NDo2 - the great normal map generator and more!

"Hand-paint normals using all of your custom brushes... "
NDo2 is an exciting new feature. Can't wait to give it a shot!

Bringing ZBrush to Life: Advanced Visualization Techniques by Andrew F. Smith

There is a digital sculpting workshop coming soon at Siggraph 2011 in Vancouver and I like the way the textures were broke down specificly for character skin rendering. It's an good example when using with the "fastSkinSSS" MR shader. It seems could be a fun and educational one.
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Bringing ZBrush to Life: Advanced Visualization Techniques

http://www.siggraph.org/s2011/for_attendees/digital-artistry-sessions
SUNDAY, 7 AUGUST 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Cool mechanical design from Kill Zone 3!

http://kotaku.com/5814734/the-towering-mechanical-art-of-killzone-3/gallery/
Found this today and really like its style...
>>It has such amazing weapons, vehicles and technology. They look like they're from the future, sure, but they also look like they work, get dirty and break down, just like they do in the real world, a rarity in video game science fiction design...

Autodesk Project Skyline

Autodesk looks to build the future of game development with Project Skyline, first shown at GDC 2011

HTC Puccini 4G LTE Tablet with HTC Scribe

I really like HTC's attempt to make the painting experience more closer to Wacom level(hopefully). Besides, please realease the SDK to the public, then consumer will have more apps which supporting Scribe to choose from. http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/05/26/htc-puccini-4g-lte-tablet-with-htc-scribe-production-begins-in-june/

Simultaneous Contrast

I have posted too much tech related things recently:). Guess it's time to review some of the most important concepts in color theory. Let's look at Simultaneous Contrast first.

How to pick two colors side by side to make a painting overall balanced while make the main subject stand out? It's a process of intensive decision-making among the effective colors. To achieve the most simultaneous contrast, complementary colors give you it. However it's a wild beast and can easily go out of your control. The more you know color theory and wisely use the color palette will help achieve the more successful results. It works to both traditional and digital art medium. I found the article from COLOR VISION & ART very informative and got lots of examples comparing art in the past(before 1900) and nowadays.
Check it out here-
http://www.webexhibits.org/colorart/contrast.html

Another precise and easy to understand explanation by Richard McKinley :

http://pastelpointersblog.artistsnetwork.com/2007/07/30/WhatDoesSimultaneousContrastMean.aspx

Simultaneous contrast teaches us that everything is affected by its opposite. Something will look lighter when placed next to something dark, and warmer when placed next to something cool, and visa versa...

The middle value strip looks darker or lighter depending on its relationship to the other values.

Open Camera Controller

A very cool project for having "extra" fun with your digital SLR!  : )
Warning: for hardcore DSLR users only!!

http://www.hdrlabs.com/occ/index.html