The Art of SketchUp - part 1: Fantasy

ken28875

hi,
I don't play games but I think that your work is terrific , moreover this work it's your hobby and job and I think that is guarantee of success .
Keep posting.

@ Jarynzlesa: Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I am quite lucky to have job that is also doing the same thing as my hobby. It's a dream career. Actually, since I love what I do at the office, it's not really "working".

Here's another render. The fortress is a Sketchup model and the environment was done in Vue.

A bunch of atmosphere studies:

Have a wonderful week,

_KN

My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Sketchup for Fantasy Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27028
Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030

ken28875

Hi there,

So I mentioned in my other thread that ASGVIS/V-Ray just had a Featured Artist article about me a couple of days ago.

You can see it here.
http://software.asgvis.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=886&Itemid=466&utm_source=Publicaster&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Winning%20Subject&utm_term=Read%20more%20about%20Ken%20Nguyen

There are 2 new renders that have been done mainly for the interview and have not been posted anywhere else. I have others WIP that I will post later when I will finish them.

I also fixed/finished some older renders of the Temple (renamed "The Curse" based on my video game concept - added the colored characters) and the Interior Hallway (fixed some of the lighting and added sun rays).

I am still not quite satisfied with the Interior Hallway. I need to add stuff on the back wall. I will work on it some more when I have time.

Thanks for stopping by.

_KN

My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Sketchup for Fantasy Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27028
Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030

michaliszissiou

Great modeling Ken. I never asked though. Where these figures (statues) comming from? Your models? Using what app? Not SU of course.

ken28875

@michaliszissiou said:

Great modeling Ken. I never asked though. Where these figures (statues) comming from? Your models? Using what app? Not SU of course.

Hi Michalis,

The statues were modeled in Maya and exported into Sketchup.

Same thing for my characters of the Temple (The Curse). These characters are old though. I did them back in 2005 for my game degree's final thesis.

I modeled, textured, rigged and animated using Maya and Photoshop. The fortress in the back was modeled in Sketchup and exported into Maya.

Here's one of my latest models and renders done for ASGVIS/V-Ray interview. Egyptian Museum. For this project, I used the new Spot lights to illuminate the Egyptian artifacts. Beware at night, when the museum doors close, the mummy comes to life!

Have a wonderful week!

_KN

My interview with ASGVIS/V-Ray:
http://software.asgvis.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=886&Itemid=466&utm_source=Publicaster&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Winning%20Subject&utm_term=Read%20more%20about%20Ken%20Nguyen
My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Sketchup for Fantasy Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27028
Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030

michaliszissiou

Nice characters, and great last egyptian museum scene.
I like it a lot, I have my reasons

ken28875

@michaliszissiou said:

Nice characters, and great last egyptian museum scene.
I like it a lot, I have my reasons

@ Michalis: Thank you. I am glad you liked it.

So here is Johnny's Room. This was done for 3D Connexion contest. I had to use one of their models (e.g. the robot in the center of the image) and place it in an original 3D environment. Obviously, the robot would not work well in Karoline's room (the render I did for my daughter). Therefore I had to create a boy room.

Hope you like it.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great week!

_KN

My interview with ASGVIS/V-Ray:
http://software.asgvis.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=886&Itemid=466&utm_source=Publicaster&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Winning%20Subject&utm_term=Read%20more%20about%20Ken%20Nguyen
My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Sketchup for Fantasy Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27028
Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030

liam887

Nice work Ken I really need to learn how to make some good materials for my models, the children's bedroom scene is amazing! ALways nice to see your work.

ken28875

@liam887 said:

Nice work Ken I really need to learn how to make some good materials for my models, the children's bedroom scene is amazing! ALways nice to see your work.

Hi Liam,

Glad to hear you like it. Thanks.

Yup, materials are very important to have a good render. What rendering engine do you use?

Hope you had a great Christmas and I wish you the best for New Year 2011.

_KN

Here are some more visual developments from the game Gods and Heroes.

Shipwrecks done with Sketchup/Maya - Environment with Vue - Photoshop for postwork.

Some atmospheric studies:

ken28875

Hi guys,

It's nice to be back. I apologize for the lack of updates the past half year. Things have been quite hectic.

My grandfather passed away a few months ago. I spent a few days in Los Angeles with my family to attend the funeral.

Back to San Francisco, I was really busy finishing the game Rift that was shipped on March. You can check out the website here if you're into MMO: http://www.riftgame.com/en/. So the NDA was lifted and I now can share some of my concepts/Sketchup models that I did the past 3.5 years.

I was also busy working on personal stuff that I will post later.

Anyway, here are some art works I did for Rift, mostly architecture, weapons and props.

As usual, modeling was done in Sketchup; texturing inside Sketchup and done in Photoshop; rendering with VRay for Sketchup; postworks in Photoshop.

I have hundreds of them and will post them when I have the chance.

Thanks for viewing and have a great day,

_KN

Raw renders/ WIP in Sketchup:

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Shadebane_raw_skp1.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Shadebane_raw_skp2.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Shadebane_raw_skp3.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Shadebane_raw_skp4.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Shadebane_raw_skp6.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Shadebane_raw_skp7.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Shadebane_raw_skp5.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/A_P_stonefield_chapel_01.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/A_D_temple_small_01e.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/porticulum.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/barrel_chest_crate.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/metal_chest.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Metal_Crate_barrel.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Metal_Strongbox.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/1H_Maces_set_05.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/1H_Maces_set_05_skp.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/2H_Swords_set_07.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

[img:2x623wj1]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/2H_swords_set_07_skp.jpg[/img:2x623wj1]

My interview with ASGVIS/V-Ray:
http://software.asgvis.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=886&Itemid=466&utm_source=Publicaster&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Winning%20Subject&utm_term=Read%20more%20about%20Ken%20Nguyen
My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Sketchup for Fantasy Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27028
Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030

numbthumb

Nice to have you back, Ken. It's always a pleasure to see such a wonderful work!

Pherim

Incredible Stuff! I wish I was as good as you are. I also do fantasy modelling in Sketchup, but I am far from being as good as you are with it. Looking forward to more!

tnarch

Very impressive. Keep it up!

boofredlay

Very impressive work!

meak

hello,
as usual a great job!
I can not wait to see more.

ken28875

@ numbthumb, Pherim, Triet Nguyen, Eric Lay and Cador Mikael: Thanks guys for your kind words. I am glad you like my stuff.

Here are some more Sketchup models I did for the game Rift.

Sketchup + Vray or Podium + Photoshop

Have a wonderful day!

_KN

[img:2xn4gtbj]http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy/Art of Sketchup Fantasy group 02 a/Crossbows_03.jpg[/img:2xn4gtbj]

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030&p=337096#p337096
My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotligh%20...%20-industry/

Pherim

Very cool stuff again. I find it fascinating how you are using quite uncommon shapes. I find it difficult to use such shapes, but then again I am still experimenting with some of the plugins.
Your model of the dwarven temple reminds me of one of my own models which is also some kind of temple or shrine.

ken28875

@pherim said:

Very cool stuff again. I find it fascinating how you are using quite uncommon shapes. I find it difficult to use such shapes, but then again I am still experimenting with some of the plugins.
Your model of the dwarven temple reminds me of one of my own models which is also some kind of temple or shrine.

Hi Pherim,

Thank you for your comments. I would love to see your models. Feel free to email them to me (to my personal email: ken28875@yahoo.com), as well as any questions you may have if I could help improve your Sketchup modeling skills. I am quite busy but I will do my best to reply.

Anyway, here are some tents that I did for the different NPC (bandits, goblins, etc.) and some market stalls for the game Rift.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week.

_KN

$http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy/Art of sketchup Fantasy group 03/A_C_tent_fractions_01.jpg$

$http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy/Art of sketchup Fantasy group 03/A_C_tent_fractions_01_skp.jpg$

$http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy/Art of sketchup Fantasy group 03/A_C_tent_fractions_02.jpg$

$http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy/Art of sketchup Fantasy group 03/A_C_tent_fractions_02_skp.jpg$

Some weapons here.

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030&p=337096#p337096
My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/

Gaieus

This is fantastic.

When I look at the wireframes, I am saying "what an awfully sloppy way of modelling" but then when I look at the final result, I have to admit I simply do not have fantasy. Probably this is why my models are always mediocre and so "artificially looking" - and well, I may know the techniques but then the true artist can also discard the rules in order to achieve something great.

Thanks for sharing these - they are great inspiration!

boofredlay

Great work as usual Ken.

ken28875

@ Csaba Pozsárkó and Eric Lay: I appreciate your comments. Some of these tents are low polygon models so that we can put them in the game engine. I usually do a higher polygon models for final rendering like the ones I posted earlier or some of my personal stuff for the Sci-fi thread. Thank you.

So here's my first project when I started working on Trion's MMO game Rift back in January 2008. I had to design a keep in Gloamwood that is a dark forest in the world of Rift. By the way, Rift is kind of like World of Warcraft for those who play online games.

All the pieces are modular meaning you can rotate them and combine them to create different castles.

Thanks for viewing. Comments and questions are welcome.

Best,

_KN

I started with these 3 conceptual models: