Introduction to BA1b

This week we were given our new tasks for BA1b. It will be good to get back into another project.

These include:

1.Asset Creation
2.Games industry roles and practises
3.Induction to game studies

Asset creation is our first project which we will learn how to 3D model using a 3D programme called 'Maya'. This will run into the new year.

Study focuses:

1. primitives/modelling
2. UV mapping/texturing
3. Adv. modelling/ materials
4. Baking
5. Application

I am looking forward to learning 3D modelling as I have not done much 3D before using Maya, only 3Ds Max.

Games industry roles and practises and induction to game studies will come at a later date.

My final Evaluation: BA1a Concept Art

During this concept art project I think overall I have completed a good amount of work. I believe I have a fair few designs that lead to my final pieces within each task, them being task 1 (Insect) task 2 (Timepiece) and final task 3, (character). At the start of this project, that is insect project, I think this was the project that I enjoyed the most, it was different, I have not much in the past produced something like a hybrid insect before, it was exciting and new. Saying that I think the insect project was the task that I did not produce as many ideas for. I tend to jump straight in to one design if that is what I like. When I look back at this I would of branched out and done different type of designs for a insect instead of having one idea that I wanted to do. A beetle form is what my final design was. I will in the future do a lot more designs into different shapes and forms. Overall for the insect project I am happy with the final design and believe that some stronger drawings were produced in this project than the other two tasks.

When it came to the timepiece project I did struggle trying to form an idea I did a few silhouettes and nothing stood out for me, I did more research and continued with more silhouettes, this made me a little behind in the project. In the end I had a idea that I liked and thought I could make many ideas from, in which I did. I had many design ideas for my timepiece project when I felt I was happy with the idea of a staff weapon that can stop time. I wanted to do more than a staff so I decided to do a mage character with the staff, I enjoyed doing this, it gave me a deeper meaning to my idea. The timepiece project was the project that I think I produced the most work. I was surprise that I felt I wanted to keep going with the project, so I added another final piece with the project and that was a photo bashing piece, I had never done a piece of work like that before and thought it would go well with my staff design, I created a first person piece, it worked well for a first attempt.

A struggle that I did have throughout this concept project is the lack of knowledge that I had of Photoshop, I have only ever used it as a photo editing tool in college before, I will continue to try and learn Photoshop as I know it is used in the games industry and I would really like to improve using this programme. My time keeping and motivation during this project has been well kept. During the timepiece project I did have a little problem with inspiration but as soon as I had a idea I just keep on working with that idea.

The 3rd project that was the character task, I was disappointed in myself with the final piece. I wanted to try and make the character more realistic. I did do experimental work with painting in Photoshop and in painter. My style kept coming through in my work, I will continue to experiment with realistic painting techniques.

Overall I am pleased with the amount of ideas that I have produced. Some stronger than others. I have learnt a lot in this project from painting techniques, learning Photoshop and using silhouettes to create basic shapes for ideas, I had never done that before. This project has made me realise how much work is involved in concept art and how ideas and drawings becoming that character you play in a game, it is exciting.

Week 7 summary

This week I have been really busy with the character project. It took me a little time to come to a final design for my king character, but I am happy with the way the character looks in his design in his  detail of clothing choice, hairstyle and face. Earlier this week I created the model sheet, through this it made me make up my mind on a final design for my character, as I had many designs but nothing was set in stone. After I got the model sheet done I felt more comfortable with the next stages, the character sheet and final piece. Through the character sheet I had a better understanding of what I wanted my character to be like or act as if he was a real person.  I haven't really had many lectures this week (one being cancelled) it gave me time to sit down in my own personal space and just work for hours on my tasks, I feel I get more done in my own environment  sometimes, maybe that is because it is less distracting. I did go to a crit group meeting with other game art students this week it was with students that are in different years and doing other projects. It was good to see how some of the students from the other year groups have improved  in their work, it makes me want to become a better artist.

Final piece, Character project

This is my final piece for the character project. I like the final design of my king character and how he shows his snobby and proud personality through this piece, the pose is a good representation of this, I am happy I went for this pose. I have added a golden cane that the character is holding, I thought this would give it a little bit of a touch as it shows his wealth and power through his processions. The background is dark in colour with a curtain that is draped across, I did not want to go for to much detail for the background as I wanted the character to stand out the most. The dark colours represent his penurious nature. I am disappointed in this piece, I don't think it is as strong as I wanted it to be. I did try to make the style of the piece in a  realistic approach, that being similar to a real classic portrait painting. I guess because I already have a style that I am comfortable working with ,it has made it harder to branch out and try different forms, this is a habit I would like to break  so I can be more confident in trying new ways of creating art styles.  I suppose I worried a little that I would be too long on this piece and not finish in time. Overall I am glad that I gave it ago and will continue my efforts throughout this course to do better in learning new techniques.

King Pose, Image reference

While doing image research of king portraits and poses to get some inspiration I came across this image. I really like mannerism in this painting, I think this is the image that I will benefit from using as my characters pose.

Images
 www.geheugenvannederland.nl , (1856), William III (1817-1890), King of the Netherlands [ONLINE]. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_King_Willem_III_of_the_Netherlands,_Nicolaas_Pieneman_%281856%29.jpg [Accessed 06 November 15].

Character sheet, King

This is my character sheet for my chosen character the king. I wanted to do the character in different poses that show his personality. I wanted to give my character a personality that is snobby, lazy, selfish, proud and rude. I think a few of these actions show this. The actions range from him walking, which he seems to be quite lazy, another is him sitting down, one being him with his legs crossed hand on chin, this action seems that he is a rude if not bored person. There is also a action where he is standing very proud of himself, this show that he is confident or even big headed.

This is a expression sheet, I wanted to do a expression sheet because I wanted my character to have charisma. Here you can get a sense of what the character is like in his nature. In all there are 6 different types of expressions here:

1. Bored/normal face

2.Annoyed

3. Scared (Of the dogs)

4. Angry

5.Snobby/talking

6.Smirking