The Art of SketchUp - part 1: Fantasy

ken28875 · 25 Mar 2013, 23:57

Hi there,

I have been busy again working on a new game. I got this contract job last month.

I am working for Activision/Toys for Bob. For those of you who have kids or you play the game yourself, you probably heard about this big hit video called Skylanders. The company I am doing concepts for created Skylanders (http://www.skylanders.com/ ). I am now working on an unannounced game.

I got an email from the Art Driector telling me he was looking for an environment concept artist. After the first phone call interview, he told me he would get back to me as he was also talking to other candidates. Each night for almost a week after we talked, I worked on some personal concepts to show him what I can do. Knowing they created Skylanders, I did some concepts in the same style. The Art Director got back to me and asked me to come to the office. I thought it was for a second interview. But actually when I came to see him, he wanted me to work right away.

Here are the samples of concepts I sent him to convince him to hire me. All of these are Sketchup + Vray + Photoshop.

Take care,

_KN

My interview with Sketchupartists.org :
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030
My interview with Nomer:
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html

hellnbak · 26 Mar 2013, 00:30

He would have been a fool not to hire you.

Someday they're gonna have to do a study of your brain to see where all these amazing ideas come from. And then hopefully clone that portion and have it implanted in my poor little excuse for a brain.

cotty · 26 Mar 2013, 07:33

Congratulations! I would hire you too if I were a company.

ely862me · 26 Mar 2013, 08:18

You are a true artist, I love your imagination ! Keep it up !

ken28875 · 4 Apr 2013, 00:53

@hellnbak said:

He would have been a fool not to hire you.

Someday they're gonna have to do a study of your brain to see where all these amazing ideas come from. And then hopefully clone that portion and have it implanted in my poor little excuse for a brain.

Hi Mr. M. LOL, thanks for your comment. Yes, please do study my brain. I would also love to find out what's in there. I keep hearing voices in my head telling me to build crazy Sketchup models. The more fantastic, the better.

@cotty said:

Congratulations! I would hire you too if I were a company.

Thanks for your kind comment, Carsten.

@ely862me said:

You are a true artist, I love your imagination ! Keep it up !

Thank you, Elisei. Much appreciated.

Good day/evening/or night to you!

_KN

pilou · 4 Apr 2013, 15:28

I suppose some are yours ?

ken28875 · 4 Apr 2013, 15:38

[quote="Pilou"]I suppose some are yours ?

Oui, oui. Some of them are mine. Do you play the game, Pilou?

@ Pete (Solo): in case you read this post, were you finally able to play and enjoy Simcity?

Good day to you.

_KN

pbacot · 4 Apr 2013, 15:40

Love all of your work, Ken. I appreciate the artistry you used in using the Skylander style in various ways, so all the models carry the same graphic and fantasy world character! Then you are doing all the composition and coloring for a finished presentation-- all with the same feel.! Wow!

pilou · 4 Apr 2013, 15:44

@unknownuser said:

Do you play the game, Pilou?

No Sorry, I had play the old versions in the past!

I prefer now more zen game!
10 minutes for learning rules, 9 lives for arrive to the nirvana!
(it's not me

ken28875 · 6 Apr 2013, 16:54

@pbacot said:

Love all of your work, Ken. I appreciate the artistry you used in using the Skylander style in various ways, so all the models carry the same graphic and fantasy world character! Then you are doing all the composition and coloring for a finished presentation-- all with the same feel.! Wow!

Thanks for your kind comment, Peter. Glad you like them. It really enjoyed working on them. Something whimsical and fun, kind of different form the realistic hardcore fantasy style I always do.

@unknownuser said:

I prefer now more zen game!

Interesting game. Maybe you should build that in Sketchup and render it.

Here are some older stuff from Rift.

This tree is huge, spanning hundreds of meters. You can actually walk inside the trunk to go from one side to the other.

Have a wonderful weekend!

_KN

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030
My interview with Nomer:
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html
My interview with Sketchupartists.org :
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/

ken28875 · 15 Apr 2013, 08:11

Hi guys,

I hope you had a great weekend.

Here's something different from the other conceptual sketchup models. Instead of doing detailed Sketchup models, I sometimes sketch on top of simple Sketchup models to add details that would take a long time to do in Sketchup.

Have a wonderful week!

_KN

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030
My interview with Nomer:
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html
My interview with Sketchupartists.org :
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/

pilou · 15 Apr 2013, 09:51

@unknownuser said:

add details that would take a long time to do in Sketchup.

But forms are yet massively present

ken28875 · 25 Apr 2013, 00:09

@unknownuser said:

But forms are yet massively present

Thanks for your comment, Pilou.

Here are some more sketches of fantasy architecture done for the MMO Rift.

As usual, they are sketched on top of Sketchup models.

Take care,

_KN

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030
My interview with Nomer:
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html
My interview with Sketchupartists.org :
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/

hellnbak · 6 May 2013, 07:17

It's completely inconceivable to me that one person could churn out so many fantastic creations. You are like an amazing-idea factory, and in comparison I'm like a guy puttering in his garage.

WOW

iichiversii · 6 May 2013, 10:30

Ken as usual I'm in awe looking at your work, looking forward to seen some more

jo-ke · 7 May 2013, 15:53

Wow, as usual!

Adorno · 11 May 2013, 13:42

It's beyond me how one person can create all this.
Fast, high quality production. Your employer must love you

Would be cool to see actual renders of the Dive Bar and Maxis.

ken28875 · 14 May 2013, 06:37

@adorno said:

It's beyond me how one person can create all this.
Fast, high quality production. Your employer must love you

Would be cool to see actual renders of the Dive Bar and Maxis.

Thanks for your kind comments, Adorno.

Your profile says "SketchUp use: game and/or sci-fi modelling". I would love to hear more about what you do with Sketchup if you don't mind my asking. Thanks!

Have a great day!

_KN

Adorno · 14 May 2013, 11:51

I make models for (historical) mods (the little known indie game Mount&Blade), and fun.
But very poorly - not even close to your level.

Here are a few models:

Anyway, back to you now. This thread is great inspiration and motivation

teuf · 17 May 2013, 19:12

Hi Ken

Wow !
My eyes fell and are rolling on the floor... I can't understand how can someone achieve a such a high level. You are awesome.
And you are as good artist than good technician.
Thanks to share this, it's good feed
Before I thought I was an human now I realize I'm only an ant

Best regards
Teuf