Style critique

[ScottyGEE]

Well, I've been noting Danke's critisism of my drawings about gradients and their overuse(or overkill?) and was trying to think of alternatives.

I found gradients to add the extra detail to the drawings without necessarily going to the effort of adding extra detail...However, now I realise the way I've done it makes no real sense whatsoever. I was wondering exactly how I should go about making changes.

I decided to remove all gradients (except the visor) as a test to see what things look like without it...



So now I'm at a loose end, I'd also like to get this done and continue the adventures thread (which I've been delaying, however I will get back to it...I've been busy and I also didn't plan what was gonig to happen next, which I'll have to figure out too...But enough of this bracket talk)

So how exactly could I make these drawings better? I'd also like some sort of link to "how" said technique can be done...However that's not a requirement.

[theycallmechad]

ScottageGeese, I think you shouldn't do anything other than the original. Not only does it look better than the "anti-gradient" version by adding a level of depth to your characters, it's totally your style. It's not a ScottyGEE drawing, in my opinion, without it.

[Modtrocity]

Definately the gradient one.

[youhoo7]

no gradiant looks flat

[Sarb]

I think you should do a semi-gradient, the gradient looks good, but I see where Danke's comming from.

I think best thing to do is experiment different coloring methods, this has a lot of potential, if nothng works out thats fine.

Just stcik at it and try different coloring and shading.

I'm not too good with this stuff, so that's as deep I can go.

[JacksonCougAr]

just add shadows instead of faking them with gradients :p

[Dsoup]

I think that the non-gradient one looks more realistic.

However:

It doesn't have the authentic ScottyGee look, and looks a little more boring. Overall, I'd go for the gradients.

[ScottyGEE]

Just to clarify, this isn't so much about whether I should go with gradients or not, it is more about how I can take the drawings further. By using actual drawing techniques rather than gradients.

So the one without the gradient is not really a final, but more of a "what the heck can I do with it to make it look good without having to resort to gradients for the whole thing"

Regardless I appreciate what has been said so far.

[Guest]

in the drawings itself detail is everything add lots of detail but if you think the detail is bad it most likely is. I also prefer the gradient one it stands out more, more of a 3d feel as the non gradient one is flat.

[JacksonCougAr]

Warning! Following Contains GRAPHIC examples....























Oh Noes! Shadows and odd looking reflections/lighting...

[Dr.Cox]

Wow!


I like that one!

[Kirk]

Oh Noes! Shadows and odd looking reflections/lighting...

That don't follow the contours of the body at all

As much as I think gradients aren't really great, they are definitely better than nothing at all in this case.

[jim20af]

i still like the one w/ the gradiant, b/c it shows some detail but in a "cartooney" kind of way, which is what feels like these drawings are to be. the one w/ none is too boring and the other is trying to be too detailed in a drawing which really seems like it shouldn't be.

[phoenix]

Hmm , jackson i like that:)and btw what program do you use to make it?

[INSANEdrive]

Evolution MbMb

[CabooseJr]

He looks flat.

[Sgt.Peppers]

It's a little flash cartoon, I don't think it needs to have so much realism and detail.

[JacksonCougAr]

I have to agree with certain peoples. My version is too busy, too strong, and doesn't follow contours right.

[youhoo7]

i think there is no need for an other tecnique, it looks great altogether..and its what we all know you 4

[SHOUTrvb]

Still...Jackson might be on to something. Though it defies the point of Scotty's drawings, it has a lot of something to it. I can't put my finger on it, but I think that might work if it were refined. Also, I never really minded the poor gradient use.