Fantasy image of an Orc Champion, created using a combined 3D to 2D workflow utilizing polygonal modeling, 3D sculpting, 2D digital painting and a little 2D photo-bashing. With a rough idea in mind prior to beginning work, we dove right in creating a sketch signature prop design for the piece: The four-blade combined axe and mace. After having arrived at a satisfactory concept sketch, we proceed to make model of weapon. The 3D model of the prop was brought into a 3D sculpting program, in which a character mesh was created, costumed, and posed. This model was then exported from
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Category: Illustration
Surface Scavenger
The above image was created using two concepts previously created related to a Mars colonization based IP we’ve been developing. Already in possession of a basic structural design for the character and vehicle (below) made constructing a more detailed image far easier. We were free to focus on the ‘how’ without needing to worry to much about the ‘what’, so to speak. For those who have followed our blog may remember the ‘Scavenger’ concept as part of a character and costume study we created several months ago. First, a rough line sketch was created to establish the character’s pose. Several
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Concept Art: Terraforming Mars
Digital paintings of Martian terraforming in progress. This world is in a middle stage of terraforming. Over the millenia, the once thin martian atmosphere has grown, and the planet has warmed. The carbon dioxide and dust and metal laden atmosphere has started a small greenhouse effect, and in the summer months, the mid-latitudes reach above freezing. Whatever idealism propelled the first settlers has long been forgot by most Martian people.
Illustration: The Eye of Horus
Cover Illustration and Title-Text Mock-up for “The Princess & Thief: The Tears of Hathor,” a Young Adult Fantasy Novel set in the Middle East during the early 16th Century. Previous black and white renders were borrowed to rapidly attempt a visualization. Several other concepts have been tested up to a rough color mock-up. The mystery created by the enigmatic symbol ultimately driving design direction toward this composition. The final render utilizes a combination of 3D render, photographic montage (‘photo-bashing’), and painted strokes. The square composition was chosen to enable excess crop and bleed in layout process. Expected target format is
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The Floating Castle
Concept development sketch for ‘The Floating Castle.’ An alien portal opens a door to a realm of insanity.
Illustration: The Tears of Hathor
‘The Tears of Hathor’ – Princess and Thief, Young Adult Fantasy Novel Illustration.
Illustration: Gift of Scarves
‘Gift of Scarves’ – Princess and Thief, Young Adult Fantasy Novel Illustration.
Illustration: This is too easy…
‘This is too easy…’ – Princess and Thief, Young Adult Fantasy Novel Illustration.
Illustration: Li Looked at the Young Man
‘Li Looked at the Young Man’ – Princess and Thief, Young Adult Fantasy Novel Illustration.
Illustration: Swing And Balcony
‘Swing And Balcony’ – Princess And Thief, Young Adult Fantasy Novel Illustration.
Illustration: The Hardening Began
‘The Hardening Began’ – Princess And Thief, Young Adult Fantasy Novel Illustration.
Illustration: A Secret Map
‘A Secret Map’ – Princess and Thief, Young Adult Fantasy Novel Illustration.
Illustration: Alright Mouse
‘Alright Mouse’ – Princess and Thief, Young Adult Fantasy Novel Illustration.
Character Development – Workflow
This is a step-by-step walk-through of how the above images above were created. Both use a very similar workflow, which is outlined for each below. These images were rendered using Adobe Photoshop. Part 1: Dwarf First quick line concepts were created for the character. In this case we were looking for a dwarf. These sketches are designed as an iterative process – during which different ideas are explored, either by varying upon a theme or attempting alternate conceptual directions. Then, a group of sketches are selected for continued development. In this case, nearly all the sketches were chosen for the
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