Environment KeyShots

Thought I'd share some establishing environment key shots I worked on a a while ago. The approach taken here is to get the main idea down using line work of the idea in mind, then layering over with some basic values in black and white.

Development Sketches

Development is what I'm all about! Sometimes it's not always to do with creating pretty picture's conveying an idea. More information is obtaining by showing development sketches and research of the particular concept (different view angles, colour samples, reference images) that sort of thing.

Diving into the world of your vision and dissecting it, essentially gives it more substance as it would show you really understand the makeup of your image. Normally you would do this process before you start on an image or piece of art, most professionals do ..unless you have had years of practice (its part of the production pipeline I believe as well). But it is possible to do this when you have half an image/idea completed! as shown below.

Benefits of exacting things, allows to change the makeup of your image, stage it differently perhaps. Never know what the future may hold lets say you'd like to construct your concept into 3D for example plans are there ready to go.

These are only some of my rough samples below I started with years ago, have so much more to show! All accompanying reference images are from google.

Photo-Bashing

Not entirely sure where or when this terms came about but essentially 'photo bashing' is manipulating photos/picture/images of your choice into your own artwork and painting over. Its used by professionals to quickly generate ideas, add detail which in turn speeds up proficiency in your artwork. Doing complex detailing can become very time consuming so its a very useful technique.

When starting out this technique wasn't was used much from my knowledge and we are going back a few years now.. but as times change and the creative community grows larger a lot more people have added this into their workflow including myself.

The beauty of this is not only can you structure the specific look, pattern, effect. You can arrive with a different outcome that was never planned so in essence a 'happy accident'. Works out for me quite a bit!

Note: If you are looking to try this technique start by finding vivid images photos of whatever you like. Insert over your artwork change layer blending mode to 'Overlay' or 'Multiply'. Its a good starting point and fun exercise.

First ever Photo-Bashing attempts. 

Rough Stuff

A few more rough ideas I kept hold of more playful an loose. :)

Sources of Inspiration

When it comes to creating art its important to remain consistently inspired allowing you to generate new fresh innovative ideas. In this post I just want to share some sources of inspiration I personally use (entertainment industry design specific) in the form of popular YouTube channels listed below. They consist of an array of industry talent working individuals a heap of knowledge techniques critics and tutorials.

From time to time I take a sit a back from being creative and watch these guys, sometimes let them play in the background whilst working. Its taught me a hell of a lot, boosted my knowledge of the industries out there.

If you haven't yet visited these channels I highly recommend following you'll learn tons. A big shout out to these guys and their channels, all the content they share is free so they are using their own time to give back to us guys learning, would also like to add a massive THANK YOU for the valuable information provided.

Follow them!


FZD School
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbdyjrrJAjDIACjCsjAGFAA

Ross Draws
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLEVrhumRsK67JkP3G4w5cQ

Art Cafe
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyGGrJ-wQlvcWujLKHzB42w

Level Up
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOzPkdDPBOrEKyUrRSCZv0A

Scott Robertson
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrJhSmz4zo9t-Z2GdHECW7A

Turning Point

Now, a lot of the works displayed on my blog have been mainly unfinished items. After spending hours and hours of my own time improving, I really started to get somewhere. Here are the concept illustrations which really show the turning point in my artwork as a whole. Bringing in colours combining composition and storytelling, things started coming together.

Instead of producing draft after draft I began selecting one idea and taking it to the next level.

Theme: Mystical Cave.

Theme: CgHub Character creation challenge (Flying Lizard)

This particular illustration was of significance to me as it was the last image I had shared on ChHub before the website was taken down :( sad times. Felt a great sense of achievement with this image I have taken this into into Maya and put my 3D knowledge to use.

Black and White Values

If you haven't already noticed a lot of my artwork consist of black and white values, this is how I prefer to work and create studies. Sometimes taking out unnecessary color help create a more clearer vision of what you are trying to depict or portray in your concept. Adding colour tends to cloud an idea in my own opinion so I like to add colour later.

Some may prefer the opposite and start with colour as its a way to quickly create mood atmosphere and so on. This is just my way which I have integrated into my own personal workflow.

All Enviroment themed below.