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Sephiroth is right, beards don't join the hair at the back of the neck. 

But my hair and beard look as though they do, because it's wildly out of control and I have long crazy hair and they kind of mix.  =D But other than that....

And one more thing - clouds look far more natural if they have flat bottoms.

Totally disagree...only in cartoons.   You could shade the bottoms for shadow, but I look out my window often here and there are rarely flat-bottom clouds to see.

So I have just done my first cloud.  I am okay with it, but I would appreciate some comments/critiques.  They look a little .. Un-fluffy I guess.  I tried using an airbrush tool to make them but they looked way too much like balls of cotton in the sky.  So I ended up using a solid bubble with rounded bumps and then darkening them to add some depth.

Thoughts?

Yeah, make the clouds more atmospheric, a bit less like cotton balls sitting in the sky, and more like blobs of air that are somewhat transparent and don't have hard edges.  I would begin painting them with a brush set to a low opacity, like maybe 10-20% or so.  You can even use a 5%-15% smudge tool to stretch them out or make them wispy.  Just experiment, but think atmospheric...or look at reference.


Also...

As for the sky..  I did some google searching for "afternoon sky" and got a ton of pictures.  They all show lighter skies by the horizon, and darker up in the higher atomosphere

The sky as it goes up into the atmosphere is bluer because of increased chances for blue light to scatter - this happens as the waves encounter nitrogen.   As you look on the horizon, there is supposedly less nitrogen or more chances for other particles to encounter and scatter light, and more red light from the sun passes through as well.   Really red horizons are often caused by smog. 

So yes, your gradient is correct and fits in the image, I wouldn't bother changing it.  The grass gradient could be correct if the really close foreground is shadowed by buildings across the street or something, and more light hits in the distance.  Only, you'd have to fix all the shadows to make something like that work.

If you're interested in some of the ongoing technical aspects of the paintings, you can check out this thread here, I'll be posting a lot of stuff in the days to come:

http://www.mmgames.org/KQ4/SMF/index.php?topic=42.30

My final edit isn't up there yet either, but I will post it in the next couple days.  There are a few elements I want to add and work through before I do.

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The PQ2 page on the website is no more, but that has nothing to do with my desire to finish the game...I'm in the middle of a major redesign that focuses solely on theRedPress concept and nothing else.  Where the AGS games will end up is still undecided at this time, I may get another url and build a completely separate website...we'll see.

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Update:

I've actually decided to post all the new art on facebook with my other art:
Art of the Alien

If you're following this, you should follow me there to get timely updates on progress.  The photo-realistic version of this game has been entirely discarded, due to the amount of work required for animations.  I'm redoing the game with a fresh interface and digitally painted graphics.  I'm still using 640x400, though the backgrounds and playable area will be slightly smaller than that.

Malakey travels across the whole fantasy world in which he lives discovering many weird and wonderful places including an orphanage inside a giant lemon, the edge of the world (as you've never seen before lol), the mysterious Mapoco mountains, the tree house village and much more.

Malakey and the Strange.  Thank you goodnight.

Heh, I agree about the hair....she is thinking to take someone out with that 'do.  Slice a head clean off! =D  But I like them, good job.

[Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain]

Get a book called 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain'.

I'm the black-sheep of drawing in my family, but I have heard nothing but good things about this book and how much it helps if you can't draw.

I have this book...or well, I have the "New" version, and I really didn't like it much.  Lots of weird science/psychological ideas and not enough about drawing.  There were a couple chapters where you'd focus on drawing what you actually see, rather than just drawing what you think you're supposed to draw - like iconic versus reality.  But if you want a book that explains that well, grab Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud from a library. 

What I really can't live without, are the Gnomon videos.  There's nothing quite like just watching someone else draw, it really flips on the light switch in a fast and lasting way.  At least for me....to each his own.  They're hella expensive though, but some libraries have them (if your library is awesome).

Because it won't be done for nothing.  I stated outright in the beginning that I wanted to redesign the game for myself, if that's all that happens then I still ultimately win.  If other people play it, good for them and I hope it's an enjoyable experience.

And again it's already been said, that I am designing my own game in addition to this.  All good ideas, definitely doing that.

Been a long time, here's some pictures from this century.

Do you digitally draw in an art package like photoshop etc and if so are you hardcore and use the mouse, or a perfectionist and use a graphics tablet?

Yes.  Haha.  I use both actually, mouse and graphics tablet.  But I am leaning towards more graphics tablet, I just got one of my own after years of using the mouse.

Do you hand draw your stuff and then scan them in using the trusty flatbed?

What graphics software(s) do you use?

How long does it take you to finish a character/background?

And yes.  Well...I use wide copic markers on vellum or denril, usually warm grays with some pens to lay in line work.  I'll scan those in and then go digital from there.

I use Photoshop CS3, but I'm hardcore interested in getting CS4 just for the ability to spin the canvas.  I tried it out a bit, it works so flawlessly and with the rocker buttons on the pen it just makes it almost too convenient.  It's even easier than spinning REAL paper. =D  I've tried Painter and as much fun as the realistic brushes can be, it just doesn't compare in quality or ease of use.

As for how long - it can be anywhere from an hour, to a day, to a month or two.  Sometimes concept pieces or matte paintings can take as long as three or four months to complete just based on how much work goes into it.  And how often you need to start over.... =/

First one by a long way, the other girl looks sickly to me.

The owners of the Sierra games have said to the other fellows who did the remake of KQ and HQ that they could finish the current ones they where working on, but couldn't start a new one, so just be warned about this fact before you do a lot of work on something you can't publish..
Maybe just use the stuff you have to create your own Police Quest (but ofcourse you can't call it Police Quest)..

I'm well aware of Vivendi's stance on remakes, and unless you have some really new piece of information, a link to an official statement of some kind that has changed things, then I'll just say cheers.

Uuuuuuuups. Didn't read the name of the author of the post.
Still, besides the angle of the railing's bars and the top of the wall (including the different brick-style), all the other things refer to the original picture too.
Ah, desiGN. I see you're an English teacher. Could you give me a lesson or two? And I think mistyping sometimes is not a big deal. Right?

PS: Pls don't "Sir" me. It's weird since you're 10 years older than me. 

Haha, okey dokey, lad =p.   Anyhow, no not an english teacher, honestly didn't know what word you were using.  So basically couldn't understand the sentence...wasn't trying to be funny or whatever, and no not a big deal if it can be understood.   Carry on, laddie. =D

3.I can't figure out what's the reason for you to put that strange brick-wall around the door...Nevermind. It's your desing. But what looks really weird is the fact that there are 3 different brick-types along the facade. Grin What's more - the left corner of the wall (on the left side of the door) looks...perfect. It's almost impossible to make it look that perfect and besides - look at the top of the wall where the lamps are placed - there are curves etc.

No offense to you sir but I believe you have made an error here.  Pretty much all the advice you dished out was based off of my own paintover, and not his own work???  I can't imagine why you would do this...unless you just didn't read the thread carefully enough.  This is the reason there are three different styles of brick - because I was demonstrating how he should be painting his bricks, rather than pasting them in from some lousy template.  His bricks are the ones on the left, and around the door, mine are the painting ones on the left.   Hope that clarifies that.

Further more, the railing WAS complete but I erased most of it in my paintover because all I wanted to illustrate was the curve of the shadow...nothing more.

Also, I can answer the door problem you're seeing.  I believe it's a single door and a glass pane that continues on to the right.  Not intended to be a double door - I could be wrong, again it's not my art....but I think so.

It's an honest mistake, you should rethink your advice based on his background, not my edit.  =D  Last thing I should ask, what is a "desing"?  Did you mean to type "design"?  Cheers.

He goes and buys the same clothing as everyone else, puts on the everybody style of shades, and merges into society as a forgotten drone.  Hoorah. =/ no? That would be a little sad, and probably not reality....but that's why I like it.  >=]

I would very much welcome a paintover to help me see this scene the proper way.  I got comfortable doing interiors over the past few days, but this is a whole other ballpark..

Sure, Bill, no problem-o.  But I'm running a bit slow today, so it might be a while.  Definitely drawing everything by hand is the best way to go, I promise.  Though sometimes it's a drag, and it can take a lot longer to do.   It's worth it though.

Update: And here we go with the edit.



As you can see the brick wall looks really different now, compared to what you had.  That really only took a few minutes to paint, and I'd say it could benefit from more detail and whatever but maybe that's good enough for the level of detail you're going for.  I just guessed at the perspective, it's still a wee bit wonky but for this edit, it'll pass. =D 

Usually I zoom WAY out in my project and throw pen-tool lines down, drag them to a horizon and vertical line intersection rule (I do two or more sets for 2 or 3 point perspective), then stroke them in an appropriate color to a new layer.  Then you can refer back to it later on when you need to.  It works well in say Photoshop, not sure about any other programs.

Finally the shadow I figured I'd point out just because, even though you may end up changing it.  Basically it's just a form bend that I thought I saw, with the bar going up at an angle, and then the shadow was different.  The change I made is illustrated by the little blue arrows. ^_^ Carry on.

To establish scale, you could consider after it is in the scene, throw together a few smaller crafts and....well I'm not sure what else you have planned for the background - but a small settlement for humans/aliens/what have you, could go towards indicating size.

The fin makes me think "fish" moreso than submarine.  But it's still pretty cool.

It might be a bit empty with it gone as well, maybe you can think of something else to place there.  Does the Chief have privileges? CHIEF: "Where's my mini-fridge?! And what about my coffee machine, you don't expect me to get up and WALK down the hall like everyone else, do you....? Now that we're on the subject, is my wide-screen TV on the way? Oh screw that, nobody watches TV anymore...maybe a copier would be more practical.  I need a workout too, how about some weights?"

Or you could leave it empty...or you could throw in another filing cabinet.  Or a mannequin....no, forget the mannequin.

Why is there a sudden gap in the road? I'm having trouble understanding this, honestly.  The city I get, but nothing else here makes any sense...the railing suggests a straight on perspective, or flat side view, while the "road" seems to be below the horizon and slanted, *plop* placed there out of nowhere without any regard to the rest of the piece. =/  I think it needs quite a bit of work, either change the road or change the city...or do some more to clarify what is going on.

Well then back off on the shadows for one.  If it's supposed to be midday with the sun more or less directly overhead, then you probably won't want really long shadows.  As for me I usually calculate my shadows, I never just guess at them, but I suppose you could.

The form of the railing, as it goes up on the right...is wrong in shadow.  As it goes up it curves, but in the shadow you have it going across flat connecting to a vertical.  I hope what I'm saying makes sense.

The other thing that bothers me here is the brick wall on the left, both sides of the wall...but especially the side on the very left.  I just can't see how that would work, to be honest.  Even after you straighten those bricks out to match the opposite side, you need to fix the perspective.

I'll make a paint over in a while if you need it --- but basically (now I'm talking about the left side closest to the light brown wall) as the bricks come towards the viewer, as they're doing here, they should become slightly larger.   But most of all they should follow the perspective, here's a nice reference to show you what I mean:

http://image60.webshots.com/60/8/55/12/442285512XrRZFT_fs.jpg

Nice looking station though =D Keep at it.