Getting Started
Most of the time I am searching and looking for eye catching artwork, ideas, photos, stories, music, anything what will ignite my spark of creation. I always start with simple idea. I have a sketchbook with the description of creatures with little thumbnails. Sometimes I am mixing different fantasy archetypes as for example: goblin/demon/shaman. Short stories help me a lot, helping me to clearly visualize and develop the idea I have. Initiation of the inspiration process has many ways to spark. How I chose it often depends on my mood at the time.
Create monsters from forgotten worlds, travel to the edge of imagination, and show the world the unseen; these have always been my wild passion. I have been intrigued with Blizzard Entertainment, and Magic The Gathering.
Collect References and Inspiration
Now it’s time to observe. I always pick photos that inspire me toward my taste, as I am originating and creating something original which has got a little piece of my soul in it. This is also the time of thinking - can I pick this shape, or this color, or this element I love and recreate it or connect it to my developing image? Often this is like a mind game and flexing with imagination.
Sketch Time
Generating ideas is magical. I have two beautiful pieces of advice which I want to share with you. Always ask yourself : How can I make this thing more cool, and how to make things bigger and bolder?
Cleanline
Before I do anything with colors or values I need to be sure I have clean line art. This also is the final stage of the formulation process.
Value Mapping or Flat Colors
Before I start adding colors I need to know if my artwork is working in values of dimensions. So I start to add contrast gray-scale tones to different parts of the creature/character. Then I test out interesting color schemes.
Light
I always draw in what I call 3D mode no matter which stage, I am always thinking in 3D dimension. I visualize how light is dropping to the surface, what kind of surface it is and of course I do a study of materials. If I am drawing something new I will collect reference of light and material. In terms of light I always want to have the most interesting or cool part of creature as the brightest. I also always follow Izzy's Medrano 3 simple rules about light.
- Object most perpendicular to the light get the most light.
- Lights power gets weaker on more distance object
- If something solid is between your object and your light source,object gets no light
I would love to say thank you to Rookies team, my mentors: Brandon Reimchen from CG Spectrum, Mateusz Majewski and Alexander Trufanov for amazing courses and smart advice.
I feel absolute freedom when I can draw. It’s my paper, my stage, and I am the architect. I want to show the most creative expression as I can conjur. Building up the creature in an act of the wildest imagination and inspiration. I thrive on embedding a little of my essence into each creature. I want mystery, magic, and a general badass result.