Professional Documents
Culture Documents
no 2 september 2007
EXPOSING FACTS
the face behind vexels.net
TOP5
NEW
NEW ARTISTS
ARTISTS
The world of vector and
vexel artists keeps on
growing and gaining
more and more artists
every day.
In this section, some of
the outstanding new
artists are featured.
Their work is promising
and shows that the
artists have a lot of
talent.
ARTIST:
Matthew/Mambazo
WEB:
mambazo.langfordtavern.com
ART:
Autumn - Jessica Stam
A vexel of Jessica Stam, altered
to fit an autumn theme. The eye
was also tinted green before
vexelling, just to be different.
ARTIST:
Atefel
ARTIST:
Tram/blinktastic
WEB:
www.vexels.net/users/1949
ART:
Girl on the Wing
It was a snowy Valentines Day.
After awakening from a twelve
hours sleep, I stumbled onto my
computer, plugged in my favorite
tunes, and vexlled what would
soon be known as the Girl on
the Wing.
WEB:
atefel.deviantart.com
ART:
LOV
I try to express child emotions....
I think that most of the time we
need to see expresions of people
in order to feel their emotions.....
this pic reminds me of my
childhood when my parents were
out all time... for me this one
says Hello Im here.
ARTIST:
Anna/Chibily
ARTIST:
Chealse
WEB:
www.vexels.net/users/7587
ART:
Heidi Klum
This is a vexel of Heidi Klum, one
of my best vexels ever. It took a lot
of time to finish, especially her
hair. I think it came out quite well,
Im very proud of it.
WEB:
www.peril-gfx.de.vu
ART:
Im like a bird, ft Nelly Furtado
I really like it,especially the
whole aura it has. I love her lips,
her eyes and her skin. I think it
came out very romantic...
but I really dont like the hair.
I sat about 5 days on it with 400
layers.. The hair was a torture!
We definitely wanna
see more of them,
so go and comment on
their work, help them
improve and encourage
them to keep up the
great work!
ARTIST:
Angie
WEB:
angie985.deviantart.com
ARTIST:
Shelley
WEB:
intoyourheart.deviantart.com
ART:
Birds of Prey
An attempt at an image with usual
lighting.
ART:
Still looking forward
Just something new for now.
I loved this picture because of the
contrast, so thought Id give it a try
ARTIST:
Jimmy Balia
WEB:
phig.deviantart.com
ART:
Ape pod
The main idea is about to explicit
the over-estimation of Ipod culture.
And I wanted to make it in a funny
way, so I used ape as the model.
This is an awareness that even
animals need an entertainment.
I made this in two versions. First
the simple version, with no fur,
just shading and gradients and
second, the detailed one, with
added fur. I want to remake it for
VVM. I realize that the fur isnt
balanced yet, because this is my
first time ever retouching a fury
animal. I found it a little bit hard,
I think I have to practice more in
fur making.
ARTIST:
Nicole
WEB:
www.vexels.net/users/4789
www.beautifulgarbage.nl
ART:
Myriad
I chose to vexel this picture cause
I tought it was going to be a
challenge for myself.
There were weird lights, different
colours, hands and hair. All kinds of
things I find hard to vexel.
It was really hard to make the
vexel, I used too many layers and
spend too much time on it. But
I am really happy with how it
looks.
ARTIST:
Echo S./Echoia
WEB:
echoia.com
ART:
Gun in my hand
I feel like I need to write but
nothing ever comes out, so
I thought - maybe I could do
something with THAT?
ARTIST:
Matt/Mattness
WEB:
www.amingotrain.com
ART:
Reticence
I made this vexel mainly to
express how theres often
something in the way for me to
express myself. Reticent in the
dicitionary: disposed to be silent or
not to speek freely, reserved,
reluctant or restrained. And that is
exactly how I often feel - like
I cannot express myself so, that
others can feel me.
ARTIST:
Nastasia Peters
WEB:
web.mac.com/lilnas/iWeb
ssst.deviantart.com
ART:
Hello
I love the effort and beauty
geishas put into their work, and
I simply tried to recreat this beauty
and effort in my own style.
This was based on a portrait of
a dear friend of mine
dagwanoenyent.deviantart.com,
who was kind enough to let me
use one of her photographs to be
able to start this drawing.
ARTIST:
Balung
WEB:
balung.deviantart.com
ART:
Metamorphose
Its kind of personal for me. Its
hard to explain, because its my
private feeling. But in short, I try
to change, from something ugly
and useless into something new.
Im ready to face the world with
anything I have.
ARTIST:
Hallan Moulin/chiplegal
ARTIST:
Annette/MChaos07
WEB:
webfolio.chiplegal.com
WEB:
feverrr.untalented.org
mchaos07.deviantart.com
ART:
Waiting for better days
Waiting for Better days was
created when I was kinda crazy
about getting a boyfriend. I found
this picture cool, then I vectorized
it thinking of how I would be
feeling if I were mad! I like this
green, it makes me feel connected
and cool with the internet.
By the way, my Better days have
come this year.
ART:
Summer Fades
Summer break was going by rather
quickly and I was pretty
disappointed when I realized this
fact. I wanted the vexel to be
pretty simple/not using many
layers and have the girl bright and
vibrant while the background
scene of a beach is washed-out
and dull-looking. The model in the
picture is Rachel Bilson
ARTIST:
Linda
WEB:
www.vexels.net/users/1
fdlinda.deviantart.com
ART:
She felt it everyday
One of my all time favourites,
I feel like I was able to capture the
whole setting and mood.
ARTIST:
Mari
WEB:
mari-angel.deviantart.com
ART:
Ayumi Hamasaki
A portrait of Ayumi Hamasaki
ARTIST:
Stephanie/0CandyApple0
WEB:
0candyapple0.deviantart.com
ART:
Seeing stars
I started this as a illustrator test
I had worked in illustrator before
but I had always got frustrated and
went back to photoshop to finish
my work. I was determined this
was going to be 100% illustrator or
I would not finish it. I was about to
give up once again when my 7
year old daughter looked at it and
told me that it was pretty (she
always says that , sometimes even
before I start anything lol) but this
time she also said it needed stars.
So together she pointed out where
she wanted the stars and I added
them . This was by far the most
fun I had and for the first time
100% illustrator thanks to my
daughter.
ARTIST:
Yoshizumi Masuo/Akugyouza
WEB:
akugyouza.deviantart.com
ART:
Go Baby Go
Vector artwork based on Garbages
frontwoman, Shirley Manson.
ARTIST:
Tasha/Tasha25
WEB:
www.mycutelobster.co.uk
ART:
Things Ill never say
Personally, I feel this is one of my
best vectors. It was a challenge to
me, as it was the first time Id
changed the original colours of the
photograph. I used simpler shapes
to create a realistic look, that you
could still tell was vector.
The t-shirt was done with no
reference, which was another
challenge for me! This was a real
experiment of a new style to me,
and there are things I like to
improve on, but I think the result
turned out well.
ARTIST:
Vicky
WEB:
vickyyy.deviantart.com
ART:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
This is my favourite vector I have
made. It shows how much I have
improved with line art. And its not
bad to look at either.
ARTIST:
Mackenzie/Kilxover
ARTIST:
Sasha/Softspirit
WEB:
www.vexels.net/users/54
kilxover.deviantart.com
WEB:
www.vexels.net/users/3700
softspirit118.deviantart.com
ART:
Polina Kouklina
I just liked the way the image
flowed from one side to the other.
Also, frankly I thought it wouldnt
be too challenging and relatively
quick because I only had to do one
eye (closed even so) and lips
profiles have always been easier
than the full ones. Ive always
sucked at lips, which is the main
reason I admired the late, so to
speak Shaz, she was amazing at
lips. The hair wasnt very hard to
make. It was another reason
I chose this picture was because
I loved the braids. To sound even
lamer, I actually was quite lazy
with the hair. Seriously, this was
one of my laziest pieces Ive ever
done and Im astonished that so
many people actually liked it
compared to some of my others
that Im much more proud of. The
entire piece except for the hair
was vector. I did the hair in
photoshop since its so much
quicker to use stroke path. Overall,
its not really my favorite piece just
because I know I didnt spend as
much time on it like I have others.
It seems a little rushed to me.
ART:
CREEP/Gerard Way
This piece is my first 100% vector
work, created fully in Illustrator
CS2. The subject is Gerard Way of
My Chemical Romance. He was the
perfect subject for my first
Illustrator piece as I was able to
maintain an interest throughout
the process of creating the vector
and not give up learning Illustrator.
Plus, listening to their
accompanying music helped and
inspired. I used line art combined
with solid shading and gradients.
The background clouds were
freehanded reference-less,
achieved with very low opacities.
Delno
by Lillemor
portfolio: www.vexels.net/users/129
artwork suggested by Matthijs
White Queen
by Jussta
IN THE
SPOTLIGHT
Weve all had those days, weeks, and months when it seems like every vexel we make is justbleah.
And sometimes, after we open our program, we cant even be bothered to make that rst click. Here are
10 tips that should help you get inspired, and push you in the right direction towards beating your block.
01: TAKE A BREAK
NEVER try to force yourself to vexel something. If it isnt working out,
it just isnt working out. Unless you have an obligation to finish it,
chances are you just wont be pleased with the results, and this
might prevent you from vexelling in future. Taking a short break
might help to clear your head and get you focused and inspired
again.
02: GO ON AN IMAGE HUNT
Sometimes the right picture can break a vexel block. It may inspire
you to try a new style or to go in a different direction. Be careful
when picking pictures though; dont pick something you KNOW you
wont be able to handle. My personal favourite image sites are
www.usemycomputer.com
www.vexelvogue.co.nr and
www.herfamedgoodlooks.com
If you do decide to do a Google
image search, try typing in
names of models,
photographers and
magazines to find
easily vexellable
pictures.
Words like editorial and vogue also give good results. Unless
you are good with small images, it is helpful to set the image
results tab to large.
03: LOOK AROUND YOU
Vexelling something you have never tried before is a great way
to break the block. You could vexel a chair, a table or even food.
If you see anything that screams Vexel me! just try it.
04: LISTEN TO MUSIC
This is another great way to get inspired, and for me it is the most
helpful way. Your favourite song could just turn out to be the perfect
theme for your next vexel! Take a few lyrics and try to interpret
them with a vexel, or go with the mood of the song itself. You could
also look for an image on the artist/group you love to listen to.
05: WATCH SOME TV
Anytime you see an actor/actress you think is very vexellable,
jot their name down and later on, do an image search. Vexelling
screen caps is another possibility. The same applies for reading
magazines; the editorials and ads can help you to stumble along
a very photogenic subject.
06: LOOK THROUGH YOUR FAVOURITES
Is there a style, colour or person that seems to be reappearing
constantly? If there is, you are probably drawn to it for a reason;
try incorporating it into one of your vexels and you might be
pleasantly surprised.
07: TRY A NEW VEXELLING METHOD
Try a method of vexelling you have never attempted. Using lineart,
trying out base layers, using only two colours to vexel, using a new
program, etc.
08: SKETCHES
Try vexelling a sketch you have done. Or if you dont sketch,
try doing a reference-free vexel.
09: BE CONFIDENT
Thinking Gosh, this vexel is SUCH crap isnt helping. Think positive
thoughts, and try to find out how to improve what you have, rather
than tear it down. Also, dont ever compare yourself to anyone. It is
not about whether or not the nose on your vexel has more layers
than his. Vexelling is not a competition, so dont feel pressured to
get 142526 favourites and 13364367 comments. If you are happy
with it, thats enough! Appreciation is nice but its not everything.
10: VEXEL!
And finally, the most important tip of all. Open your program and
get going as soon as you get inspired. Dont wait, just do it!
If these dont work, take a few days (or weeks) off and try again.
Remember, it is virtually impossible to force inspiration.
by Katy Orr
Vexelling eyes can be hard but also a lot of fun. Every eye is different so each experience will vary.
Hopefully these tips will help you along.
Eyelashes are thin, they are not thick. They should usually
be illustrated one at a time. It is time consuming,
but gives a better look. Take your time with this, it will
pay off. They sweep upward and will appear smaller
toward the part of the eye closer to the nose, and will
appear longer toward the outer corner of the eye.
While there are red veins in the whites of our eyes, these
are usually not vexelled. This is because when zoomed out
and the vexel is viewed at a normal size, it can make
the whites of the eyes seem pink.
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FEATURED TUTORIALS
Hair Tutorial by Jussta Useful and very well Illustrated jussta.deviantart.com
Vexelling Hair by Jules Step by step Photoshop tutorial jules1983.deviantart.com
Creating a Vector-Illustrated Eye by Echo Very clear tutorial echoia.com
Want your tutorial featured here? Send an email with your url and your tutorial might be published in the next issue of VVM!
vvm@lil-online.nl
vexel + vector specialty magazine no 2