Environment concept art - What I think about when designing a location.

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Trents Gaming channel - / aquaticmoon
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What to think about when you are designing an environment for a video game as a concept artist. This is a quick overview, not nearly as detailed as what I teach in my workshops, but It should still be very helpful if you're struggling with making your environments interesting.
Twitter- / trentkaniuga
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PO BOX - Aquatic Trent 26895 Aliso Creek Rd, B1031 Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Intro song #1 = "Salgre" by Jimmy Fontanez
Intro song #2 = "Blue Moon" by JVNA
Games I've worked on -
Fortnite (Environment concept art)
Overwatch (Environment concept art + Sprays artwork)
League of Legends (Character design + Environment concept art, UI + Icons)
Diablo 3 (Character design + Environment concept art)
Hearthstone (Illustration)
Burning Crusade(Character design + Environment concept art)
Wrath of the Lich King (Character design + Environment concept art)
Indivisible (Environment concept art)
Final Fight Streetwise (Voice Acting + Character Design + World Design + Cutscene Direction + Co writer on script)
He Man GBA (Pixel Art)
Terminator 3 GBA (Art Direction + Pixel Art)
CannonBallers (Character + World design)
Ikeda: The Scrap Hunter (Programming + Art + Design)
Goblins and Gnomes (Concept Art)
Books available-
CreeD Re:Imaginary (2021) - 2 part Comic series
Twilight Monk - Return of the Ancients (2021) - Illustrated Novel
Twilight Monk Secrets of Kung Fulio (2020) - Illustrated Novel
Escape from Giants Crown (2019) - Illustrated Novella
World Of Twilight Monk Vol 1 (2019) Art Book
The Man and the Moonken (2019) - Illustrated Novella
The Beast of Tuksa (2018) - Illustrated Novella
Twilight Monk (2012) - 2 Graphic Novels
Nova Colony (2009) - 1 Graphic Novel
CreeD (1993-2007) - Comic Book Series
Ghost Rider (2000) - Comic Book Series
The Fuzz (1997) - Comic Book

[@scriptyshake]

I'm not actually looking to become a professional concept artist specifically (I'm more into storyboarding and animation) but I'm making a comic and just as much need to design the environments there as well so this is so useful!

[@Geonic1337]

As much as I love watching speedup concept art, It would be very enlightening to have at least one long video of working in real-time. It would put things in a more realistic perspective for beginners.

[@no_player_commentary]

Hes got a few gumroad tutorials like that.

[@TrentKaniuga]

I have hundreds of hours of real time videos on my gumroad box sets. Www.gumroad.com/trentk

[@TrentKaniuga]

@Rayshell Glenn I've just released my landscape workshop and I also have the Facility workshop that teach you step by step process. www.gumroad.com/trentk

[@rayshellglenn2128]

I saw that! So excited to check it out! I love your content.

[@CastleClique]

Damn, I had no idea he was speeding up his videos!? I thought he really drew this fast!!😅

[@annawaiq6360]

You always have an amazing timing! I just signed the contract for my first concept art job and they asked if I could start with the environments next month. so THANK YOU!!

[@darkmagicofhell]

Your tutorials are the best therapy sessions I've ever had

[@TrentKaniuga]

Thank you!

[@myronballard1520]

I agree with creating a story with your artwork. Stories are the highest form of human engagement. I wish more artists would come to the canvas (digital/physical) carrying a story in mind. It helps significantly to have some sort of vision regarding what you're doing other than "building a portfolio." There's a difference between someone who has a story to tell about the world and character(s) vs. someone who's story is "I need a portfolio. Let's just make something that kinda looks cool." Thank you for sharing Trent!

[@user-rg6rr9rk7g]

there's nothing wrong with a portfolio, how would one find a job without it? the truth is not every artist can or has a story to tell so they work for creative storytellers to visualize their stories hence the reason some just do it for portfolio, to showcase their drawing abilities, not storytelling.

[@k.p2841]

You timing sense is so perfect lol I thought of searching for enviroinment art videos

[@xellffs6258]

That's crazy, me too & I havent seen any of Trent's work in a while. (gah, I wish I had a better relationship with landscape, architecture & general background art.)

[@k.p2841]

@@xellffs6258 Ikr Im decent in designing characters but these enviroinments tho very hard for me so Ive been collecting reference images for a like a long while but Ive no motivation to draw one tho:(

[@gsfs8208]

Same!

[@k.p2841]

@@gsfs8208 Like rn I have 350 pictures of jus enviroinments🤣🤣

[@dw309]

One of the most impactful environments I saw in a video game was Lut Gholein in Diablo 2. I was 15 and in awe. This town you’re working on reminds me of that. Great content you got a subscribe.

[@gsfs8208]

The timing was perfect! Thank you

[@gsfs8208]

I have the world twilight monk book and my favourite pages are anything with environments lol

[@TrentKaniuga]

Its a lot of fun to make locations for Twilight Monk. I'm glad you enjoy it!

[@creativepeki4079]

Thank you!

[@sallines1787]

thank you so much! this kind of video are really hard to find

[@thaumana8489]

Very inspiring and much valuable knowledge to take away just by looking at the process of creating speed painting videos like this. Authentic details in environment concepts and level designs in games can already convey a lot of subtle storytelling and contribute greatly to the overall narrative.

[@CreativeSteve69]

you timing has been perfect for me lately Trent. I'm trying to make it as an Enivomrnet artist for any indie studio and this topic just hits the spot for me. 5 years of blender knowledge and almost 1-year learning Houdini n UE5. Also for 2D art I'm learning clip studio and affinity photo. Also an amazing choice of music on the backdrop so relaxing.

[@danyglen5270]

Your painting style is so smooth. Working my way to flowing thru my paintings like you.

[@butterscott9214]

Watching your videos inspires me so much

[@TheArtMentor]

This city looks amazing, and so are your insights Trent 👍

[@ezekielgskeen8607]

just ordered the the book, thanks also for you insight to becoming better art gifts salute from the UK

[@nigelhill74]

Gorgeous! Can’t wait for this book!

[@alfredmanzano680]

Loved the lighting on this! Seeing it come together too just wow

[@zzernathezebra]

Hey, just a thought, but what if the desert city used to be wealthy. Before something happened and made it to where the city lost a large part of its resources. However, they are trying to maintain their dignity. So as gold decorative patterns on buildings start to fade. They use a yellow paint made from a flower or beetle, to try and bring or keep the pattern there.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Interesting! Run with it!

[@tacticslc4805]

That's a lot of thinking process, I don't have that yet, I lack that experience of knowing what a desert city or european or whatever location looks like, need to practice that first, but atleast I already know perspective and stuff, it's gonna speed up the whole thing. It's really nice to get a glimpse of the thinking process of a pro, thanks !

[@stephendallasdraws2929]

My professional background is in art direction for marketing and after working professionally for 5 years, I agree that fundamentals carry over from any creative industry. The main thing is to NOT corner yourself with one system. I find a lot of reward in designing systems of constraints to work within. I have a degree in Illustration, but I'm taking a break from art to learn Japanese full time in graduate school and will probably work a non-art related day job that pays better so I can preserve my art-hours for personal projects. I love how practical and accessible your tutorials are!

[@halidramzan2803]

Thank you.♥️

[@menisc2797]

Thanks for this vid, it's extremely insightful.

[@AnonymousBosch]

Hey Trent, I really want to give you more of my money but you’ve gotta release the book man. Yes, I know. It will be ready when it’s ready. 😂

[@Houdini_Bob]

good stuff Trent. love the village and would like to live there

[@brucenunn3268]

“The Best in the Business” 👊😎

[@fuzzydragons]

yep tell a story with the location, something i need to do more often

[@warden006]

Amazing content Sir Big fan

[@RukileinchenChan]

Very informative, thank you! Conveying something with your pieces really seems to be a good way to make it more interesting! I personally struggle more with fundamentals when doing environments, especially with values (I don't achieve a good sense of realism) and light (I understand the theory behind it but gosh my paintings look ugly due to my color choices, I often don't get how to go about saturation in light/shadow and make my paintings either too bright or too dull) . x_x"

[@SuperFlyGhost]

If your even considering diving into Twilight Monk, it means you are leaning in the right direction. RUN! Don't walk, and pick them up today!

[@TrentKaniuga]

Thanks Billy!

[@artistvye]

How do you keep your mind in the mode of considering the location while drawing? Is writing the story before drawing helpful to remember while drawing? More so, I was listening to Adam Duff today. He had mentioned an artist has a rhythms. A way to get me in the mode of drawing for the piece.

[@faiqcreates]

Hello, is the lighting in this one permanent? What i mean is you first put big shapes of light, than paint over them? So dsnt that make all the shapes on top of them permanent (their value: hard soft light) so lets say if you remove the light layer below, everything on top of that layers will fall out of place. So many people just use blending mode on top of muted colors so they can change light afterwords. What are your thoughts which way is better industry standard wise

[@BenaiahArt]

Totally going to pick up twilight monk. I've been following you for while but haven't read the novels. Gotta catch up before TWTM 2 comes out.

[@dante2012ization]

Very cool!

[@sadzoo2771]

que hermoso , gracias por compartir tu trabajo

[@saiaku-sama6543]

Loveing it grate job as allwayz

[@saliuarts]

Inspirational

[@SM-xy6py]

Hey Trent. Glad this came up. Been thinkin about new ways to really push my portfolio in creative and unique ways recently. Would you say there's call for including self written briefs and 3 thumbnails alongside my images to show what the goal was and how well id stuck with it through the design process?

[@gabrielruizaraujo2714]

I know a great storyteller, very creative mind, the story He is writing has the best ending ever, besides the wonderful (sometimes painful, but full of meaning, conforting and wisdom) journey. You should get to know Him, Trent! God bless, love your videos!

[@kevinanderson6367]

I find the water pattern design to be a really nice touch. It makes me wonder how artists design rune letters for various things in the God of War series.

[@egl86bcn]

loved it

[@JESSYOW]

Great

[@gleisonfoundation5301]

What brush you tend to sketch and paint the most ? Very nice lines

[@DigitalinDaniel]

Love it!

[@nathansanchez3012]

Just curious, when you start a line drawing, do you plot everything out meticulously by connecting and transferring points in 3D space or do you just lay down a perspective grid and sketch free hand over top, or is it a blend of both? I tend to plot everything out and while it gets me a really nice accurate result, it takes FOREVER.

[@TrentKaniuga]

You don't have to do all of that after youve been doing it for 30 years. Its like driving a car. You don't have to think about what gear youre in if youve been driving for a while. If something feels wrong, you can sketch in those lines to make sure that its on track.

[@nathansanchez3012]

@@TrentKaniuga Thanks! That makes sense

[@Smokebreak7]

Hello Trent, what software do you use to record your videos, I appreciate the content, thanks a lot.

[@Jess-rj4hl]

With someone with no experience with Adobe or blender I have been out of art for 3 years working full time at a warehouse was too scared to go to art school but want to quit and learn how to do graphic art it’s been a passion I wanted to pursue for awhile is it possible to do so as long as the passion and will are there ?

[@zello6692]

hi trent. there was this video u uploaded about art secret sauce a few months back. u where drawing this really cool fantasy fox. and it was a digital painting in a water color style similar to akihiko yoshida. but i cant find it and ive been looking for it since forever :( is it cool if u can reupload it plz

[@TrentKaniuga]

I archive my old videos into my box sets of tutorials. www.gumroad.com/trentk

[@emmanft3652]

My laptop will blow up after 50 layers😂

[@automaticearth]

This is beautiful…but what is going on with the cast shadows ?

[@mikenelson1624]

👍✨💫✌️

[@gaspachoo5046]

you sound a bit under the weather, you ok?

[@lala-4458]

You sound a little tired in this video, hope you get good rest and days

[@RandomVex]

Very useful but you sound sad and tired You good?

[@SylvesterLazarus]

I was thinking about the same thing, but nobody mentions it down here. Even the welcome and the goodbye sounded quite down. :\ Trent, if you're reading this, we just hope that you're well and if there's something then just wishing you the best!

[@subseeker]

The curved wooden bridge or whatever ruined the piece. Didn't look good at all.

[@DigitalinDaniel]

He's got two elevated walkways, so perhaps they serve a purpose... Merchants could move goods/money without getting caught/robbed in traffic? Maybe the city floods sometimes and the wave motif is indicating flood-lines? Maybe there's tremor sensing Graboids, every fantasy desert needs a large sand worm? :^)