Muntkey Design

I've been designing some new characters for Cradle (soon I'll have to change that name due to the discovery of another game holding the same title). I've dubbed this guy the Muntkey. He used to be a monkey before the virus took control and made him nothing more then a base host from which the virus would biologically evolve into an entirely new alien species. The Muntkey however is more intelligent then most of the infected, hunting in packs and strategically organizing tactics to sniff out their prey and fend off other predators out of their territory. A new standard of intelligence among the infected is beginning to peak it's head, and as evolution takes hold on the wretched creatures they will become more smarter, capable and dangerous.

New Muntkey Design

Had to go through some changes with this character before I reached the final concept art design (and there may still possibly be more designs iterations to come). Originally  I found that he looked a little too much like a monkey, there were no real standout features, other then a few blistering boils, basically looked like your average zombie monkey... But I wanted more then that for the Muntkey. I wanted this creature to look as though it had been taken over and modified, not just on the surface, but as if the entire structure of the original creature itself had been distorted into something else. I wanted it to look alien, yet at the same time, still relatable to a primate. I do hope I've achieved that. I am a lot more happier with this new design, it's captured a lot more accurately what I wanted to go for.

The original Muntkey design. Too much monkey not enough infectious alien virus!

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

Still Practicing Environments

Working on some more environments. Still quite speedy, haven't spent too much time adding in details yet. I guess that's what I need to work on next.

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

More Environment Concepts

 Did up some more environment concepts last night, just to keep up the practice. For these I spent a little more time adding in detail, but the colors do not seem as vibrant as in the previous speed paintings. This could be because there was not a strong, direct light source in them as such, no vibrant yellows or oranges from the sun, and no harsh cast shadows. This is probably due to being too careful.

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

Jumping Headfirst into Color and Environment Concepts

Over the last week or so I've made it a point to face my fears and look them dead in the face - Color, Lighting and Environment Art. It can be intimidating, trying to become good at something you've always struggled with and never really understood. Of course I knew the basic gist of these subjects, knew the theory, watched the video tutorials by masters of the subject such as Feng Zhu and Scott Drake, but this alone cannot improve one's practical skills and unfortunately I never really took the time to bite the bullet, and really sit down and put the information I'd gathered into practice. There's no way around it. If you want to be good at something (which I did desperately want) you have to practice it, and make the mistakes you need to make in order to learn and get better.

Well, although my progress has not been astounding, it is still progress and a big leap from where I left off in my eyes. I hope to practice more of these environment speed paints, along with the lighting setups and color - Wish me luck.

This was the first set of exercises I did. Focused mainly on lighting set up here and how different colored lighting might effect the color of the objects themselves. Also this is my first set of environments, not the best, but it was a start.

This was the second exercise which primarily focused on color and quick environment concepts. I used a different method here to the first few environments - This method closely follows the technique concept artist Feng Zhu teaches. Also my first time properly making use of a color palette - Funnily enough I never really understood the concept of a palette or how to use one as dumb as that sounds. My understanding has improved a lot through doing these. I took about 15-20 min on each of these.

 If anyone out there has some feedback or suggestions on areas where I can improve, or just a few tips that might be able to help me out I'm am eager to take on board your pearls of wisdom.

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

Kapriah

Just finished up with a new painting. Focusing this time on color theory. It's tricky business, but every little bit of practice helps.

Kapriah

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

The Magical Gift of Talent

Talent. That rare, magical little gift a select few individuals are lucky enough to be born with. Well, I'd have to disagree with that. In fact, I'd go so far as to say, it's not necessarily rare at all, that it's very much attainable by anyone who wants it (but still a little magical). And you might think that's easy for me to say, considering how some may or may not view my work, but regardless I do strongly believe that the definition of talent is something else entirely and far from what most assume it to be.
We as people are all created and born into the world the same way. Sure the circumstances and conditions under which we enter life differs from person to person, but at the end of the day we're all made of the same stuff. So then what makes one person more talented then another person in a particular field?
Here's the secret, or at least what I consider to be the definition of talent in my opinion -

Talent is merely the motivation and drive to become better at that which you are most passionate about. 

No one is born talented. No one is born with some magical power that you yourself do not possess. The cold hard truth is, people who are so called 'talented' need to work their asses off in order to get to the level they themselves aim and expect to reach. It's a personal decision within ones self to master a particular skill, that skill they have such a love for that they simply cannot let it go. They cannot give it up without being left feeling empty and uncontent. And they will continue to strive for refinement and perfection until that longing is put to rest.

I can't tell you how many time's I've heard peers, students, friends, or even family tell me that they're just not good enough at something. People tend to envy others for the skills they themselves lack, either that or they are completely over come by the weighting doubt that they will never reach the kind of level they admire in others, and thus give up before even trying. It all comes down to how much you want it. Whether it's drawing, painting, modelling, writing, directing, acting, ect - It all comes down to what you're willing to sacrifice and how much you're repaired to commit in order to become the very best you possibly can be.

The really cool thing is, is that you can become a pro at anything, you can process the talent in whatever it is you want to get into. As long as you know beyond a doubt what it is you want. Because that's half the battle. A lot of people out there don't know what it is they want to take from life, and that is the difference between someone who reaches the stars and someone who looks up at them. When you know what it is you're passionate about and you just go for it, and you don't let doubt, uncertainty or other people hold you back from perusing it you are going to move forward. Yes, it'll take a while to reach your destination, in fact a lot of the time it seems that it takes a life time to get there as you become better and better, evolving along with your skills and 'talent', but you'll always be moving forward. But if you don't know what you want, or you don't have the kind of clarity needed to decide between what you think you might want to try and what you truly hold a passion for, you will be at a constant stand still. For there is nothing to strive toward, the incredible fuel needed to move forward is simply non existent.

It's important to realise that whatever it is you want in life, it is there for the taking. You just got to know what it is you want. Take control, and move at your own accord rather then settling for the left overs that life hands out to you. Living within circumstance, letting life lead you rather then leading it will simply leave one unfulfilled.

In closing, know that nothing is impossible. Know what it is you want. No one starts out as a pro. They simply put in the time, and practice in to better them selves. You become good at what it is you do most. Use up your time to procrastinate and complain and you're going to become really good at it, and like wise if you are proactive in practicing what you are most passionate about, you will master it. Our ability to evolve and adapt through practice is an amazing gift that should not be taken for granted. But it can either work for you or against you, and sometimes we don't even realise it.

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

Value Study Speed Paints - Featuring Ms Fox and Breaking Bad's Walter White

Some more value studies. Again using references to focus on lighting, shadow, and the construction of the painting itself. These studies help to refine my workflow, so that when I need to pull this stuff from my head I can focus less on those elements and more on the design and composition.

Yep. It's Megan Fox. I know I know... Most of my subjects tend to be celebrity crushes.

Another entire year of waiting for the second half of Breaking Bad season 5. :(

Flippy Floppy Hat. 


http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/