Concept Art, Concept Art or Concept Art are the same thing. They can also be called visual development and it is booming. The development of projects, especially those related to video games, series or animated films is used to have a first approximation about "how it looks and how it feels" what is drawn.
But What is concept art? What advantages does it have? How do you do it? If you are wondering and want to get an answer to all those questions, and some more, then we will help you clarify your ideas.
What is concept art
Concept art is a part of visual art. It can be defined as a discipline that is responsible for solve both narrative and aesthetic problems. And for this it makes use of visual elements. In other words, it is a visual representation of the ideas in terms of characters, settings, elements, etc. that a person or a team has had.
It is a first approximation of what all these elements look like and then "endows" them with life through visual effects.
Concept art and illustration
You must bear in mind that concept art and illustration are not the same, although the former can encompass the latter. In general, a concept art is an illustration, be it of the characters, settings, weapons ... But it has a different function than the illustration. While this aims to tell a story, with its characters, its plot, its environments; in the case of conceptual art it is just a sketch of how things can turn out, nothing more. But in itself it cannot be used; You have to work on it in order to endow it with that "essence."
In other words, is a first approximation to what the final result would be, a way of making what has been visualized a reality. Instead, the illustration we speak of the complete end result.
How the concept art is made
If you had asked yourself a few dozen years ago, we would tell you that, to create concept art, you only needed a pencil, a paper and a great imagination. But now, with new technologies, the truth is that image editing programs are very necessary to carry out this type of artistic representation.
Elements like 3D, composition, render, Zbrush and some other concepts They may not sound like Chinese to you, but they will be the "daily bread" of your work.
In addition, you have to take into account that, within the concept art, there are two key elements (actually more, but two are the best known):
- Scenario design. These will be the places where important situations of a work will take place. Therefore, it is necessary to detail to the smallest detail to be able to see how the whole place is combined and what emotions it transmits. For this reason, techniques such as perspective, colors, lights and shadows are so important, since with them elements or part of that «decoration» stand out.
- Character design. To create them, you need to understand them. Not only the physique of the characters is important, but also their interior to be able to externally represent those traits that define the characters. The objective? That they generate empathy. To be able to create them properly, it is very important to know the anatomy of these characters, as well as their facial expressions. And we are not referring only to humans, but also to animals and even plants.
Concept artists themselves also recommend that the designer have certain narrative skills. You can be a person who draws very well, but if you don't give your drawings a story, a way of understanding those illustrations that you present, or a context in itself, they lose life and remain only mere illustrations.
Instead, concept art creates the basis for a story.
How to Become a Concept Art Professional
If you are a graphic designer, or you love to draw, it is possible that concept art is a concept that catches your attention, especially because it opens many doors for you. However, to succeed, it is necessary to have certain elements under your belt in order to stand out from others. These are:
Artistic knowledge
It is very necessary that you know everything possible (and more) about illustrations, images, techniques, treatments, formats ... In short, that you can have a solid artistic foundation.
Of course, keep in mind that, As we move forward, there are new techniques, new styles of drawing that you will also have to learn. Otherwise, you will end up being out of date and newer ones will overtake you.
Therefore, you have to master all those concepts, either in a generalist way or specializing in 1-2, but be the best at it.
Creativity
That you have all that knowledge does not imply that creativity is what is really going to make your career stand out. And it will do so because your designs will be unique, because you provide something that others do not get. If you can transform your ideas into such realistic and addictive art that you can't look away from that image, then you can be successful.
Contacts
We are not going to fool you. To succeed you have to make yourself known and that involves a lot of work ahead to knock on the right doors. Social networks help, a lot. That is why spend time working on them, not only hanging the designs, but also establishing contacts with companies that may be interested.
Be brave
As for launching yourself if you see a job offer, or showing your designs to companies, blogs, etc. Also to create something that you can feel is restricted, or that you think is not going to be well fitted. Being a transgressor, in a way, can help to make a name for yourself, as long as you respect limits that cannot be crossed, of course.
Concept art artists
Before leaving the subject, it is convenient that you meet some artists who are true gems in conceptual art. They have known how to carve out a career with their work, some going quite far. Here we leave their names.
Ignacio Bazan Lazcano
He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and is a freelancer specialized in concept art, but also in illustration. His work has been so good that he has worked for companies such as Gameloft, Timegate, Sabarasa ...
The designs in which it is noticeable that he is more used, and that he also enjoys more, are those that have a steampunk, cyberpunk or post-apocalyptic theme.
Isidoro Valcarcel Medina
Born in Murcia, he currently lives in Madrid and is one of the most representative of conceptual art. In fact, in 2015 he received the Velázquez Prize for Plastic Arts.
Pepo Salazar
He was born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, although right now he lives in France. He is an artist, illustrator, etc. and in the case of concept art, it is one of the best in Spain.
Juan Pablo Roldan
In this case we go to Colombia, where Juan Pablo Roldán specializes in fantasy and medieval concept art. Embroider like no one else the illustrations of dragons and action, And many times, in themselves those sketches are full of energy and you can see the tension in their scenes.
Regarding his work, we can highlight Bluepoint Games, Justice League, Halo Wars, Destiny 2, ...
There are so many more concept artists. Tell us if you want to recommend one. Has it become clearer to you what concept art is?