Friday, June 6, 2014

Bootcamp Assignment Options

Hey all,

If you are already signed up for the bootcamp (or just want to play along at home) choose at least one of the sample assignments listed below, and try to come in to the first day of the bootcamp with as much of the following ready for critique as you possibly can.  The more prepared you are the better chance you will have to complete the project in the six day we have together.  This being said, we understand that people are coming from a variety of experience level, so work to your comfort level and we will be there to guide you in taking your work to the next level.  Please try to have thumnail (rough) sketches, reference photos, and a tighter sketch ready to go.  Along with your preferred painting surface and materials.

Project Descriptions

Option 1:  "To The Rescue!"
                  Standard book cover dimensions you can work any size that you feel comfortable as long as it is roughly a 0.75:1 vertical (approx. 18 x 24 portrait) format
                  Illustrate a traditional medieval fantasy scene, where we show a warrior rescuing a damsel (or dude-sel), being sacrificed to a dragon.  Pick a point in the scene which to tell your story, right before the action, in the middle of the action, or maybe even the warrior escaping with the rescued character.  Pick a culture that dominates the design aesthetic of your characters' clothing/ armor.  See if you can even design a dragon that reflects that culture's aesthetic. For example: if the scene takes place in an Asian themed setting, design a dragon that the audience can recognize as Asian influenced.

Option 2: "Oh The Horror!"
                Again work to a comfortable scale, could be either standard book cover 0.75:1 vertical or cinematic ratio 1.85:1 horizontal (24 x 13 horizontal)
                Illustrate a scene from a classic horror novel or film, but re-imagine it as if you are the director or cover artist.  You pick the camera angle, lighting, and even redesign the characters to fit your personal aesthetic.  Pick something from at least 30 years go and try to make it appeal to a contemporary audience.

Option 3: "Angelic Protector of the Blinding Dawn"
                Work to a scale you are comfortable, standard MTG card art dimensions 1.33:1 landscape (approx. 12 x 9 Horizontal)
                Show a majestic female angel dressed for battle in the attire of your choice. She must convey a sense of protection,not aggression. "Blinding Dawn" may be conveyed literally through the time of day, shown with insignia, or implied creatively in another fashion.

Feel free to post any questions in the comments below.

4 comments:

  1. Hello,

    Erik had asked me to post to the blog with my thumbnails for feedback. Don't see an obvious place for posting so I am sticking it here:

    http://chrisrossow.blogspot.com/p/workshop.html

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  2. Hi there! Looking forward to next week! Forgive my confusion, but as far as the piece(s) of art we'll be working on during the bootcamp (i.e.- aside from paints & materials, etc) are we to only bring sketches and reference for our piece(s)? In other words, NOT a final drawing or something that's already in-progress? Thanks! :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jim, I am looking forward to it as well. As far as what you should have done on the first day, everything up to the final piece. If you are executing a painting a final sketch would be great. If a drawing is going to be your final product, do not start that drawing. The reason for this is we would like to be able to give you some critiques and suggest some improvements before you start the final piece. So. bring thumbnails, color comps, tonal comp(final sketch) but I would recommend against having an in progress final started.

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    2. Gotcha! Thanks :) That was what I was thinking, but just wanted to clarify. Much appreciated! Cheers and see you in a week!
      Jim

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