Let's Paint a Marble Pt.2

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Today we'll finish painting the marble, moving from a graphic block-in to a rendered form.  It's worth noting that this polishing process can takes hours or days, so don't be mislead by the brevity of this short video.  Rendering takes time, don't rush.

The true takeaway from this video isn't Photoshop technique - it's visual simplification.  The trick is to allow yourself to look past the details until you've successfully blocked in your image, and only then are you able to dig into the texture.  If you're unfamiliar with any of the Photoshop tools or techniques used in the demonstration, make sure to follow the links to the right to learn more!

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Let's Paint a Marble Pt.1

Beginners often have trouble when painting glass. It's reflective, refractive, and translucent. Scary, right? It doesn't need to be. This painting demonstrat...

Beginners often have trouble when painting glass.  It's reflective, refractive, and translucent.  Scary, right?  It doesn't need to be.  This painting demonstration focuses on the act of visual simplification.  Through working in passes, we'll make the challenge of glass much less intimidating. 

This video showcases the first half of the process: the block-in.  Like a blueprint for a house, this will give us clear set of guidelines to use for the final polish.  If any of the techniques are unfamiliar to you, make sure to watch the videos liked to the right!

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Let's Paint a Tea Kettle Pt.3

Starting with our clean linework from the previous video, today we'll begin to add color to our tea kettle. This demonstration takes a different approach tha...

Starting with our clean linework from the previous video, today we'll begin to add color to our tea kettle.  This demonstration takes a different approach than we saw in the spatula example - the color begins with vector shapes instead of painted brush strokes.  

Even if you don't prefer working with vector shapes, the point of this video is that "Digital Painting" takes many forms.  Especially if you come from a traditional art background, I strongly encourage you to approach Photoshop with an open mind.  Vector shapes might not feel like 'painting' to you, but give them a chance.  You might be surprised!


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Let's Paint a Tea Kettle Pt.2

With the rough sketch complete, today our goal is to create a refined line drawing. The basic principle is similar to working with traditional tracing paper ...

With the rough sketch complete, today our goal is to create a refined line drawing.  The basic principle is similar to working with traditional tracing paper - using the sketch as a guide, but replacing the rough lines with clean contours.  Since we're using Photoshop for the task, the process is a bit different.  

If any of these techniques are unfamiliar to you, make sure to check out the videos linked to the right for more information.   

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Let's Paint a Tea Kettle Pt.1

This process demonstration starts at the very beginning: the sketch. It's common to start paintings and studies with a strong under-drawing, though you might...

This process demonstration starts at the very beginning:  the sketch.  It's common to start paintings and studies with a strong under-drawing, though you might not know how to approach it in Photoshop.  

One approach is to scan a traditional drawing.  If that's your intention, I recommend watching this video on preparing your scanned line-art for painting.  

The other approach is to draw your lines directly in Photoshop.  This three part demonstration explores how to tackle the challenge.  If any of the techniques are unfamiliar for you, check out the in-depth videos linked to the right.

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let's Paint a Forest Pt.2

Today's video concludes our cartoony forest demonstration. The previous video left off with a canvas full of flat colors (not unlike a coloring book) - and t...

Today's video concludes our cartooney forest demonstration.  The previous video left off with a canvas full of flat colors (not unlike a coloring book) - and today we'll add some shadow information and polish it out.  If you're unfamiliar with any of the techniques shown, make sure to watch the videos linked to the right!

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Let's Paint a Forest Pt.1

In this video I'll demonstrate painting in a vibrant, cartoon-influenced style. The process isn't particularly complicated, but it showcases some time-saving...

In this video I'll demonstrate painting in a vibrant, cartoon-influenced style.  The process isn't particularly complicated, but it showcases some time-saving steps I've learned over the years.  If any of these techniques are new to you, make sure to watch the videos I've linked to the right.

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Let's Paint Missiles Pt.2

Ctrl+Paint Store: http://ctrlpaint.myshopify.com/ Full Free Video Library: http://www.ctrlpaint.com/library/ note: This video was originally created for Ctrl...

In the first half of this demonstration I painted the major masses of the missile platform.  Working in this manner, from simple to complex, is a common story on Ctrl+Paint.  There's no point in adding the detailed missiles if the underlying form isn't correct first.  But at this point in the demonstration, I'm comfortable with the foundation and it's time to add the detailed missiles.

The technique central to painting these missiles is called "smart objects",  and is a bit unexpected for those with traditional art roots.

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let's Paint Missiles Pt.1

In this process demonstration I'll show you an approach to painting industrial subject-matter. This missile platform poses a particular challenge: there are ...

In this process demonstration I'll show you an approach to painting industrial subject-matter.  This missile platform poses a particular challenge:  there are a lot of missiles.  Though you might be tempted to paint one complete missile and then make copies, I demonstrate a better alternative.  Like all of the "Let's Paint" videos, I don't go into much depth on the individual techniques shown in this video.  Instead, I've linked other videos which elaborate on these unfamiliar concepts.  Have fun!

Note: I'm not advocating war with this demonstration.  Missiles are a sad reality of modern life, but more importantly -- are prominently featured in contemporary video games.  

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Let's Paint a Tire Pt.2

In the first half I demonstrated painting the basic forms of the tire. Today we'll finish up by painting the surface details using some uniquely digital tech...

In the first half I demonstrated painting the basic forms of the tire.  Today we'll finish up by painting the surface details using some uniquely digital techniques.  If you see anything new or unfamiliar to you, make sure to watch the videos linked to the right to learn more!

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Lets Paint a Tire Pt.1

Similar to the spatula that kicked off the series, this process is all about working in passes. To approach this seemingly complicated shape, I first envisio...

Similar to the spatula that kicked off the series, this process is all about working in passes. To approach this seemingly complicated shape, I first envision it as a simpler one.  

This painting demonstration is another entry in the "Let's Paint" collection.  Instead of showing you every single brush stroke that I make, it aims to give a process overview.  As I work, you'll see me pointing out specific techniques - each of which has a related video linked to the right of this description.  

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Let's Paint A Spatula

Today I'll paint a spatula. Exciting, right? It is because of the free series that it kicks off: the "let's paint" demonstrations. Each of these demonstrat...

Today I'll paint a spatula.  Exciting, right? It is because of the free series that it kicks off: the "let's paint" demonstrations.  Each of these demonstrations shows me painting a single object from start to finish.  As I work, I'll be mentioning the specific techniques I'm using  - and each of these techniques is explained in videos linked at the bottom of the post.  

Why is this exciting?

Because there are hundreds of free videos in the Ctrl+Paint library at this point, and it can seem overwhelming deciding which to watch next.  It's not always obvious which techniques fit together and in what ways.  The 'Let's Paint' videos give me an opportunity to show the techniques working together, and creating images start to finish.  So in a sense, these videos work like a table of contents -- but visual.  

To see more, visit the Let's Paint page here.  

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How to improve your digital sketches pt 3

Now that we've created a polished sketch from photo reference, it's time to apply the same skills to imaginary subject-matter. Some of the skills translate d...

Now that we've created a polished sketch from photo reference, it's time to apply the same skills to imaginary subject-matter.  Some of the skills translate directly, but you'll also need to comfortable with two things: the subject matter and linear perspective.  

Mini-Series Videos

  1. Part 1

  2. Part 2

  3. Part 3

Related Videos

  1. Perspective Sketching 1

  2. Perspective Sketching 2

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How to improve your digital sketches pt 2

Continuing on our dragon drawing journey, part 2 polishes the rough Komodo Dragon sketch. In this segment we'll see how important the loose sketch phase was,...

Continuing on our dragon drawing journey, part 2 polishes the rough Komodo Dragon sketch.  In  this segment we'll see how important the loose sketch phase was, and how it allows for confident details.

Mini-Series Videos

  1. Part 1

  2. Part 2

  3. Part 3

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How to improve your digital sketches pt 1

It's easy to see the sketches of a professional artist and think "no way I'll ever get there". The control, the detail.. it can seem like an impossible task....

It's easy to see the sketches of a professional artist and think "no way I'll ever get there".  The control, the detail.. it can seem like an impossible task.  This three part series is an attempt to shed some light on the requisite steps that lead to polished digital sketches.  In this first segment, we'll start by doing a photo-study. 

Mini-Series Videos

  1. Part 1

  2. Part 2

  3. Part 3

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Background Efficiency Pt.4

Now that the background elements are all in place, the image needs a bit more continuity.  Color, value, and relative contrast are important when incorporating disparate parts into a single painting.  From a technical standpoint, we're relying heavily on clipping masks and layer groups for this phase --- but to me, unity requires more than understanding Photoshop features.  As always, make sure to watch the related techniques videos to learn more!   

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Background Efficiency Pt.3

As we continue working on the background, it's time to start adding textural details.  This step is fast and efficient thanks to the "Smart Object" layout.  As in the previous parts of this mini-series, make sure to look to the right to find links to related technique videos.  In the next installment we'll finish the image by pulling all of the colors and values together.  

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Background Efficiency Pt.2

The next step in our background efficiency mini-series has us making detail elements.  In the last video we created a few placeholders (as smart objects), which we'll turn into hand-painted ladders.  Though I use a ladder in this example, keep in mind that the technique can be used for any repeated object in your scene.  Telephone poles?  Mailboxes?  Consider using a smart object.

Mini-Series Videos 

  1. Part 1
  2. Part 2
  3. Part 3
  4. Part 4

Techniques used in this video

  1. Scale and Proportion

  2. Clipping Masks

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