Batman
Lines: There are several diagonal lines going through the image, and this creates the overall impression of movement and action.
Shapes: the shapes give off an impression of being man-made, in that they are mostly controlled and square. The shapes of batman are a mash of nature meets technology in boxy versus curved shapes.
Space: Batman is the positive space in the image, his silhouette makes out the foreground. The spaceship is the neutral ground. The flying bats help to indicate the different depths in the image.
Value: The character is dark and sharp in contrast to the diffuse, light background. This helps in placing the different depths as well, where the objects closest are darker and more defined. The character silhouette is further strengthened by the two main light sources, which give off a strong rim light.
Color: the color scale is quite monochrome, dark and sets a serious tone. The light however consist of the complimentary colors of cold blue and warm orange divided on either light source.
Texture: the texture on the character is mostly smooth and even, whereas the background has more rough surfaces reassembling metal, rust and rock.
Battlefield flatline
Lines: The lines are all diagonal and disharmonious, this along with the tilted camera angle gives the image a sense of chaos and motion. Most lines are directed forward towards the middle of the image.
Shapes: everything apart from the characters and clouds is made up of square and pointy shapes. The positive effect of that is that the characters stand out.
Space: The characters and the buildings closest to the camera, along with the helicopter are collectively the positive space in this image.
Value: The foreground is dark and very defined, against the light and smog filled atmosphere that covers the background.
Color: The importance of the large bag of cash and the character carrying it is enhanced by the warm colors that come in contrast to the cold background.
Texture: On the characters the textures are organic, such as skin and textile. The surroundings are however solid and flat, glass and concrete that reflect a lot of light.
Mirrors Edge
Lines: Most lines in this image are vertical and slightly tilted, so there is a certain sensation of vertigo and action to it. The horizon is in the lower half of the image, and that gives the image an additional level of composure to the whole.
Shapes: Square and symmetrical shapes in the background and round, organic shapes on the character.
Space: The right side of the image is a lot more dominant than the left, making the sky the negative space in the image.
Value: The image is overall very high key, with high contrasts.
Color: The color scale of the image is very sterile and futuristic with its white-bluish buildings. On top of this background, the few elements of breaking colors become very charged. In this case the red details on the character give a lot of personality.
Texture: In this image the textures are all very flat and reflective except for the character. It seems that it is a common way to differentiate between main subject and surroundings.
The Witcher
Lines: Here the horizon line lies flat in the middle of the image. The effect of that is that the movement in the image is slowed down, the perspective also gives the characters a lot of weight.
Shapes: The silhouettes of the two characters are each other’s opposites, which builds the whole dynamic of the composition. There’s the slender and polished elf representing society and order, versus the chaotic animated rock creature of the wild.
Space: the two characters are clearly the positive space of the image, clearly defined against the toned down background. The low horizon lends a lot of clear negative space for the characters to stand out from.
Value: The main source of light is the sky glowing from behind the characters, giving off a very defined rim light. Beyond that, the fill light is quite evenly distributed across the image.
Color: The use of colors in this image is very sparse, focusing mostly on warm and cold light-themes for the two opposing sides. My guess is that the cool green light behind the elf represents control and tranquility. Behind the rock-creature however the color is warm and inflamed, representing rage and chaos. There is an overall green-bluish gloom in the surroundings, which Is common for setting a fantasy atmosphere.
Texture: The theme of the textures is the same as with everything else in this image, there are two opposing styles. The elf is textured with “man-made” fabrics and smooth skin, and the monster is textured with raw materials directly from nature.
3Ds max assignment
For this assignment we were given three game titles and a couple of key words, from that we were instructed to create a temp level using 3Ds max. The game I chose was Journey and the key word solitude.
I worked in a pair, but on my own motive.
The elements used for this 3D model are shapes, man-made structures being swallowed by nature. Space was relevant when constructing the silhouette of the hill, I wanted to give the impression of an abandoned ruin, a reminder of those who lived there and that they are no longer there. To strengthen that impression I made the hill bigger and higher so that the proportions of the structures would be small in comparison. When taking the screen shots I tried out different angles where the character would appear most alone and small in the scenery. I think that the first shot above captures those aspects in the best way of the ones I took.
During the discussions the others figured out which words I had been working from right away, so that was a good grade I suppose. I think that I chose a motive that was sort of self-explanatory. Among the work of the others there was one that stood out in particular for me, the key words were uncharted and danger if I remember correctly. They had made a city resting on a floating rock, the thing that was striking was the shape and profile of the city against surrounding nature. It was an example of good use of positive space in a composition.
Nils Wennergren 