a layer by CTRL+LMB on the layer thumbnail.
Marquee selection options
Lasso selection options
Image based selection tools
Adjustment Layers & Layer Masks
Adjustment Layers & Layer Masks
Adjustment layers allow you to make specific changes to layers non-destructively, they function similarly to adjustment layers in After Effects.
The types of adjustments you can make range from basic photo editing tools to specific filter effects.
The list of available adjustment layers are pictured to the right.
For today's lesson you'll be using:
Levels
Hue/Saturation
Gradient Map
To make an adjustment layer, select the icon pictured above, select the adjustment type (this example uses Levels).
The settings for each adjustment layer are accessible in the Properties tab.
You need to select your adjustment layer to view its properties.
IMPORTANT: Clicking alt + RMB in between your adjustment layer and the layer beneath will restrict it to ONLY affect the layer below.
This is called a clipping mask.
Using layer masks is crucial skill to learn on your journey to becoming a Photoshop pro.
They allow you to isolate areas of a layer based off of various attributes like selections and colours.
To make a layer mask, ensure you're on the layer you want to mask, then click the icon above.
A new layer mask will appear, which looks like the circled area above.
Inside this layer mask you can paint black and white to mask areas of that layer.
Painting black = Masks
Painting white = Unmasks
The Properties tab shows useful options to play with when masking. Make sure your layer mask is selected to view theses options in Properties.
Shadows and Reflections
Shadows and Reflections
Shadows, highlights and reflections are some of the important features needed to make concept art look believable.
There's many different methods to add shadows, highlights and reflections to your scenes.
A common method for shadows is isolating the object casting a shadow, duplicating it, filling it with the shadow colour, manipulating the image into the desired shadow shape then using a series of blur and blending options to soften it. Some painters prefer to create rough shadows instead by painting in the shadow layer by hand.
An easy way to add highlights is by utilising hue, saturation and levels on adjustment layers in Photoshop, then carefully painting them into your scenes with layer masks.
Adding reflections
Below are simple examples to get you started:
Method for creating simple realistic shadows.
Check post class notes for an advanced method.
Great method for adding realistic highlights.
Simplified method for creating reflections.
Stylised method for creating reflections.
Drill #1 - Tools In Practice
Drill #1 - Tools In Practice
Using the tools shown above, use Photoshop to place the hot air balloons and the mech character behind the house in the image below.
Match the lighting and hue as best as possible.
Mech character
Hot air balloons
House scene
Drill #2 - Shadows & Reflections in Practice
Drill #2 - Shadows & Reflections in Practice
Shadows & Reflections: Recreate the shadows and reflection for this cupcake using the original photo as reference.
Shadows & Reflections: Recreate the shadows and reflection for this cupcake using the original photo as reference.
Save this image to your computer, then open it in Photoshop.
2. Using the techniques shown in-class, add shadows to the image to make it look like the original photo below.
Example:
Example:
Original Photo
Photoshopped Shadows
Highlights: Composite the cupcake into the neon lights scene using the simple highlights method.
Highlights: Composite the cupcake into the neon lights scene using the simple highlights method.
Use the same cupcake from the last exercise.
2. Save this image and open it in photoshop.
Example:
Example:
Navigator
Navigator
Having the navigator window open in Photoshop is useful for two reasons:
It helps visualise the overall composition and tone of your painting quickly.
It lets you visualise which areas need more/less attention without needing to constantly zoom in and out of your canvas.
Navigator window in Photoshop
Ctrl + T to enter transform mode, then RMB to open this menu.
IMAGE FLIP
IMAGE FLIP
Flipping your canvas horizontally during your painting process makes it easier to see how balanced your image is.
Viewing it from one perspective for so long can cause you to loose sight of the focus, balance and structure of the image.
Original Image
Flipped Image
Brushes
Brushes
Finding custom photoshop brushes online will allow you to create specific styles and elements more efficiently with your concept art.
Below are a selection to start with.
Brushes for photoshop are generally .ABR files, these are imported into photoshop via the brush settings button (image to the right).
While in the Brush Tool, RMB to open the Brush Menu (above),
click on the Cog, click Import Brushes.
Checking Values
Checking Values
Values refers to the light and dark areas of your painting. You'll be able to recognise correct values by studying how light and shadow effect objects in a scene.
It's important to always ensure you're painting accurate values as it builds a more readable painting by communicating depth.
Hint: Painting in black and white first to establish correct values before overlaying colour after is a common method among concept artists.
Lets break it down:
Below is a snip from this video illustrating a thumbnail with GOOD values and the other with incorrect values.
Left Image = Good Values
Right Image = Incorrect Values
What makes values good and bad? How accurately lighting and shadow is represented!
Lets look at another example.
Below are two photographs, the left has correct values and the right does not.
Correct values.
Incorrect values.
Drill #3 - Speed Painting
Drill #3 - Speed Painting
Just like in week 1, we're going to revisit speed painting -
The difference is now we're equipped with the skills and knowledge to approach painting each image with confidence.
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