Jessica Ledbetter

Illustration Friday: Alone

Alone
(click for a larger image)

Project
Come up with an illustration for “Alone” for Illustration Friday. I wanted to use the tablet more and try a different program like Paint or Photoshop.

Mechanics
I used Photoshop 7 with my tablet. I tried the free Paint that came with it but I just didn’t get it. So, maybe next project.

As usual, I had ideas but they were tossed aside. Most of them were so depressing like an older woman at a grave (alone for the first time in 40 years), two people in bed not talking (“being” alone), and an animal in a cage at the SPCA (“left” alone). But being alone can be good. I love my alone moments, but I decided finally on how alone a person can be in a group of people.

I used the brush tool to paint it.
Brush and stuff
(click for larger image)

I used some blurring to make it “smooth” but I’m not sure if I like it.
Blur

I also thought the black lines on the face were too harsh even with a lower opacity, so I just got rid of them. Yay for layers!

And then…
I can really tell I don’t do humans much. It was hard. I think she might need some more contrast, or not so blended. Not sure.

And on Flickr. I thought I’d try it for my illustrations since I saw others were doing that. Only problem is that I’m already at 5% of my limit and I just set it up yesterday! Well, maybe I’ll just put the finals there so that there can be a group of Illustration Friday or such.

9 Responses to Illustration Friday: Alone

  1. I like the way you show the process of painting your illustration. Have you been able to finish more of it? I would love to see it completed. Painting in Photoshop is a tricky business. Nothing at all like painting in traditional mediums. My first stab at it can be seen here, down at the bottom of the page-Illustration Friday’s “Year of the Rooster” theme:

    http://www.designerm.com/2005/2005_02_01_archive.html

    I have been to your website before and like all the informative design tips. Especially color theories. I am about ready to make the change and haven’t decided what to change them to.

  2. I really like your idea, alone in a crowd, I can relate to that. It’s great to see your process too, always fun to se how people make their illustrations.

  3. Thanks for my next lesson. I really like the ‘unfinished’ others – exemplifies the ‘alone’. Skin would be tricky. The “some more contrast” you’re wondering might be effective with darkened shadow around the neck and hairline? But what would I know? Great illustration!

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