This site is aimed at showcasing my personal artwork and sharing my Photoshop knowledge, digital painting and design techniques with aspiring graphic artists and designers.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their support, kind emails and donations. When I started this site, I expected no more than 20 people to visit and threw it together in Frontpage with some makeshift graphics. I have been overwhelmed with the response, however, and find it very flattering to see my work linked over various forums, blogs and sites, and being "digged" on Digg.com. The positive responses and publicity are more appreciated than you probably realise.
I took a break from graphics for around 4 years, but have recently return to activity and intend to update this site frequently with my work. Time permitting, more tutorials will follow throughout 2008 and I hope to accompany my future artwork with working stages and brief commentary.
Welcome to Devotion Graphics
Dedicated to high quality Photoshop tutorials and the artwork of Daniel "Wade" Hammonds
Dedicated to high quality Photoshop tutorials and the artwork of Daniel "Wade" Hammonds
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why am I being redirected to this Blueyonder site?
A. Don't worry. This website is actually hosted by Blueyonder and the url www.devotion-graphics.com is set up to redirect you here. The Blueyonder site has been linked all over Internet sites, blogs and forums so I decided to keep the original links in tact.
Q. How long have you been creating computer graphics?
A. Since I bought my Amiga in 1990. I began doodling in Deluxe Paint 2, before discovering the art known as ‘pixelling’ a few years later. It was around 1994 when I started taking graphics seriously and producing work for the demo-scene. I started using AGA colour palettes from around 1996 until August 2001 when I first started painting in Photoshop.
Q. What is this demo-scene you refer to and what's "Wade" all about?
A. The demoscene is an underground society of creative computer users who assume handles and team together in groups to make multimedia presentations and alike. For a more detailed explanation try this link: http://mlab.uiah.fi/~eye/demos or go check some demos for yourself at www.pouet.net or on Youtube.
Q. What programs do you use?
A. I currently favour Adobe Photoshop CS2, though I'm currently experimenting with other software. My older Amiga work, however, was pixelled using Deluxe Paint 4, Personal Paint and Brilliance.
Q. What's 'pixelling'?
A. Pixelling is a technique used by 8bit/16bit graphic artists and basically involves painting with pixels or building a huge mosaic. To get an idea of what this entails, try using MS Paint. I would not recommend it to anybody who values their sanity!
Q. What is behind the name "Me and Louie's Sister"?
A. This is the name of my most popular digital painting and the step by step tutorial is online at this very site. It was released at Breakpoint 2003, taking first place in the Freestyle Graphics competition. Intended as a parody of and a tribute to the picture Me and My Little Sister by one of my favourite graphic artists, Louie/The Black Lotus.su
Q. What graphic tablet/equipment do you use?
A. At this time, I have never used a graphics tablet. All my artwork has been produced using a standard 3 button mouse and my tutorials are created so that anybody can follow along without expensive equipment. I will look into buying a tablet soon, however. (edit: I've just bought a Graphire 4!)
Q. Do you use a scanner or photographic material in making your graphics?
A. When it comes to pure digital painting, NO! I take pride in producing this style of artwork from scratch. I do, however, use a grid to maintain proportion, which is my main weakness as an artist and especially difficult when using a mouse.
As far as other styles of artwork go, such as design work, matte painting and photo-manipulation, then I will use a digital camera when necessary. I have also started integrating 3d models and vector objects into my work, details of which should follow in future tutorials.
Q. My friend saw your Photorealistic Painting tutorial and thinks you used a scanner and backtracked the stages. Is that true?
A. I get this a lot, and take it as a compliment, but you will see that a lot of the demonstration examples don't match the original finished picture as they are RE-painted. This proves that everything you see in the final picture can be re-painted in different ways, with detail in different places using these techniques. If I was relying on a scanned photo this would not be possible.
If you follow my tutorials and learn the techniques I teach, then there is nothing to stop you from producing similar or even better results. I have seen some amazing work from people who have followed my "Me and Louie's Sister" tutorial.
Q. Why is the Beginner tutorial not as good as your other work?
A. Because this tutorial is aimed at beginners and is designed to be simple. The techniques are also exaggerated for demonstration purposes so the picture lacks the subtlety of my other work. It may surprise you, however, that my Dark Mistress painting uses many of the same techniques demonstrated here.
Q. Where can I find more of your graphics?
A. Check the graphics gallery on this site. You can see many of my old Amiga graphics, pure digital paintings and other work. I also have a gallery on Deviant Art if you feel like looking me up.
Q. Can I use your tutorial in my magazine/book/college class/other?
A. Drop me a mail and I will let you know. People have used my Photorealistic tutorial in magazine articles and have even used it as a lesson plan for a graphic design class. I'm flattered to see it useful. Usually, all I ask is that you remember to credit me and provide a link to this website.
Q. How did you design this web site?
A. It was easier than you might think. I just adapted and combined various techniques, all of which are covered throughout my Tricks of the Trade DVD.
Q. What is Tricks of the Trade?
A. Tricks of the Trade is my new Photoshop training DVD based on handy tricks and techniques for getting quick results. I have given away a lot of quality advice in this DVD and have been receiving some very positive responses, many from people who have already turned a profit. For more information, see the Tricks of the Trade FAQ.
Q. Are you interested in working for my project or any freelance work?
A. Drop me a mail and let me know what you need. I will require an advance payment before starting any project, however.
Q. Why didn't you reply to my email?
A. I am sorry. When I set up this site I expected only a handful of people to visit, but have been overwhelmed with the responses. I do appreciate all the emails you have sent me and the nice comments you have made. Please understand it is difficult for me to offer personal coaching or critiquing. Also bear in mind that my email address receives a lot of spam mail so emails with attachments may be deleted.
Q. How can I contact you?
A. If you wish to contact me, you can write to: devotion-graphics@blueyonder.co.uk and I will try to help. Please understand that my time is restricted and it may not be possible to give detailed responses.
A. Don't worry. This website is actually hosted by Blueyonder and the url www.devotion-graphics.com is set up to redirect you here. The Blueyonder site has been linked all over Internet sites, blogs and forums so I decided to keep the original links in tact.
Q. How long have you been creating computer graphics?
A. Since I bought my Amiga in 1990. I began doodling in Deluxe Paint 2, before discovering the art known as ‘pixelling’ a few years later. It was around 1994 when I started taking graphics seriously and producing work for the demo-scene. I started using AGA colour palettes from around 1996 until August 2001 when I first started painting in Photoshop.
Q. What is this demo-scene you refer to and what's "Wade" all about?
A. The demoscene is an underground society of creative computer users who assume handles and team together in groups to make multimedia presentations and alike. For a more detailed explanation try this link: http://mlab.uiah.fi/~eye/demos or go check some demos for yourself at www.pouet.net or on Youtube.
Q. What programs do you use?
A. I currently favour Adobe Photoshop CS2, though I'm currently experimenting with other software. My older Amiga work, however, was pixelled using Deluxe Paint 4, Personal Paint and Brilliance.
Q. What's 'pixelling'?
A. Pixelling is a technique used by 8bit/16bit graphic artists and basically involves painting with pixels or building a huge mosaic. To get an idea of what this entails, try using MS Paint. I would not recommend it to anybody who values their sanity!
Q. What is behind the name "Me and Louie's Sister"?
A. This is the name of my most popular digital painting and the step by step tutorial is online at this very site. It was released at Breakpoint 2003, taking first place in the Freestyle Graphics competition. Intended as a parody of and a tribute to the picture Me and My Little Sister by one of my favourite graphic artists, Louie/The Black Lotus.su
Q. What graphic tablet/equipment do you use?
A. At this time, I have never used a graphics tablet. All my artwork has been produced using a standard 3 button mouse and my tutorials are created so that anybody can follow along without expensive equipment. I will look into buying a tablet soon, however. (edit: I've just bought a Graphire 4!)
Q. Do you use a scanner or photographic material in making your graphics?
A. When it comes to pure digital painting, NO! I take pride in producing this style of artwork from scratch. I do, however, use a grid to maintain proportion, which is my main weakness as an artist and especially difficult when using a mouse.
As far as other styles of artwork go, such as design work, matte painting and photo-manipulation, then I will use a digital camera when necessary. I have also started integrating 3d models and vector objects into my work, details of which should follow in future tutorials.
Q. My friend saw your Photorealistic Painting tutorial and thinks you used a scanner and backtracked the stages. Is that true?
A. I get this a lot, and take it as a compliment, but you will see that a lot of the demonstration examples don't match the original finished picture as they are RE-painted. This proves that everything you see in the final picture can be re-painted in different ways, with detail in different places using these techniques. If I was relying on a scanned photo this would not be possible.
If you follow my tutorials and learn the techniques I teach, then there is nothing to stop you from producing similar or even better results. I have seen some amazing work from people who have followed my "Me and Louie's Sister" tutorial.
Q. Why is the Beginner tutorial not as good as your other work?
A. Because this tutorial is aimed at beginners and is designed to be simple. The techniques are also exaggerated for demonstration purposes so the picture lacks the subtlety of my other work. It may surprise you, however, that my Dark Mistress painting uses many of the same techniques demonstrated here.
Q. Where can I find more of your graphics?
A. Check the graphics gallery on this site. You can see many of my old Amiga graphics, pure digital paintings and other work. I also have a gallery on Deviant Art if you feel like looking me up.
Q. Can I use your tutorial in my magazine/book/college class/other?
A. Drop me a mail and I will let you know. People have used my Photorealistic tutorial in magazine articles and have even used it as a lesson plan for a graphic design class. I'm flattered to see it useful. Usually, all I ask is that you remember to credit me and provide a link to this website.
Q. How did you design this web site?
A. It was easier than you might think. I just adapted and combined various techniques, all of which are covered throughout my Tricks of the Trade DVD.
Q. What is Tricks of the Trade?
A. Tricks of the Trade is my new Photoshop training DVD based on handy tricks and techniques for getting quick results. I have given away a lot of quality advice in this DVD and have been receiving some very positive responses, many from people who have already turned a profit. For more information, see the Tricks of the Trade FAQ.
Q. Are you interested in working for my project or any freelance work?
A. Drop me a mail and let me know what you need. I will require an advance payment before starting any project, however.
Q. Why didn't you reply to my email?
A. I am sorry. When I set up this site I expected only a handful of people to visit, but have been overwhelmed with the responses. I do appreciate all the emails you have sent me and the nice comments you have made. Please understand it is difficult for me to offer personal coaching or critiquing. Also bear in mind that my email address receives a lot of spam mail so emails with attachments may be deleted.
Q. How can I contact you?
A. If you wish to contact me, you can write to: devotion-graphics@blueyonder.co.uk and I will try to help. Please understand that my time is restricted and it may not be possible to give detailed responses.
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