In a painting, I always try to capture the figure in movement. preferably in the middle of a movement, perhaps out of balance or hanging in the air from a jump. I want to capture the scene as it would look like from a snapshot angle of an innocent bystander. In fantasy painting I think this way of capturing a scene in an impressionistic snapshot of the moment lends credibility to an unbeliavable scenery or figure.
One way to add a sence of “ camera snapshot” is to add something that we consciously know is moving – Like a leave in the wind or drops of water, spray of blood or perhaps my best element: Birds.
Birds are instantly known as moving objects. When seen in the background they give the image that this is a snapshot. A moment lasting only for a second.
Here are a couple of examples
You're like the John Woo of illustration with those birds!
Good point. It's definitely an overlooked touch that can really add to an illustration.
What medium do you use in the black and white pictures above, Jesper? I love how crisp the image looks.
It is pencil. I add the grey tones with a cloth and some graphite powder. the white lines are from an electric eraser. Works like you are painting white again into the tones.
It is pencil. I add the grey tones with a cloth and some graphite powder. the white lines are from an electric eraser. Works like you are painting white again into the tones.
nice one jesper, this helps out with a few magic cards I'm working on – don't sue me if a few birds show up!