3d Space Creation, continued

Well, I think I've made my choice regarding artist choice. I think I'll base my work on the awesomely surreal artist Zdzislaw Beskinski.

This will be more of an exercise in the replication of atmosphere than specific visual elements. Beksinski uses certain elements in most of his images, but it's not always concrete. Death and morbid features are one common element, but they are not everything - as I believe this example demonstrates.

This image, I feel, shows more of Beksinski's depth as an artist. While it ties into his other works stylistically, it contains none of their elements. Apart from the obviously fantasy-based roots of the picture it contains no skull, graves, crucifixes or any of his other more morbid features - however - it would fit in a set of his other images perfectly. It continues the feeling I get from his works that they are all based in a world.

His images may actually be representing some world that he imagines, I don't know. I have chosen specifically to look at as many examples of his work as possible without knowing his direction while creating to ensure I do not simply create 'his pictures in 3d' but create a 3d space that is inpired by them.

One personal change I feel I must make is replacing Beksinski's religious drive with my own mathematical one. Beksinski may have had his reasons for such dark, church related imagery - but I do not. I am a lifelong athiest, and as such, do not share his feelings regarding the church. From his images I get a sense of betrayal that he may (Or may not, I'm only guessing here) have experienced on behalf of the church. This usually twists into his depictions of war as well, with images featuring a soldier and the crucifix. This may tie his Polish nationality with WWII, but I am guessing again.

What I am sure of is that I do not feel the same way on certain points. I do not believe in religion, but it has never betrayed or punished me. It is simply not my place to say something on the subject. My religion is in mathematics and the stars, something I would like to bring about in my representations - particularly the way science is a god or a devil depending on your own feelings on how it should be used. The CERN large Hadron collider is an example of this to me. Decried before it was even built for how much it would cost and further demonised by false beliefs that it would create a black hole and destroy the world. After running for about 2 years, it has (obviously) failed to destroy any planets - but it's creation led to an important point in the creation of the internet.

This, and my own wierd personal superstitions about numbers (Even numbers are unlucky, odds are fine and prime numbers are lucky. I told you it was wierd.) are some of the main points I would like to use. Tying the irrefutable truth of mathematics with the fallible truths of human perception - the sum can never be wrong, just the person solving it - with the demonising of technology that has been occurring for the last few years. These days, someone who ignores technology and exists without it is usually viewed as 'wise' compared to someone who relies on it. I believe this comes from an inherent fear in the human spirit of relying to heavily on it as a crutch.

Well, that's the idea at least. I'll post images as soon as I stop writing and make some.

Daniel Dociu

Another artist that I have always liked is the conceptual artist Daniel Dociu, who currently works for NCSoft (He provides artwork for the guild wars games primarily)

This is a good example of his work. Detailed, chaotic scenes with strong palette choices.

This is one of his peices of conceptual artwork for a level that was not used, however the artwork still made it into the game as a loading screen. The basis of the level was a city where the player navigated across the rooftops.

He starts his images with a concept, then starts to create random shapes by using custom brushes within photoshop. He then loks for order in these shapes and bases his images around them.

Zdzislaw Bekinski

Another artist I have found to be very inpiring. He's quite a dark one too, I think there must be something wrong with my brain...

 

He has a standard palette that he tends to use, with oranges and yellows creating a dry, dusty feeling - fitting that most of his images involve death or decay in some form.

Even in the works that don't feature a direct reference to mortality have a dark and strong feeling to them. Like something is going to go very wrong for someone...

Use of colour is staggeringly impactful, drawing the eye to the images. Images are usually excellently painted and amaze before you even start to look into other points. The crucified figure in the top right, the skull and bones lying beside the cradle, the strangely spooky character bent over the cradle looks soft and motherly- yet not - and the use of In Hoc Signo Vinces : "in this sign you will conquer" the slogan of armies and military families, believed to have been spoken by Consantine I

Ian Miller

Ian Miller is an illustrator and artist who has produced images for Games Workshop, 2000AD and J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings to name but a few.

The image I have featured in my influence map is a shot from the James Herbert graphic novel he illustrated, as it shows everything about him that inspires me: detailed linework, organic twisting of architectural shapes and spaces and a limited palette used to enhance the impact of an image.

This work is from a horror novel cover, and shows how he uses detailed line work and organic shapes to create an unsettling piece that reflects the novel within.

These are works from a book detailing the world of Tolkien (That I was lucky enough to pick up for £3!) They show his use of line and detail again, but also demonstrate his non-use of colour in some aspects. I think the images are perfect as they are and that any colour applied would take away from the descriptive aspect of the images.

Artists represented within a 3d space

For my first 3d project to be completed in Maya I have to look at artists that have inspired me and represent their style in a three dimensional space.

There are three artists that have always inspired me that I will be looking at over the next few days: Ian Miller, Zdzislaw Beksinski and Daniel Dociu.

Art based on the novels of Iain M. Banks

Art by others based on his books. Rather more literal than I'm aiming for

An awesome pic of a shellworld by Kackustoo on deviantArt

A pic from an Orbital hub, I think. by Bizenghast

Music in videos

All of my favorite video's involve the use of music to reinforce the visuals. I thought I'd post a few of my favorites for everyone to enjoy :)

Eve Never Fades

Assassins Creed 2 UK tv advert

Gears of War Madworld trailer

Gran Turismo 1 intro movie

And one last one that I paticularly enjoy - WARNING: Some people may find this offensive (Sweary music and other stuff)

Eve Online - GoonSwarm