[kevin-]

cool updates, but where are the enviros! :b

[richartworks]

JoseVega - thanks
kevin - haha mate! here you go, this update is especially for you! <3


Happy koninginnedag ;D Here's some new stuff -



I took an environment from my previous thumbs and fleshed it out -



I downloaded google sketchup (free!) as a basis for scene set up, takes only 10mins to learn the basics. It's really fast, user friendly and easy to get used to, my only issue with it is navigation can sometimes be a pain compared to other 3d tools like Maya. I also found out whilst working with it you can import architectural models/props from a library of tens of thousands as you can see with the 2 textured Tudor houses below. Which is really really cool! You can also assign textures that come with the program and scale them to your liking such as roof tiles or floor tiles, oh and you don't have to make any UV's (heaven!). But maybe my favourite thing about it is the realistic day/night lighting and shadows simulator. You just move a slider and you can experiment with a range of lighting conditions instantaneously, oh yea and also play around with distance fog. This is a fantastic tool for conceptual artists, by level whiteboxing and paintovers. You don't have to worry about perspective and this can all be done very quickly. I downloaded sketchup and learned how to use it whilst creating the scene below in around 2 hours, which is crazy fast for not knowing anything about it. It has many advantages over drawing the perspective lines yourself with all the in-built experimentation. I recommend doing thumbs before so you have an idea of composition, and yea you shouldn't forego learning the fundamentals. This is just a tool, and I'm looking forward to what other people can create with it. I know for example Kemp Remillard and a few other concept artists use it for props and vehicle creation because of the things mentioned above.

[Amaakir]

You killed me with that last enviro you finished from the previous thumbs...I love your work so much, man, keep up the great work!

[MrBrown]

AWesome google sketchup/paint over pic and the other updates are great to

[richartworks]

Amaakir - please don't die! haha! Heres some more
MrBrown - Thanks mate, I fought with that piece a lot but it was worth it in the end, learnt so much.

2 more fleshed out enviros for today from previous thumbs -

Palette of this one inspired by OYO -

[kevin-]

:O dood yes! these enviros are sick man!
btw thanks for dedicating that last update to me lol

[richartworks]

kevin - haha thanks mate, and no problem

Some new enviro thumbs, not sure which ones to choose to flesh out -





and wip for a comp on cghub -

[JoseVega]

hey man great environments!!!!
I like the last two personally...
and looking good on the image for the challenge!
keep sharing! keep it up!

[kevin-]

dood awesome update!

[Amaakir]

Finish them alll! D: Awesome Enviros! Its not just the technique, but the creativity behind them, the whole concept is fun and just awesome, keep it up, man! (And please do flesh them all out XD)

[C0nker3]

woa nice sketchbook! I love that bat one you did a few weeks back, with the dude riding its back. Its awesome. And I love your environments too. Your lighting in post #65, mwuah. really nice.

[MrBrown]

Dude just awesomeness

[richartworks]

JoseVega - cheers mate! As long as I'm not dead I'll keep sharing ;D
kevin - haha sometimes you should also crit me eh, I need an ass whooping!
Amaakir - cheers mate, some of the themes are quite genetic but I do try and make them cool, I'm trying to push the mystery element in them the most. Something that you want to explore and draws you in. I'll be doing some props and level design/guideline things soon...lots to do -_-'
C0nker3 - haha thanks mate! That's one of the pieces I'm going to go back and polish up!
MrBrown - thanks mate! But I got a way's to go yet!

Fleshed out 2 more enviros from the last thumbs, I don't like how they turned out tho... was mostly experimenting with palette. Will come back to them later -

I tried to throw in as many hues as possible to see what I could get away with, and tried using a subtle lighting and a strong focal point (depending on your screen gamma some details will be lost), but its not so successful -



This one is waaay too garish and in your face, too much going on. Need to focus on simplicity more with interesting lighting/texture guiding the eye to the focal point, will flesh out another thumb and do a study with it -



On top of enviro concepts and experiments, I've started going back to a few older graduation characters to bring them up to my current level. This is to maintain a consistent quality, so the examiners don't grade me on my weakest piece. Motivating to see the improvement too!

[kevin-]

haha well all you have been giving me to crit is these awesome enviros :b but if i did have to say something i would suggest you work on your faces, your character design is nice but her face comes off a little strange to me? other than that keep it up!

[richartworks]

kevin- thanks mate! Here is a bit more

Been busy writing, so haven’t updated in a bit. Anyways here’s some new stuff

New Amsterdam, Blade Runner inspired. The canals have long dried out leaving huge tunnels of flying cars, I couldn’t help but make flying car sounds whilst painting this -



Re-worked an older painting, thinking about how to layer interesting tree shapes and roots to give the appearance of faces and living things, would make for a cool optical illusion game enviro -



I’ve recently been experimenting a lot with Autodesk Sketchbook. It completely slows down my process and forces me to think about core shapes, I’m really learning a lot from using it -




Redrew another old one, a Bane inspired werewolf thingy bob -