As I'm sure we all know, art isn't just about the technology - it's about the technique, and it's about the talent, as well. Most of all, it's about the thought behind the art. And these aren't things that are really unique only to each one of us - they're often the result of shared experience and information; we improve by seeing what others accomplish, and from seeing and reading how they do it. Sometimes, it's not even about the tools and skills - there's not a single artist who hasn't been inspired, who hasn't at some time been without any concept, then something sparked inside us.
That's what this thread is for. It's a place for people to post resource information, to be shared with the rest of the board, not just this forum. If you know of a website that has artistic tutorials, post it here, with a brief description of what to expect (please don't use this as a place to promote your own website, however, unless your site does indeed contain inspirational and/or reference material). If you've seen a magazine or a book that contains art or instruction that you think your fellow artists might find useful, post it here, with enough information that they can find it, in bookstores, at the library, or online. If you know of an artist whose work might be influential on the realm of science fiction and fantasy graphics, point us to an example. It's all about broadening our knowledge and awareness, and igniting that creative spark.
Please keep in mind that this is for more than 3D information - we already have a thread on 3D software that can also be used to post such things as 3D resources and the like. This thread is about the scope of science fiction and fantasy art, a central resource for people looking for - and looking to share - serious information on the art and craft of what we do here, and to offer sources of inspiration that may not be what we normally think of when we look for that special "something" that will drive us to our next great creation. It will be heavily moderated, so it doesn't just become a mess of vague or irrelevant posts, and it's not intended as a discussion thread, though there may be some discussions that expand upon the topics posted. Also, all links must be within the limits allowed by the TrekBBS board rules.
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To start the process, here are some things Ptrope finds inspirational and informative:
Artist/Designer: Syd Mead - the designer behind the look of the movie Blade Runner, as well as the design of "Johnny 5[/i] from Short Circuit (not to mention the inspiration behind the AT-AT walkers in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back!)
Magazine: ImagineFX - Large-format British publication, just hit the market. All devoted to sci-fi and fantasy digital art, with lots of tutorials, along with a CD containing the support files for those tutorials, often with demos of the software used. Numerous galleries of digital artists, working in Photoshop and Painter, along with various 3D programs to create complete paintings and compositions. Ptrope's personal favorite of the crop of excellent British digital art magazines, because it's extremely relevant to what we do here.
Artist/Designer: Harald Belker - designer on the movie Minority Report, as well as a Hot Wheels® designer. Has 2D rendering tutorials (based around automotive concept art, but applicable to any futuristic/sci-fi art), and galleries of some of his film work, including Batman and Robin (the art was much better than the movie!
), Serenity, Minority Report and others.
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So, if there are sci-fi or fantasy artists whose work inspires you, designers/architects/etc. who have influenced how you perceive and create your own art, magazines or magazine articles that caught your eye and tickled your creative bone, and you want everybody to know about them, this is the place!
That's what this thread is for. It's a place for people to post resource information, to be shared with the rest of the board, not just this forum. If you know of a website that has artistic tutorials, post it here, with a brief description of what to expect (please don't use this as a place to promote your own website, however, unless your site does indeed contain inspirational and/or reference material). If you've seen a magazine or a book that contains art or instruction that you think your fellow artists might find useful, post it here, with enough information that they can find it, in bookstores, at the library, or online. If you know of an artist whose work might be influential on the realm of science fiction and fantasy graphics, point us to an example. It's all about broadening our knowledge and awareness, and igniting that creative spark.
Please keep in mind that this is for more than 3D information - we already have a thread on 3D software that can also be used to post such things as 3D resources and the like. This thread is about the scope of science fiction and fantasy art, a central resource for people looking for - and looking to share - serious information on the art and craft of what we do here, and to offer sources of inspiration that may not be what we normally think of when we look for that special "something" that will drive us to our next great creation. It will be heavily moderated, so it doesn't just become a mess of vague or irrelevant posts, and it's not intended as a discussion thread, though there may be some discussions that expand upon the topics posted. Also, all links must be within the limits allowed by the TrekBBS board rules.
---
To start the process, here are some things Ptrope finds inspirational and informative:
Artist/Designer: Syd Mead - the designer behind the look of the movie Blade Runner, as well as the design of "Johnny 5[/i] from Short Circuit (not to mention the inspiration behind the AT-AT walkers in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back!)
Magazine: ImagineFX - Large-format British publication, just hit the market. All devoted to sci-fi and fantasy digital art, with lots of tutorials, along with a CD containing the support files for those tutorials, often with demos of the software used. Numerous galleries of digital artists, working in Photoshop and Painter, along with various 3D programs to create complete paintings and compositions. Ptrope's personal favorite of the crop of excellent British digital art magazines, because it's extremely relevant to what we do here.
Artist/Designer: Harald Belker - designer on the movie Minority Report, as well as a Hot Wheels® designer. Has 2D rendering tutorials (based around automotive concept art, but applicable to any futuristic/sci-fi art), and galleries of some of his film work, including Batman and Robin (the art was much better than the movie!
), Serenity, Minority Report and others.---
So, if there are sci-fi or fantasy artists whose work inspires you, designers/architects/etc. who have influenced how you perceive and create your own art, magazines or magazine articles that caught your eye and tickled your creative bone, and you want everybody to know about them, this is the place!
. I wouldn't guarantee you'll find what you're looking for, but it's a good place to start.
.
