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Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.07 (03:48)
by a happy song
I'm currently building a body of work to use in an application for an art foundation course starting in September. I'll update this first post as I go, the thread will contain some rough sketches and ideas too if you're interested in having a browse.
Portfolio - Click on a thumb for full size image.
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Thanks for looking, +feedback and critique x
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.07 (03:58)
by wedgie
Haha awesome. The second one is my favourite. Great skills Atob.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.07 (04:00)
by a happy song
Thanks. The second one came out best I think (although the first is my favourite design so far).
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.07 (04:04)
by Pheidippides
I like the first the best down to the point where it's cut off in your avy. The legs could be cooler, in my opinion. Everything's very well-drawn, though, certainly better than anything I could muster. Keep at it, it's great stuff.
The illustrations for the forest and the fire were done by someone you know, right? You two should team up; the styles seem a bit similar, like they would mesh nicely.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.07 (04:07)
by a happy song
Pheidippides wrote:I like the first the best down to the point where it's cut off in your avy. The legs could be cooler, in my opinion. Everything's very well-drawn, though, certainly better than anything I could muster. Keep at it, it's great stuff.
The illustrations for the forest and the fire were done by someone you know, right? You two should team up; the styles seem a bit similar, like they would mesh nicely.
That's my friend's work, yes, our styles have always been very similar. Collaborations have been on the cards for some time, but they've been waiting on me to pull my finger out. We'll see, I'll ask her if she's not too busy.
And thanks. I'm going to redraw the first and third for sure, I'll repost when I do.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.07 (04:32)
by TribulatioN
That second one keeps me scrolling back to it. Definitely my favourite.
Hope to see more. They're wonderful.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.07 (13:24)
by a happy song
Received some criticism from an artist friend today, her main concern was the lines aren't bold enough. Not something I can really remedy with my current equipment (unless I go over with a brush in PS), but I'll definitely bear in mind.
Here's one I've started work on, but I've no idea where to take it. I'm moving on to something new for now, but any suggestions for this one would still be appreciated.

Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.07 (13:35)
by Izzy
Your style is so awesome.
<3 #2.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.07 (13:42)
by a happy song
Thank you. My technique is still sucky but I'm picking up a few tricks as I go. If anyone wonders where I get my inspiration from, well, let's just say I've noticed a few shady characters lurking about lately...

Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.07 (15:39)
by lord_day
Haha. They are all so cute. Great work.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.08 (00:35)
by sheganican
the second one is radical, the newest one (not the floor goo) is my second favorite.
prime trading-card material right there.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.08 (01:52)
by PALEMOON
I agree that the lines should be a little bolder because some details (like horns, teeth, fingers) kind of fade into the background, but overall these are very interesting and creative!
i am also terrible at art critique, i usually go like "yeah it looks great" or "totally awesome", because i'm afraid i will sound like a jerk, but here goes:
maybe try some more vibrant colors, or something? the crazy eye monster was really awesome because the pink eyes stood out so much from the dark background and white, but your most recent one seems a little flat due to the three prominent muted colors.
other than that, though, i love these. especially the facial expressions.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.08 (02:09)
by a happy song
Thanks, the facial expressions are probably my favourite aspects too.
And I agree that some of the colours don't seem to work as well as they could, I'll mess about with revisions soon.
Thanks for the feedback.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.08 (23:42)
by wumbla
These are of upmost awesomeness.
I like the cartoonyness of the, I would like to see more.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.09 (00:24)
by Condog
Man, i'm lovin this style. Only a few things i'd recommend: try using some bolder colours, and bolder lines. With the lines, i'd say only make the outline of the monsters bolder and leave any pther lines, such as the lines on the horns, as they are. This should define the form of the monster against the background.
Awesome stuff dude. This looks like fun, and considering i'd like to do the same sort of stuff, maybe i had better get cracking on a good porfolio as well.
Also, just out of interest, do you happen to watch the shows 'Aaah Real Monsters' or 'Making Fiends'? Or pretty much any show on Cartoon Network?
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.09 (01:11)
by toasters
I haven't watched Cartoon Network in a while, but that new show with the imaginary friend creatures has some very interesting character designs, definitely worth a look considering your art. As for criticism, I dunno much about art, but like palemoon said the facial expressions really make these drawings. That's what I think is missing from that newest one, it doesn't have much of an expression.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.09 (01:14)
by Condog
toasters wrote:I haven't watched Cartoon Network in a while, but that new show with the imaginary friend creatures has some very interesting character designs, definitely worth a look considering your art. As for criticism, I dunno much about art, but like palemoon said the facial expressions really make these drawings. That's what I think is missing from that newest one, it doesn't have much of an expression.
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
It's not weird that I know that.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.09 (06:24)
by Turtle
Condog wrote:toasters wrote:I haven't watched Cartoon Network in a while, but that new show with the imaginary friend creatures has some very interesting character designs, definitely worth a look considering your art. As for criticism, I dunno much about art, but like palemoon said the facial expressions really make these drawings. That's what I think is missing from that newest one, it doesn't have much of an expression.
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
It's not weird that I know that.
No, not really.
I like the second one a lot. Mostly the eyes and horns. Very neat.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.09 (09:30)
by Nexx
2nd and 4th are my favorite. And I really like the color usage in both. I feel like bolder colors would be too harsh for these creatures, since they seem kinda friendly (ironically, I suppose).
Anyway, I like your shading and the way you draw their hands (namely on that 4th one). Good work! I can't wait to see more. :)
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.10 (01:08)
by a happy song
I know Real Monsters, I can see the similarity, the rest I've not heard of. This style isn't particularly unique, it's just an easy place to begin and it's enjoyable to draw.
Thanks for the feedback guys, I'll update with a bunch in a day or so.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.10 (01:43)
by epigone
Hey these are pretty neat. It's cool that you really want to go out and do this, goals are great (not being sarcastic, though it may sound so). Keep posting more of these sketches.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.10 (03:15)
by Vyacheslav
I love your style too, but I think it's important to show that you can draw academically too. A still life and a life drawing wouldn't hurt.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.10 (05:35)
by Skyling
You have a very distinct style that's still modern and "hip". My favorite one is definitely the ghosts.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.10 (10:36)
by a happy song
87654321 wrote:I think it's important to show that you can draw academically too. A still life and a life drawing wouldn't hurt.
That's my main weakness and something I'll be working on very hard over the next year.
The ghosts are a mock up, I'm going to redraw each baby ghost individually but I'm fond of the basic design too. Thanks all, I'll update with one or two more this evening.
Re: Building a portfolio of concept art.
Posted: 2009.01.11 (04:39)
by otters
What *was* the floor goo?