Two versions of an architectural rendering

These are 2 versions of a sample rendering that I did as part of a bid. I based the first version on high key, compressed value scale renderings provided as reference. It began looking too flat to me, so I added additional darks. The second version is closer to my concept of an architectural rendering and the lines were hidden to provide another option. The line drawing was done using the perspective ruler in Manga Studio EX and then colored in Photoshop, using some customized oval brushes that I labeled "UFO"s for brevity, although "almond"s would have been more accurate. 

Wacom 6D stylus experiments

Finally able to simulate painting in Photoshop CS4. This 6D stylus is amazing (succeeded by the Intuos4 Art Pen).

 

Simulating dry media with the felt nib.

An "Oddjob" candidate for central casting

(-bonus skill: leaving cafe..he turned out to drive a limo too..)

Testing the barrel rotation feature of my Wacom 6D stylus in Photoshop CS4 to do this color version of the on-site Bic sketch. I was unable to get the 6D to behave as advertised until recently and can now simulate analog chisel tips, without the compromise of angled presets. It's disappointing though that the 'painting cursor' doesn't rotate in sync with the stylus.

And here a more painterly interpretation using the Oil Brush and Palette Knife in ArtRage 2.5. Without support for barrel rotation input (which I first thought AR had), I'm glad the default brush behavior is 'direction'. AR's great opaque results raises my curiousity about the watercolors feature in the new version.