For Computer Arts Practice, hence forth dubbed CAP, we have been given a wide selection of briefs to choose from in semester 1, so that we can each individually focus on which area of expertise we'd like to traverse down.
I myself have gone down the concept art route and thus picked the following brief as it appeals to me due to being character based and I find the referenced artists work pleasing:
Game: Character design for ‘Death Dealer project’
The game
based on the unnamed project ‘The Death Dealer' is also being developed. Your
task is to develop 2 professional quality character re-design concepts
(complete with model sheets and accessory break-downs).The developers have
stated they feel the existing work on the series, while influential, is a bit
‘out of date’ for reaching the wide audience they desire and have requested you
to explore a style that is more universally appealing. They want you to
re-design these characters with 2008’s ‘Prince Of Persia’ in mind as well as
Frazetta’s style.
These are some examples of Frank Frazetta's work for the Death Dealer project:
The brief also mentions that the Prince of Persia 2008 game has to be used as reference. I really like the style of the game, with it's hard black edge and almost vector graphic appearance, it seems a hybrid between cartoon and reality.
Project Aim
My aim for this project is to produce 2 high quality character concepts based on Frank Frazetta's 'Death Dealer' character and the style of the 2008 'Prince of Persia' game. Through this project, I seek to improve my character designing skills, as well as my digital painting skills. I feel this will be helped by being restricted somewhat in the character I am aiming to design, along with utilizing a style that I have never used in my art. I find both the character reference and the style reference to be very pleasing to the eye and so I feel that I will be able to play to my strengths in this project whilst developing my already existing skills. I shall need to research into the 'wide audience' that the brief speaks of and see what is popular today and thereby in which way the Death Dealer character should develop.
Other in class tasks:
During class times, we were given a number of techincal tasks which we were then to evaluate ourselves on later.
Our first task was set up somewhere on campus with a sketchbook and draw part of the building in perspective.
I felt I really struggled with this task and I just didn't know where to start. I find perspective to be a really confusing aspect of creating art and feel that I just can't seem to get my mind around the concept. I also find environments, and in particular architecture, to be a real challenge, as it is not something that flows easily from my pencil, unlike characters or creatures. Even when instructed on the idea of perspective, as I was in school, I never really understood it and got it wrong often even with clear rules and guidelines. It's something I know is a weakness but am unsure as to how to deal with it, as it just perplexes me completely.
The next task was a bit of still life drawing which I hadn't encountered in a long long time.
I found this to be quite a difficult task, especially the disco ball in the middle of the piece. I had no idea what to do about the disco ball and spent a lot of time just looking at it, considering how I would go about the complex pattern and light. I found myself just getting frustrated at the seeming impossibility of the task and as such failed to complete it. I still have no idea how to go about such a thing, so I just have to hope that no disco balls crop up in my future as an artist!
We were then set the task of 'live' drawing, not to be confused with 'life' drawing. The aim of this task was to quickly sketch people on the go, something which I find quite enjoyable.
I find these quick 30 secondish sketches helpful in that they prevent being too precious about the piece. it's all about suggestion and character. I feel I did reasonably well in this task and think that it is something I shall continue to do, as it is quick, easy and builds up observational skills that are important when drawing characters.
There have also been additional life drawing classes this semester, though they are incerdibly popular, so I have not been able to attend every week, so as to allow others the chance to go, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the times I have been there so far. I enjoy how the evening is set out with a few 5 minute poses and a number of 20 minute poses. I feel this maximises productivity, without spending ages over a single piece that I would otherwise be getting bored with and constantly tinkering with.
I was pleasantly surprised with how well I took to returning to life drawing as I had not done it in a considerable time and expected my skills to have plummeted. I find the relaxed atmosphere of the class helps a lot and lets me focus on my own work, rather than worrying it's not 'up to par.' I will continue to post up the work as it goes on.
More life drawing:
More life drawing:
Other in class tasks:
During class times, we were given a number of techincal tasks which we were then to evaluate ourselves on later.
Our first task was set up somewhere on campus with a sketchbook and draw part of the building in perspective.
I felt I really struggled with this task and I just didn't know where to start. I find perspective to be a really confusing aspect of creating art and feel that I just can't seem to get my mind around the concept. I also find environments, and in particular architecture, to be a real challenge, as it is not something that flows easily from my pencil, unlike characters or creatures. Even when instructed on the idea of perspective, as I was in school, I never really understood it and got it wrong often even with clear rules and guidelines. It's something I know is a weakness but am unsure as to how to deal with it, as it just perplexes me completely.
The next task was a bit of still life drawing which I hadn't encountered in a long long time.
I found this to be quite a difficult task, especially the disco ball in the middle of the piece. I had no idea what to do about the disco ball and spent a lot of time just looking at it, considering how I would go about the complex pattern and light. I found myself just getting frustrated at the seeming impossibility of the task and as such failed to complete it. I still have no idea how to go about such a thing, so I just have to hope that no disco balls crop up in my future as an artist!
We were then set the task of 'live' drawing, not to be confused with 'life' drawing. The aim of this task was to quickly sketch people on the go, something which I find quite enjoyable.
I find these quick 30 secondish sketches helpful in that they prevent being too precious about the piece. it's all about suggestion and character. I feel I did reasonably well in this task and think that it is something I shall continue to do, as it is quick, easy and builds up observational skills that are important when drawing characters.
There have also been additional life drawing classes this semester, though they are incerdibly popular, so I have not been able to attend every week, so as to allow others the chance to go, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the times I have been there so far. I enjoy how the evening is set out with a few 5 minute poses and a number of 20 minute poses. I feel this maximises productivity, without spending ages over a single piece that I would otherwise be getting bored with and constantly tinkering with.
I was pleasantly surprised with how well I took to returning to life drawing as I had not done it in a considerable time and expected my skills to have plummeted. I find the relaxed atmosphere of the class helps a lot and lets me focus on my own work, rather than worrying it's not 'up to par.' I will continue to post up the work as it goes on.
More life drawing:
More life drawing:
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