James Kei
Digital clothed Figure Painting
James continues his figure painting series with a clothed model this time around. The video begins with a bit of real life character design
as James picks out a costume and accessories. He then takes a loose gesture through several stages of refinement
until the painting reaches the level of polish necessary for this study. Throughout his painting
James reveals insightful tidibts of information gleaned from years of work and study.
We've also included 30 minutes of unedited footage so that
the viewer can see the actual pace and rhythm with which he places his strokes.
50 minutes total. 1280 x 760.
James KeiDigital Figure Painting
The entertainment industry has been walking away from traditional materials for a decade now, but it’s still not a common thing to see someone do life painting from an actual model. That is, of course, unless you’re in Kei’s class. And now you can be!
In this demonstration, recorded from a one and a half hour life painting session, Kei covers all the basics to his approach. If you want to get started with digital life painting, there is no better place to start. (And that’s not just marketing talk… I looked around.)
p.s. All you traditional folks can probably pick up a thing or two as well.
$151024x684, Photoshop, 50 Minutes, Quicktime
Shawn BarberFoundation Painting
Shawn's DVD now available as a download! Here's the info:
In this exciting new DVD released by Massive Black, Shawn Barber reveals his unique approach to the art of painting. While watching Shawn work, students will learn about many of the basic elements of painting including drawing, composition, color, form, and value. Shawn also demonstrates many of the important lessons one must understand before even picking up a brush: stretching canvas, color mixing, palette setup, and choosing the right medium. Finally, the DVD features a behind-the-scenes interview with Shawn that covers his personal work, career, and what it takes to become a successful artist.
$45 2 hours 45 minutes, NTSC, Not Rated.
Trailer Reviews Images Artist Info
dan dos santosBook cover illustration
This download documents the painting of the cover for Brandon Sanderson’s book, Warbreaker. It begins with an interview with Irene Gallo, Art Director at Tor Books, and ends with photographing the final painting. Throughout each step, Chesley Award winner Dan Dos Santos talks at great length about everything from salary to color theory. Though the subject matter is a book cover, all the principles taught are easily translated towards almost any commercial illustration. With over five hours of content, this is a definitive guide for anyone who wants to improve their knowledge and understanding of painting as it relates to working for clients.
$50
5 hours, NTSC, Not Rated.
kemp Remillard vehicle concepting
This four-part series covers the process and working methods Kemp uses for designing science-fiction vehicles for the games and entertainment industry.
In part 1, Kemp utilizes a typical job sheet to assess the goals and needs of a client. Once he has his general direction he begins creating thumbnail sketches in Photoshop to begin the design process. Working in a side-view, plans are drawn up to work out issues of proportion and engineering.
Part 2 begins with Kemp choosing the three best thumbnails and taking them into Google Sketchup. The rough models are made and then Kemp takes these into Photoshop to add mood, lighting, and texture.
Parts 3 and 4 refine the processes above to further develop a single design. The Sketchup model is finalized and then Kemp returns to Photoshop to create a deliverable ortho and final illustration for a client.
The whole series provides a beautiful example of the way in which artists (and their clients) can use the iterative process to refine a rough idea into a fully developed asset. Kemp’s candid narrative reveals a great depth of experience in areas of design, approach, client relations, and more.
$15 eachIntermediate Level. 60 minutes, Quicktime Format 1024x768
Images 1 Images 2 Images 3 Images 4 Artist Info
Gary Kelley
You are invited into the studio of award-winning illustrator Gary Kelley as he takes on the issue of immigration with his latest assignment, Undocumented. In this video, Kelly expresses his unique perspective on communicating an idea in a powerful way as he draws upon his lifelong interest in Native American culture and a love for historical accuracy. As he works, Kelley rides the line between the traditional and innovative while discussing subjects like composition, color, value, subject matter, and the practical uses of pastel along the way. This beautifully produced video is sure to inspire both students and anyone interested in contemporary illustration.
$15
45 minutes, 720x480 Quicktime Format, Medium: Nu Pastels
El coro3D for Pre-Visualization
In this download, visual art speed demon Coro Kaufman shows the viewer how to depict a complicated street scene without spending unnecessary hours pouring over every window and leaf. The secret is something industry insiders refer to as “3D”, and while this isn’t an introductory class, the novice user will come away with some quick and dirty approaches to build out a solid looking city in a matter of hours in 3DS Max. In the second part, he’ll use Z-depth, ambient occlusion, and standard renders as a base to begin painting over in Photoshop. The resulting image has all the accuracy of the 3D while maintaining a painterly touch; ideal for pre-visualization in games and film.
$15
60 minutes, 1024x768 Quicktime Format
Gregory Manchess"Above the Timberline"
Part One & Part Two
Join us for two rainy days spent in the studio with Greg Manchess as he masterfully combines photo reference with his imagination to craft a beautiful storybook world. Greg covers traditional oil painting techniques as well how to be a professional in the field of illustration. Some of his personal philosophy on the creative path is covered as well, all set to an original score by cutting edge dub step producer DJunya. This painting captures Greg at the very prime of both his career and his painting abilities and we feel fortunate to be able to share it with you.
$15
60 minutes, 720x480 Quicktime Format
Whit Brachna Environment Speedpaints Volume 1
In this two part series Whit paints six different environments. He gets the important facts of a picture placed, establishes the mood, solves the key problems, and then simply proceeds to the next image. It gets to the core of picturemaking, and Whit openly teaches the ideas and essential Photoshop techniques behind this approach. Also included are Whit's Photoshop brushes and tool presets.
$15
60 minutes, 1024x768 Quicktime Format
Whit Brachna Masks Demonstration
Masks are an essential and oft underused feature in the digital painter's toolbox. In this demonstration, Whit Brachna the Younger ecstatically sketches a tree in a mind blowing orgy of mask trickery. Throughout the painting he talks about shortcuts, and stuff. If you want to learn how to use masks, or paint trees, just buy it. Or buy a sandwich if that sounds better, big guy.
$5
15 minute lecture, 30 minute demonstration.
Whit BrachnaSnow mountain
In this demo, Whit covers the creation of an exterior lanscape painting from simple thumbnail to a polished finish. He talks about the specifics of painting snow, rocks, and ice. He also covers some of the foundations of creating a painting: including the use of value, shape, texture, color and other design principles. PSD and brushes included.
$15
1024x684, Photoshop, 50 Minutes, Quicktime
Whit BrachnaEnvironment Design
In this download, concept artist Whit Brachna explains how to break down and create an environment one step at a time. Going from thumbnails to a simple 3D model to a final Photoshop render, Whit constructs a unique and detailed piece with ease and creative ingenuity. As he does so, the viewer will witness a display of foundation skills and Photoshop wizardy combined to create an interior environment suitable for industry-level production. Psd, mov, and several jpgs included.
$15
Intermediate Level. Two parts, 50+ minutes each, Quicktime Format 1024x768
Andrew JonesDragonforce Album Cover
Andrew Jones takes us on an all night educational journey through the creation of the cover art for the Dragon Force album, Ultra Beat Down. Once again Andrew innovates the use of digital tools inside a traditional foundation, freely combining Photoshop, Painter, and ZBrush to create stunningly powerful and sexy rock art. Original score by DJunya.
$15
60 minutes, 720x480 Quicktime Format
Carl DobskyPerspective – Volumes One & Two
In the first section of this download, Carl takes the viewer through three perspective setups. In the first, he shows the viewer how to set up a basic square grid in perspective while covering such topics as the station point, measuring points, picture plane, and the cone of vision. In the second setup Carl covers the concepts of the measure bar and anchor point in order to create a cube in a precise location in pace. Lastly, the viewer is shown how to take an elevation view and project into 3D space.
In the second part of this series, Carl Dobsky covers two-point perspective and inclined planes. He begins by showing the viewer how to make a square grid in two-point perspective. Next he constructs a cube, and then he proceeds to show how to create multiple objects at different rotations in space. Carl also explains the concept of a vanishing trace to show how to construct objects that don't lay flat on the ground plane. Finally, Carl takes all of the abstract lessons and uses them to create a finished painting.
$20
90 minutes, 1024x768 Quicktime Format with PSD
Sam BrownVehicle Design
One can’t design the incredible without knowing that which is credible in the first place.
In this Photoshop demonstration, Sam walks the viewer through the design of two cars in side view. He uses real terminology and goes about the design process in a way that is more akin to vehicle design than concept design. Through watching this video, one will learn that by simply changing the proportions of a few key elements one can completely change the feel and function of a vehicle. So study up and eat your vegetables.
$20
90 minutes, Quicktime Format 1024x768
El CoroCinematic Storyboarding
All working artists have to deal with the threat of impending deadlines, but the art of storyboarding with its 50+ image projects brings this balance of time/quality to the forefront like no other. In other words, you can be good, but if you’re not quick you’ll either be on the streets, or worse, living at your parents' house.
Justin Kaufman, Art Director and co-founder of Massive Black, has done storyboards for Coca Cola, Fox, Playtone, as well as countless video game cinematics and gameplay sequences. In this download, you’ll see this veteran of traditional oil painting and high speed production art combine his talents to produce a result that’s short on time and long on quality.
$15
Intermediate Level. Two parts, 60+ minutes, Quicktime Format 1024x768
El CoroWeapon Design
Justin 'Coro' Kaufman has worked on literally hundreds of titles in his career as an Art Director and Concept Artist. This experience has made him someone who clearly understands that at the end of the day the goal of a concept artist is to provide a very specific visual solution for a client or game.
While this demonstration has plenty of information about painting techniques and design philosophy, it always comes back around to making a deliverable asset.
If you want to know what it takes to work in the games industry, this is is where it's at.
$15
Intermediate Level. Two parts, 60+ minutes, Quicktime Format 1024x768
Andrew JonesBoss Monster
Concept artist "Android" Jones, famed for his contributions to games like Metroid Prime series, unleashes his shape-shifting demons to create a boss monster character. In this Q and A style interactive demonstration, recorded live at the 2008 Revelations Workshop in Seattle, Android covers Zbrush and Painter X, workflow and philosophy. By bridging the gap between the technical and the creative, this lesson will show you how aggressive shapes and a simple color palette can open up infinite possibilities to the adventurous digital artist.
$15
Intermediate Level. 2 parts, 60 minutes each. Quicktime Format 1024x768
Andrew JonesFine Art Series, Volume 1
One of the things that distinguishes Andrew Jones from other artists is that he does a lot of his artwork before a crowd in a live setting. There are no revisions, no second takes. In this video, covering three separate works, Andrew talks about the moment-to-moment state of awareness that helps faciliate this type of approach. He also discusses a few of his favorite tools in Corel Painter X and how he uses them.
This is a must-have for anyone interested in some of the philosophical underpinnings of one of today's leading
visionary artists.
$15
Intermediate Level. 60+ minutes, Quicktime Format 1024x768
Andrew Jonesthumbnail demo
In this video, recorded live at the Insomania Workshop in San Francisco, Andrew uses a blend of ZBrush, Painter, and Photoshop to create character thumbnails. Throughout the demo Andrew weaves together both practical advice as well as clues about his attitude and outlook to creating his artwork. Andrew is a rare soul who can get in front of an eager crowd of students and pull off something he's never even attempted before. You just have to see it to believe it.
$15
Intermediate Level. 47 minutes, Quicktime Format 1024x768
Jason ChanQuick Sketch
Your client has a big cover illustration. You show him your brilliant idea in a tiny two inch thumbnail sketch. Oh cruel fate! The poor man is unable to extract the brilliant image sealed within your mind. You fail to get the job, which means you fail to make the money, which means you fail to buy a toothbrush, which means your breath stinks.
Enter the "Quick Sketch" (tm), a powerful tool used by artists to convey their ideas powerfully and without a lot of time expenditure. Short deadline? No problem. Want to make something cool in the two hours before your girlfriend comes over? Check and mate.
In this download, Jason Chan takes the viewer through the completion of two sketches, the first of which being his winning Thunderdome entry at the Revelations workshop in Seattle. He won't tell me where the second image came from, but it does look like his own work (pretty much). As usual, Jason delights the viewer with his discussion of both technical and non-technical apsects of art making. He also talks about his approach to working on shorter images, which gets into the nitty gritty of what makes an image really work.
This is definitely one to get, unless you enjoy bragging to your friends about how many weeks it took you to render just the clouds alone!! In that case, don't get it, because then who would you be?
$15
Intermediate Level. 60 minutes, Quicktime Format 1024x768
Jason ChanThunderdome Illustration
Before watching this video, I was always worried about how to look sexy if a giant tentacled sea monster pulled me down to his underwater lair. That is a concern no longer. (Thank you Jason Chan!!) I'm also no longer concerned with how to complete a digital illustration based on an approved thumbnail sketch.
This digital download is replete with valuable insights on a variety of topics
including drapery, textured surfaces, depth of field, and unusual lighting scenarios.
Don't just be a wannabe Jason Chan. Be a Jason Chan. Buy now.
(Photoshop files included)
$15
Intermediate Level. 60 minutes, Quicktime Format 1024x768
Jason ChanPainter Sketch
In this video Jason Chan walks the viewer through the creation of a sketch done entirely in Corel Painter. No thumbnails. No plans. He just gets in there and paints, revealing his thought process and revisions along the way. The resulting image turns out beautifully, and throughout the video he discusses all the important art principals necessary to achieve such an outcome. We hope you learn as much from this demo as we did.
$15
Intermediate Level. 60 minutes, Quicktime Format 1024x768
Richard DobleCreature Design part 1
You know what we love at Massive Black? We love artists who chase after perfection and and get completely attached to their ideas no matter how crappy they are. We love them because there's a lot of them, and they keep our jobs safe.
Richard Doble is the opposite of that approach. This tutorial is not about anatomy or color theory or anything too technical. It's about creating. It's about quickly coming up with dozens of interesting ideas on the way to arriving at something new and unique. This is Rich's specialty, and we all enjoy seeing the insane visions that come from this agile young mind.
Part 1 - Four Thumbnail Sketches
Part 2 - Final Image
Watch, learn, enjoy, and don't take our jobs. Thanks.
$15
2 Parts
Intermediate Level.60 minutes, Quicktime Format 1024x768
NoxIzMadFinished Illustration
In this two-part demonstration, condensing some 30 hours of work, Nox talks about all the things he does wrong and then ends up with a masterpiece. We don't really get it, either. His frank narration gives insight into the unique mind of one of today's top digital artists, and watching Nox work is an enlightening and beautiful thing. This tutorial is definitely one not to be missed!
2 parts, $15 each
Intermediate Level. 60 minutes each, Quicktime Format 1024x768