In this final episode of the Concept Art tutorial series we add the finishing touches to our creature concept. We will paint the last bit of polish and detail and also create a simple background and make our concept presentable. We take the concept to the final stage so it can be handed off to production or as a marketing illustration. Narrated by the artist.
In part 5 of the Concept Art Tutorial series, we add texture. Using a combination of photographs, photo manipulation, and Photoshop blending modes we seamlessly add texture to our creature design. This technique will quickly add a nice layer of texture, detail and color variation. Narrated by the artist.
A few years ago, I asked several Artists and teachers about an effective way to self-study. They all suggested doing tonal composition studies from old masters. Tonal Composition study is basically an exercise that develops observation skills. It teaches you how to observe, simplify and distil a complex image into big, simple shapes and 2-3 values.
Simplify, group and then simplfy some more is the lesson here. Below is an example of tonal composition studies I did from November 2011 to January 2012. These were drawn in my toned paper sketchbook, about 1-2 inches in size. See image below for complete materials list.
Taking the advice of several teachers I admired, I decided to paint little studies from old masters. Since watercolor is quick to set-up , it makes a perfect painting sketch/study medium that can easily fit into a busy, working schedule.
Artists like Anders Zorn, Sargent, Edgar Payne and N.C. Wyeth were the artists I looked to at the time. This represents early January 2012 to mid February, 2012. Each image took approximately 20-40 minutes to complete, watercolor on Moleskine.
These past 2 years I’ve been working intently and almost exclusively on foundation skills: ie. traditional drawing and painting. Part of that traditional training is regular studies of the old masters.
I recently got the privilege to see master sculptor Auguste Rodin’s work at the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco, CA. Since I have way more traditional drawings and paintings then digital/commercial work I’d like to start regularly posting sketchbook pages and other foundational studies.
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