I started work today on the back of the archway shops. I wanted to give them a very grungy alley feel in contrast to the fronts which will be nice and well kept. Here's what I came up with...
While the graffiti is a true work of art, It seems to lack the seemingly random element of multiple artists. It's now in a straight line at the bottom, but it should branche out more in my opinion. What I'm also missing is the many small tags which are often sprayed by aspiring graffiti artists. In other words, while it is a beautiful piece, I think it is a bit too clean to represent a grungy alley.
Well, the biggest offender is the poster in the middle. Most artists would see it as an excellent board for some jokes or even part of another work of art. A poster like that probably wouldn't go unsoiled after even a single night in such an alley. Also, some random smaller tags and pieces do not have to connect to a bigger whole and give a more random look.
I'm thinking I'll replace the poster in the middle with something more mundane (I'm thinking some kind of hygine product or a shampoo) I'll add some tears to the poster to show some layers underneath. Then I'll continue the graffiti over the top of the poster frame so you get the full image. I'll try adding some more tags, I also think some club posters/band nights would help give it that alley feel. Of course once I add the other details, like bin bags, litter, dust bins etc it'll have a bigger alley feel. I'm glad you confirmed my own fears about it, gives me the impetus to go back to it and make it better.
Oh dear Lord, that is jaw droopingly good! I like the idea of random tags to help break it up and look more 'real', but not sure I'd have the courage to do it!
I just came across your blog looking for terrain ideas for the Batman Miniature Game and the MUMG/DCUMG and your stuff is awesome. I currently have some KoD buildings and would love to add some graffiti like you have here just no idea how. You said you printed them any chance you could elaborate a little on how you get it on the scenery price and make it look so natural?
Hi Nog, thanks for the compliments. So for this piece I found a great piece of graffiti art online. It needed to have been photographed "straight on" otherwise the perspective would have been skewed and it also needed to be high enough quality. Then I used some Photoshop trickery to add a brick texture underneath the graffiti that was the right size to match my bricks, this gives the illusion that the graffiti is painted on the model. As for attaching the printing I just used PVA glue, making sure that the paper was pretty wet with it so it would conform to the contours of the piece (cutting only if it was necessary.) Finally I added a blended edge simply by painting roughly around the printed piece as well as on top of it so you couldn't see where the printed edge ended. Hopefully that makes sense. Chris
While the graffiti is a true work of art, It seems to lack the seemingly random element of multiple artists.
ReplyDeleteIt's now in a straight line at the bottom, but it should branche out more in my opinion. What I'm also missing is the many small tags which are often sprayed by aspiring graffiti artists.
In other words, while it is a beautiful piece, I think it is a bit too clean to represent a grungy alley.
I agree with you, I'm a little worried about making it too cluttered. I'm also wondering how I make it connect to the next one.
DeleteWell, the biggest offender is the poster in the middle. Most artists would see it as an excellent board for some jokes or even part of another work of art. A poster like that probably wouldn't go unsoiled after even a single night in such an alley.
DeleteAlso, some random smaller tags and pieces do not have to connect to a bigger whole and give a more random look.
I'm thinking I'll replace the poster in the middle with something more mundane (I'm thinking some kind of hygine product or a shampoo) I'll add some tears to the poster to show some layers underneath. Then I'll continue the graffiti over the top of the poster frame so you get the full image. I'll try adding some more tags, I also think some club posters/band nights would help give it that alley feel. Of course once I add the other details, like bin bags, litter, dust bins etc it'll have a bigger alley feel. I'm glad you confirmed my own fears about it, gives me the impetus to go back to it and make it better.
DeleteSounds good, these changes will most likely create the right feeling.
DeleteGlad to help 😉.
Oh dear Lord, that is jaw droopingly good! I like the idea of random tags to help break it up and look more 'real', but not sure I'd have the courage to do it!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit Michael I didn't paint the graffiti, it's printed and then I've blended the edges (cos there's no way I'm that good!)
DeletePaint a red 'v' on the stormtrooper. Maybe 'they live' in big black letters on wall.
ReplyDeleteAwesome work Chris, awesome indeed! :)
ReplyDeleteI just came across your blog looking for terrain ideas for the Batman Miniature Game and the MUMG/DCUMG and your stuff is awesome. I currently have some KoD buildings and would love to add some graffiti like you have here just no idea how. You said you printed them any chance you could elaborate a little on how you get it on the scenery price and make it look so natural?
ReplyDeleteHi Nog, thanks for the compliments. So for this piece I found a great piece of graffiti art online. It needed to have been photographed "straight on" otherwise the perspective would have been skewed and it also needed to be high enough quality. Then I used some Photoshop trickery to add a brick texture underneath the graffiti that was the right size to match my bricks, this gives the illusion that the graffiti is painted on the model. As for attaching the printing I just used PVA glue, making sure that the paper was pretty wet with it so it would conform to the contours of the piece (cutting only if it was necessary.) Finally I added a blended edge simply by painting roughly around the printed piece as well as on top of it so you couldn't see where the printed edge ended. Hopefully that makes sense. Chris
DeleteThanks. Sounds like it might be outside of my skill set but thanks.
Delete