what is concept art?
concept art is pretty much what it sounds like – art made specifically to show an original concept. this can be for environments, characters or props and is typically used for games or films.
just like any other illustration, starting with word association and thumbnails is the best start. while the scribbles on paper may look like nonsense it’s a good start to get the immediate ideas out – it doesn’t need to make sense to anyone but you. it makes it easier to start more legible thumbnails.
the idea for this piece was a god returning to the last of his forgotten shrines. not as a vengeful god but as a stranger trying to find solace. because of that i wanted a dull and diffused light source. while dramatic lighting looks cool, it tells a different story.
ironically enough i liked my value study more than the final result. i think some of the mood was lost in the rendering.