Stop & Post December 2008

[RTK]

90% Xara in the creation -- 100% Xara in the final wrap and output...

All care taken for PD, not sure about the standard forum smiley set but I'm sure it's ok...

Basically, it's just a silly (but clean) section of my Scudfish.com. Yes, yes... not always funny, BUT it was always fun making it.

Some fiddles.

[ankhor]

yep just somthing played with.

[wizard509]

A 2 frame gif.
Kind of odd and not smooth but I had fun with it.

[philbankhill]

Hi TG people,

Happy Xmas when it comes

I've created a portrait using various Xara features in an attempt to get a semi-photorealistic image. I find hair difficult to simulate. As you'll see from the scarey wireframe, I create individual hairs which I duplicate then duplicate groups of hair to save time and effort. I've tried to create a sense of 3D with the shading and layering with shadow effects. I like the fact that I can create new layers for each part of the drawing, it gives great control over changes that I want to make.

I'd be grateful for any comments and advice on how to improve my work.

Thanks,
Phil

[iamtheblues]

Hi Phil, the flesh tones are good, the hair is as realistic as I've seen using all vector techniques and the textures on the bow tie and coat are very convincing. It's a good likeness of the man, too. Good work.
Saludos,
Bob.

[Rhanna]

Phil,
You have done a top job! You have done well with the hair. I think hair is difficult. Though, I have seen some wonderful examples in the forum. I marvel at those graphics.
Rupert

[raynerj1]

Excellent job Phil very well done.

The only thing I might try to improve the hair is to makes the strands thinner (I know, you'd need more) and to vary the shades of grey. My hair is not all gray. Even to this day I have a few strands of my original color in there. The eye brows are great, you used a few varying shades to break it up the solid color.

I know that varying the shades have helped me in my attempts at photorealistic art. I have to thank Richard (ramwolff) for that advice.

[philbankhill]

Hi Phil, the flesh tones are good, the hair is as realistic as I've seen using all vector techniques and the textures on the bow tie and coat are very convincing. It's a good likeness of the man, too. Good work.
Saludos,
Bob.

Muchos Gracias Bob, you are very kind. Thanks for the compliment re the bow tie and coat, I was most happy with those bits. I've not got what I'm aiming for with the image yet but it's great having the challenge and Xara is the best vector app for the job.
Saludos Amigo!
Phil

[philbankhill]

Could anyone point me to examples of members portrait work that they particularly are impressed with?

Thanks again,
Phil

[philbankhill]

Excellent job Phil very well done.

The only thing I might try to improve the hair is to makes the strands thinner (I know, you'd need more) and to vary the shades of grey. My hair is not all gray. Even to this day I have a few strands of my original color in there. The eye brows are great, you used a few varying shades to break it up the solid color.

I know that varying the shades have helped me in my attempts at photorealistic art. I have to thank Richard (ramwolff) for that advice.

Hi John,

Thanks for the help about the hair size and colour variations I see I've not given enough variation in the hair at the sides. I have four shades on the brows and only three plus shadows on the side hair. I used shadows to fuzz out the focus and cause a blanket of hair as if it was a lost edge in painting, but haven't quite managed it here. To me its flattened out the image not contributing to the 3D as I had hoped. I also feel I need more sculpting at the chin and a hole at the mouth. (The eyes sockets are cut out of the face shape to try and achieve more 3D). I need more detail round the eye sockets as well I think. It's a good challenge though!

Thanks again,
Phil