Concept Art World Building: 3 Key Ingredients You Need to Know

[@HazedShaman]

I have had a D&D world I have created over the course of 5 years. I have found by simply writing things out, that it helps inform my paintings. As most of my paintings are featured people, cities, landscapes of this ancient mysterious world. Absolutely great video as per usual Hardy. Funny enough I discovered Trent Kanuiga before you Hardy, and now you two are kind of my internet art mentors.

[@fowlerillus]

That's a great point - actually writing things out really helps to focus large topics in your mind. That was a really key study strategy for me as a college student as I recall. Trent is awesome! I somehow was unaware of his stuff until recently and I've been absolutely binging it. Great art, great topics and he's just a really fun personality.

[@Strider1122]

You're 2d work/tutoring is some of the best I've come across on KZbin. I'd look at Sparth or Dylan Coles work, and it seemed impossible, and as I know it takes years of practice. But your way of teaching in doing it, you've broke it down in just a few mins, a difficult way to teach but you do it with so much ease. Really, thanks Hardy!

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks! That's so cool to hear. Learning to teach these things has made it so much simpler and consistent in my own work too. Simplicity seems to always be the end goal, no matter the art subject. I really appreciate the comment.

[@eljay4708]

It's funny how at first painting environments, landscapes and worlds in general seems like such a scary undertaking, but once you set your foot into it and start learning more about how to make these happen as well as learn the basic principles, how to make a good composition and so on, that's all you can really think about. At least that is what happened to me. I went from being intimidated to being dazzled and amazed as the empty space of the canvas starts to get filled in and a believable environment starts taking shape. All I have to say is.. What the hell? Concept art is Awesome! Anyway, thank you for another great video and for the artwork and the process, I hope you can keep creating and inspiring other people to create.

[@fowlerillus]

I totally agree - just getting the ball rolling is the most daunting part. Your conscious brain kind of gets out of the way and you end up wondering what you were ever even intimidated by. Thanks for your comment - I'm so glad you're enjoying it!

[@DGPlasmLIVE]

I recently saw something Anthony Jones said, something like "Focus on what you want to learn, not what you think you need to learn." It's helped me the last couple of days to realize that it's okay to have fun with art, you know. I don't need a vast vat of knowledge before I put pen to paper, so to speak. It's okay to make mistakes and learn slower, rather than binging an entire course in two days, you know? Like, iterative additive learning, kind of a thing. Seems so obvious now. 😂

[@fowlerillus]

I love that. Thank you for sharing this. Totally true - practicing art shouldn't feel like a chore.

[@DGPlasmLIVE]

@@fowlerillus Agreed! 😄

[@Norman_Peterson]

I generally agree with you but I also don't :) It's a good speech, and as long as you're having fun? it's fine for me. BUT :) you just want to have fun but no one wants to do that without getting better. It's fun to make art sure, but seeing your own improvements we know what a BIG injection of "dopamine" it is, and that dopamine makes us feel good. Now, I've discovered something else: The road of learning is full of dead ends! :) For 12 years, I concentrated exclusively with 3d modeling, for artistic rendering. i study a lot. modeling, topology, lights, materials, shaders etc. For me it was like writing with my left hand, then I started to improve, and I said to myself: ok, i'ts fine. give myself more time. My progress over the years was slower and slower, and eventually I hit the "plateau" in my learning curve. I stopped improving. Talking to professional artist friends they told me: "man, I warned you years ago, to start with certain types of studies, now you're stuck because you didn't do the correct studies". :) Well, after 12 years, I understood (thanks also to as Hardy) that this was not my way. That it was a dead end, and that to unlock myself I would have to CHANGE and start a new path. At the first drawing studies the frustration disappeared and I understood what was missing from my studies. Many many things. From drawing, the basics, artistic studies, negative spaces, shapes, perspective, anatomy, colors, composition etc. the basic "art". I don't know if it applies to everyone, and it's right to have fun, but it's also right to have a plan, KNOW what you want and be "targeted" in the right direction. Our time is not infinite on this planet, and if I had spent that 12 year commitment, in the right direction, I could now put what's on my mind to paper. No one is going to give me those 12 years back, and this is a bit annoying to me. Wasting time is never okay in my personal opinion.

[@poochyboi]

You have no idea how much I love this!! Besides showing us a masterpiece of an art, you also thought us the vision behind it and some tips on achieving it. Fantastic! This and the piece that you did on the house in the woods are my favorite videos on your channel!

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks! I'm so glad you like it :)

[@lazyoctopus6183]

I just bought this kit and watched the first part of the walkthrough. Already feels like money well spent, I have learned a lot both in technical skill and world building. I noticed you're using a certain tool quite a lot and got a little mad at myself for not discovering it sooner, since it makes everything a lot more easier and faster. Lesson I took from that is to dig through the entire PS tool menu and see what is what. Anyway, thank you so much for releasing such affordable learning resource!

[@fowlerillus]

I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I'd imagine you're referring to the custom shape tool - I absolutely love that tool :)

[@benedits5206]

I really really love your content, you are a treasure to all artists and the way you start your Characters with silhouettes is just insane. Hope I can learn that from your videos

[@fowlerillus]

Oh wow, thank you so much. I'm glad you liked it!

[@joshuajones467]

Your style of art is exactly what I aspire to work towards! I absolutely love the vibrancy, the depth, and the way you meld hyper detail and vagueness all so seamlessly. Incredible work!!

[@fowlerillus]

Thank you so much!

[@NickTerryArt]

Love this piece so much, Hardy!

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks Nick! I appreciate it.

[@octonolite_0]

This piece is incredible, Hardy! I’ve watched all your excellent character courses-several times through in fact. I’ve owned your course on concept architecture for at least two years and have put it off due to intimidation. After watching this video I think I’m finally ready to tackle it. Thanks as always for the encouraging content!

[@fowlerillus]

That makes my day - artists in that situation are exactly who I'm hoping to reach. Good luck! One step at a time and reach out if I can help.

[@Gloom_YT]

thank you! self taught noobie artist here.

[@fowlerillus]

Awesome! Welcome and good luck with your artwork

[@BeatrizAbiRached]

IMPRESIONANTE!!!! ❤❤❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks!

[@piter101]

Still exploring lost in my Imagination. Your content is out of this world. Thank you for the Teachings

[@fowlerillus]

Thank you so much!

[@btvaldivieso]

Gosh, this video was SOLID. Makes complete sense. And, thanks so very much for referencing and including a link to Trent’s video - MAN, that makes complete sense on including the human presence in design. So simple but GENUIS - things that wouldn’t have come to mind so quickly. Thanks again. 🇺🇸

[@fowlerillus]

That's awesome to hear! So glad it was helpful

[@michaelrasmussen1342]

Fantastic as always! It’s been such an interesting journey these last few months after having taken the Academy courses and practicing til my fingers are raw… the concept that you call out often, which now kinda stumps me a little, has been the storytelling of art. So much so that I’m stepping back each time before starting to sketch and asking, ‘what’s the story?’ It’s definitely made some old rusty imagination gears groan and grind trying to get started again. But slowly things are starting too move more freely. The massive world of imagination and story had been beat down so much by needing to be in the present and real that the muscles that moved them have atrophied a bit. But… as always… I’m getting there! 😊

[@fowlerillus]

Yes you are! Thanks Mike. Great perspectives as always.

[@niohpunk]

never really was into environments, but this is so inspiring, that i'll have to try it ahah thank you

[@fowlerillus]

Great! Glad to hear it :) Good luck!

[@billybro1403]

gorgeous work

[@fowlerillus]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@johnpacheco5404]

Thank you for giving me some peace today.

[@fowlerillus]

That's so great to hear :)

[@davpea1]

amazing work yet again Hardy.

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks David!

[@neutronboar4845]

Mesmerising video and incredibly beautiful piece

[@fowlerillus]

Thank you! So glad you liked it.

[@Robert328851]

Incredible concept. I wish I had skill to make paintings like this, must be very satisfying.

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks! I'm so glad you like it.

[@2creates1]

Always enjoys your work as an artist it encourages and intrigues me to stay the course becoming better thanks for sharing 👍

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks! I'm so glad to hear it.

[@rathodmukendra8924]

Really Amazing art work I really loved it how you explain and make us believe too it's really not hard to creat big epic environment its about shapes in perspective,depth and most important story what it is about,u mentioned "Trent kaniuga" he is also amazing artist,u two have basic similar painting style at starting but finale out put is very very different!👌🏻

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks! I'm glad this was helpful :)

[@akiljohnson7670]

Story telling on 💯... watched you use all the tools, said to myself "yea seems achievable"... sees your finished poster, now it's "yea lemee stick to crayons 😫"

[@fowlerillus]

Glad you liked the finished product! You should really try the custom shapes tool. I ignored it for years but it really changed everything for me with environment art.

[@Chris_McWilliams]

I like the philosophy, but more interested in the technical breakdown of what youre doing in the program and with what tools, brushes etc. Have you done any technical videos?

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. I actually made this painting into a full tutorial project kit if you want to check it out www.digitalpaintingstudio.com/Cyber%20Punk%20City It comes with brushes and custom shapes too.

[@ralphcontrera5078]

I really wish I had a big print of that. It’s amazing

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks! Glad you like it. It's actually for sale on Artstation prints if you are interested www.artstation.com/prints/art_poster/43EOL/cyberpunk-love-story

[@kanchakaperera7943]

thank you so much for these amazing videos.

[@fowlerillus]

😄 thank you!

[@skippythemagnificent8103]

Great video and insights, many thanks : )

[@fowlerillus]

My pleasure. I'm so glad you liked it.

[@longboardghost]

Super cool.

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks!

[@dougieladd]

beautiful piece...

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@ArtsySIDDD]

this is a very cool drawing.. i love it!! 🔥❤ also, I've been researching n working on creating my own IP.. so the video helps 👍🏻

[@fowlerillus]

That's awesome! I'm so glad to hear it

[@alexandrnochovka8499]

Damn, it`s amazing...

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks! So glad you liked it.

[@Houdini_Bob]

really amazing stuff, I have your Udemy Concept Art Architecture which I am going through so slowly but am looking forward to Cyberpunk city and may incorporate some of these ideas in it. will you do another Udemy series using these concepts? many thanks for mentioning Trent, he is another who I have tutorials and I love how he gives background stories to it. he does have some comic books which helps drive his stories.

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks! The technique is relatively similar in that course as the one I'm using here but this one doesn't have nearly as much perspective to juggle. Good luck and I'll keep an eye out for your course WIP if you need feedback.

[@humayvahid]

Interesting!

[@fowlerillus]

Thanks!

[@RolandoCortorreal]

Great video Hardy. I hope to get a mentorship from you one day before I reach 45 xD, I know you can help me get to "the next level", I can tell that you are very patient person.

[@fowlerillus]

I'd love to help Rolando! Reach out any time if you have any questions. Thanks, I'm really glad you liked this one :) Cyberpunk is just an awesome genre to work within.

[@dplj4428]

When i watch these i think i need a larger display. How else can so many menus be left open and still see your artwork?

[@fowlerillus]

I see what you mean. It's always tough with a vertical format since so much of the screen is empty space and full of windows.

[@TheStonetoFlesh]

Fantastic work as always. Are you selling this as a print?

[@fowlerillus]

No immediate plans to sell prints but thanks for the suggestion!

[@someguy752]

how do you manage all those values in a painting thats complex?

[@fowlerillus]

Early in the process when we have those simple values separating near buildings from far buildings - that is the framework for everything that comes later. I keep things in layer groups to keep them somewhat organized and I just apply those values within a certain range for each tier of depth. The actual painting of values doesn't become much more complex than those base silhouettes - the custom shapes give us some highlights and then the glares and little lit windows make it seem really nuanced and detailed. It's all kind of a trick to give the illusion of detail and complexity.

[@someguy752]

@@fowlerillus Ok I think I understand, thanks.

[@LagLag-qz3wi]

can i ask ? is good enough a cintiq 22 hd for concept art

[@fowlerillus]

I haven't used one personally so I can't really say. It looks completely awesome though and I know that Cintiq products are definitely widely used by professionals so I think you should be in good shape with one. Enjoy!

[@Norman_Peterson]

Your videos and the way you work are inspiring. I understood that 3d modeling, is not the right form of expression for me.Is too "cold". I decided to switch to digital sculpting and something more artistic. But first I chose to start learning drawing. I can't draw now. It's hard at 45 :) but it's fun and gives enormous satisfaction. Photoshop draw is so funny. The path will then lead me to anatomical drawing, of which you are an expert, and then to digital sculpture. is a Loooong road :D As a professional do you think it's the correct path, drawing, anatomy, sculpture? I hope to be able to do my studies always accompanied by your fantastic works. You are a great professional!

[@fowlerillus]

That is what kind of turned me off from 3D years ago (although I'm playing with Blender a bit today since it's so user friendly). I think the path you've outlined sounds as good as any. Those are all really important fundamentals (although I'm less familiar with digital sculpting - I think of things like Z-brush for that). I'm so glad that these videos are helpful and good background noise while you work - exactly what I had hoped for :)

[@nagymohamed4530]

How can I send my illustration?

[@fowlerillus]

I'm not sure what you mean - are you looking for a review? Feel free to post to our discord server for feedback - we have a super cool community in there who will give supportive but genuine feedback.

[@ravikanth5411]

From where did you generate that art prompt. Or can you kindly suggest me a platform which generates such kind of prompts. Thankyou in advance.

[@fowlerillus]

I may be misunderstanding the question but this is not AI if that's what you mean. I basically just set out to paint a cyberpunk cityscape.

[@AngelikaCherrik1]

😂for me 'world building ' sounds like the most awesome thing

[@fowlerillus]

Right?! Such a cool task - today I will do some WORLDBUILDING. So cool.

[@idee8or]

Amazing piece. Search for Horizon: Zero Dawn or Forbidden West for a group (Guerilla) that knocked it out of the park. I am currently world building for a crowd-funded book that is taking longer than I expected, but is fun and worth it. There are a ton of text notes for: style, history, technology, etc. I recommend it for anyone who thinks they can't write.

[@fowlerillus]

Awesome! Thanks for the recommendation.

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

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