Burt's WIP

bupaje · 20 Apr 2011, 06:58

Here's today's effort.

I'm thinking I will render some 3D icons for a small carousel I have on my main page. This will be the 'job page' icon if it works out.

Looks like a simple box but fiddling with this took me about 4 hours.

bupaje · 22 Apr 2011, 07:26

Next effort is to make a 3D store icon for my site. Still squarish stuff but getting practice anyway. I want to add some products, signs and other stuff yet.

bupaje · 24 Apr 2011, 18:52

Trying out the 3D icons with SketchUp idea. Here's a shot from the first 3 on a carousel on my site's main page.

designerstuart · 27 Apr 2011, 15:05

nice idea

bupaje · 5 May 2011, 05:22

@designerstuart - thanks.

Here is my current wip. I wanted to try something a bit larger so opted for a 'medieval-ish' store (the rare times I play a game I favor RPG's with medieval or apocalyptic settings for some reason).

It's mostly square boxes so far but I hope to fill it up with items and texture it so should be a good learning experience.

bupaje · 10 May 2011, 07:01

Still tinkering with this - maybe a fortified tavern of sorts. Making all sorts of mistakes (including somehow deleting - instead of hiding- a couple huge sections). Hopefully that's a good sign.

I hid the second floor for this screen shot - not much to see there yet anyway.

PS. You know you're spending a lot of time in SketchUp when you keep trying to pan the browser window by pressing H and dragging.

solo · 10 May 2011, 08:21

@unknownuser said:

PS. You know you're spending a lot of time in SketchUp when you keep trying to pan the browser window by pressing H and dragging.

or centre button orbiting in Word.

Keep going...practice makes perfect.

designerstuart · 11 May 2011, 11:15

looks like you are enjoying it anyway!

bupaje · 12 May 2011, 06:52

Well I think I am done with this one - not that it's complete. I just slaped on some colors to seperate basic elements. I didn't really start with a plan and grew it organically. Of course then the stairs didn't fit quite rightand there were other design problems - so going to try something much smaller (maybe a single room or elements like a medieval chest or piece of furniture).

I am having fun anyway.

bupaje · 17 May 2011, 07:29

I found two videos at The Art Department Org by Whit Brachna that demo some environmental concept art techniques.

He uses SketchUp to do a basic layout to get perspective, basic lighting and values sorted out. Then he renders and paints over with Photoshop.

(Watching him work on his thumbnails I was reminded of how important thumbnailing can be as he quickly works out 4 thumbs and selects one that meets his criteria.)

These aren't hand holding lessons where Whit explains Photoshop and SketchUp in a step by step way but they do provide a 'live' view of a talented artist's workflow, with comments and some tips.

I just completed video 1, made a couple renders of the SketchUp model I've been poking at and tried a quick paint over tonight.

Lot's of mistakes but here is a relatively quick first effort (might also be a little dark).

I'll start on video 2 tomorrow.

bupaje · 7 Jun 2011, 04:05

Hey. Been a little less active the past week or so as I try to line up some work. I have been trying to use SketchUp to do a few concepts for a Flash studio I use to work for. Here is a monitor concept, a couple of frames of a rotating gold coin (I did 12 positions in Kerkythea but only low setting as my PC went to sleep on the better ones) and a safe. Be back tomorrow to catch up.