donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

So if you have been following my "Tiger Series", I'd like to present the fourth digital painting in the series. I just finished it after about seven weeks worth of work all based of my original photography. This is my favorite of the series, thus far. I have added a few screengrabs of the large fish to show, as best I can, the process involved for most of the work. It's just drawn directly to my WACOMpro tablet, then I layer colors and blend with the smudge tool, just like the wet-on-wet technique for oil painting. I use many of my own custom brushes and some that I have purchased.

Definitely click on the download to see the detail better.

If interested, you can follow these links to see the first two in my series ...

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-450774-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-434811-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-438700-1.html

(Download)


(Download)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I'm always astonished at the detail you include in these photos. This is another fine example.
Erich

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

Thanks Erich, I'm a stickler for detail. I was that way even when I was drawing as a child. That's why these digital paintings always take so long.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A privilege to see your work, Don. Thank you!

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

You and a few others have inspired me to try using textures in my photos. It is something that I never really did before. So with some ideas from several folks here in FYC, I have been expanding my understanding of PS and its amazing palate of capabilities. I don't think I will ever be able to approach anything like what you do because it requires more actual painting skill than I'll ever have. If, however, I can learn to use some of the techniques you employ, then I would consider that a big success. Thank you for being an inspiration.
Erich

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

You're welcome, Linda, glad to do it. I always post here before I print to canvas, so as to see if there's some constructive criticism and help improve my final image.

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

I actually started at looking at trying to turn my images into something a bit more inspiring than what others were shooting a few years back. As a sports and entertainment photographer, I noticed my images were nearly identical to every other photographer that I shared the venue or field with. Although I love my images, I wanted something more -- something with a fine art feel. That's when I invested in the tablet and started working more with compositing and digital painting. Although I have been a photographer for over 25 years, my background is in traditional art and have worked for a number of newspapers and magazines as a cartoonist/illustrator. The tablet and my photography was the next logical progression for what I really wanted to do with my art.

I'm glad I can be an inspiration to you. Practice with PS and remember, there's no such thing as a mistake in PS -- it can always be fixed. ;-) Good luck to you.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

Don, you never seen to disappoint the viewer when you post your final product. Seven weeks in one photo. Wow you must have an abundance of patience and a keen eye. Simply excellent.

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

The tree trunk image adjacent to the tiger appears more significantly than the legs of the tiger. I believe you were showing the tigers leg to be moving, however, the fish are not showing movement.

The sharp definition of the division of the surface of the water to the below surface is so defined it makes it appear there are two pictures instead of a blending of one.

There is something that bothers me about the rocks under water on the left side of the composition that I can't put a definition to.

I'm not trying to give the impression that I don't like what work has been done. It is because you are looking for viewers input that I present my opinion.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

I felt the same way as SoHillGuy about the rocks, they may be too blue...although I don't know what, I also feel something needs to be done about the dividing line. A nitpick for me is the lions left front leg under the water seems wider towards the paw than the leg joint. You've done well with providing a murky feel below the surface, and the detail you've provided above is amazing Don, top ranked among your series for sure.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

These are simply beautiful.

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

Hey Frank, thanks for taking a look and your comments. You were right, the rocks were too blue -- check out the new & improved version ...

Regarding the "dividing line" ... it's actually a technique that is called a "water partition" and it is purposely used to represent two different looks. That's why I have a lot of detail in it. It should be as clear as looking through the glass at an aquarium.

As far as the tiger's front paw seeming "wider towards the paw", tiger's paws rotate inward and upward while walking which gives the illusion (actually, it's not an illusion) of the paw being abnormally large.

Anyway, glad you like it and thanks again for your input.

Don

(Download)

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

Thank you for your kind words Frank, I'm really glad you like it. I will tell you, sometimes my patience is tried -- perhaps that's why it takes so long to create a digital painting. My oils and acrylics never took that long. ;-)

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

Thank you so much for your kind sentiments, I truly appreciate them.

donolea Loc: Nashville, TN

Other than that, Mr. Lincoln, what did you think of the play? LOL! Just kiddin'!

I do appreciate your comments. Regarding the rocks, I think Frank below had it right -- it was the color. I think it was too blue, so I played with that and posted the results below.

Regarding the definition of water line below the surface. It's actually a technique that is called a "water partition" and it is purposely used to represent two different looks. That's why I have a lot of detail in it. It should be as clear as looking through the glass at an aquarium.

I don't have a problem with the tree, as it is underwater, it will appear dark and tend to be more pronounced. The tigers front legs are much lighter orange in color and mostly white toward the paws and inside of the leg. They would tend be a bit washed out through the diffused light under water. You are correct that the legs are in motion, which is why I painted a swirling type of look to create that feel. Fish mostly glide through the water until they change direction. The only way for me to create that current look/feel under the water is with the swirling sand; the clouds kicked up, and painting the water plants in a directional way as to create the impression of the flowing river.

So those are my counterpoints. Anyway, thanks for your comments because I did check out everything you mentioned to see what I could improve upon. I think you might like the rocks better now. Let me know if the color change works better for you.

Thanks, Don