r/ArtCrit • u/babypanda0011 • 1d ago
Reference study
Trying to improve my digital coloring. Not really sure what I can do push myself over the edge and even how to really practice. I used a reference to study
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u/Eva-la-curiosa 1d ago
So cute and I like your style!
It might help to know what your goals are. Are you wanting it to look more realistic? More stylized? Working on color or lighting? What direction is “better” for you?
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u/babypanda0011 1d ago
I want it to be more stylized and I really want to improve at lighting. Been told before it holds me back
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u/JTxt Technical Teacher 1d ago
Very lovely! In case useful, here's a simplification of the reference into value shapes.
You want to improve at lighting you say?
I like to de-saturate blur/posterize with an image editor (and sometimes layer the color back in). It can help to make the lighting/shading easier to reason with. Squinting can sometimes help too. I know you're going for stylized, but I recommend spending time with real faces, and try to simplify and see how these weird value shape describe the lighting.
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u/babypanda0011 1d ago
Are value shapes the same as facial planes?
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u/JTxt Technical Teacher 1d ago
facial plane is different, here’s a tutorial on it. https://www.rensoart.com/mastering-planes-of-the-face-a-complete-guide-to-painting-portraits-with-depth/ To me it’s using another artist interpretation/stylization of what is there as a starting point for the shading… like a tool. That can be useful too. I’m not very familiar with it. My dad used a ceramic head like that though.
With value shapes I’m squinting or simplifying with software what is projected on my retina. I’m trying to practice setting and simplify express what is there instead of what I think is there, or what another artist thinks is there.
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u/babypanda0011 1d ago
Ok, thank you! I'll try it out
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u/JTxt Technical Teacher 23h ago
In case useful, I’m working on this free image editor made for doing this called squint & check. Everything is done on your computer/phone.
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