Moon Gig Magic: Creating Tangible Characters through Visual Narratives (Astronaut PSD + 6h Video)

Hey guys,

Here's the PSD file and a 6-hour process video for my latest "Moon Gig" illustration.

While working on this piece, the experience was quite intriguing. Unlike my past illustrations where I found inspiration from animals, I struggled to find a proper correlation between astronauts and birds beyond visual elements (colors, shapes). So, I envisioned an astronaut doing something ordinary, like going for a walk. However, with no gravity, it becomes quite interesting. The dogs deliver the message while the astronaut reads a book. I thought it'd be nice to involve her in a goal, like going to Mars, and that's why she's taking this dog-walking gig to earn some extra cash. But, I decided to have her read something more universal and casual (The Little Prince), creating a connection that's not immediately evident.

These brief backstories are crucial because we're constructing a "real" person, and instead of using words, we're creating a composition filled with meaningful information that makes the character tangible and genuine. Assigning a simple meaning to the character and building a small narrative around it provides context, support, and references for visual information.

From a technical standpoint, I added more perspective to her presentation by making her float. The dogs maintain the same perspective as in previous illustrations, but she adds a different layer this time. Although there's a lot of information in astronaut suits, the classic white color/value balances the overall reading of the costume. Since there wasn't much room for color exploration in the outfit, I added more saturation to the shadows and light, using purples and oranges to establish a warm tone. The process video contains valuable insights, but it's in the PSD where you'll find the two filters I created with "Selective Color": the first one to adjust and saturate, and the second to change the tone of the blacks and whites! I rarely touch the blacks, but I wanted to create a sense of calm and coziness.

It's fair to say that I can't fully grasp the complexity of reality, meaning I always have something to learn. So, why not give it a try? I hope you find useful information in this process. I'm currently developing a formula for efficiency while creating these pieces, and if I manage to achieve my goals, I'll be more than happy to share the details with you.

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