Curse

Charlie Dayman · Jun 20, 2011, 07:06 AM // 07:06

I know this is GW2 related, but I figured I'd post this here as well. I know a lot of us don't browse the other board nearly as much as this one, so this particular article may have gone largely unnoticed.

http://www.guildwars2.com/en/media/asset-kit/

The above link is a download to the GW2 Asset kit. Included is a bunch of info on the upcoming game - nothing really new outside of what we already know. However, they were nice enough to include a pantload of concept art in all their 3K pixel sized glory.

Not sure about you guys, but I consider this HUGE insight into the art team's "secrets".

These provide a much bigger understanding on how the artists approach their designs and brush work. Not to mention they can be a really big help for everyone here when it comes to working digitally.

From what I'm seeing, they work very large but also very loose - even more than I previously thought. Most of the detail is actually a result of the scaling-down of pictures, rather than tedious detail.

Anyways, download the pack, study the pictures, and learn yourselves something new. I certainly did

Olle · Jun 20, 2011, 07:48 AM // 07:48

Just totally awesome, dl'd it and the pics are epic

Tommy's · Jun 20, 2011, 07:52 AM // 07:52

I already downloaded it but then it only included the 4 (ex Caithe) of that groupie. So now it appears they have more

And indeed, it's very nice to see them at such big size, see how much more important color and balance is versus detail. Thank you Anet!

Drelias Melaku · Jun 20, 2011, 08:19 AM // 08:19

We have a 4-foot wide Caithe poster, so I noticed that they used fairly loose brush strokes and, in Caithe's case, cloned the flowers quite a few times, too. I'm still pretty far off from taking too much from this, but it's still interesting to see.

Thanks for sharing! I probably wouldn't have seen this otherwise. It'll help me feel better about not being able to get the GW2 art book. =P

EDIT: Oops. Note to self: read before downloading large files. There are fewer files in the HD pack.

EDIT2: I am completely in love with the ranger spirits. Those are just too epic for words.

Hailfall · Jun 20, 2011, 10:25 AM // 10:25

Odd.. when i download the HD one i still only have the 4 of that group.. am i missing something there or is there something not correct with my download.

edit: oh learn to read Shala.. -_-

Verene · Jun 20, 2011, 03:01 PM // 15:01

Oh, there's more stuff in the non-HD pack? Hmph, wish I'd noticed that when downloading them last week

I seriously loved the graphic design guidelines PDF, myself. The comment about "colors that look like refugees from the 1980s" cracked me up.

Drelias Melaku · Jun 20, 2011, 07:37 PM // 19:37

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one to make that mistake! I saw 'HD' and didn't bother to read anything else. Now I have both, though. =P
I haven't taken a look at the PDF files yet.

Death By An Arrow · Jun 20, 2011, 07:37 PM // 19:37

very interesting, i too only had the HD one (and assumed the characters were it).

Very insightful, especially for someone whos entering into digital art. I figured starting small and expanding to bigger would be better, but it looks like the opposite works just as well.

Large with fewer details, still looks detailed
Small with more details, looks a little cluttered.

Good things to keep in mind ^^

Morag D · Jul 01, 2011, 03:27 PM // 15:27

wow! I only just got the chance to download those, and they are incredible! I am so impressed right now. Knowledge of colour use ftw??!? Crazy stuff. There is a surprising amount of smudging going on, I always thought smudging is considered evil. But it seems, you do whatever gets the job done...
I definitely have to give big a go now but I have a feeling my laptop won't be so cooperative :/

Charlie Dayman · Jul 01, 2011, 04:18 PM // 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morag D

There is a surprising amount of smudging going on, I always thought smudging is considered evil. But it seems, you do whatever gets the job done...\

Not sure about others, but I abuse the smudge tool. That's normally how I blend shades together smoothly. It's much faster than having to keep re-selecting colors and get them to create an even gradient.

Morag D · Jul 01, 2011, 06:18 PM // 18:18

I see... I've been completely ignoring the smudge tool. Something else to look into...

Verene · Jul 01, 2011, 06:19 PM // 18:19

Sometimes I use the smudge tool, sometimes not. It depends on how lazy I'm feeling

Ravenhawk · Jul 01, 2011, 08:14 PM // 20:14

I have to remember to download this when I get home lol