Researching themes for concept art

[Gadbury]

Hi everyone

Basically I'm rubbish at researching, and I was wondering how you guys go about visual research for the beginning of a project. If any of you remember the Lut Gholein part in Diablo II, I'm thinking along those lines for a theme - I guess its a kind of Arabic, Persian kind of thing going on, I'm not really sure. I want to do visual research and collect images, without looking straight at Diablo II. Basically I'm looking to build up images of old persian/arabic gear, weapons etc. I know it sounds like I've kind of answered my own question, but I can't seem to ever find much at all...

How would you tackle this theme (or any theme really), how do you usually start visual research?

[Shmaba]

google old persian/arabic gear, weapons, etc. Just pop in the thing you're looking for in Google Images or take a look if there's some in the stock photos we have here on the site. Pick out what references you like the most, and start sketching by placing elements together from each reference, play around with designs, and so on.

[gamerboi]

I would also suggest going to your local library as you may be able to get more reference material there than on google.

[Musselfarmstudios]

Usually I have a script or something that has a lot of specifics that the writer wants in the scene but when it comes to researching how to get that information…I'm a fan of looking to all forms of media to find the solutions. Usually Google would be my last resort. If it's something that I have access to be it guns, trees, cars or buildings it's always best to try to find the solution from life and adapt it to the scene.

If I can't find it in life I go and hit up my personal movie library or rental shop to see if I could find any sequences or characters that are similar or share similar visual motifs that the story calls for. As well as hitting up movies…I also hit up old reference books or catalogs. It's been recommended by lots of people to build up a library of of old catalogs and magazines to help aid in finding costuming or weapons and gadgets.

Gamerboi is right…the library would be a good place to find a lot of material…the downside to my looking at movies or even video games for references is that they are still just imitations of the real thing unless you don't have to worry about historical accuracy and don't plagiarize…remember they are only references…there's a fine line but I'm sure you know that.