“After The Flood ” digital painting by Valentin Kopetzki • Painted using GrutBrushes Photoshop brushes
Sometimes I see an artist use my tools and I feel like they have some innate connection to them. It’s such a thrill to see my brushes play a part in a brilliant performance by talented hands. This grand and masterfully painted scene by Valentin Kopetzki is one such example and also the latest addition to the GrutBrushes Gallery.
The Spectrum award winning “After the Flood” was painted as an illustration for the H. P. Lovecraft story “The Whisperer in Darkness” and was included in the 26th issue of Spectrum Fantastic Art.
You can see more of Kopetzki’s work on his instagram account where, as well as more landscapes and fantastical scenes you will also find some powerful portrait work
When I see how Martin Guldbaek uses my Oil Impasto Photoshop brushes it is such a thrill. He brings out their sculptural qualities and gives them weight, to create forms that feel almost physical even though they are mostly just broad brush strokes of digital paint, but so perfectly placed, thanks to Martin’s superb understanding of light and volume. Continue reading Martin Guldbaek in the GrutBrushes Gallery
I have neither the skill nor the patience to draw the kind of portraits that Josh McCann does, but what makes them all the more remarkable is that he draws them with the GrutBrushes pencils! The piece above by Josh is the latest addition to the GrutBrushes gallery (Scroll down to see a timelapse video of this piece being created)
“For the most part I only use 4 [pencil] brushes (Mech Mini, Mech Mid, Maybe Sews and limbo lift.) I have saved each of those brushes out with varying levels of opacity and flow. And then I created my own mixer brush for blending. They’re great brushes for drawing!!”
This enchantingly beautiful illustration was lovingly painted in Photoshop by Lisandro Trepeu with the humble assistance of some GrutBrushes. I’m thrilled to add this to the gallery page today where Lisandro’s piece joins a growing list of wonderful work by talented artists and illustrators. You can see more of Lisandro Trepeu’s work on his Behance portfolio page here.
If you have work you created using GrutBrushes that you would like to share in the gallery or even just to show me what you’re working on, please don’t wait, send it to me today!
When I saw what Herman Serrano was creating with my brushes I couldn’t wait to put it in the gallery. Stay tuned because he has graciously agreed to an interview about his truly amazing work. Until then I am delighted to add this piece to the growing gallery of artists using GrutBrushes. You can see more of Herman Serrano’s work here
Mammoth painted by Mike Sobey in Photoshop using GrutBrushes
Artist Mike Sobey painted these fantastic Mammoths in Photoshop using GrutBrushes.
I really love his brash use of the brush textures to bring these majestic creatures back to life, not to mention his amazing grasp of light and colour.
You can see this piece alongside plenty more examples of digital paintings created with GrutBrushes here in the gallery.
One of my big frustrations as an amateur doodler is that I so rarely get to see my brushes used to their full potential. That’s why it is such a thrill for me to see them used by talented professionals. When I do, I promptly beg them to let me show their work in the GrutBrushes Gallery. This week I’m happy to be able to add Salon, a wonderful digital painting by Children’s book illustrator Mary Manning.
Customers often ask me questions about pursuing a career in illustration. I’m neither an illustrator nor do I have any answers, but I’m just as curious, so I ask actual professionals any chance I get. Mary was kind enough to answer my questions and I’m happy to share them with you here.
Nicolai: Do you have a background in traditional media, and if so, do you ever mix traditional and digital painting? Mary: Yes, I used to work in watercolor and finish it off digitally. I liked the look, but have long since abandoned that since it takes too much time, so I now work digitally only.
Nicolai: How did you find your first clients? Mary: From putting my work out there in as many places as I can. But make sure your work is good enough before you do. You’ll be up against a lot of competition and skilled artists who know what’s what, and they can spot an amateur a mile away – and so can everyone else.
The Strangest Thing by Mary Manning
Nicolai: How much creative freedom do you have with client work and How specific is the direction you get? Mary: That varies widely. Every client and/or publisher is different, but be prepared for anything.
Nicolai: How do you stop deadlines from interfering with making great images? Mary: That’s a hard one, but you need to remember that as a professional, you have to do the best you can with whatever time limit or project you have.
Nicolai: What do you do to get ‘un-stuck’ when a project feels uninspiring? Mary: I don’t ever really have that problem. If it’s your own work, then obviously do something else. If it’s client work, and if you find yourself getting frustrated or can’t seem to “fix” a certain design, then step away for 10 min. When you come back you should be able to see the solution. Works for me every time. 😉
The Wild Ride by Mary Manning
Nicolai: Do ever do any drawing or painting exercises and if so, are there any you feel are particularly useful? Mary: I always make sure I’m doing a personal piece on the side no matter what else I’m on. It helps keep me sane when I can do what I want, especially if you’re on a project that you dislike in some way, and believe me, you’ll get plenty of those.
Nicolai: What would your ideal project be? Mary: To be able to design everything the way I want of course 😉
Mary had some nice words to say about GrutBrushes too…
“I’m really happy I found them! I use them a lot in my illustrations, and I love the very cool effects I can get from them!”
Thanks Mary!
You can learn much more about Mary Manning and see more of her work here on her website
Then come back and visit the GrutBrushes Gallery to be inspired by what these amazing artists are doing with GrutBrushes.
“Penelope Isn’t Possible” Painted by Jesse VanWagner using the Impasto Brushes
I’m thrilled to add this portrait by artist Jesse VanWagner to the GrutBrushes Gallery. Jesse used the Stump Trough oil impasto brush from the free Sampler set, among others, to paint this lovely digital painting in Photoshop. To see more of his work, head over to his blog where he frequently shares his work as well as his thoughts That’s where I found this piece and immediately asked Jesse if I could share it in the GrutBrushes Gallery. He also often posts interesting timelapse gifs that show the evolution of his paintings from sketches to finished paintings for those who like to see how it got there. More that just open and talented, he also comes across as a very nice, genuine person. Needless to say I subscribed to stay in touch with his art adventures.
Painted By Keve Kepes, Freelance Artist, Illustrator
I’m delighted to add this new piece by Keve Kepes in the GrutBrushes Gallery today. Thanks very much for sharing this Keve! To see more of Keve’s work visit his Artstation portfolio.
Have some artwork created using GrutBrushes that you’d like to share? Submit your best today (if you don’t want to share it, send it anyway and let me know it’s not to be published, I love to see what you’re making)
