I flipped it a couple of days ago. It's there a page or two back.

Daedaloops - send me a PM and give me an address where I can send you the flattened .psd file.

You can put it in a .zip file and attach it here cos it accepts those. Or alternatively use the sta.sh section of deviantart since you have an account there and then just send me the link. I'm getting overly paranoid lately so I'm not comfortable giving out my email address anymore, for all I know you guys could all be cops.. or worse, robots.. or even worse, robocops.

Since I've already spilled the beans about my ID all over the place, I might as well offer up the use of my FTP server.

For those not familiar, FTP is like a Neanderthal version of Dropbox. To use it, you'll need an app known as an FTP client. For Mac, I recommend Fetch: http://fetchsoftworks.com/fetch/download

For Windows: http://filezilla-project.org/. (click "download FTP Client"

It's free.

Once installed, open the app and it will ask you for three pieces of info, which I'll provide via PM to anyone interested. Enter that, wait a second and a folder will open on your desktop. Look for the folder called "Nexus Stuff". Drag your file into there. Done.

Orion- thanks for the tip, ive done that for a gray base before but not black. for some reason working from dark to light seems like the most natural way to make psycadelic art.

- oh yea and i should have some progress to post this weekend, I should be able to at least finish the underpainting.

Bob Ross brand actually sells a black gesso.

I've enjoyed doing the base in a midtone, often tinted either cool or warm depending on the dominant color in the composition. Then I'll lay in some of the highlights first, then some shadows. I'll continue this push/pull process until it attains the balance im looking for. The midtone base allows for the introduction of dark shadows at an early stage.

Eventuallyy I plan on posting a bunch of step by step photos...

ooooohhh man guy that would be SO BAD ASS! I think i could really learn alot from that. I feel like while i have been drawing all my life, i havnt had nearly enough practice with paint.

I really didnt expect my art to improve by coming here but its turning out to be a pretty awesome resource, ive learned more and gotten more relevant advice in my short time here than i have spending months or even years on art forums. I guess it really helps to learn from artists that have similar intentions with their art. So thanks guys, I hope someday I can teach and help others like you guys have helped me already.

Here's a quick update...

I took your advice Guy and used a higher camera ratio to get in on the detail a bit more.

I also cleaned up the geometry a bit, added the background grid and some focal blur around the edges.

I've spent a lot of time working on modeling different things to add in but nothing ever really turns out how I like or want it to. This is the first time I've gotten the house to myself in months so I'm gonna watch some tutorials and try out some different things since I can focus a little better when I'm alone.

I think it is a matter of preference and style. I consider myself first a sculptor then a painter, because the substance inside my mind is literally like clay which I can shape into any form. This is why I work from dark to light (for my 4 current paintings); I'm sculpting in 2D rather than thinking about painting a picture, and color is is secondary to form. The entire painting this way is an additive process. It's not without it's flaws though... it takes a lot of building to eliminate the dulling effect of the base layer for example. But imagine trying to generate some swirls in Apophysis or some other program, then paint that on a light background, trying to blend all those fine wisps and gradients of color mixed gradually into black paint on a white canvas...oh it would be painful. I wanted these paintings to have that level of detail and appear to be built of light rather than shaded the usual way.

When working over a mid tone you can build up and knock back from the start. But you are building up from the middle (this is how I think of it). Shadows must be added, instead of leaving the negative base layer as the shadow itself.

Working over white is all about killing the light and getting it down to the mid tones, then chipping away with shadows and adding light. I think this is what most people do and it's the way I was taught.

MelCat, love it, the new perspective on it really adds depth too.

Thanks Orion, your piece is looking amazing too. It may take the paint awhile to dry but it's definitely worth the extra time.

very nice, melcat. yours too orion.

in melcat's, from 11 o'clock going clockwise: harmine, ibogaine, psilocybin, mescaline, LSA, and DMT

Thanks benz, glad the molecules got your approval.

I was going to use LSD at first but thought it would be more appropriate to stick to the all naturals instead.

The all natural molecule approach is a great touch. The new camera angle does really give it a much greater sense of presence... Really digging the reflective effects too.

Orion- the base coat I'll use will depend on whatever the dominant value of the final piece will be. For an outer/inner space image, a black background is clearly best. I like to paint a morphix organic stuff, where a midtone base coat can be very helpful. Or I'll use a color gradient, like the dark to light blue in the sky-and-clouds mandala here
https://www.dmt-nexus.me...osts&t=22752&p=4

Or like the purple to magenta gradient here:
https://www.dmt-nexus.me...osts&t=22752&p=9

I don't think I've painted on a plain white canvas in many years. Like Orion says, you waste a ton of time just trying to bury the canvas.

So, if you remember the thumbnails I posted, I was originally going to submit the first attached photo as my submission to the front page. But I wasn't really happy with the way it came out (colors partially, but other things as well) and decided to put together a second submission. I did it with no thumbnail and in a third of the time, but I like it twice as much. Funny how that happens.

Orion, this is just spectacular. I would be honored to have one of your works hanging at a prominent point in my home. You are really gifted.

Great job Nils. I like the concept of the first one but the execution of the 2nd one is just gorgeous.

I can't wait to see how this comes together.

yea i agree with what Melcat said, that second one looks awesome Nils.

greeat stuff from everyone, sorry i havnt been deep in the pudding lately, been wrapped up in this big uni project

Returned to the rose today to finish it up, id love to finish it tomorrow, but if not then defiantly this week

i vill be back! x

Nice work, Nils. I like the 2nd one as well. Water colors, yes?

MelCat - I think your piece is just insane. I love that material and your render is awesome. If I have one small bit of c&c, it's that the lens blur around the edges looks a bit abrupt and extreme to me. But really great composition and execution. You and Daedaloops have definitely put 3DS Max on my radar.

Nils

Your work is incredibly exquisite and the colours are really beautiful. The intricacy is truly lovely...


Much Peace and Respect

Thanks everyone, for the kind feedback.



Indeed. Both are mostly. The first has some acrylic, the second is all watercolor.



Agreed. A nice fade would put it over the top!