If you wanna know exactly how I create epic environment concept art pieces like this, keep reading. In this post, I’ll walk you through the main points, but if you want to see the full 2+ hour video tutorial you can check it out right here.
Let’s take a look at the different phases of the process here:
1. Sketch
This is when the overall composition is mapped out, and I start brainstorming different elements. Here I’ve made use of what I call “perspective shapes” which both serve to guide the eye to the focal area and also increase the depth of the landscape.
2. Value mapping
Next, I fill in the sketch with some values. This is the most important element of the composition—values can make or break a painting.
Here, I’ve tried to create more contrast around the most important elements, though I do end up adjusting the values later on to bring more balance to the piece and highlight distant elements more strongly.
3. Underpainting
Then it’s time to introduce some color. I try to start with a high degree of saturation and variety at the beginning of the painting, so I can easily pick colors from the canvas and tone them down later if I need to.
4. Refining
Towards the end of the painting phase, I’ve simplified a lot of my textures and shapes. I’ve also changed up my focal area to increase depth and interest.
I’ve removed some of the direct lighting from the left side of the midground to help the fortress pop even more (and, as you’ll see next, I end up eliminating that entirely in the final pass).
5. Final detailing and photo-texturing
Now it’s time for the final polish.
I started with some photo-texturing and mixed that with some hand-detailing to bring the piece to a finished state. I also increased the scale in the foreground and added in some other characters to modify the story and make better use of the space. (Hint: there was a lot of copy-pasting involved here).
That’s it for this post, but of course there’s so much more to check out in the full environment concept art tutorial. Make sure you check it out here!
Cheers,
Eben
To learn more about my exclusive Patreon content, read more here.
2 thoughts on “Environment Concept Art Tutorial – “Arrival””
Nice work. Like your process. Think it stops u getting lost if u have set blocks of different processes to resolve before u move on to the next. I jump too quick to the end and end up invested in my paintings then can’t bring myself to change things that are clearly wrong with the image. Going to try your way. See how that works for me. Cheers Eban
Thanks! Yeah, best of luck, let me know how it goes 🙂