[Drawing] EL III Art Thread

Welcome to my third art thread on ZU. My nickname is EL and I've been drawing since I was a bub before I started school. I've never been to an art school in my life, despite attending university for a few years to focus on multimedia, so I'm happy to say that I am completely self-taught.

I specialise mainly in concept art and illustration. I used to work traditionally, but I recently picked up digital art and I'm having a lot of fun with it; it has helped me to broaden my imagination and extend my limits.
Materials I commonly use for traditional work are pencils (graphite or coloured), watercolours, and acrylics.

Digital programs I use the most: Corel Painter XI and GIMP, and I'm getting into Photoshop.

Inspirations: Life has been an inspiration overall, but video games are my biggest influence in art. Thanks to the release of Ocarina of Time back in the N64 days, it was the biggest factor that pushed me to where I am now. Other amazing concept artists who illustrate for various games and movies are also my main inspirations, alongside my older brother.
I draw fan art a lot (mainly Zelda), but I do it for fun.


Without further ado, let's begin another art journey!



The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
*Spoilers ahoy!*



Painter XI/Wacom tablet (All painted on the one layer).





The biggest artwork that I've ever done in my life yet (originally standing at 1,200 x 15,000 pixels big).

My interpretation of the world of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. I absolutely loved the game, so I wanted to create something as a "thank you" to Nintendo for it.

Everything was drawn from scratch. I could not put "everything" into this picture. Only the main events/areas/important characters /sidequests, whether it was small or major.

• Some characters were drawn more than once (for example, Groose and Ghirahim) because their roles and appearances in the story change.

• Despite there being four Silent Realms in the game, I only drew one of them to save some room, since each goal in each Silent Realm is exactly the same as the last one.

I was suppose to finish this last year around Christmas time, but I underestimated this piece big time, and for the fact that I got a tad lazy with it for a few weeks.

Special mentions to Tonch for helping me with some minor edits (seriously, I could not have done this without you <3), and to Sarillini (who I believe is a member here!) and the team for cracking the in-game Skyward Sword alphabet which I have used in some areas of the artwork. You can download it as a font here.--> [link]





More examples of my art:


Bringer of Life



Painter XI/Wacom tablet (all painted on the one layer).

I guess you could say that this is Okami or Walt Disney Firebird Fantasia inspired. I love drawing some form of "hope" in a massive destroyed landscape.





The Arrival



Painter XI/Wacom tablet (all painted on the one layer).

A very quick sketch of a random fantasy landscape. An hour or so from start to finish.





Twili Wolf



Painter XI/Wacom tablet

Inspired by the "Twili" designs in Twilight Princess. There was some sketch in Hyrule Historia that inspired me to draw this.





Shieldless Link



Painter XI/Wacom tablet

Link without his shield and into battle! For those who see the articles on the front page, he's also there holding the shield of the ZU logo.





<3


deviantArt account

^^^

BAM TELEPATHY


It's been a joy to watch you draw this (especially right in front of me!) throughout the past few months. What a damn big picture. You managed to pack so much detail into it even though when you look closely, a lot of the details are very small.

My favorite part of it is the volcano. I dunno what it is about it, but you made it really stand out with the texture and the coloring, and it looks like it could be the background for the real game.

I dunno what else to say about it that I haven't already to you beforehand. But I'm proud of you for finishing this. And thanks for letting me see it the whole way.

<3

WOW Your are is FREAKING AMAZINGGGGGGG OMG!
I will make a new post with everything I love, but I just had to post this IMMEDIATELY as I have seen this you should seriously work for nintendo like no joke seriously, have you set them your artwork?

EL, your art is so beautiful. I wish I was as talented an artist as you, but I can only draw stick figures

That is really, really well done, EL. It's just a really lively interpretation of the whole game with really subtle colors and that painterly quality of SS. Love how the composition flows from top to bottom and from bottom to top. Really well thought-out comp, and I'm mostly liking the more gestural brushtrokes on it as well on your other work. It's especially there on the Twili Wolf, and it becomes more about the brushtrokes than the outlines of the shape.
Great start to your new thead, EL. I'm seeing a new approach here and can't wait to see more. <3

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

(All painted on the one layer)

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

(All painted on the one layer)

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

(All painted on the one layer)

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

(All painted on the one layer)

Jeebus ♥♥♥♥ing crisp, EL. I swear to god I had something more constructive to say, but I read that and all other thought died. I promise I'll come back with something smarter, but JEEBUS ♥♥♥♥ING CRISP EL.

Gorgeous! Magnificent! Perfect! Fabulous!
My heart is filled with rainbows.

You've posted the tall top painting on dA, right?

... I... don't know what to say to all of this. Especially since you made that entirely with one layer.

*cries in the corner*

EL <33

I am sorry for not being able to say anything INTELLIGENT; girl, you are awesome. My brain cannot comprehend such art that is featured in the OP, oh my god.

CONGRATULATIONS! This is breathtaking.

*.........speechless.......*


Wow! AMAZING! That is some totally AWESOME work! You are an extremely talented artist. I cannot imagine doing anything so beautiful! It's mind-bogglingly exquisite!

Before I say anything, I just want to say that I am completely overwhelmed with the messages I'm getting from deviantArt, tumblr, reddit etc because of the skyward sword artwork I did. Honestly it's almost enough to make me teary. Thank you to everyone. <3

Originally Posted by Tonch

BAM TELEPATHY


It's been a joy to watch you draw this (especially right in front of me!) throughout the past few months. What a damn big picture. You managed to pack so much detail into it even though when you look closely, a lot of the details are very small.

My favorite part of it is the volcano. I dunno what it is about it, but you made it really stand out with the texture and the coloring, and it looks like it could be the background for the real game.

I dunno what else to say about it that I haven't already to you beforehand. But I'm proud of you for finishing this. And thanks for letting me see it the whole way.

<3

Tonch, without you I think the artwork would look like a mess. xD Thanks to you, Link actually looks like... him (oh god remember his first face I drew?) and just your overall ideas to help shape out the scenes more.

I'm glad I was able to finish it in time! And it was a pleasure drawing next to you through the journey of this piece.

Thank you. <333

Originally Posted by Navii_

WOW Your are is FREAKING AMAZINGGGGGGG OMG!
I will make a new post with everything I love, but I just had to post this IMMEDIATELY as I have seen this you should seriously work for nintendo like no joke seriously, have you set them your artwork?

Thanks! ^^
Through the years, people have been telling me the same thing about working for Nintendo. I don't think they like the idea of foreign workers in their company? I could be wrong, but at this rate I have more chances of winning some million dollar first prize lottery than working for them.

Still! It would be an awesome dream come true if it did happen. =)

Originally Posted by Twilight Sparkle

EL, your art is so beautiful. I wish I was as talented an artist as you, but I can only draw stick figures

Everyone starts at the same level! All you have to do is to keep on trying ~

Originally Posted by IGNIS

That is really, really well done, EL. It's just a really lively interpretation of the whole game with really subtle colors and that painterly quality of SS. Love how the composition flows from top to bottom and from bottom to top. Really well thought-out comp, and I'm mostly liking the more gestural brushtrokes on it as well on your other work. It's especially there on the Twili Wolf, and it becomes more about the brushtrokes than the outlines of the shape.
Great start to your new thead, EL. I'm seeing a new approach here and can't wait to see more. <3

Thanks so much Ignis!
I'm happy to hear about the brushstrokes part in your post. I'm starting to really adore artworks with easy-to-see brushstrokes that make up an image, sort of like impressionistic art.

Originally Posted by Malia

Jeebus ♥♥♥♥ing crisp, EL. I swear to god I had something more constructive to say, but I read that and all other thought died. I promise I'll come back with something smarter, but JEEBUS ♥♥♥♥ING CRISP EL.

Awww Liah <3 Thanks!
Most of my digital art is only painted on the one layer. I think it's because of the fact that I've been working with traditional art for so long that I'm used to drawing on the same piece of paper/canvas. I dunno, I just find using too many layers to be confusing. Sometimes I use them, but a majority of the time I don't.

<3

Originally Posted by Dei~

Gorgeous! Magnificent! Perfect! Fabulous!
My heart is filled with rainbows.

Thanks! <3

Originally Posted by Axis

You've posted the tall top painting on dA, right?

... I... don't know what to say to all of this. Especially since you made that entirely with one layer.

*cries in the corner*

Yep! I sure did!

Originally Posted by Neshi

EL <33

I am sorry for not being able to say anything INTELLIGENT; girl, you are awesome. My brain cannot comprehend such art that is featured in the OP, oh my god.

CONGRATULATIONS! This is breathtaking.

Aww thanks Nesi!

Originally Posted by Pseud O Nym

*.........speechless.......*


Wow! AMAZING! That is some totally AWESOME work! You are an extremely talented artist. I cannot imagining doing anything so beautiful! It's mind-bogglingly exquisite!

Thank you so much for the comment!







I've added some minor info about the above artworks underneath the Skyward Sword art if anyone is interested.

Some more:




Fierce Deity Link



Painter XI/Wacom tablet



I added this in the first post for a bit, but I've decided to move it down here instead.
I don't really like how this turned out, but it was an interesting piece to test out with the textures.


Work in progress:

Spoiler:  

I can't really upload a bigger resolution of this for some reason, but here is just one of the techniques I use to make some of my digital art pieces (that consists of more layers than the one I usually use).

I first draw roughly in greyscale, then add in colour using overlay and multiply layers. Then finally merging all layers together where I add some texture on the top of it.

Samurai Sketch



Painter XI/Wacom tablet (one layer)


A very quick sketch where I was exercising more on the lighting than anything else. It only took half an hour or something.





Work in progress (Storm Dragon)



Painter XI/Wacom tablet (one layer)


Just a wip of the next artwork I'm currently working on. Just showing only a section of it for now with how I work with the messy large brushstrokes first before I go down into detail. Everything is still all over the place.

Awfully out of nowhere since I can't remember the last time I ever posted in the art forums, but words cannot express how much I admire your work. I honestly want to say more but that's just it, I can't think of anything. I'm just in awe of what you do.

These are amazing! You are really good . Actually makes me sad to look at stuff I've made . The first one is really amazing but my favorites are the Fierce Deity Link and the Storm Dragon.

EL this is the second time you did this to me ;-; Link me when you get an art thread up! You know I'm a biggest fan of your drawings

And I like these too.

I'm stealing them

Just kidding of course

Yeah, I get you. Unless I'm making a sig, using one layer is preferable (and why I'll go back to MSPaint so often). But an art piece of THAT size and beauty is mind-boggling. Your patience and attention to detail is astounding.

Wow...I think your new Skyward Sword piece may just be my favourite of yours yet - and that's really saying something! I love how it both revels in the lovely aesthetic of the game and tells a story at the same time. It would make a wonderful tapestry.

You know, Skyward Sword was actually my least favourite of the 3D Zelda games, but looking over your piece, I'm actually getting the urge to replay it again. It reveals a beauty to the game that I didn't really see before. It's amazing how art can change our perspective, isn't it?

Well, everyone is gushing about that Skyward Sword art—but I think the other things, like the Twili wolf, are a lot nicer. Probably because I really don't like Skyward Sword...

That big one is really good. Really enjoyed looking at that. (:
I really like the Twili wolf too.

More lovely work! I really like the one of Fierce Diety Link and the Storm Dragon. Your art is almost too good to be true. I could stare at it for hours, just enjoying the beauty of it.

Your artwork is just beautiful, EL. I didn't like Skyward Sword all that much, but your amazing Skyward Sword piece made me fall in love with the game all over again. You really captured that 'spark' of the game and the attention to detail is impressive.

Seeing your talent makes me want to get into drawing.