So here’s the result of my first effort creating a Na’vi version in Photoshop from one of my photos.

My Avatar – By Jason W Stanley

I started by getting a few tips from some video tutorials online and a couple of DeviantArt tutorials I found and then trying to learn how to adapt a style that would suit me. Using multiple layers and the burn/dodge tool I was able to create a colour I was happy with and start with the finer details. The skin texture is actually leather and I drew the rest of the patterns directly onto the face. At this stage I hadn’t gotten the hang of the Na’vi nose so I kinda smudged it around a bit.

Once I became confident that I could get the colours and the overall look right I needed more ‘subjects’ to experiment on:

These three were a lot more fun to work on as I’d already I’d established a quick and easy method to transform each person. This meant I could now focus on adding the ‘little’ touches and details or trying to create a Na’vi from a different perspective rather than just a profile shot. I used various animal textures such as a Zebra, Tiger or an average tomcat to give me striped effects on both the skin and the hair. The third image here (Avatar Jess) was the most enjoyable to do as I found the better the quality of image (also black and white) created a decent canvas for me to work on.

Inspiration

The film wasn’t the only source of inspiration what with the web (Flickr in particular) springing up hundreds of Na’vi Photoshop manipulations. So in keeping with the apparent Avatar addiction I have, I thought I’d share a few of the other Na’vi manipulations I managed to find while looking for inspiration and tips online.

Ich als Na’vi, tags – by Dorothee Rieß

avatar – by Yana =)

Sophia Na’vi caffeineandpixels

My Avatar – By nevnarien

Conan and Andy Avatar – By the_keiser

AVATAR… – By Fahadi

Avatar – By Junior Codi

angelina-AVATAR – comparacion – By benjja1

My na’vi avatar – By elenaledesma

Transforming Into a Na’vi – By Gerass

Avatarified! – By Brady~

For Frédéric – By juliempg

AVATAR… – By Fahadi

Myself as an Na’vi (Avatar) – By Danny.Boy_88

A while back I read about James Goodridge, an illustrator who actually designed a poster for the film but was eventually rejected. His style of artwork for film posters is quite iconic and provides a very unique alternate look for the film.

On the left, James Goodridge’s verison and on the right the official Inglourious Basterds poster.

What fascinates me are the different ideas and interpretations artists can get from films and use in their poster designs. Unfortunately to hire many different artists to design the poster of just one film would be a costly project and honestly wouldn’t be that necessary as its the job of the designer to capture exactly what the director/producers want in the first place.

Luckily, Quentin Tarantino, Upper Playground and The Weinstein Company have teamed up to present, The Lost Art of Inglourious Basterds — This creative team has assembled the following select group of accomplished artists, David Choe, Sam Flores, Estevan Oriol, Grotesk, Jeremy Fish, Patrick Martinez, Alex Pardee, Dora Drimalas, Munk One, N8 Van Dyke, Rene Alamanza, Morning Breath and Skinner Davis, to create their own poster art based off their interpretation of the Oscar Nominated film, “Inglourious Basterds” artwork.

The Upper Playground Art Gallery in Los Angeles will be previewing this artwork on February 18th 2010 from 6pm – 9pm as a fundraiser for The American Red Cross to help the victims of the Haiti Earthquake. You can purchase prints of these posters (apparently only six of each will be made) for $300 which will be signed and numbered by Quentin Tarantino.

Few shout outs to /Film, Unreality Magazine and FirstShowing.net for some of the info.

- Jason

It’s been a very clever campaign so far, great soundtracks with a nice sense of freedom and this advert looks to continue that trend.

Also wanted to post a couple of the other Visa adverts from this campaign.

- Jason

Flickr was a site that I’d always heard about, sort of tried but never really used. I’d upload a few ‘test’ pieces, found that it connected well to my social media and mobile devices but really had no great use for it. I then stumbled upon the Thingaweek group.

Thingaweek which is now running into its 34th week (join the fun now!) is inspired by an annual photographic event in Cardiff, UK called the Photomarathon:

A Photomarathon is a photograph competition with a twist: You receive a 12 picture film. Over 12 hours you have to take pictures on 12 given topics. It’s not your physical condition, but your sense of improvisation, fun and creativity that is stressed throughout the Photomarathon.

Thingaweek was created by a few members that took part in the Photomarathon using a similar concept and started a group on Flickr of which there are currently over 140 members. The rules are fairly simple:

One theme. One week. One photo. (Repeat)

There are a few other details that should be followed as in no digital manipulation and a deadline of midnight on a Sunday each week but other than that it’s wherever your imagination can lead you!

What brings this all together for me and what makes Flickr such an ideal platform is the community that has been created and the work that is inspired by that same group of people. The strength comes from the group itself as it boasts photographers of all skills; anyone is invited to join in no matter how much practice you’ve had behind a camera. The task set each week creates a challenge to be creative, it keeps your mind working and in my case breaks me away from my usual work within the design field. The photographs that come through each week are always inspiring, always come with discussion and always vary. A range of ideas and concepts come through that not only inspire but provide the other members with new and exciting ways to look at a particular theme.

My own Thingaweek collection

I feel obliged to get my next shot up for the week and to also see what others have contributed. I enjoy discussing the photographs and always appreciate any feedback that I receive (good or bad) about my work. If you’re the type that strive for awards then Thingaweek also gives out ‘Badges‘ to those photographs that really inspire. Anyone can create a badge and are encouraged to do so to show recognition for a great shot.

A few Thingaweek Badges

It’s an environment that’s built to grow. Foomandoonian (the ring leader as I’d like to dub him) has been at the forefront when it comes to getting Thingaweek running like a well-oiled machine. Twitter enables the group to stay connected instantly while users are invited to contribute ideas for upcoming themes using Flickr’s discussion posts. A tumblelog has also been setup creating a live feed and countdown of all things ‘thingaweek’ and even an arranged meet-up is planned for the near future.

Join in the fun and get you’re next Thingaweek submitted today!

If you’re still a little curious as to what its all about I’ve decided to include some of my favorite shots over the last 30 weeks:

Flipped – By Thiefree

#thingaweek 25 – Word Art – By pjmowbs

Windy Woo – By Kathryn Parker

Gabalfa / A48 – mark.stevenson1983

Park Leaf – By Foomandoonian

Fly big can! Fly! – By Renato Pequito

And one of my shots that I had the most fun trying to figure out without completely embarrassing myself!

A Tragic Discovery- By Jason W Stanley

- Jason

Also if you’re interested all the logos here were found at logopond.

Out of all these logos, which was your favourite? Are there any other animal logos you can think of that you find inspiring? Feel free add your feedback below!

- Jason

Big Head by imaginism

DAREDEVIL fun2 by themico

Dynamo 5 - 21 Page 20 by Cinar

I Smell The Nature Ghost by Themrock

Always Charge, Never Bend by kuroitora

Strange Bat Fellows by kizer180

Get Me to the Church on Time by snapshot80

Eden by zbush

THE EYE by Efra270

Little Bird of Blue by sesfitts

One of the main reasons I do this is to capture what DeviantArt is so good at doing introducing other artists to something they’ve not seen before. I get to see so much work that inspires me everyday and that inspiration can lead to so many other creative ideas.

- Jason

Joe the Faux-Fur Mink by Themrock

Tship-day by Kurunya

Black Baloon by Lora8

Half Minute Horrors by imaginism (one of my personal favourites this week)

Bad Dog by Themrock

beetlebum by nefar007

Venom 17 cvr by Eldelgado (can't resist adding a Spidey picture!)

Orgullosamente Hispano: Zapata by GENZOMAN

swan by dangerousllama

reach me to the sky by Fikrees Projects

Its not the first post I’ve ended with a cat image but this one is just so interesting, a moment in time!

- Jason

So starting this week I’m putting together a Deviant  showcase of 10 images that I’ve found that have inspired me.

Piranha Plant Problems - by Themrock

The Stand by - imaginism

Baby Alien - by imaginism

X-Men Origins: Wolverine - by patrickbrown

Street Fighter Kids - by imaginism

Goukiki - by nefar007

Mother Anarchy - by Lora8

Tree again - by WyA

banaNIKE - by Lora8

Code Red - by kizer180

- Jason

- Jason