Im really interrested in the painting aspect of Photoshop (btw, really looking forward to PS 7)
Drawing is my life, primairily sketching. Im still trying to figure out how to make a good color job of them).
I've always liked Craigs work.. its just amazing.

Although in his explanations I sometimes wish he'd show more of the steps between... as I sometimes find myself trying to figure out what he means at certain steps.
Hmm maybe I'm just spoiled.

Anyway.... God this art rocks!!!

Great ramble really, personally I prefer the theoretical stuff to the step by step approach because it addresses fundamentals rather than techniques and ultimately has more to teach.

I would much rather read about your thought processes when painting rather than a dry description of how you went about it. Besides technical tutorials aren't always that useful since there are many different ways of going about the same thing - especially in digital art - so your methods will be different to the other guy's but it doesn't really affect the fundamental principles. The other good thing is that it can then be translated into any software, you don't even mention the word photoshop.

I had no trouble following your post, but I already know a bit about art, 3d and photography, a beginner might struggle with parts of it I think. I really look forward to future posts devoted to one theme or topic, I think that's a great idea. You could go into quite a lot of depth on whatever subject with maybe a little time to explain things for novices.

thanks for sharing.

Thanks for this awesome tutorial. The onnnnly thing missing would be some work in progress pictures so we can see how you work too.. if you dont mind

Thanks again mon!

I think it depends much on the skill level of the reader. For a beginner like i am it would be more helpfully with step-by-step explenations and progress pictures. Tutorial-Readers likes Eye-Candy But this is another interesting kind of tutorial and helpful anyway! Thank you!

First thanks your sharing.
Same as above ppl advise.
It's better to have Step-by-step tutorial with images. Beacause only word is boring.(1) i like your anlayst of image before painting. u can talk more here. (2) i cant follow the tutorial usually coz there are may be too many technical word. Pls make some note for technical word.

Craig Mullins!! A cool concept artist!!!
i am your fans. Could you open a new topic to talk about concept art. How to make painting "realistic"?
looking for your new tutorial.
Thank you.

To continue the discussion of the above threads, I think there should be a bit of both in a good tutorial. First the thought process and then the execution process where the artists shows how he brought his toughts onto the "canvas". I havent really found a good tutorial combining both of the elements. I think this tutorial is great, but the way it is presented is bad. To much word and no illustrations of what you mean can end in the reader being more confused than enlightend. So, add some images to show what you mean and I think your contribution will stick more into the readers mind

I agree with Frog. The way you are doing it is very interesting.
Thanks and keep on doing.

I'm with frog and Daitoo......although progression pics wouldn't hurt. I can illustrate fine, though I have much to learn in the way of entire compositions, this tutorial I found to be very enlightening.

I, sadly, mangle stick figures and couldn't produce art if i was impregnated by M.C.Escher but I do appreciate the step by step help. That really is an amazing step between the two pictures. Thank you and bless.

Always amazing Carig!!! Though for a bad artist like me I kinda NEED to see things to understand XD Seriously, an image tells more than thousand words But your words were very instructive too!! Love your tutorials and art *o*

Excellent work!
Thanks for the tutorials. I'm sure we would all love to see more if you have the time.

Outstanding art........ hey.... do u have any tutorial on how to create that perfect image? email me: soultransparent@yahoo.com

Hello
i have to say this is the most interesting tutorial i have read to date . i completely understood everything so don't worry about that. often tutorials stick to the use of specific tools it is fantastic to see your thought process . Not to seem offensive to anyone but i am tired of seeing tutorials that only go skin deep
i would like to the next column based on
loss of informantion in film(value color contrast)
color and saturation shifts surrounding over exposured film
general rules of thumb pertaining to adding color and material diversity to an object but still making it seem as a whole
color shifts in the sky would be pretty interesting
how to create large amounts of garbage in the street/cityscapes ( do you make random splotched of paint that would fit in the scene, because of their value and saturation, and then pick out and refine objects from there?)
i would like to hear more about edge control techique but more so in terms of representing natural light
or if you could write a few comments about any more common mistakes people tend to make that makes thier lighting less than realistic
when making a detailed painting like the matte paintings created for final fantasy do you seperate layers for volumetric lighting and geometric details such as the buildings? i am asking because it seems like the volumetric/fog/atmospheric lighting is completly uninterupted in the city at dusk matte painting
perhaps the process behind ring3.jpg would be excellent
do you think any of the photoshop brush modes(like color dodge or soft light) accuractly emulate real lighting effects
thank you for taking the time to write these columns they definately mean alot me , becoming a matte painter is a distant dream for me my closest effort yet turned out like this painting

i would love to hear any comments about it

Love the tut, thank you Craig.

Craig Mullins for president!

hey man tanks