I'm Shellac and I just started art school this week! I'm planning on completing all 10 terms to supplement what I already learned in college and brush up on the basics. I'm hoping to become a much more focused and skilled artist through this course.

I'll be using mainly CSP on iPad, as well as PS and a Wacom Intuos when necessary.

As a reference for myself and anyone else interested, I'm leaving a sample of my current work here so I can look back and see how much I've improved at the end!

First assignment for Photoshop for Digital Production 1.

The brush settings in CSP are different than PS so it doesn't quite look the same but I feel I got the same amount of practice out of it.

Photoshop for Digital Production - Assignment 2

I didn't have trouble with the majority of this assignment, but I really struggled with 2 of part 2 and 4. I can see where the contrast or hue is off, but I couldn't figure out how to use the tools to fix those problems. I got as close as I could, and after about an hour of going in circles, I decided it was good enough.

If anyone has suggestions or tips for using curves, I'd really appreciate it!

Photoshop for Digital Production - Assignment 3

I had a lot of fun with assignment!

I kept the image rather simple, but I tried to explore a lot of effects and find creative ways to use the tools from class.

I think my photoshop skills are still a little sloppy, so I think I'll try to make a couple more of these image collages.

Feel free to let me know what you think!

I loved what you did here! Especially the ruins in the middle of the lake. Nice take on the Godzilla in the back too! 🤣

If I may, only Godzilla's shadow on the left of the mountain felt a bit off. Since he is far away and the sky is cloudy, it doesn't seem like there is a light source coming from behind him to project his shadow on a mountain that seems closer to the camera/view. Does it make sense?

Other than that, amazing job! Keep up the good work.

Thanks Danilo!

Yeah I totally get what you're saying about the lighting. I experimented with a couple different things and I decided I should just go with this one for a couple of reasons. When I took away the big shadow, it made the picture seem very empty. It also took away some depth and dynamism, making Godzilla look much smaller. I feel like this one has a little bit more imposing energy.

I'll definitely take you advice into account on the next one I make. Thanks for you comment!

Nude Figure Drawing

My first practice for figure drawing. I have a lot of experience with figure drawing so I probably won't spend too much time on this phase.

I learned a much less technical version of figure drawing in school, so I think it is good to learn and try this way that feels much more technical. I think it will be an important step to learning more draftsman type skills.

Nude Figure Drawing - Cylinders

I think this was a really good exercise. I'm planning on repeating it a couple times before moving on to the rest of Figure Drawing.

The knowledge gained from this assignment stacks with the perspective class so I'll probably try going back and forth between the two.

Amazing work here. Congratz! I liked how you already added volume to the torso and pelvis as well. Very nice!

Photoshop for Digital Production 1 - Assignment 4

This assignment was pretty fun. I tried to make the first and third parts a little bit more challenging.

For part one I decided to try and make the apples green instead of red. I think it turned out pretty well for such an extreme color shift.

For part three, I made the alien look like the woman and the woman look like the alien. It was pretty fun! I'm very entertained with the results.

Now that I finished the assignments for PS1, I think I'll keep making photo collages to practice the skills I learned.

Photoshop for Digital Production

I made another photo collage. I think this one is a lot more cohesive than the first. I had a lot of fun tweaking the colors and experimenting with the texture brushes.

Nude Figure Drawing - Proportion Grid

Finally got around to doing this assignment. It was pretty good practice for line and symmetry. I did several versions by hand and for the sake of my perfectionism, made a couple in symmetry mode.

I'll probably do this practice a couple more times like the other, but I think maybe my skills are a little bit above this course.

Heyho, Shellac!
I am no pro, but I think you did a great job on that one! Nice : )