A recent study by the American Guild reported a massive growth in the animation market in the past few years. It is expected to reach $270 billion by 2025.
The demand is associated with the rising trend of animated content across various platforms, including streaming services, video games, and traditional media.
It also shows the need for skilled concept artists capable of sketching and drawing high-quality concepts based on scripts.
This blog focuses on the concept art process that professional animators use to create amazing results. Keep reading and understand what it takes to create memorable Concept art and designs.
What is Concept Art?
Concept art is a rough sketch of the final animation. It allows artists to visually show the vision of the project to directors, producers, and other stakeholders. Showcasing the idea of the final animation before production begins.
Roles of a Concept Artist
The responsibilities of a concept artist include:
- Visualizing Ideas: Sketching and drawing abstract concepts
- Collaboration: Working alongside other artists and stakeholders to make sure the animation aligns with the initial idea.
- Problem-Solving: Addressing the design challenges through creativity, helping animators achieve the vision.
Types of Concept Art
- Character Design: This involves 2D or 3D character artists creating unique characters. Their appearance, clothing, and personality traits.
- Environment Design: This includes designing the settings and landscapes where the story takes place in an animation, establishing mood and atmosphere.
- Prop Design: Objects and items that characters interact with, enhancing the narrative and world-building.
The Concept Art Process
The concept art process begins with idea generation through brainstorming sessions. The concept artists work closely with directors, designers, and other stakeholders. The discussion involves extensive discussions regarding the themes, styles, and aesthetics that align with the project’s goals.
Steps:
- Collaborative sessions with directors and stakeholders.
- Establish themes, styles, and overall aesthetics.
- Extensive discussions to understand the project’s vision.
Gathering Reference Materials
Reference materials are crucial for grounding concepts in reality and ensuring believability. They provide inspiration and context, helping artists create believable designs. Types of references include architecture, landscapes, textures, and lighting. These materials help artists understand how different elements interact and ensure consistency in their artwork.
Steps:
- Collect architectural references for building designs.
- Gather landscape photos to inform natural environments.
- Use texture samples for material surfaces.
- Study lighting conditions for realistic interactions.
Thumbnail Sketches
Thumbnail creation is an important part of the concept art process. These small, quick sketches allow artists to understand the various compositions, poses, and ideas on a single page. These sketches show the different options to the artist so they can choose the most effective compositions. After generating numerous thumbnails, the artist reviews them and selects the most promising ones to proceed to use in the development.
Steps:
- Create multiple small, quick sketches.
- Explore various compositions, poses, and ideas.
- Review thumbnails and select the most promising ones.
Developing Rough Sketches
Once the thumbnails are selected, the next step is to develop rough sketches. This involves refining shapes, forms, and perspectives while maintaining a loose, exploratory approach. Artists focus on adding details that clarify the design without overworking the sketches. This stage is crucial for solving design challenges and ensuring that the visual representation aligns with the project’s goals.
Steps:
- Refine shapes, forms, and perspectives from thumbnails.
- Add details to clarify the design.
- Maintain a loose, exploratory approach.
Monochromatic Value Studies
Monochromatic value studies explore lighting and values in grayscale. This stage focuses on composition, depth, and focal points, helping artists understand how light and shadow affect the overall design. By analyzing values, artists can create more dynamic and visually appealing compositions. This step ensures that the final artwork has strong visual impact and clarity.
Steps:
- Create grayscale versions of the sketches.
- Focus on composition, depth, and focal points.
- Analyze how light and shadow affect the design.
Final Painting and Detailing
The final painting and detailing stage brings the concept art to life. Artists add textures, colors, and special effects to enhance the artwork and make it visually compelling. This process involves polishing the artwork to ensure it is detailed and ready for production. The final artwork should effectively communicate the intended vision to the production team.
Steps:
- Add textures, colors, and special effects.
- Polish the artwork for detail and readiness.
- Ensure the final piece communicates the intended vision.
Leading Concept Artists
- Feng Zhu: The founder of FZD School of Design. He is known for his work in video games and films,
- Craig Mullins: A pioneer in digital concept art, with work in major films and games.
- Syd Mead: Famous as a futuristic designer and known for his work on “Blade Runner” and “Tron.”
- Iain McCaig: He is known for his work on the “Star Wars” prequels and other major films.
- Eytan Zana: The concept artist at Naughty Dog. He is known for his work on “The Last of Us” and “Uncharted” series.
AI Generated Character Art
With the rise of AI in the animation field, AI generated character art is also taking pace. Here are some common questions:
How does AI-generated character art compare to traditional character design?
AI-generated character art offers speed and variety, but it may lack the nuanced creativity and unique style often found in traditional designs.
Can AI character art be used in professional video games?
Yes, AI character art can be used in professional video games, especially for generating concepts and assets quickly, though it often needs refinement by human artists.
Leading to Success
The concept art process is a journey from initial sketches to final design, essential for visual storytelling in various media. By understanding and applying the techniques discussed, artists can effectively communicate their vision and create compelling visual narratives. Continuous practice and learning from leading 2D and 3D animation artists can help aspiring concept artists refine their skills and achieve success in the field.
