[kovah]

Concept Art Challenge

Deadline: 2nd of July at 12 noon GMT,
9th July Extension
16th July Extension 2





Concept art Challenge:

We are going to pitch you a concept in the following paragraph, we want you to take it and create us a snapshot into the world. It can be potential characters, animals, landscapes, buildings perhaps even their religion. We want from you ONE 'pretty' image and a sheet of at least 3 thumbnails/sketches/idea's of how you got to your 'pretty' concept. This is a Drawing Jam to test your idea process, the first few ideas are likely to be the ones that you are most comfortable with, not the ones that will push you and make our concept into a great movie or game. It is unlikely that an art director will want your first concept and so this is good practice, really push yourselves here guys.

"To the south is an impenetrable desert, a few tribes of peaceful nomads scratch a living in the sand driving their four horned cattle constantly to new pasture and praying for the short relief of the rainy season. When the rains fail for the 3rd year they are forced north to the war torn but fertile river basin where 3 separate kingdoms battle for control over the rich land and the river that flows from the extinct volcano that dominates the landscape, the nomads are not welcome in this green land for the wise ones predict they will bring an end to the war, to the ruin of all the current kingdoms.

Kingdom Arran: This kingdom is the northern most of the three and thus their clothes include furs and padded material to keep out the cold of winter which can be bitter. The eat mostly fish from the large lakes which freeze in the cold necessitating the use of sledges and animals that can survive on meagre rations. They also keep small bird type creatures that give off both light and heat. They pray to a god that requires ritual sacrifices.

Kingdom Branae: Sitting to the North West this kingdom escapes the worst of the bitter weather that freezes its neighbour but the climate is very wet and rainy most of the year round. The rain that falls here supplies the river basin with an almost constant supply. These people have clothes, structures and animals that can survive a boggy, misty terrain. They recognise no god but believe in spirits and as such have a great many talismans, amulets and trinkets that adorn almost all of their possessions and clothes.

Kingdom Cerris: To the East this Kingdom backs onto the Ocean and as such they are very nautical in their themes, a superstitious lot they carry a great deal of lucky charms relating to the sea. They farm huge crab like creatures in shallow pools on the edge of the sea and have several strongholds on off shore islands which can be retreated to in times of war. "

Using the above paragraph as a base, we want you to design something from that world, we want concepts perhaps of landscapes or people, fashions or transport. Whatever takes your fancy. Imagine you were presenting your concepts to an at director so you show them several smaller sketches and thumbnails and then an idea you have taken further and made into something 'pretty'

As such you should be aiming to end up with ONE pretty piece of work and ONE sheet with concepts or sketches on it to show your progression.

Please please please don't do your pretty piece first and work backwards on the concepts, apart from being obvious it doesn't help you improve




More information::

Concept art


If you are new to these challenges please check out the FAQ
Reference Image guidelines

[Nickscottart]

I think this is going to be an awesome jam, such a cool idea!

[MrBrown]

Here's some thumbnails/sketches/idea's and I will do some more soon

[Canaan]

That's an awesome start MrBrown

I got sketches which are pretty rough,



I think I may take to drawing in an sketchbook for brain storming ideas,

[MrBrown]

@Canaan thanks bro

Some thumbnails/idea's
Don't know witch one to choose :/

[Amaakir]

Canaan and Mistah Brown, impressive start, both of you, I love how detailed everything is on Canaans sketches, I really start getting a sense of some storytelling going on which is awesome.
Browns concepts are just awesome, I love the idea of using alien beings instead of humans, I love the shapes you're experimenting with, I can't wait to see which one you go with!
Great work, guys!

[Chiemi]

I'm not sure if I was able to insert my image right....
anyways, this is my very first sketch. I'll probably do few more sketches.

[Canaan]

Thank you for the feedback Amaakir

haven't really committed to anything yet, still throwing out some more ideas

[Alex_A]

great start everyone! I might get in on the action if I have time looks like a good challenge

[radeaton]

=> Mr Brown
It seems you are going for a reptilian vibe for both the nomad and the cattle.
I like both the nomad and the cattle design in #1 actually I think the cattle design in #1 is the best. I also like the nomad designs in #'s 2,3 and 5. Maybe some sort of combination of those four nomad designs or just go with #1 cause it's a solid concept in my opinion.

[SevnthFloorArt]

Here are a couple thumbs I did trying to feel out the style of the peaceful tribe. Might try some designs for the other folk and see what I like best but not sure. Comments and crits are definitely appreciated.

[kovah]

I have updated the description to give more insight on the kingdoms and their themes, Have fun!

[mayanew]

Amazing work so far.
I have done a few sketches and a paint over of the rino in zbrush.
I see my scene of the nomads and cattle on their way to the oasis.

[kovah]

mayanew: Good start there, but I wouldn't rush into your 'pretty' image just yet. Try some different body shapes for your cattle and nomad. Try it with 6 legs. It might resemble a rhino or a gazelle. What is its skin like - fur or scales. Does it have hooves or camel like pads. Just take a pen and scribble some shapes you will b surprised what you come up with. Brynn here on CGHub is awesome at that kinda stuff -



You can use it for the nomads too Many professionals can come up with pages and pages of little sketches before they even think of doing a turn around like you have there. Have a try doing a page or two and then pick a couple to take further, you might be surprised what you come up with

[Lotsaluvin]

OMG here comes kovah! now everyone has to step up their game as far as the creature designs go! :P

@Canaan – Love the guy pulling the beastie, shows the attitude of the animal and its kinda fun. Also like the 2 playing the boardgame.

@MrBrown – I really like your #6. I like to sketch to kind of get ideas from these jams (not good enough to participate yet ><)and I had an idea with large nomads and small, fat cattle.