Sep '17
1

I have a question regarding skills that you need in concept art. Can you help me with arranging those points according to importance/after what you should learn first?

I have organized these points after three categories, those are just for overview though.
So if you find that for example "shot composition" is more important than "continuity" then please rearrange them the way you think they belong.

Lastly, I've listed some style directions where i'd thank you tons if you help me order them according to importance regarding what you need to be capable of when you do concept art.

Your aid is greatly appreciated so I thank you a lot for your help!

xoxo from Flynnit

I have a question regarding skills that you need in concept art. Can you help me with arranging those points according to importance/after what you should learn first?

I have organized these points after three categories, those are just for overview though.
So if you find that for example "shot composition" is more important than "continuity" then please rearrange them the way you think they belong.

Lastly, I've listed some style directions where i'd thank you tons if you help me order them according to importance regarding what you need to be capable of when you do concept art.

Your aid is greatly appreciated so I thank you a lot for your help!

xoxo, Flynnit

–––
Now comes the points
–––
Fundamentals in Art:
- Proportion and Placement
- Form and Construction, Depth
- Perspective
- Anatomy
- Gesture
- Composition
- Value and Light
- Colour Theory
- Line
- Texture and Surfaces
- Traditional Art (Strong Knowledge in coal and Ink drawing + one of the ones mentioned in "Basic Knowledge. Basic Knowledge how to handle Aquarell, Gouache, Oil, Acrylic, Pastel, Coloured pencils and practiced them)

Specifically for the field:
- solid understanding of all the different surface treatments, making them readable
- Surprise:
Making a piece look interesting/breaking rules to create tension
- Creating colour moods:
knowing what colours produce what moods
- drawing models, knowing about furniture, functional structure of machines, basic structure of buildings
- asset list:
knowing about what is needed in detail (objects and the such) an when drawing a concept piece for a medium
- Speed
- Keeping Deadlines
- Being able to finish a piece work, knowing when a piece is ready (neither too early nor too late)
- Continuity:
being able to maintain a continuous style or feel across a project
- basic understanding of physics that has an impact on visuals
- Knowledge of production processes like:
knowing about the process in which films are made, knowing about the process in which games are made
- Knowing how to communicate with members of all teams (like Programming)

Skills/Knowledge:
- storytelling
- shot composition
- film principles (like frog perspective, establishing shot)
- film techniques
- original thinking, out of the box thinking
- consuming different kinds of media (anime, games, movies, series ...)
- different kinds of genres (sci-fi, phantasy, thriller ...)
- calligraphy
- evolution and the functions of different animals and why their features are the way they are

Extra Point:
Fundamentals (are they?) in stylisitc direction
- Realism
- Caricature
- Exaggeration
- Matte Painting (High-skilled photo editing)
- Design Principles
- Technical Drawing

3 months later

Jan '18

really? it took 3 months for someone to reply to this? lol I'm not in the field but I can give you a few pointers:

Okay, I'd say the most important thing is what are you going to specialize in. There's different "trades" within the trade so to speak, so figure out if you're going to be environment, character, vehicle, weapon, etc. having skill in all of those is important, but don't try to do it all at once. learn it all, but point by point, one step at a time. yknow?

after you figure that out, basically start with your foundations. probably best to do this traditionally, pen and paper, paint, etc. try different mediums!

For style, learn realism first. Everything else is exaggeration of stuff we see. once you get a good foundation of anatomy and how to draw what you see, then you can start bending the rules. Find artists you like and emulate (but don't copy!) their style, but only for learning purposes because eventually you will become unique with your own style.

and most of all, keep drawing. Never stop. it has tob e daily, and it has to be constant. being an artist is a lifestyle so when you wake up, eat breakfast, draw.

you don't need to go to school to become a concept artist, but you need a good portfolio. so don't be like me and never finish your drawings. push em to the end! Every piece you make can be a portfolio piece (IF YOU WANT) but don't pressure yourself to being 100% all the time, because art also has to be fun. it's an expression! enjoy the process, because if you don't, it's gonna be a job you don't wanna do :stuck_out_tongue:

I hope this helps, if not, don't listen to me then, I'm not a professional yet, and i doubt I ever will be haha! :wink:

5 months later

Jun '18

I would also be very much interested in learning this hierarchy. Just what I'm looking for actually, thanks flynnit!