ANM 324 Project 2-Variations

This was a very challenging project because it demands understanding layers, closed shapes and the unique features of the pen tool.  It also requires that you understand the relationship of elements in a scene as well as how light affects the scene. In addition, you had to learn about color palettes and how to apply different colors to your interior. You all have begun to see the incredible potential of Illustrator….the possibilities are endless.  I appreciate everyone’s efforts on this project…keep up the good work!

Here’s my general grading criteria for this project:

95-100-drawing is accurate, demonstrates good control of tools and includes accurate lighting effects, used of named layers and accurate color (high level of difficulty)

90-95-drawing is accurate, shows adequate control of tools lighting and fills considered but not complete or accurate. Layers used effectively

85-90-drawing is accurate, fills not complete with open shapes and lighting not adequately considered. Color palettes not accurately identified.

80-85-drawing and use of tools lacks control, lighting not adequately considered. Only submitted one file instead of required two.

70-80-drawing not controlled, lighting not considered did not meet requirements

Late -10

No Group Critique -5

Anita Kunz Group

Yauheni Shubin
- Wow..You’ve incorporated lots of detail in your interior! There is an excellent sense of volume in the room, which is created by the perspective and general lighting effects. I especially like the overhead architectural element with lights and the small tables, which have excellent detail. Overall lighting effects are strong with the cast shadow from the small stand on the right being especially good. The drop shadow on the left stand is not quite as effective but does imply a light source from right to left…some consistency issues. It looks like the light on the bed is strong from the top with a highlight at the foot but the blanket has dark ridges (shades)….wouldn’t they be more similar with highlights at the top? You have used gradients very effectively…pillows are well done. Wall lights are very creative with flare pattern…might be easier and more natural if they just had a shape filled with warm gradient color. ..transparency can be very effective with lighting effects like this too. I know I’m being picky..you’ve actually done a very nice job with the interior. Your abstract painting is great!

Elizabeth Harper-What immediately stands-out is your precise drawing of the furniture and accessories in the room. I thought this color palette was especially good. The side tables are perhaps the most well defined elements…I like the different tints you’ve filled with to illustrate the effect of light. That strong light coming in from the left is reflected in the bright area on the wall…..that’s really well done. Lighting effects on other objects could be enhanced. You’ve chosen not to use gradients, which help give the objects form. The pillows look very thin and flat…but have lots of potential to have volume with a gradient fill. The same gradient technique could be applied to the lamps and shades to make them look more rounded. Another way to show that these soft and rounded objects have form is to add a no stroke shape over top, fill with a lighter tint and then apply an adjustable Gaussian blur to create a highlight. I appreciate the shadows you’ve drawn behind the pillows and legs of the table…the end of the shadow of the table leg is rather harsh..in reality, it would become softer and fade out. A gradient fill is the best technique to achieve this effect. Overall-very strong pen and layering skills.

Rosenwald Group

Baotran Bui-You have demonstrated excellent drawing skills with this very precise rendering of the interior. I especially like the detailed illustration of the legs in the tables and the left end of the couch. You’ve applied gradients to give the chairs and couch a softer, more natural look. The direction of light is a little complex and not very consistent in the original…that’s OK. I would expect to see a hint of shadow coming off the stand to the left onto the couch. The blurred shadows under the tables are very effective. You’ve taken a chance with the patter fills…they offer wonderful textures and shapes but are quite challenging to work with when it comes to showing curves such as on the pillows. One technique is to overlay with a transparent gradient to show highlights and shadow areas. Tit looks like you’ve done this on the wall in the background. There are techniques in Illustrator to modify the patters and distort..but I wouldn’t expect this at our level of learning the software. Nice work!

Jerome Havens

This was a very challenging interior but you have certainly done it justice! That feature in back wall..bookcase and tech center, really looks great! You’ve done a good job rendering the soft furniture too…I like the gradient on the right couch best which implies a strong light from the left and give is some softness…I’d like to see the same effect on the left side couch seat surface. Lighting effects under the couches are excellent and really reinforce the direction of light. Because of that strong light, I would expect at least a hint of a shadow coming off the center table. I really like how you’ve drawn the detail and given the surfaces form with the gradients…but it tends to float. Grounding the object with a soft shadow, consistent with what you have on the couches, would be perfect. Excellent drawing and lighting techniques!

Kroencke Group

Van Do- Your kitchen looks great! This is a very geometric composition and I think you’ve made the most of it with interesting surface textures (rug) and strong use of gradients to give it a very modern look. I especially like the reflection on the floor to the left and below the cabinet…that gives us the clear impression of a smooth shiny surface. Should the bench shadows be similarly treated? Just a thought. I also like your lighting effects on the recessed ceiling ..almost looks like the sky but the lighting surrounding the ceiling is giving a warm glow. Looks like you had fun with the details, like the accessories on the counter. The only area I could suggest improvement on is the window above the kitchen counter. It looks very flat and almost floating in front of the wall. A good way to deal with this is to add an interior ledge or inset across the top and sides. It can be thin but darker to show depth. Overall you’ve done a really nice job on this and your use of levels is excellent.

Jana Heidenreich-Incredible detail in your bedroom interior. The area behind the bed has a great glow and warmth from the sliding doors. In addition, the treatment of color and light on the furniture is really well done. I am imagining the black lacquer paint on those pieces. With all the great lighting in the background and on the surfaces, I’m wondering why you didn’t include a cast shadow from the bed or dresser onto the floor. I think this would add continuity to the overall scene. You didn’t indicate the color palette you used but it looks good. Hey…forgot to mention those hanging lights…they are really well done.

Robin Reeder-Your approach to drawing and coloring the interior is quite different than everyone else. I think it looks great and is very “painterly” with the visible brush strokes. You must have some artistic/paining experience because this is not easy to do…compared to fills and gradients it’s very difficult. The rendering is beautiful…the couch looks so soft and inviting. The additional details, like the speakers, overhead lights and tray with glassware are beautifully drawn. The color palette is more realistic than the palettes specified in the project. The interior is unexpected-you’ve really taken this project to a wonderful artistic level!

Olesya Sytnyk
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The stairway and surrounding walls create quite a challenge with perspective. I really like your illustration of the stairs and railing in particular. The detail is excellent and you’ve given it depth as we look through the posts to the lower landing. It looks like you’ve used a realistic color palette rather that one of the harmonious palettes assigned in the project…color fills are still good but I would suggest you not use stroke to define most shapes…the outline tends to constrain and you can use different tints of color to show how the surfaces relate (you’ve actually done this on the walls. The picture frames are not consistent with the perspective of the walls…you can draw temporary lines to establish vanishing points then align objects like picture to them. You only submitted one file.

Frazier Group

Kristina Farrell-I really like the rich analogous color palette you’ve used in your interior.
The highlights in the background lead the viewer’s eye into the scene and I especially like the “peek” into the room through the door. It looks like you have excellent control of the pen tool and layers. As mentioned, lighting effects on the left and back wall imply a strong light source from above the stairwell…I’d suggest also adding a light streak to the stairs. As is, the gradient on the left wall ends rather abruptly. It looks like the lights from the ceiling are showing illumination through a hard edged transparent shape which looks unnatural. A quick way to fix this is with a Gaussian blur from the filter palette, which would soften the edges and give the shapes a more realistic glow. Looks like you had fun with your illustration!

Jasson Gist-Wow..the chandeliers look great! The multiple layers of transparent shapes really look realistic. The detail in the chairs and tables also is excellent. I would suggest less reliance on the stroke to define shapes….it’s more effective to define the shapes, such as legs and arms, with slightly different tints. I’m wondering why you didn’t show the effect of light on the objects. The table and chairs
should show some subtle cast shadow to both ground them on the floor and show the consistent light in the room. I see that you applied a gradient to the bookshelf…that’s an effective way to show the depth of the case. You’ve demonstrated outstanding drawing skill....lighting effects could be stronger.

Susan Jackson
-I’m absolutely crazy about the lighting you’ve rendered on the floor and wall of your room. The patterns look great and certainly give us the impression of light peeking thorough partially closed blinds. It looks like you’ve used brush strokes to illustrate the shade…they are irregular but work well. You’ve also done a good job illustrating the table and chairs although I would suggest using smaller closed shapes to show the various parts such as the back, seat, lets….because multiple surfaces are incorporated into one shape, a gradient fill is not as precise at defining the surfaces and lighting effects. I would also recommend adding a cast shadow under the chairs, which could be quite transparent, to ground them on the surface. The detail in the flowers and pictures is excellent!

Tiffany Ross-The analogous color palette really makes your interior come alive. The colors are crisp and work well together. The window and drapes are especially well done and the gradient fill clearly gives us the impression that they are full and billowing. The chair and table are also drawn very precisely. Again, gradients make the seat of the chair look soft and inviting. The pillow surface is fine but there needs to be a shadow behind to show the volume and form of the pillows against the chair back. I see a hint of very soft shadow under the chair (more pronounced in your monochromatic version). I would suggest making that shadow more well defined…less blur and transparency perhaps. With the strong light on the inside of the table leg, I would also expect to see a shadow cast from it onto the floor. Looks like you have excellent control of the tools and a good feel for color!