Concept Art Process - Tower In The Woods

My latest personal work process, my thoughts about it, and things I learned on the way.
My camera was locked at 720p for this, but I just got myself a capture card so the next webcam footage will be a higher resolution :D
I hope you guys like it, thanks for watching!
Artstation: www.artstation...
Insta: / gradyfrederick
Twitter: / gradesfrederick

[@RussellBlackbird]

I understand that you might feel anxiety while recording. It's hard enough to start a project even without the thought of people watching, but ESPECIALLY experiencing these problems and being open hearted about it and sharing the process nonetheless, is what makes this not a good, but a great video! I love it, please keep it up! 💪

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks for the kind words :)

[@boooo6789]

Hi Grady, Just wanted to give you an update. About a year ago or so, I commented on your 'Frell' video, mentioning how your art inspired me to pick up painting again after a long hiatus. Since then, I've transitioned from digital to oil, and the journey has been unbelievable! I've reduced my main job to part-time and have successfully carved out a small art career on the side. I've sold several paintings and even secured a deal with a local gallery recently. Sometimes, it's hard to believe how everything's unfolding, but I'm overflowing with gratitude. I want to thank you again for the immense inspiration you've provided. Your work means the world to me, especially now as I aim to infuse the 'concept art' style into my traditional canvases. Please make more videos like this!

[@gradyfrederickart]

This is really amazing. I remember your comment! I am so so glad to hear you have made such efforts to have more art in your life. Oil painting is one of my favorite things to do! Maybe one day I will share some processes here on youtube, but for the time being I am still very much a student :) Thanks so much again for your support and kind words. I wish you much continued success :D

[@TangomelonArt]

One of the best tips I've gotten from you is don't just use the first sketch and to keep trying to find out what works and what doesn't. As you said, your first sketch may be the best but you don't know that until you make others. It's improved my composition a lot.

[@danielg5285]

honestly, even the basic sketches in the beginning are sooo good. Good shape design and good comps/balance just seem to flow out of your hand. Nothing to ever feel worried about

[@Taibo1986]

The fact that you aren’t acting like you know everything and aren’t trying to upsell like a lot of youtubers makes this feel very unique. I think being honest and critiquing your own process has clearly served you well because you are an excellent painter. My only feedback is that you might not want to go too far with it and beat yourself up too much. Some of the things might be mistakes in the drawing but some might not stand out until you hit that point in the process and you are correcting them when the time is right. Seems like a balancing act. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@Elseweyr]

Thank you for putting into words that feeling of creating while recording. It hit me.

[@loganwaldenart3412]

Very inspiring and educational. Thanks for creating content like this.

[@gradyfrederickart]

My pleasure! Thanks :D

[@_benk]

I'd love to see more videos like this from you! Maybe some tutorials on thumbnailing too?

[@haroonx123]

I never considered getting into concept art before but your work is so beautiful, It changed my mind

[@maxdyllonrodrigues]

Nice process! Thanks for the video ;)

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks!

[@bodawei425]

It's great to see your whole process, your doubts, your attempts and finally overcoming the obstacles to get a fantastic final image that fits the general vision you had. I also especially like the idea of the conscious learning, this awareness that lets you take into account some of your shortcomings to get better. Good work and happy painting!

[@jeremiepelletier5383]

Thanks for sharing all of your thought process, I feel it is something we don't find a lot on youtube. Your natural and casual way of sharing your art makes it really appealing and inspires me personally to get into painting. Great job!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks so much for this, It means alot :) I'm glad the way I talk about it is helpful as I sometimes worry about being boring haha

[@troyquicksallart]

I love your rendering style! Also really like the new format of video with the thought process and everything. I would love to hear more about your thought process on rendering/brush strokes and how you approach edge control.

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked the format, I'm really just trying a bunch of stuff out and seeing what works for me. I plan on making a video soon specifically about edges and value grouping!

[@92jagman]

This is exactly the kind of art I want to start learning! Very cool

[@MangaTengu]

I never turn on the bell, but I did for the day you would post again. Pretty happy I did so back then !

[@gradyfrederickart]

Haha thanks very much! I'm honored 🍻

[@lordofgraphite]

I’m ecstatic that i found this channel and this video in particular. I absolutely adore the “hidden forest glade/valley/clearing holding ancient relic of the past” vibe. I’ve tried depicting it before and it’s always fallen short, but now I’m inspired to re attack it.

[@keithgaspard9950]

Great outline for your thought process and very helpful advice. Thanks for sharing!

[@velgatheobserver]

Beautiful work! Your sketches are my targets, and your finished stuff is like above the clouds for me haha

[@zefanyaraysanevadalaput7371]

I love when artists explain things about their art, specially the process part, I hope u making more of these I learn new things watching this video, thank u 🙏

[@sachintendulkar3556]

you are a amazing artist and please keep going, I ddon't know why but i enjoy listening to you speak more then watch you draw casue you give a very nice and new way to approach art.

[@gradyfrederickart]

This is really great to hear! I am a bit self-conscious of my voice so I appreciate this very much haha Thanks for this, I certainly plan to do alot more :)

[@sjalvdestruktiv]

Thanks for the video! This is very beautiful, great work! I often deal with the same issue, when I'm too eager to draw and don't spend enough time thinking about each part of my drawing. That make us lose so much time 😣but it looks great in the end, you made an excellent choice by changing your canvas size, that changed the whole picture!

[@jtvmade8345]

Is that the Elden Ring guide and Art book I see in the background? Easily one of my favorite books to flip through.

[@ghosthoochie4063]

I’m so happy you spoke on this. I used to see problems and mistakes in my artwork and just ignore it because I’d gotten so far past that point in the piece. I had to tell myself to stop rushing my process, that if I wanted to be completely content with my finished project I’d have to accept that sometimes I have to scrap it and start over. I usually block out sections (I’ve only ever done paintings with reference photos currently) and focus on the details of each section because I tend to allow myself to be all over the place if I don’t. That makes the sting of having to scrap it and start over hurt a little less for me. I’m very happy I found your channel!

[@Lobollipop]

Brother I don't know why but this process video just fulfilled my soul. The art you made is amazing, is exactly what I'd like to do, great job and I wish you the best of lucks with your youtube career

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks for this :) It means alot, thanks for the encouragement

[@AkawenArt]

Amazing video! Your process with "late" changes and how you managed that mentally and artistically is super interesting and well done. Thank you for all of that!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks!

[@lowrider1796]

Thank you Grady. I love hearing your thought process, it really helps me a lot as a concept artist student.

[@rakutempo]

Hey dude. You got at least 1 new sub out of this video. It's my first time seeing your content and I loved how honest you were. Speaking as someone trying to make a way into concept art, seeing and hearing about your mistakes and how you deal with and think about them is so useful. Keep on keeping on bro. I've tried to make a habit of just recording everything I paint so I kind of forget it's happening. If it's good I keep it and if nothing came from that session I delete it. Still haven't been brave enough to post anything on youtube though 😂 Loved this video, looking forward to seeing more. A video suggestion from me would be a deep dive into making your own brushes for environment sketching, which you touched on here. I'd love a longer video on that. Loving your work 🔥🔥

[@afriendlyfox]

I feel the part about trying to forget that you're recording and not being brave enough to upload 😅

[@guilhermepeixoto55]

Really great to see another video from you! Love the music choice also, it really complemented the mood of the piece.

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks! Picking music is one of my favorite parts of making the video haha I'm glad you liked it.

[@TyrellzArt]

I really enjoyed listening to this man, I like how open you are with the process of your decision making and the emotions that come with that while starting a new piece. Great video, hope all is well. Thanks for the upload man 🤝

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks to you! I appreciate the kind words :)

[@esstress2815]

I love it, thanks for this timelapse Frederick!!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thankyou!

[@gradyfrederickart]

First name is Grady by the way ;)

[@dadozilla]

Love the mood in this, really draws you into the painting. And I totally feel you on painting being harder when recording lol it's like "oh no people are going to see that it took me 772718 attempts to get the perspective on that horse leg right" 😅

[@gradyfrederickart]

Hey thanks man! Yea I really hope that will get a bit easier. I figure if I just record everything I do, maybe I'll forget about it haha BTW I love your work so much 😍

[@optimiki]

Bro, hi my name is Charlie im from Mexico. I rly appreciate you share ur process with us. Im trying to make concept by my own and your work help me a lot.

[@ardmary22]

Cool work! Thank you for sharing

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks for watching!

[@tomaskorch6580]

Maan, watching you painting and listening to you is actually encouragin me to start painting again.... i basically stopped when the whole ai emerged, because i felt so demotivated... and i totally forgot the enjoyment that i used to have when painitng. its like youtube algorythm wants me to get interested again so it showed me you! great stuff!

[@GuluHalder]

loved the process great work

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thank you so much 😀

[@felipe63849]

Awesome!

[@thejakobistable]

Amazing content. Thanks for the video and your process

[@henryglennon3864]

Great honest thoughts, and nice, chewy, brush strokes.

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thankyou! I'm honored to have my brushwork called "chewy" lol

[@Dome794]

Thanks for the thoughts on the process, it's really insightful. I was so amazed at how well your shape design is, especially for a forest scene. In that instance you were starting to talk about anxiety ^^ funny thing, I guess nobody will ever grow out of this. Would love to hear more about where you derive inspiration from. I like your ideas and wonder what sparks them. Cheers!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks for the comment! Yea, I would love to share more about finding inspiration and ideas. Definitely something I've been planning to talk about.

[@DJSHADDY2K7]

Grady I watch this tutorial vide and it give a lot of insight into you're art work. Also I've gained knowledge and information on what to do and look out for craft building..

[@RyanBylPaints]

Awesome, always looking forward to your videos. Always learning something new in each one, cant wait for the next!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks for watching!

[@Phantoms_infiniteforest]

Thank you so much!❤ I love your personal works. And your videos are awesome as well! I started learning how to do some concept art thanks to your tutorials. Really hope you can make more videos like process or tutorial etc. :D

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks to you! I will be sure to have some more straight forward tutorial content in the future along with these "general thoughts" type videos.

[@BolodeOlivia]

omg this is exactly what i was searching for. I´m a Architecture student and I want to be an environment artist. Its really inspiring to see how other people work. Nice job

[@TemmeyZ0NE]

Oh dude. You are so inspiring. This is the best way to learn about conzept art. Sharing your Ideas, your flaws, your "mistakes" and how to solve that is just the best thing I have ever seen. Keep it up. Its just perfect. Thanks for sharing your Art

[@Lure_Music]

I really feel your art thanks!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks to you!

[@jamesstutts1693]

Amazing video man.. Super glad to find your channel. Its awesome to see your insights and is super inspiring!!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks for watching :D

[@Agiothyella]

please keep posting these videos, you're my favorite voice to listen to while I draw after fzd stopped posting videos T_T

[@ErunnoKhryen]

omgg, this video is so good!!! thank you for the insight in how you create awesome art!!! I usually work on Character design, and a lot of people mainly teaches character design, so it's really nice seeing some Environmental content !! I loved your chill vibe ! very nice !! I just found out your channel and I'll be subscribing ! GJ !

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you're liking it :)

[@nandozx3516]

Dude you elevated the level of your videos with this one. Can't express enough how nice it is to hear you with the timelapse and tbh I don't even think you'd need to stick to a explanatory topic on the voiceover(videover? Idk) cause knowing the artist behind these great pieces is also always a pleasure. Anyways thank you so much for the video, congratulations on pulling it off cause ppl know how hard it is to record urself all the way through and deal with that pressure. Have a nice week and I really hope to see u posting again before the year's end man!

[@tomaskorch6580]

amazing!

[@Thesamurai1999]

My gosh, that’s exactly my problem, I have like 15 different unfinished pieces, and I end up starting a new one and almost never finish one.

[@alexandrnochovka8499]

Finally! Thank you so much for the video!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks for watching!

[@edwarddelandre692]

you make me feel like a hack Grady, really good stuff

[@gradyfrederickart]

Get outta here man, you are 🐐ed! Thanks very much buddy.

[@thorkhen9915]

Great video! love the new format as well :D

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thankyou so much!

[@johnhoward2404]

A great video. Creatives of any type need to know that they aren’t the only ones who run into fear while trying to do their work. Have you read the book “Art & Fear”? I really thought your final image nailed the scale relationships of the forest, tower and single traveler. The tower though, due to the lighting, almost looks inviting, compared to the darker areas of the forest. I wonder if something can be done to add a greater sense of menace to the tower itself? I think maybe it looks like there are no dark, enclosed spaces left, it’s all open to the light. I’ve run into abandoned houses in wooded areas, and it was the enclosed spaces that were the most creepy. But good work, you really put across the value of being methodical, and not getting ahead of yourself, while still allowing for many creative iterations. Definite “subscribe”!

[@sushant996]

Super interesting, so much to learn... You inspire me to push the boundaries.... 😊

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you feel inspired, it really is all about pushing through attempts, failures and discomfort to eventual new successes :)

[@charlesaol]

That's a beautiful result.

[@nerdytechs514]

Your work inspires me but it also gives me anxiety 😅

[@Rockberries]

Thanks for the video, cool to see your process! You're a true master, brilliant style and vision Even with the commentary it still feels like witnessing black magic, would be amazing to see content about how to get to your level, maybe bite-sized tutorials? Anyway, keep it up, cheers!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks for the very kind words! I am no master, but maybe some day! I have been making notes about creating professional-looking work vs. student-looking work for a future video. There are alot of considerations for that topic but I'm glad to see some people would be interested in a video like that. And yes, I'm trying to devise a good format for shorter videos between 5-10 minutes maybe :) Thanks again

[@Rockberries]

@@gradyfrederickart Thanks so much 🙏🏻 It's not really about the length, but more about dissecting parts of the process, so it doesn't feel like witchcraft ahah

[@Hanafy1993]

Really enjoyed listening to this, It's very good Could you please share with us the music was playing in the back ground it was relaxing and good

[@tabnsanis1875]

really awesome stuff, big fan of you :) very inspirational

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thankyou very much :)

[@palixosaurus]

the brush set is crazy, where is it possible to find it ???

[@Ssparda-dmc]

Man, really interesting video, a good dose of motivation ! Thanks for sharing

[@darcyhw]

Awesome work dude! I'd love to see some more in depth tutorials :)

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks! I can definitely work on a more step-by-step tutorial for more technique and workflow focused videos. Some others have expressed interest in that as well. Thanks again for commenting :)

[@nacostaart]

How were you able to change to your black and white values while still color picking and not picking black and white?

[@jackwelch163]

Pretty sure he uses gradient maps for the bulk of that initial transition to colour. Then adjusts and paints over.

[@saranyinomayi4184]

thank you so much ... pls do more Sir ,

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks! I certainly will try my best to post more regularly.

[@_Artistp]

Really amazing great work 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@kaiosantos]

Missed you so much❤

[@CelesteTM98]

I really like your videos. They are very insightful and actually made me gain a little confidence in the way I think when I paint/draw. I am very curious as to which brush pack you've acquired? :)

[@gradyfrederickart]

Glad you like them! I am using a variety of brushes, some I have created myself, but most I have just collected over the years from several different packs. I'll try to go over them and maybe share them in a future video. I just hesitate to share brushes created by others.

[@skxrri]

@@gradyfrederickartsharing the links to the artists/where to purchase them would also be appreciated!

[@TheHERROU]

Great video, love your style

[@ErethilClaw]

Thanks for sharing

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks for looking!

[@DeathChronx]

Maan, beautiful work, thanks for sharing your process.

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thankyou!

[@shaddouida3447]

​@@gradyfrederickart These DC Characters Deserve Video Games Next DC's Wonder Woman Unreal Engine 5 DC's Superman Unreal Engine 5 DC's Batman Unreal Engine 5 DC's Gotham knights Unreal Engine 5 DC's Gotham City Sirens Unreal Engine 5 DC's Teen Titans Unreal Engine 5 DC's Birds of Prey Unreal Engine 5 DC's Green Lantern Unreal Engine 5 DC's Aquaman Unreal Engine 5 DC's Flash Unreal Engine 5 DC's Green Arrow Unreal Engine 5 DC's Catwoman Unreal Engine 5 DC's Deathstroke Unreal Engine 5 DC's Shazam Unreal Engine 5 DC's Zatanna Unreal Engine 5 DC's Batgirl Unreal Engine 5 DC's Nightwing Unreal Engine 5 DC's Supergirl Unreal Engine 5 DC's Constantine Unreal Engine 5 DC's Justice League Unreal Engine 5 DC's Harley Quinn Unreal Engine 5 DC's Blue Beetle Unreal Engine 5 DC's Batman Beyond Unreal Engine 5 DC's Batwoman Unreal Engine 5 DC's Swamp Thing Unreal Engine 5 DC's Plastic Man Unreal Engine 5 DC's Static Unreal Engine 5 DC's Cyborg Unreal Engine 5

[@shaddouida3447]

​@@gradyfrederickart These DC Characters Deserve Video Games Next DC's Wonder Woman Open-World Game DC's Superman Open-World Game DC's Batman Open-World Game DC's Gotham knights Open-World Game DC's Gotham City Sirens Open-World Game DC's Teen Titans Open-World Game DC's Birds of Prey Open-World Game DC's Green Lantern Open-World Game DC's Aquaman Open-World Game DC's Flash Open-World Game DC's Green Arrow Open-World Game DC's Catwoman Open-World Game DC's Deathstroke Open-World Game DC's Shazam Open-World Game DC's Zatanna Open-World Game DC's Batgirl Open-World Game DC's Nightwing Open-World Game DC's Supergirl Open-World Game DC's Constantine Open-World Game DC's Justice League Open-World Game DC's Harley Quinn Open-World Game DC's Blue Beetle Open-World Game DC's Batman Beyond Open-World Game DC's Batwoman Open-World Game DC's Swamp Thing Open-World Game DC's Plastic Man Open-World Game DC's Static Open-World Game DC's Cyborg Open-World Game

Great video. Thanks!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thankyou!

[@93420]

Nice work, really nice piece of art :)

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thankyou!

[@Tryfieldanimas]

I love your work so much thanks for the nice vid. ;)

[@prix_Ilustração]

Amazing, can you do a video about choosing reference, how you do it, how many, what kind.. something like that....

[@EdwinNikkels]

Amazing

[@prakash-we8mw]

nice concept🥰

[@alpacallama7531]

I like this, thank you ❤

[@MarcLaisneARTVenture]

Gréât work

[@gilibisco]

Love your style!! where can I find the brush (for photoshop) that you used for the initial research sketches?? thank you very much

[@حسينالزاهدي]

I like it ❤️🖤

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks!

[@theMarkofArt]

Recording really does slow down the process. But your work is amazing!

[@milanjoy9560]

soo beautilful♥️♥️

[@user1086982812]

Insane

[@aSillywizard]

Hey there :D, I wanted to ask if you can make a video on freelancing/contact freelancing, working from home, possibly remote working if you have exp. Going about your experience what you learned and the challanges you faced. I'm currently studying at Syn Studio and its a pleasure to see your image "lake under the mountain" hanging around the studio! I would also be interested if you offer Mentorships? I'm more into scifi but I love the work you do and your approach to art. I'm sure I could learn a ton from you!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Hey, thanks for this comment! I have noted your request, I can totally make a video covering that side of the industry(in my experience). I don't offer mentorships at the moment, but I have some similar things planned for the future ;)

[@ghazale-kq3sb]

love your work

[@mrmerezz]

What did you do at 21:10? Cant see... Great video :)

[@sniegasx]

Hey bro, great video!

[@gradyfrederickart]

Thanks very much!

[@veneficarius]

cool!

[@popeoftattoos]

Im really into sketching and painting in gouache and watercolor but I’d love to get better with procreate and photoshop sketching. I use procreate to design tattoos daily but I never use it just to sketch or paint

[@gradyfrederickart]

Cool! Yea it can be tough at first to get familiar, but it is pretty user-friendly after getting a bit used to it.

[@jacktuffery9930]

Hey Grady. Just wondering how do you achieve a lot of your textures so quickly? Is it like a texture you've turned into a brush or something ?

[@thebluemystic]

The art style is similar to the table top RPG called Symbaroum, have a ganda.

[@speedytomato5414]

I love you man, your like the modern bob ross for concept artist. your videos are so relaxing and so insightful, they are helping me so much with my art and my portfolio especially since I have never really learned how to paint and compose. Keep up the amazing work.

[@kimber4854]

Do you use your mouse or are you using a drawing tablet?

[@_benk]

its a drawing tablet - allows for pen pressure

[@zier107]

Do you sell your brushes?

[@NikosLagos-w5f]

sorry can i ask you do you think that the size (17 inch) for screen display tablet is prohibitive for a professional concept artist? (I intend to give it as a gift to a friend who is a professional) the product we are referring to is the wacom cintiq pro 17

[@RetroMetroism]

I think any artist would be thrilled to have a cintiq, i don't work in house, so i don't know if there's any weird regulations on monitors for some companies. Hell, I'm working on a book cover from my ipad rn so i don't think the screen size matters.

[@ethanvolta9434]

Does anyone know the music at 23:00 ?

[@felipebaul1119]

For whatever reason you reminded me of Chris Bumstead. But nice work btw !

[@gradyfrederickart]

That is awesome haha I'm a huge fan of his. Probably the mustache, hoodie and hat combo :)

[@Doffy.B.]

I wonder which brushes he used for this piece ?

[@gradyfrederickart]

My brushes were mostly default procreate brushes, though some were imported from photoshop. I'll try to be more specific about that in future videos.

[@Doffy.B.]

​@@gradyfrederickartthank you for your answer and future efforts :)

[@gradyfrederickart]

@@Doffy.B. ahh oops I thought this was on my procreate video. Sorry, I will share some brush info for photoshop in the future :)

[@Doffy.B.]

@@gradyfrederickart it was for both. As just an amateur artist I found your videos so inspiring and educational. Thank you for sharing this and your next videos... (^-^)/