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

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

- 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