Chest of Colors forum

Hi there,

I was wondering if I could get some pointers on this mini. It was my first time doing OSL and I would appreciate any feedback I can get. I basically just used black, grays and white. I threw some blue in there but you can't really see it in the photos.

Thanks

Click to see full-sized image

I don't see it. Then again I am at work and they might be barring said things.

Howdy Neat Pete!

While I've done a lot of reading on the subject I've never done the OSL thing myself before, so take this with a grain of salt...

Generally speaking it seems like you are on the right track. When I look at it, it clearly reads like the spell he is casting is glowing. One suggestion would be to make the areas that are further away from the light source be a little dimmer than the things right next to the light source. His suitcase for example, (which is 18 inches away from the spell effect) should not be quite as light as the sleeve (which is only 6 inches away). Another thing that would help the illusion would be to darken your shadows on the back of the mini even more than what you already have. It's crazy how darkening your shadows can pop your highlights even more... Learning to "work in the negative space" was a huge epiphany for me.

It's a shame that the blues you glazed in are not showing up... I think the fact that you were working almost completely with black and white might have made things harder for you. It's so easy for white to go chalky, and when your value jump is so abrupt it's tough to get a smooth blend. Maybe if you had more color to your light source? Make it glow yellow or green and make your shadow areas blue or purple? That would help keep things from going chalky on you, and it would add even more interest to things by creating a cool/warm contrast as well! Even if you prefer to keep it monochrome, putting a median color of some sort between the black and white would help you with your mixes.

*shrug* Like I said before, I have never personally done the OSL thing, so it's not like I could do better, I'm just offering my silly thoughts. Props to you for experimenting! Hopefully I will take the plunge soon.

Laters,
Jen

If that is REALLY your first attempt, you did a terrific job on it. Really. The contrasts are bold, and that's what makes or breaks the OSL effect.
Generally you did what should be done just right - the stronger the light, the stronger the shadows. So the closer to the source of light, the stronger contrasts. More distant parts of the mini should be less contrasted because light is not so strong there.

I would only pull the shadows yet a bit further. To make them blacker than now.
Are you going to keep it monochrome or will you add color later?

This picture should be used as an example of what can be done to make a miniature look interesting without using additional colors. You only emphasized the sculpt and it became mroe alive! Well done!

Thanks Jen and Mahon! I appreciate the feedback and suggestions. I'm painting this mini again for a commision right now so I'll get try out the OSL on some color. I'll let you know how I do

thats 1 OSL - cmgrats it is almoust Very good
beside you made itin BW wich is one of main trining thing when you go for eny contrast/ light things

https://www.photoworkshop.com/static/lig ... index.html
- that mey help in the future - have a funn

It is not the best of the same kind, I guess.

But for the first shot, it is a very good try already, I think.