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Digital Painting and Sales

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Loni Townsend

As you may or may not know, I’ve been trying to improve my digital painting this year and my focus tends to be my characters. I managed to capture personality in my comic style, but I can’t help but want to see what other styles might suit me. I opted for something a little less comic this time, aiming for strong brush strokes rather than smooth shading. Not as much personality, unfortunately, but that wasn’t the goal this time around. This time, I was going for “pretty”.

My self-criticism tells me Derek’s neck in the new style is too thick, and maybe his eyes should be slightly closer together. Or maybe it’s just the shading. I have less qualms with MaTisha’s portrait, but that might be because she’s looking at the viewer straight on rather than a slight cock to her head.

Another issue is that they don’t look like the same people as my comic version. Here are the comic equivalents for your comparison.

It might be the shortened noses or exaggerated eyebrows. I don’t have an educated enough view of art to be able to identify what makes the comic look like different people rather than caricatures of the other paintings. If you see where it strays, please chime in.

In other news, the wonderful Melissa Maygrove has put the anthology FULL DARK on sale. You can pick it up for only $0.99 and all the proceeds go to the Gary Sinise Foundation that helps active military, veterans, and first responders. If you haven’t picked your copy, please consider doing so. Not only will you get a great collection of stories (including one from yours truly), but you’ll be supporting a charity as well.

Got any tips on digital painting? Which style do you prefer? Have you picked up a copy of FULL DARK?

16 thoughts on “Digital Painting and Sales”

  1. Melissa Maygrove says:
    September 26, 2018 at 10:24 AM

    I like the new ones better. Derek is (dare I say) sexy. Maybe narrow his neck right where it meets his jaw a tad bit, but I like the slender, pointy nose on MaTisha. Her hair is shorter, too, which gives her a more angled look. You’re so talented!

    Reply
  2. Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says:
    September 26, 2018 at 10:56 AM

    I really like MaTisha and the way her hair goes into a peak (not sure that’s the right term). Amazing job, Loni 🙂

    Reply
  3. elizabeth seckman says:
    September 26, 2018 at 10:58 AM

    I know nothing technical about art. But I do know that’s impressive work! I couldn’t draw a good stick person, much less my mind’s eye interpretation of my characters.

    I like the new Derek better. He’s more masculine looking. The neck doesn’t look too thick. I like the old MaTisha better. But only because in reading the story, I imagine her a little softer- big-hearted and kind. The new one is a little harsher looking with the sharper angles.

    Reply
  4. Alex J. Cavanaugh says:
    September 26, 2018 at 11:57 AM

    I think the girl looks really similar in both.

    Reply
  5. Liz A. says:
    September 26, 2018 at 1:40 PM

    I see what you’re talking about in the two different drawings, but alas, I have no artistic skill, so I can’t help you there. They look great to me. I guess I’m more partial to the comic style, although the more “serious” style is nice, too.

    Reply
  6. Juneta says:
    September 26, 2018 at 2:30 PM

    I think both sets are great. You are very talented.

    Reply
  7. Jeri says:
    September 26, 2018 at 2:52 PM

    I know nothing about digital painting, but I do know I am more drawn to the sleekness of the “pretty” images over the comic-style ones.

    Reply
  8. L. Diane Wolfe says:
    September 26, 2018 at 3:30 PM

    I leave the artwork to my illustrator. I do like the first Derek better. He looks more like a hunk.

    Reply
  9. Elsie says:
    September 27, 2018 at 7:02 AM

    I like them both but if I had to choose, I’d pick the first one only because I connect more to each character because their faces are close up. Also, if I may disagree a bit…I think Derek’s eyes are perfect as is. Not too far apart at all. His neck looks good too. I love your talent!

    Elsie

    Reply
  10. Joleene Naylor says:
    September 27, 2018 at 9:33 AM

    the difference is his face is wide and shorter in the painting vs the comic, makes him look more masculine, also his nose shading makes his nose look pointed while the comic style it looks round. the girl’s difference is hair length, and the nose – in comic style the little lines make it look like her nose is upturned but the shading ton the painting looks more like a straight nose. It’s crazy how much difference shading makes!

    As to which is better, I like both. The comic has more personality simply because of their expressions, but the painted looks great, too. I tend to like comic/anime style art better, myself, though, LOL!

    Reply
  11. ChemistKen says:
    September 27, 2018 at 11:56 AM

    Don’t ask me anything to do with painting, digital or otherwise. I’m no good at it. Heck, I wouldn’t be able to describe a person to a police sketch artist, even if I had a picture of them right in front of me. That part of my brain simply doesn’t work.

    BTW, I just picked up Full Dark. I can see why they led with your story. It’s nice and sweet and fun, with a relaxed style, and so chocked full of little hints about what’s going on that I enjoy going back and reading it again.

    Reply
  12. Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine says:
    September 28, 2018 at 12:06 PM

    I’m no good at digital art, but those look awesome. I can see the similarities in the noses in the second one, too.

    Reply
  13. C.G.Coppola says:
    September 28, 2018 at 4:30 PM

    Bought!

    If I had any art wisdom, I’d chimed in. Sadly, I’m so far back in the process that I’m simply envious of what you can create (I would like to try digital painting at some point…) So kudos to you on the pretty pics and anthology! Can’t wait to read 🙂

    Reply
  14. Mary Pax says:
    September 30, 2018 at 7:07 PM

    I like the new ones. Great digital painting. Derek looks like a cool dude in the new ones. I think you did a great job.

    Reply
  15. H.R. Sinclair says:
    October 3, 2018 at 10:19 AM

    Comic VS more realistic won’t ever look the same just similar, and I think you’ve done that! Both are great. I think the biggest disparity between the two is in the width of Derek head and neck.

    Reply
  16. J.H. Moncrieff says:
    October 3, 2018 at 11:50 AM

    I wish I could help you with this, but it isn’t my area of expertise at all. I leave the art to the artists.

    I just think you’re super talented and it’s so cool that you’re able to do this.

    Reply

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Welcome to my blog. I post here on Wednesdays most of the time, but you can find me on social media any day of the week. My topics include my stories and writing, life at the Town's End, creating and tinkering with graphics, things I learn and think might be helpful to others, and the occasional amateur photo. Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you around.

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