Photoshop Basics:
For the first labs session we explored some of the basics of photoshop and some techniques we may use in later work. whilst I have used photoshop before for Photography, but the session was still useful to try new things and develop my skills.
to start we looked at using layers and the magic wand tool to remove one the background of one image and replace it with a different one we could then use the hue and saturation and levels tools to help blend the images together.
we then moved onto some more challenging techniques using blur and selection tools to create a focal point in an image and blur the background. I also used levels and curves to darken and lighten the image in subtle areas.
Lab Task – Create a character or Environment Conecpt.
For my concept piece I decided to go for an environment, since it was the first time I had used a graphics tablet with photoshop I felt that going for something I was more confident with in photography would help me get used to using one.
I based my environment around a temple hidden in a forest that an explorer may stumble upon, I took inspiration from Indiana Jones Films and the Tomb Raider franchise of games that I had played recently this gave me something that was fresh in my mind to reference and take ideas from when coming up with my own concept.
I started by creating my Trees for which I created a basic outline of the branches and then used the foliage paint brush and a smudge tool to create the leaves, I used the same tool when creating the ground and vines and bushes on the temple structure.
For the Temple I created a few basic squares using the shape tool so that I would have a basic layout of the temple I wanted to draw. From there i used different sizes of pencil to add detail and using varying shades of colour to create some shadows and highlights.
Reflection:
With this being my first trail with a graphics tablet and using one in photoshop I am quite happy with the environment I have created. I know that I could improve my work by adding shadows and giving the background some detail to make the environment a bit more natural.
I think that if I come back to revisit this I might try and use some different techniques like perspective to make the overall image more interesting. I would like to explore more with using a graphics tablet and maybe create some more work in the coming weeks.
References:
Davies, P. and Dubeau, M.(2018) Shadow of the Tomb Raider official art book. London; Titan Books.
Chive, C. (2018) shadow of the tomb raider concept art [Original Concept Drawing] Charly Barrera – Shadow Of The Tomb Raider / Environments Concept Art (artstation.com) [Accessed 27/9/2022]
Gowen, L.(2018) St Pauls Cathedral [Photograph] photo of foot bridge with background of temple photo – Free London Image on Unsplash [Accessed 27/9/2022]
Nguyen, C. (2019)Cloudy Morning Sky [Photograph] blue sky and white clouds photo – Free Sky Image on Unsplash [Accessed 27/9/2022]
Mclaren, L. (2017)skate boarder on concrete steps [Photograph] man playing skateboard on gray concrete stairs photo – Free Sport Image on Unsplash [Accessed 27/9/2022]