Hand References (Feedback is appreciated!)
Added 2019-01-28 16:33:23 +0000 UTCI kept putting this off because my equipment and the space I can shoot photos in is pretty limited, but I think with a lot more tests I can get lighting that is more consistent so I want give it a try. Right now I have an older model iphone, a tripod, a black blanket for the backdrop and a desk light + natural lighting from my window. I was using the front facing camera so I could see my hands on the screen, but I know that cuts the quality in half. The grain is not a good look at all. 😅
I have a lot of ideas for 'themes', and various props around the house that I can use (and I can go to the dollar store to get fake flowers and other things)
I definitely need to make sure my wrists are visible in the future, since it is really important to see how the hand connects to the forearm. I need to create stronger shadows too so the values read better. What are your thoughts on the solid black BG? I find it less distracting for studies to have all the focus on the hands, but that's just my opinion and I would like to know what everyone else thinks.
I would like to make a lot of these free for any artist to use, but I do want to offer some larger paid packs as well in the 2 to 5 dollar range. I might do a few 'patron-only' packs based off of requests! I think I need to make a tier just for hand references though, in case people only come here for that.
Please feel free to give any kind of advice on this, and honest critique is always welcome. I want to do this right!
Comments
Thank you!!! The iphone is surprisingly powerful if you tweak the settings and have some decent lighting to go along with it. I did another test batch last night, and I'll keep doing them until I find something that really works. 😊
kingcholera
2019-01-30 17:16:35 +0000 UTCyou took these with an iphone???? how? but honestly, they're amazing and would be super helpful!!!! <3
Becky
2019-01-30 17:04:36 +0000 UTCThanks!!! I agree 100%, the lighting is too flat. Of course I can do some in natural lighting just for that 'oil painting' quality like you said, but I think having strong contrast to separate shadow from light is really important. I have the same desk lap you mentioned having, and I can probably find another decent secondary light source. There really isn't a lot of knee reference, huh? I might consider doing more than hands at some point, we'll see. I always appreciate hearing your advice on things. Thank you so much, my friend.
kingcholera
2019-01-29 01:55:47 +0000 UTCReally gorgeous set (and your fingernails are so neat.) The black background works-- the only thing you'd really need to work on aside from the wrists, IMO, is the lighting. Natural indoor light gives these a nice oil painting quality, but I would like to see more contrast so that the bone and muscle structure was clearer. Having two sources of light might help-- one could be a flashlight and the other could be your desk lamp. Lastly I think having a tiered pricing system with some free sets would be really good. Maybe once you get a feel for it you could expand into feet and knees. Knees....knees always give me trouble and no one ever thinks to make references for them. Sculptor problems.
Fenn
2019-01-29 00:13:41 +0000 UTCAhh, thank you!! I know that hands are really difficult for a lot of artists, myself included, so if I can make it a little easier by making a bunch of reference, then I will. I will definitely make sure the wrist, and even the forearm is visible in the future, because I struggle with that too! My sleeves kept slipping down though, so I guess I need to buy a shirt with tighter fabric...
kingcholera
2019-01-28 22:58:18 +0000 UTCYou are a gem for doing this! Also your hands are beautiful?? And I really appreciate including the wrists because a third of my hand struggles is that I cannot see how it connects with the rest of the arm.
Anabel (latt)
2019-01-28 22:38:55 +0000 UTCOf course!!! I will have tons more for you to study from once I figure everything out. 💚
kingcholera
2019-01-28 18:57:59 +0000 UTCTHANK YOU FOR THIS!!!! I'm so awkward with hands & this will help immensely in doing quick studies. I LOVE THIS! <3
Nikki Jeske
2019-01-28 18:51:29 +0000 UTC
