Leaf-Mautrec's art Reviews on Newgrounds

[ElfMotivation]

This came out really good! I'm glad to see that the shading technique worked out better than I expected. I guess it's the lights in the background that made it make sense to me. Nice job!

Xiolee responds:

thank you :)

[do it for love]

That's really cool!
Would you mind explaining how you created that snowflake effect on the paper?

stelamoris responds:

Modified entry here http://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/stelamoris/elf-motivation-poster-fix
I realized a lined of text was not straight. Hope someone sees it.

Well
Firstly, I did a sketch of my idea. I wanted to do it traditional but I didn't GET the materials to do it in the style I wanted.
So I figured to do it digitally but make it look traditional. So I went through old books and collected blank paper that looked old and had texture. Scanned all of them and put them on separate layers each in medibang paint pro. Then adjusted the opacity of some while for others I did other adjustments. Basically I was trying to make that 'special paper' like the one in my mind.
After that, I drew the words 'santa, elves' and 'good boys and girls' on a paper I thought had nice texture with pencil and also the picture of the mug. Scanned these images and put them in their appropriate places on a overlay layer so it looks drawn on the paper due to the texture created by the pencil on the paper originally scanned.
Then I drew in lighter parts on a hard-light layer and darker parts on a darken layer.
I drew the snowflakes in medibang, two sets each on separate layers. One had white snowflakes then had the opacity lowered. While the ones to the edge had dark brown snowflakes with the opacity lowered. Then I went and gently erased parts of snowflakes making patches of different opacities.
I used my favorite brush so far in the whole wide world 'fade in-fade out'. Medibang is the only free software that I know that has that brush. I used it to add the fine details like the steam, the shine on the words( the rest of the words were medibang fonts unfortunately) and the santa's signature and stuff.

I think this covers how I did this. Hope you are satisfied and thakyou for the comment and merry christmas when it comes.

oooops
Just realized you only asked for the snowflakes effect. O well.

[ELFWIP]

This looks pretty good! The elf character is pretty cute, and I like the expression he's making like he's struggling, but at the same time he's too focused on what he's doing to let that bother him.
While the shading really is very nice, I don't know if it suits the elf's stylized face. I guess I would try messing around with cel-shading, but I'm not sure that doing so would do anything for this piece.
My only question is how does this motivate the working elves? Maybe I'm missing the point, or maybe that will become apparent in the final version. In any case, now you've built up suspense for me I look forward to seeing the final result :)

Xiolee responds:

https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/xiolee/elfmotivation

[ElfMotivation]

Maybe this was the point and I'm missing it, but it looks a bit too much like a corny business card. It just seems to me like the tree and gift images and the corporate messages are placed awkwardly in terms of visual composition. But that's just my opinion on the composition. The execution looks fine.

That said, there's more to like in this piece than not. I like Santa's pose and how it's similar to that "cool Jesus" meme that's going around. The corporate sounding messages and the pun "Sleigh'em" is pretty funny too. It really paints a comedic picture that makes for a funny take on corporate product placement and marketing.

Overall, I like this illustration, and it speaks well as to your drawing ability.

PaulaHarris responds:

Hi,
Thanks for the response :) Really helpful. Yes, the idea was to make it look like one of those corny corporate 'affirmation' type messages. I worked in marketing for many years and this style of message was stuck up all over the walls of sales rooms. It is supposed to look a little 'clunky' and intended for internal departmental messaging as opposed to a polished corporate advertising style poster.
Thanks so much for the positive feedback. It's always ice to hear that from other artists. x

[Lost and Found]

The use of color is splendid! The gamut of hues and light values really seems to run the entire spectrum, and it makes the piece really come to life. This is the kind of illustration that really makes me imagine a universe full of wonder and mystery just waiting to take your senses for a ride. My only negative critique is that the larger planet's colors seem to muddle a bit in the middle area. Still, overall I am very pleased with the look of this. Great job!

Jorge-Lopez responds:

Thank you so much! I know what you mean, this was my second attempt at watercolor and I did have some issues lol, maybe i'll do another watercolor illustration some time

[Motivation trough fear]

This looks really cool! You clearly know how to do your shading through hatching. I personally have some trouble with that myself. I also think it's a very nice touch how Skelle-Santa kind of pops out of the poster by slightly covering the lettering's space. I'd like to think that you'll make for a strong contender for this COTM. Good luck ;)

Jorge-Lopez responds:

Thank you! I'm certainty working on my hatching, I'm glad you like it.