Shirt.Woot

gregjxh wrote:Hi, still pretty new here. Is this the appropriate thread for posting WIPs for pre-derby critique, or is that someplace else?

This is definitely the place!

DianaSprinkle wrote:Not a huge fan of white, creme, or lemon.

... mmmm ... lemon meringue pie with whipped cream...

officeink wrote:While I don't follow those artists watercolor style that you listed. I do love the work of several present day watercolor artists who do fantasy/surreal watercolor designs which I have experience with.

Will surreal/fantasy elements or designs be acceptable for this derby or do we need to stick strictly to nature elements such as:plants,botanical type flora, and people? Can a moderator,staff member,or some one from management please advise?

Also, Is hard line or outlines acceptable in this derby or no? Because some water color artists use hard lines even in black while others have no discernible lines present in their work?


Thank You,
OfficeInk

I won't wait to see if staff answered - aside from pop culture and text designs, do what you will! I'd love to see what you have to contribute. As for the lines, I'm no expert but, as long as you're talking like a fine brush (like in sumi e) and not pencil or pen, you should be just fine.

Jussslic wrote:Hey guys, been a long time since I've tried a derby, but this is a cool theme and I've been wanting to learn how to do digital watercolors.

So, a long time ago edgarrmcherly submitted this design, and I thought it was pretty frickin awesome but unfortunately it didn't print.

I sorta associate edgar with watercolors, because he was always able to pull off the style really well. I thought it would be kinda cool for Old Man Winter to have an Old Man Summer companion.

I came up with this sketch and I'm thinking about working it through, but I want to see what people think about "remixing" another artist's idea like this.

I admire edgar's work, but I don't want to take it any further if you guys think it's too close to the original to pursue (Or edgar, if you're around and want to chime in)

Here's my sketch. Sorry the picture is sorta sketchy, I don't have a scanner so the pic is from my phone : )

From this sketch, I'm going to say that your WIP is clearly 'inspired by' but not a copy of anything Edgar has done. Your lines, for example, are far heavier. I'd cautiously advise to go ahead, since most artists would be pleased to have inspired another artist. Just make it clear in your first comment on the sub that you were inspired by Edgar to answer his design with one of your own. And good luck!

Leahbh wrote:the way people complain about designs on white and creme shirts, i bet woot won't sell many of the winning designs.

That's the challenge!

gregjxh wrote:Here's my WIP, saw Schiele's style and thought it'd look cool in a cyberpunk type piece...

Anyway, I'm looking for any kind of critique from layout (should I add an eement to balance?) to colors and if you think it looks enough like a watercolor.

Thanks.

Nice take on Schiele! I do think you need some context. It doesn't have to be anything concrete, a distant menacing shadow to the left... Or, think of some 'enemy' your cyberpunk chick could be facing. Nice start!

zaydabarros wrote:That's the challenge!

Frankly, I can envision lovely multicolor designs on lemon, sepia on creme, shades of black and gray on white.... They all work. Yes, I'll admit I don't wear my white Woots all that often, but that doesn't mean I don't like the way the designs look on the shirt. I buy them anyway, just to have them.

j5 wrote:Because it's like "I voted for that last time, it is familiar to me, so I'll vote for the same thing again"

endangeredomega wrote:Or else it's "Hell, this looks like every other generic bit of pablum at [insert department store of choice]. It's so overwhelmingly bland and inoffensive and ubiquitous, it must be cool!"

Could be, yeah.

Honestly, I probably shouldn't be the one to complain, though, what with the number of Wences' food shirts I vote for (and purchase).

Narfcake wrote:Could be, yeah.

Honestly, I probably shouldn't be the one to complain, though, what with the number of Wences' food shirts I vote for (and purchase).

^ Lol! Yeah, this!

Did I not suggest just this in my last post? Way to rip off the idea...though it was a suggestion...and I'm thrilled...so I guess all is good eh...?

I cannot wait to see the designs that come out of this - not to mention finally having a shirt that isn't blue or black. I finally swore off any more of those color shirts no matter how amazing the design.

Not to mention - I cannot stand yet another penguin, rabbit, or turtle. Thanks for banning them for this derby!

This should be difficult yet stunning given the rules. Good luck to all and I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow.

This is going to be interesting.

I would have been pretty happy with just a ban of black, slate, and silver tee colours because they're so commonly used... I guess woot has a lot of white and yellow tees left over?

Yay, on the gray ban! I have a surfeit of gray tees. I plead with artists to try another color, even though I see the big advantages to using those colors. But DAMN! I have WAY too many gray tees and, no matter the art on them, they start to blend. Still not a big fan of the AA white for its transparency, but I'm glad to see the color restriction. Not just because I want a different color tee, but watercolor will be best on light shades, no question. And it's refreshing, no?

Riverwych wrote:Not to mention - I cannot stand yet another penguin, rabbit, or turtle. Thanks for banning them for this derby!

I don't think they said "No turbunguins."

Hrrrrrrrrrrrrm......this could be a really good derby...or a really bad one. I like the idea, I'm just not sure how "watercolor" is going to translate on a shirt. And only lemon, white, and creme? Why, Woot, why? I presume you have a ton of them sitting around, since nobody buys shirts in those colors? :P I have to echo what DianaSprinkle said - it's not necessarily the colors, it's the fact that AA makes the shirts in these colors 99.99999% see through. Ah, well. If I see a design that I just absolutely have to have, I will, of course, buy it. We shall see!

calebmitchell wrote:Hrrrrrrrrrrrrm......this could be a really good derby...or a really bad one. I like the idea, I'm just not sure how "watercolor" is going to translate on a shirt. And only lemon, white, and creme? Why, Woot, why? I presume you have a ton of them sitting around, since nobody buys shirts in those colors? :P I have to echo what DianaSprinkle said - it's not necessarily the colors, it's the fact that AA makes the shirts in these colors 99.99999% see through. Ah, well. If I see a design that I just absolutely have to have, I will, of course, buy it. We shall see!

Watercolor is, almost by definition, transparent to a degree. Not that a semi-trans design wouldn't work on, say, silver, but... I still like the tee color choices. I think they make the best canvases.

While we wait for WIPs....
Still would like to see some sumi e inspired designs, but maybe out of the box. Sumi e is traditionally graduated shades of black controlled by the artist's choice of brush, dilution, pressure... But we all see sumi e with bright color pops of salmon, carmine, peach, reds, etc.
I challenge you all to think outside, and render a brilliant design in graduations of teal on lemon, sepia or rusty reds on creme, ultra violet or deep blue on white. I know this is a tall order for tee-oriented halftoned designs. Surprise me!

I started this a long time ago -


I don't have the hi-res file anymore so I'm wondering if anyone thinks it'd be worth it to rework/recover it? my girly feather designs never really did well here...

Is anyone going at this with Inkscape and/or GIMP? If so care to share any suggestions?

paigeg wrote:Nice take on Schiele! I do think you need some context. It doesn't have to be anything concrete, a distant menacing shadow to the left... Or, think of some 'enemy' your cyberpunk chick could be facing. Nice start!

How about a menacing cutie, like a squirrel or bunnie (seriously)?

And doesn't this illo/water color answer officeink's question about lines? I wondered the same..

this is what I was able to whip up for the derby.
I hope people like it.

What do you guys think?

That's pretty fly! No pun intended ^_^;

Does water marbling count as watercolor? Sorry if that's a stupid question...

Thanks Bas!
Here is another version. I think I like it better.

Radscoolian wrote:Thanks Bas!
Here is another version. I think I like it better.

I think the sun would look better without the watercolour drips. Other than that, I like it!

4khaos wrote:I think the sun would look better without the watercolour drips. Other than that, I like it!

Hmm. I was trying to reinforce that the image is a watercolor. I'll sleep on it.
Thanks for the advice!

Radscoolian wrote:Thanks Bas!
Here is another version. I think I like it better.

Super gorgeous. I like it on white or cream, really. It's a wonderful image, great use of the watercolor style!

This will be so awesome. I've been trying to think of some pithy remark or way to encapsulate how excited I am to see what gets created for this derby. I hope I am privileged enough to see some more pictures of prederby work posted up prior to tomorrow.

It may seem silly to get pumped, but as some one who has followed the derbies for a while, it's interesting to have a derby topic that gets people talking about the process itself. (Not that the other pre-derby threads were dull, just that it's a neat change of pace.)

Radscoolian wrote:Thanks Bas!
Here is another version. I think I like it better.

I think I like the blues in the second version better. The drips in the sun are nice - wouldn't make sense for drips to be everywhere else except there. I would vote for (and wear) either version.

How odd is it that just tonight on Fiverr someone was requesting a "watercolor illustration" for fashion wear?

Radscoolian wrote:Thanks Bas!
Here is another version. I think I like it better.

I'm likeing this version a bit more than the other. The darker blue seems to work better on the creme shirt.

Thanks Bas, sombrillo and bluejester!

I think I sleep now.

midgerock wrote:this is what I was able to whip up for the derby.
I hope people like it.

I like this a lot. It's got a very cool, laid back vibe.

It looks more like dusk to me, but I think that works better than the brightness that I'd associate with dawn.

Thanks for the earlier feedback, was hoping to get a little more critique before posting. Does this seem more balanced? Any more suggestions also welcome.

Thanks again.

I would definitely buy this. Maybe 3 times.

xazothia wrote:I started this a long time ago -


I don't have the hi-res file anymore so I'm wondering if anyone thinks it'd be worth it to rework/recover it? my girly feather designs never really did well here...

While the derby seems pretty cool. The shirt colors just do not seem that good and as such I do not see these shirts doing very well.

I hope a white shirt places in this derby so I can buy it. Radscoolian that means you because I love your design.

I can't do this one because I'm going to a snow-sculpting competition all weekend...o well.

Yes,definitely this one.

gregjxh wrote:Thanks for the earlier feedback, was hoping to get a little more critique before posting. Does this seem more balanced? Any more suggestions also welcome.

Thanks again.

Yes, definitely. Nicely done. Watch your placement - from this mock-up it looks a little large on the shirt, outside the print area. Check it on the template before you sub this afternoon.

midgerock wrote:this is what I was able to whip up for the derby.
I hope people like it.

This is on cream, right? PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE be on cream!