Art of Soap

mutoons asked: Although many things must be crafted per the rules in order to be worthwhile, for some things, not knowing the right way is a prerequisite for finding the best way. This is going to sound like an obvious, motherhood-and-apple-pie sort of observation, but maybe the line-coloring trials you're doing out of frustration are just the right path for eventually creating something that's entirely your own?

Well.. yeah. Broad experimentation leads to more refined results in the end and whatnot. It’s been so long that I’ve made anything refined that isn’t per strict observation and traditional medium, school-style, and also not digital paint, that I’m fumbling around trying to find out how to pull that sort of thing off again.

Anonymous asked: Does a concept artist need to be skilled at anime style coloring of line drawings? Most concept art I've seen looks kind of like prep work for fine art - even when cartoons are the final goal. Not that there's anything wrong with pursuing line-coloring skills just because you want to. And congratulations on selling your final study. I'm happy for you on that count, even if I didn't get to see it in person.

I suppose the style of concept art that a company wants for whatever project that’s being worked on depends on the style of the production that they’re making. In the western world, people seem to like the realistic, 3D-rendered stuff, so concept artists work mostly with that. I’ve been doing a lot of that style work in the last year, but I really want to start working on a comic soon, and that realistic, painted style would be so taxing for a comic, so I’m trying to work back to a clean linear style. It’s been so long since I’ve done much with line work, though, so I’m trying to refine that. I want to maintain both styles, though!

And thank you! I just got the check for it, and I hope everything works out with the buyer! Hopefully I won’t get stuck sale-less in the next three years of school.

Anonymous asked: Whether you call them studies or call them finished studio pieces, the two drawings you posted are full of life. And your showpiece for the concepts-in-round session is as striking as the illustrations promised. I've managed to flex my schedule so that I can come pick up M this weekend, and I'm hoping that your alien (Nemban?) armillary will still be on display.

Sadly no! I took it down because, one, I was required to remove it by today, and two, someone wanted to purchase the piece!

And heh, I’m trying to keep my escapist alien world consolidated to tumblr and the recesses of the internet art world… FOR NOW.

Anonymous asked: I'm guessing that this world is a focal point for a planned body of work illustrating alternative cultures? I say guess because the map looks more like professional than student work - and because I'm not familiar with your style when it comes to maps. But taking the guess as correct, I hope that I'll someday have a chance to learn more about Nemba. In the meantime, I wish you good luck with staying focused for the final sprint of your 1st year. MDad

Yes it is! Thanks! It’s going to be part of the foundation of my alien world, which I’m working on developing as a narrative personal project, and also resource for doing character and environmental design, concept art, and illustration, ha! I’ve still got some touching up to do, but I’m going to hold off on that until I have more things to fill it with.