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THE BASICS

    Hi there! Digital paintings are created on the computer with a painting program. Digital paintings are much like traditional paintings.  Skills obtained by traditional painting can be applied to painting on a computer.  The main difference is the selection of tools and the fact that you can have multiple layers that can each be edited separately.  In traditional painting, you can't really edit; you must paint over the top or start over.  I'm certainly not saying digital painting is easier than traditional painting!  Trust me, I've been doing traditional art all of my life and I've been doing digital painting since 2002. It's not easier! It's a lot less messy though *grins*

    For digital painting, I use two professional program called Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter. I also use a Wacom Intuos2 6 x 8 inch professional pen tablet.  This is instead of using a mouse.  It simulates drawing because you use a pen.  It doesn't matter if you have a Mac or PC; although, I recommend Mac. PCs are a hassle. I use an upgraded 17" Powerbook G4.

THE PROCESS

    All of my digital portraits start out as a sketch as if I were drawing in a sketch book.  I have the reference photo(s) on one side of the screen and my canvas on the over.  I can't go really in depth on this because it's not simple to explain.  I use layers, although; I try not to use too many.  My basic layers are (from top to bottom):   the sketch, the main painting, and the background.  The main painting layer usually multiplies into several more layers as I go along.  I'll put the eyes on new layer, the hair on a new layer, and so on.  While painting I build up color that I choose by eye or sample from the photo references I use until I'm happy with the painting.  Also, when I go further into creating details I zoom in closer and closer.  That's a handy thing about digital painting.

    Here's a look at Photoshop for you.  This is a screenshot of my screen when I'm in the middle of a painting.  You can see the reference, the canvas, and a color strip I made there to help me build the skin color up.  I pick color samples from the strip to use "on" the paint brush. If you're wondering what is in the top left corner, I was watching a Robbie Williams concert while I was painting, hehe.

Here's a look at Corel Painter for you.  This is a screenshot of my screen when I'm in the middle of a painting.  The reference is not in view this time. I just have the painting for you to see.

THE REFERENCES

& SPECIFICS ON EACH PAINTING

    For the digitally painted portraits I do, I must use references; they are something to work from.  These are the reference photos, from online, that I used for my Shep paintings as well as some details.

 

For the painting Shep And Puppy Tucker dated 01-16-09, I used this one reference from ReporterCaps.com. What can I say... it was a cute moment captured.
For the painting The American Anchor dated 05-04-07, I used this one reference from the TV Heads website. I love the contrasty lighting on his face in this image. And it's nearly a profile angle. He has a great profile.
For the painting dated 04-02-06, I used this one reference from FNCC. When I saw a still of this smile from his Katrina coverage, I HAD TO do it! What a stunning face, not to mention amazing hurricane coverage.
For the painting dated 08-31-05, I used these 3 photos as my references.  I started out with the first image from the Washington Post (isn't that image stunning?!).  Then I decided the painting needed something more so I added the second portrait (used second and third image).  The second image is from Access Hollywood.  I used the third image because the second image isn't that clear, I used the third image to pull details out of.  Credit goes to Sandy and Ren for the first two images.
For the painting dated 03-28-05, I used this reference image as my main reference.  It's from FNCC.  Credit goes to Minnie.  It isn't the original image, I altered it to bring out more realistic colors, then I started working from it. If you notice, the painting I did has a different suit and tie.  Hehe, I just felt like putting him in that suit.  I originally intended on making it the brown pinstripe suit, but the blue just looked better this time.  And the tie is from my imagination.  I just felt like designing him a tie!
For the painting dated 01-30-05, I used several images as well as my imagination (that's why it isn't so great, LOL). I used that first image for the pose and general lighting.  I used the second image for some facial details because the first image isn't close enough. For Shep's tux, I used photos of Pres. Bush in his tux a references  Those were from Getty Images.  Yep, my vision of Shep in a tux.  The vision in my head is better but I'm only so good at creating realistic art from my mind.
For the painting dated 10-06-04, I used this one reference image that I found at FNCC.  I just loved his open mouth smile that was captured in this still.
For the painting dated 08-31-04, I used this one reference image that I found at FNCC.  I found this image shortly after I just started looking up Shep online in 2004.  I fell in love with this still and was inspired to use it.  It's my first digital portrait too!

OTHER INFO

    If you'd like some help with digital portrait painting, I'll be glad to help.  Just e-mail me.  I'll likely point you in the direction of some tutorials I deem helpful unless you have a specific question.

   If you are a teacher or student living in the U.S.A. and you'd like a cheaper way to get a hold of Photoshop, a Wacom tablet, or any other related computer software or hardware, I strongly suggest Academic Superstore.  You can't get Photoshop new or a Wacom tablet new any cheaper anywhere else that I know of!

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