In this skills workshop, we discussed the difference between masks and shapes and created self-portraits in After Effects. Since a large portion of the main task involved exploring and experimenting with the pen tool, we started out with a quick challenge to refresh our skills on it; The Bezier Game. This refers to a fun website that lets you practise using the pen tool by filling in the outlines of different shapes, each with varying levels of complexity that require you to use the tool in different ways. I used this website a lot during my early days in College, as it was an enjoyable way to improve – the ‘score’ element at the end gave it a competitive aspect which made me attempt it again and again to improve my result.
I had fun coming back to this game and using the pen tool so avidly after such a long time. At this point, it is like second nature, but The Bezier Game always makes me realize that I don’t fully have a grasp on all that this tool can do. I use the pen efficiently to draw shapes but always edit them afterwards. On this website, you have no choice but to use the handles, which isn’t too difficult using ‘alt’ and following the instructions, but it can be hard to nail down the direction and length that each handle should be, according to the desired line. Because I had to keep going back and re-doing the point in order to change the handles, it took me a long time to do each shape, and I couldn’t finish the entire game as a starter.
What is the Pen Tool?
My Definition: A tool that allows you to draw custom shapes, lines and masks, through the use of mathematical points and curves. The paths and shapes can be duplicated and manipulated to create complex selections, which makes it incredibly useful for creating vector graphics.
Official Definition (Google): The Pen tool is probably the most powerful tool in Adobe. It allows the artist to create shapes with freeform curves, and with time and skill, most curves found in the “real world” can be duplicated using the Pen tool. It does not draw wherever you drag, like the Paintbrush or Pencil tools.
Masks vs Shapes
Shapes are basic elements that make up the fundamentals of most designs. There can be both simple and complex shapes, the latter often being created by manipulating a preset or using the pen tool for even more specific designs. Presets include the default shape, a rectangle, with the other choices being a rounded rectangle, ellipse, polygon and star. A mask, on the other hand, is used to hide a part of a layer. Layer masking is a reversible way to do so, which gives you more editing flexibility than if you were to permanently erase or delete the part. It is useful for making image composites, cutting out objects for use in other documents, and limiting edits to part of a layer.
Creating a Self-Portrait
Now that we had recapped some important aspects required for designing graphic illustrations in Adobe, we moved on to the main task of the lesson, which was creating a self-portrait in After Effects. We used this program in particular because we would be animating our work later on, which made me really excited to get onto the task!
Using a blank composition in After Effects (1920 x 1080, 25fps) and an image of myself or reference, I got to work using the pen tool, creating basic shapes to build up a portrait of myself. We were told to ensure each shape was on a separate layer, and also to use masks for details such as earrings and glasses.
I began with the main parts, such as the face and hair. I didn’t add any colour or yet because I wanted to focus on getting the shapes accurate to how I envisioned them. Following the reference, I wasn’t aiming for absolute accuracy since the portrait would be in a more cartoony style, however, I did want to be realistic and make it look like me. Because of this, I paid a lot of attention to the shape of the face and later on, my facial features as well. It was definitely much easier to use the pen tool that I am familiar with, in After Effects. Being able to move the handles of the points at any time as long as the line was selected meant that I could make tweaks as I went along, and not worry about picture perfection with the first attempt.
As I added more details and slowly built up the portraits, I was faced with certain on-the-spot decisions and obstacles. For instance, I could have spent much longer on the hand, giving it the necessary curves and creating a clear outline for each finger, but that would take far too much time and would also force me to add the same level of detail to the face since it would look out of place on its own. Since I had already decided on a simple style thanks to the basic shapes, I also simplified the hand for consistency, ensuring that you can still clearly tell what it is. I also struggled slightly with the spot that four of the elements overlap (the head, hair, bandana headband and ear). It didn’t seem to look right no matter how I positioned each of the parts. In the end, I decided that it was because of the stroke and lack of colour, not the placement, so I left any adjustments till after I had changed the shapes’ appearance.
After adding flat colours, this is what the first draft looked like. It wasn’t especially bad, but I didn’t like the gap underneath the ear and the fact that I couldn’t make the mouth or jawline how I wanted. My face shape is rather particular, I don’t have a sharp jawline, but somewhat of a square one. However I tried to recreate this, it just ended up making my face look too big. I also felt that my eyebrows were too sharp, and I looked too serious, mostly because I couldn’t get the mouth to be upturned, despite moving the corner upwards at various intervals throughout the process. Other small details include the overlapping lines at the bottom of my ponytail and the random sharp edges throughout my hair, which I couldn’t get rid of even after moving the handles of the points. In general, this portrait lacks life and looks dull and bland. I knew that there was a lot more I could do.
I got to work adding smaller details. This included things like extra hair strands and highlights to the eyes. I also did a lot of small-scale tweaking to ensure that the shapes looked natural. As I went along, I renamed each layer so that I could keep track of where I was up to and what I was working on. I also pre-comped certain layers, such as the hand and arm. This not only helps with organisation, but would also be useful later down the line when animating, since moving each individual part would take too long, and look bizarre considering they are attached to one another.
I had to be careful with the number of details I added. At this stage, you can really go overboard, and overload the portrait with accessories, hair, trinkets, highlights and shadows, and more. This is why I thought carefully about how many extra elements I was adding to each aspect, and how this looked in comparison to everything else. For example, I added a dark edge to the top line of my shirt, where the neck starts, since this is how it was in the picture and also looked nice highlighting that area, which was otherwise quite plain. What was also in the picture, was a little image and some text on my shirt, which I chose not to add, even though there was space for it. This is because, I felt that it would take too much of the attention away from my face, and draw the eyes to the shirt. I wanted the details to purely enhance, not overtake.
Above is how my portrait looks after adding details and tinkering with some of the shapes! I made my eyebrows softer and repositioned them, along with my mouth, which I also made smilier. Of course, I also fixed my jawline, which was bugging me from the very start. It may be less realistic to the picture, but it looks more appealing this way. The extra elements are the watch, flower, hair strands, t-shirt line (not a shadow) and eye details. I think adding the pupils and highlights to the eyes are what makes this portrait so much more lively, but the other new features also make it more pleasant and interesting. I’m glad that I didn’t add any pattern work to the bandana or shirt. I reminded myself to keep it simple and minimal since it is more effective as a self-portrait and also easier on the eye. Lastly, I also took care in balancing the colours, even if that meant changing certain things to make them fit better with the image (my watch is actually rose gold but I changed the hues to balance with the flower) and coincidentally enough, these are all my favourite colours. I think the overall style and aesthetic really reflects me, and I’m really happy with how it turned out.
