The First Witness - Horror Concept Art Process

[@basildraws]

A detail I think might be cool is if the “back” creature was showing an arm under the farmer’s shirt, actually wrapping around under the farmer’s armpit and up behind his shoulder, ending in a hand wrapping up over his shoulder (still under the shirt). Like an intimate hug, pulling the farmer’s left side down a bit.

[@nakras5993]

about the hand gesture detail, i think something that could work well for a self-soothing gesture while fitting a working farmer could be cracking their knuckles with one hand (you press down on your finger joints with your thumb until it cracks). it keeps the hand balled-up and less aggressive, and the motions of the thumb going over each knuckle and pressing down one by one would give it a pulsing look of the fingers (i'm not sure how to describe that better :')). it would be unsettling that the fingers are always moving in a very certain repeating motion but everything else about the farmer is stumbly and incoherent

[@onebilliontacos3405]

As someone with joint pain who has to constantly crack my knuckles, this is terrifying.

[@ORRYT07]

As someone with no joint pain who has constantly cracked their knuckles. I'm terrified.

[@kai_fatallysapphic]

Oh cool, I was going to comment something like this too! I crack my knuckles like that all the time, I was even absent mindedly doing it while writing this reply lol..

[@armintor2826]

Ah, sweet. A schizo meltdown in the replies

[@VOgaming51official]

@@onebilliontacos3405 do you have joint pain and have to constantly crack your knuckles?

[@Kasukimuki]

For the other witnesses, I would suggest fusing with the farm animals, slowly transforming into a mix-match. (like having your skull having horse head, slowly ).

[@idontevenknow9211]

I like this, very Annihilation

[@Foeisudhxj]

Maybe a little more subtle though. Like one leg is a horse leg or something and the other is normal.

[@rickysargulesh1053]

Glad to see you still posting. Hope you and your loved ones are doing well. Love from Germany. Also the production quality is so crazy good for a makeshift setup

[@MadaraUchiha-wu9ze]

i am from germany aswell. Landsmann/-frau/-etc., what up ?

[@nlsn_og]

Heee the german community Servas Gruß fon Österreich

[@rickysargulesh1053]

@@nlsn_og servus

[@alextheslytherin1873]

Moin

[@jell-opop9431]

@@nlsn_og servus!!

[@Rotsuoy]

A horror theme that really always got me was hands on faces- probably because I'm very personal about people touching my face, even people I'm intimate with. I feel like it would go really well with the idea of 'unwanted intimacy'. So a creature that has arm and hand like growths coming out of their neck/chest area that are touching all over their face would be neat. You could have the attack style be that the creature's extra hands are trying to grab you and pull you close to its face.

[@marshallwolff5966]

I second this! Kinda wondering where the hands are going anyways...I was thinking around the waist at first but now it seems like they'd be wrapping up towards the farmer's shoulders and neck (kinda got chills on my neck thinking about it...)

[@Jif498]

I think if the hands went uncomfortably close to the eyes would be also chills inducing

[@mx.netherlands6588]

@@Victor_Graves beat me to it

[@accursedamygdala8241]

Boro out here single-handedly making the new Silent Hill we've all wanted. It's crazy the nightmarish being's artists can create from imagination when people aren't bombarding them with commission requests. This is why artists always keep themselves busy or the art starts looking like this. 😁 PS: Just some quick inspirations I could think of. I think the paintings and especially the photography of Zdzslaw Beksinski. For more farm workers maybe the villagers of Resident Evil 4. The art from the 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' books always frightened me as a child and is quite abstract.

[@sedonachapman]

i second Zdzslaw Beksinski, he is my favorite tradtional artist

[@Dr.HooWho]

Doubt silent hill is gonna get a game again

[@errorduck]

This is such an amazing concept! I know as a kid I never really liked being hugged/kissed by my grandparents. It was a strange subconscious fear I think. So this design feels like it hit the nail on the head. Some ideas: on the back of the actual farmer (not the stomach back) you could have some slight details to indicate arms/hands wrapping around the form (almost melted into the skin) Another version could have a second head buried into the shoulder/neck area. You can’t see it’s face, as it’s blended into the flesh, but the back of the head is sticking out. Also a farmer’s wife in a tattered flowery dress/apron. I could see her welding a rolling pin, as if she was making cookies before she became a Witness. Again with the soft welcoming smile. I’d pair her with the head in the neck/shoulder area, as if she was being hugged from behind as she was baking.

[@vi0let831]

Same and I still have it 😅 I don't like being touched by ANYONE, not even my own family unless I initiate it but it's probably because of some sensory issues I have

[@notkoobelator7280]

the silhouette kind of reminds me of a wwi era soldier, and i think that might be an interesting idea to go off of. it could maybe charge/stumble towards the player as if blinded or disoriented, aimlessly swinging his rifle, maybe with a limb blown off if you want to go really crazy.

[@marsmellon]

I think you explained your intentions well, and not just have the character old "just because." Personally, I think old people in horror are much more scarier than creepy kids. Then again, you could look both of them in the same way that you lower your guard and suddenly find yourself in a fight or flight-situation.

[@armintor2826]

Imo the character being old adds a kind of pity or digust to the concept a lot. Like whatever took over this farmer targeted an old man who most likely wouldntve been able to defend himself, with the weak smile showing a bit helplessness

[@LemonAndMarm]

I adore this! The final black-and-white shaded one reminds me of the style in the comic of Neil Gaiman's "the sandman" series (which I vigorously recommend)

[@Narsku8833]

Absolutely loving this! Brilliant job. Makes me creeped the fuck out. The pupil shape is cephalopod like, which is genius even if unintended! Squids and octopuses are the closest thing to living aliens we have on this earth. And some of them are natures very own shapeshifters which makes your idea of this guy being taken over by something work pretty damn well. Hyped for the 3d sculpt! Also, you do what feels right for you. If that is working on this then that's it. Don't force yourself to do something you feel wrongly about. Best of luck, stay safe.

[@FrostDrive]

the back growing out of it is so original, and SO weird and creepy. Great job Boro! I can't wait to see more witnesses!

[@BagelBoy865]

cool creature concept that I thought up. Lumberjack, a sort of tumorous face popping out if the side of his neck, and multiple arms wrapping around his torso in a sort of hug. for the eyes you could use polycoria, whitch is when you have multiple pupils in the same eye. I really like your art and ideas, so please keep it up!

[@lyro3079]

This is awesome! I feel both disgusted and sad at the same time, so mission accomplished I guess! When you mentioned the fidgeting he would do with his hands I thought about this small cloth/rag my grandpa always carries around. He's not a farmer but has always been a working man and often wiped off his greasy hands on his little rag. Maybe this guy could use one to pull on? It would also maybe resemble a babys comfort blanket. Also I just want to say you are such an inspiration Boro, I love your videos and your ideas. Take care!

[@Manicca]

Keep on going Boro, looking forward to what the game will be. Take care and keep safe. Many Hugs!

[@sebfitzgerald6592]

Dude, that's actually fricking cool. I've only seen the thumbnail but this immediately put a smile on my face.

[@RaiOuArt]

Man, I ALREADY thought you were brilliant watching through this video.. but when you went on to explain your thought process about the witness' hands? How you had him making that tiny infantile gesture, grabbing his thumb? Holy shit, that BLEW my mind. You somehow added so much humanity and monstrosity to the concept through such a small but key detail. Absolutely fucking genius.

[@lordlem]

This has to be the very first time I've EVER bought something someone was sponsoring ! This is EXACTLY What I've been looking for and I am so thankful for you showing it Dante !!

[@thymiantagonist3162]

The character really DOES make me feel uncomfortable. Great job!

[@banshek472]

That's perfect, kind of Silent Hill, kind of Fallout ghoul, kind of Attack on Titans, LOVING IT!

[@tavyexe6789]

WOOOOT- I'm so excited for the process!!~ you literally inspire me so much Boro

[@lorenzamarchi]

This comes straight out of Little Nightmares! I love it

[@alexh6826]

Im not sure if its what you intended to have the character have the same skin tone as the back/stomach but I think it could be interesting to have a slightly different skin tone on the back part to show how its different.

[@glitched_gizmo9903]

I would just like to say that you almost put me to sleep. Your voice is so calming and I just like how you explain everything. You could talk about anything and I would feel relaxed. Loved the video and can't wait for what's coming!

[@crisalidx5881]

This is an amazing video Boro!. Love the in-depth explanation and the showing of the process, great concept!, can't wait for the 2D-to-3D vid about this concept enemy. It was a really entertaining vid, it brightned my day today, thanks!.

[@Cobra-yo7fx]

Nice video! I’ve never heard of this channel, but I saw this video through my all feed on the Safari version of KZbin on my iPad Pro. Nice video!

[@at.m.957]

Omg I Love The Hair

[@gloomsdoom649]

I thought it was a dig at his job existent hair😂

[@florianfrey9258]

Oh snap, that looks amazing! This is exactly the kind of horror I feel most drawn to - horror media has the unique opportunity to confront viewers/players with facets of themselves that they usually try not to think about. And the themes you wove into this one definitely do that! :D Just one thing: the proportions of your initial sketch feel way more coherent and believable. The proportions on the ‚rendered’ version are very stocky and the ‘front back‘ seems too big. Cheers! :D

[@KamillsWorld]

This game concept sounds pretty cool cant wait to see more art you make for it

[@starduck2]

Dude! I love you! It is REALLY insane to be using war events as artistic clutches, even if it's your country. I don't know how people pretend that it is ok to profit over war. Respect

[@jadelovesyou3621]

It's really nice and interesting to see this creative process from start to finish, and definitely motivating too, i specially loved the process while making the concept art and thinking in all sorts of little details and symbology that could hint some background hidden story about the creatures themselves, and also loved how the draw came in the end with the dark shadowing, keep it up man! i really loved it

[@bo2_435]

These are my favorite kinds of videos: seeing your creative process start to finish is just awesome. And the guy looks fantastic! Don't forget about thimbnailing if you want to explore multiple ideas.

[@podoke]

the side view with the bulging back is really disturbing:0 this is so cool

[@shitpost_status_zero6093]

oh the eyes kinda look like octopus eyes, i like it! Great work, cannot wait for more!

[@icefireobsidian7490]

Your drawing style on the polished one reminds me of the old 1950s horror comics from the USA. On the old person ... I find it creepy / sad / awkward when the senior has super flakey dry skin shedding on everything... makes it hard for me to hug a senior with that issue. Not sure if that is of use to you but eh thought I would toss the idea over.

[@casey040500]

I really enjoy hearing your process in creating character designs. Everything feels very well thought out and intentional. I’d watch this kinda video all the time.

[@MoltenMonsters]

I love this concept, from what ive heard it sounds really twisted and has the potential to be very cool given the right gameplay, and interesting mechanics etc. the design genuinely creeps me out, and kinda reminds me of the monsters from little nightmares, except way darker and even more twisted!

[@lxtgold9703]

First of all, I'm glad you keep going! Love your videos and especially thanks for let us be part of the process 🙏🏻

[@eben7248]

Your only responsibility is to yourself and to your muse. Make what you want to make. Make what you need to make.

[@endewald]

You drew octopus eyes actually! I love the effect, looking super uncanny. And cool!

[@Beefyicecream]

i instantly noticed him as a leatherface typa guy. amazing job!!

[@mariam19554]

The way you pay attention to little details is so amazing, it's the thing that pays off and stays iconic in horror!

[@cpzeb1]

Honestly, love your paintings and all the interesting stuff about lighting and materials etc. but it’s your drawing skills that really makes me get back to the channel. Don’t know if it’s easier in general, but it really impresses me! Would love to see a comic book made by Boro!

[@vik1450]

That's straight up one of the villagers from the start of resident evil 4. I still remember him yelling at me with his pitchfork.

[@sandayben-pach4766]

Boot you’re an absolute unit,a true legend,your talk about keeping aim and you acting by it,and your unwillingness to do the easy wrong thing,man I truly look up to you

[@nyssarc146]

I hadn’t watched this video before the others and seeing the actual description of what he represents and what’s going on really adds to the design, it’s fantastic

[@RoxaneLapa]

@borocg I love how humble and level headed you are. There's so much pretentiousness in the art world that your genuine take on things is a breath of fresh air.

[@dietrichwolf8189]

Just seeing the thumbnail I thought it's a redesign of Stubbs the zombie 😅. Very cool concept, like the noir comic style sketch (gives me yoji shinkawa vibes in the best way). Maybe a butcher or a lumberjack? Would depend on what industry sustains the village. Miners maybe ...?

[@punusername3445]

Reminds me of the "Ganados" from Resident Evil 4, the farmer old man aesthetic

[@makicriesalot]

My gosh Boro's hands are so pretty. Just watching him like, demonstrating the emotional hand gestures was like watching an oddly satisfying videos compilation.

[@robertjv]

I love your process, when I do mine I would just go straight with the whole character concept, so seeing you do this I find it helpful

[@gi.an_m9525]

Loving this. The concept reminds me of the farmer from mib!

[@rymhns9426]

This is cool and nice from you to share this with us ! He looks very scary I'm a very big fan of scary games so I'm excited for that 😆 . Since you asked us I had the idea that you could like switch his legs since his back is like that or just give him the ability to flip his head like an owl it's hard for me to explain in English I'm not very fluent sorry X) but I really like the general idea ! I hope you'll keep us on touch and please stay safe 💖

[@nleandroramirez]

Soy fan! Me encanta este estilo de arte 🥳😱😱

[@immanopeonouttahere3482]

Translation: I'm a fan! I still love this art style

[@Tommy-sx9kg]

the back-stomach shold breathe at a different rate and cylce to the chest, expanding and contracting

[@Question_marking_my_life]

wow really impressed by that sort of comics like shadows and contrast! looks really cool

[@FreeSpokenOne]

Nothing short of amazing, great advice. This would be a great course to take and offers instruction that is good for all art types. Good instruction is a huge help and speeds learning. I love that you used 'down time' as quiet time to work on other things as I also do to keep busy. When I can't work on digital art it's time to read or draw physical art and yes, write in the journal. Which reminds me, I should do so soon to capture the magnificent dream from last night, a utopia unlike any other, the type of dream one never wishes to wake out of, the creative mind on steroids! Wish I could share what I saw so you could see it all because you are the very type of artist who could make it look extremely realistic and I know I'll never do it as much justice but will come up with something out of it.

[@Svulpix]

i don't know why but this make me had little nightmares 2 flashback

[@flstorm8220]

thats a really good design! I played many horrorgames with many creepy creatures, but this thing would give me the creeps man

[@nbtwall7287]

Great job! Seeing the eyes at a distance makes me feel violently uncomfortable 👍

[@yovelnaomi8416]

I love your character/creature design videos always so great to watch 👍

[@Pintaleena]

I was trying to figure out why he felt so familiar, and I just realized! He looks almost like Bill Murray

[@white_okami3154]

im really hyped to see more of your game in the future boro

[@sundersquare]

sounds like some great ideas and really interesting characters you got there! also btw, although its written like "plaid," it's pronounced like "plad" like rhyming with "Lad." Who knows why :D

[@blaxidii7360]

English is just weird like that

[@atilab99draws58]

amazing, i love the focusing on such behavioral details, very interesting food for thought

[@jaype5]

Ur so creative when it comes to the uncanny disturbing field of art. I don't know what ur idle brain functions are normally, but this tells a lot. Not complaining btw, just impressed.

[@TonyBologna03]

looks hella cool! for the eyes, maybe just like a milky white instead of having a distored pupil? IDK but I love this

[@wokenlunatic2849]

I also like a Horror version of a Kids Cartoon or whatever (like my idea would be a Horror version of Barney The Dinosaur as a Giant Demonic Purple and Green Imaginary T-Rex Monster that been summoned by a Children Cult who want all The Adults to be dead, and The Dinosaur got abilities like turned into Smoke so it can go through tiny things so you can’t escape from it)

[@albertartigas4735]

Please, more of this! Love concepting!

[@RaginBajan]

Harold the scarecrow from Scary stories to tell in the dark

[@sbluecheesek]

Man i really cannot wait to play this game already

[@lugwen]

soo insanely interesting. i'm so excited to see your next steps!

[@nymoxy-fuel]

I love your stuff man! Keep on going 🔥

[@jadego1025]

I finally realized who this reminds me of... Saw a picture of Bill Murray

[@MyNiferianH]

I immediately thought of bill murray too

[@socialdrg6061]

Not all of us have 'dense hair' towards the bottom 🤣

[@BoroCG]

Neither do I! :D But Keanu does, so it matters

[@sjn101]

A person hugging a person hugging a person..nice

[@katherinelandreth2191]

I wonder if you can add anything that makes the character seem unwashed. Like armpit stains on the shirt, or a dirty/dark collar that makes it feel like the shirt isn't washed well. Crust in the corners of the mouth, or dirty nails, or dark wrinkles in the neck. If someone seems crusty or dirty or unwashed that is very off putting and makes that fear that they will get close to me or touch me even worse.

[@doltnotes7744]

Oh this is so lovely! I think other examples of a farm setting you could use are a middle aged motherly character, as people tend to feel more empathetic and are more like to be scared of mother characters, so that'll be a nice line to tread.. Especially southern moms. Maybe give her a amish woman inspired design?

[@Birb_boi243]

Did anyone else think this was gonna be a Destinty 2 video?

[@Kio_Kurashi]

I would like to see what you make later because of your perspective having been 'kinda half-way" in it. It's definitely different from what I, someone far away in the west watching it on the news, would make.

[@ДэнКосмос-р2м]

Thank you for new videos. I probably understand your condition, I hope everything will be fine for our countries. I so scared it is happening. I am hope that your family and friends are okay. I am amused for your excerpt. I live in Russia and I can not work last two weeks. You are an amazing man.

[@jazari555]

BROOOOOOooooooo that game sounds Awesome!!!

[@gabeitch9142]

Scary stories to tell in the dark

[@zade8586]

this is basically just Harold from "scary stories to tell in the dark'

[@maikeru01]

very cool and very creepy. reminds me of the grudge where there was a hand on the girl's scalp.

[@themanidentifiedasdinosaur8138]

This reminds me that unit from Battle Realms, the infested. I really like that.

[@IsighCasserole]

"Let's keep building instead of looking at the ruins" That should be on a shirt

[@violetpencil9614]

I thought this was about little nightmares like a little nightmares oc, but now I see it’s a lot deeper

[@NowayJose14]

Love the final design! Reminds me of Cronenberg!!!

[@johnrios9]

I feel like his arms should also be backwards. Idk but I’d like to see what that looks like. Or maybe the legs. Idk the back seems impossible, whereas if either the arms or legs were also twisted, it would make his condition seems a little worse. But this concept is very good and I can’t wait to see more

[@kevinjames8497]

so i was thinking, if this mob is for example is the slow one, what about a super fast one then? it could represent the fear of time changing too quickly, also when the monster walks around there could be a sand trail like in the hourglass :D also kinda a personal fear of mine, fear of dogs! (or could be animals in general) this one has a dog's head that is constantly eating on either a human head, human arm or just another dog's head so you see one thing emerging from the other one, and they are both animated

[@MontyTheMothman]

Very fitting design for a Hunt Showdown grunt zombie.

[@JYang0602]

The fully body design reminds me of Harold from the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books

[@vicious_toad]

I'm not very creative so I can't give anything specific, but I feel like an overprotective old lady would fit in with the idea. One that is overly nice and will get you anything you need despite her maybe being incapable of even taking care of herself. I don't know how this could make an enemy but maybe something could be done haha

[@radcowboy5985]

i think since his back is on the front, it would look super creepy and uncanny if his legs were backwards too

[@freyathewolf]

i love this cant wait to see more

[@invisiladd8932]

What if the skinny creature inside that took over the farmer came out for some reason. He could leave a husk with some exposed ribs, maybe. The guy inside would have a really long neck that is able to rotate, and is why his eyes can be seen. But he's very weak as his arms and legs are nothing but bone, so if you defeat the enemy then you can see the skinny guy start to try and crawl away before the character stops on its head.

[@infinitesimotel]

This would be awesome as a Killing Floor type of game which also involved completing objectives.

[@comingupnicely6302]

i feel like maybe if the back actually was attached to the creature inside. maybe it come out under the shirt showing its true form and the face/head skin just flops down as if it were just a piece of clothing for the creature underneath.

[@seequ8395]

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