Week 1 - Researching Concept Art

Before starting this module I was planning on creating a character model based on a piece of concept and have the character stand within a small environment that' related. After the first lesson and starting to properly research all the concept art I began focusing on more environment art rather than character. I began researching art from games I remember having interesting level design, the first that came to my head was the game 'Epic Mickey'. The game was set in a world of forgotten creations form the Disney company. abandoned Theme park rides, cartoon characters and toys filled the environment giving the game a derelict atmosphere.

Fig. 1 Epic Mickey

Fig. 2 Epic Mickey 

Moving away from video game concept art I next looked at traditional paintings of city streets within them small shops and cafes. Every painting had a unique style to each with some capturing the streets as true to life as possible and others exaggerated surreal buildings.

Fig. 3 Street Scenery Painting

Fig. 4 Urban Cityscapes

When researching I did come across some concept art from films. 2 films that interested me the most was concept from Dream works Animation 'Puss in Boots' the game and art from Aardman Animation's 'Flushed Away'. 

Fig. 5 Puss In Boots - the Game

Fig. 6 Flushed Away 

Out of these two it was the second one from the film 'Flushed Away' that really got my interest.The movie evolves around rats in the sewers of London and the rats themselves have their own mini London built from our rubbish. I loved all the little hidden gems within the piece from a milk carton as a telephone box and the spine of a book as a pub sign is really imaginative. 

Reference

Fig. 1. Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. (2012). [Concept Art]. Available from: http://pixartimes.com/2012/08/15/watch-disneys-epic-mickey-2-characters-featurette/ [Accessed 20.01.14]

Fig. 2.  Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. (2012). [Concept Art] http://www.superpunch.net/2011/03/epic-mickey-art.html [Accessed 20.01.14]

Fig. 3. Artist Unkwon, Street Scenery [Painting] http://www.daydaypaint.com/street-scenery-c-94.html?page=3&sort=20a [Accessed 21.01.14]

Fig. 4. Afremov, Leonid (2009) Urban Cityscapes [Painting] http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leonid-afremov [Accessed 21.01.14]

Fig. 5. Puss in Boots - the Game [Concept Art] http://www.behance.net/gallery/Puss-in-Boots-the-Game/10925163 [Accessed 21.01.14]

Fig. 6. Flushed Away [Concept Art] http://chvacher.deviantart.com/art/Flushed-Away-Concept-art-291934492 [Accessed 21.01.14]