some quick paintings...(semi big d/l)

[Feng]

Hello everyone..

Sorry for not posting more often here. Just got a new gig that's eating up a lot of my time....and no artwork i can show publicly. Also apologize for missing out on Austin. I switched to a new project at the time...so it just got too crazy.

Well, here are some recent rough paintings i did. Some are for my art center class demo, and others are for fun. Pretty rough stuff, about 45min-1 hour each, using painter and PS.

Anyone going to comic con? I'll be there Sat...hopefully i'll get to meet some of you guys there.....it sounds like fun...

http://www.artbyfeng.com/Forum/paint_rough_01.jpg

http://www.artbyfeng.com/Forum/paint_rough_02.jpg

http://www.artbyfeng.com/Forum/paint_rough_03.jpg

http://www.artbyfeng.com/Forum/paint_rough_04.jpg

http://www.artbyfeng.com/Forum/paint_rough_05.jpg

http://www.artbyfeng.com/Forum/paint_rough_06.jpg

-feng

[donkeyslayer]

nice! too bad you couldn't make it to austin. i'da love to see you work in person.

[Diego]

fuck shit feng!!!, these are totally rad.
There are some much lightning in there......the designs are fantastic, great mood and sense of depth....

Post more often pleasee!!!

-d

[Aftertime]

Feng,

I love your stuff. I'm a student at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology in Santa Monica. I'm going to be attending CalArts for animation next fall. My friend Jodi introduced me to your work. I absolutely love your style. He said you teach it? Where do you teach, are you still teaching? I'd love to sign up for one of your classes if possible. Let me know and keep up the good work.

-John

[Montross]

Truly stunning Feng! I'm also a big fan of your concept art work. Where is it that you teach at again?

[DruSam]

First things first.

Mr. Feng Zhu you are the man!

I have always admired your concepts! You have been an inspiration for me to continue my quest to be good at concept art.

ok ass-kissing is done.

:D


Here's a question on your concept process:

When exactly do you use painter, and when do you use photoshop?


You were working on Star Wars Episode 3 at one point, were you not? Are you still doing that?

[xia]

Holy Shit! Feng! you are fucking awesome!!!
How's your new project going?

[deschamps]

Wonderful artwork as always. I love the simple shapes created by the blown out light in the first one. Inspiring work! I hope to meet you at the comic-con.
-Eric

[Upstart]

Great color palettes man, just extremely masterful. That second one just blows me away--they all do, but that 2nd one has a great attitude to it.

[angel of light]

wow i really like the 2nd one and the 5th one. they look so grandiose, its awesome, great mood :D

[jetpack42]

These are worlds above the work you do on the DVDs, or any of your work on your website....

he has become more powerful then we could ever imagine...

[HugeHarHar]

Your stuff always makes me cry. It's as if God himself takes a break and gives you his powers. Damn you man... you are God.

[se7en_]

you are like a f^cking concept ninja!

You are my new hero. Seriously, 45 minutes? How do you do all those lines? The lighting and perspective are stunning. Colors.... so cool. OMFG!!
45 minutes!#@$*

7

[Aerythes]

:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

[CCCP-DeLux]

yeesh... I wish I could be exposed to those of your skill level in a learning environment, it would be good for me. I don't even know any depth tricks other than simple perspective crud and overlapping objects :mumble:

But, these designs really strike me as inspired... I need to learn to allow my mind this kind of creativity. Some of the still-skilled people here do things I'm technically-skilled enough to detect... but you're way off of my radar... the reflections in the one with the wet ground, they're so perfect! The neon signs, so almost-real-but-still-artsy-too ! ... I need to learn the tricks of depth, consistent atmosphere, reflections, and texture to become better at what I do.

Can I ask for some pointers in digital art? I'm just now self-learning photoshop and tips from a pro would be awesome. The creativity, I can't even form so full of a scene in my head yet... need to work on that.

God has given you a gift for imagining realistic worlds... if you can use this in a way that glorifies God... you'd truly be a blessing to the planet :D .

Now I'll stop the religious talk before I get in trouble :cat;

[PhilHolland]

Really sorry you missed Austin!
But, seriously, this stuff rocks!
Big improvements in quality over the last year in your color work.
You've been painting a lot more haven't you?

Phil

[shadow]

I have thought it many a time, to the man who started me in markers.....
.......bare my children..... :D Jus kidding, amazing as always feng.

[gasmask]

Dam these are nice for being only 45 min, ill be honest, ur one of my favs but i dont like these as much as the marker ink stuff you do, like i said these are still amazing tho,

[Madman!]

wow these are awesome. I just ordered 6 gnomon dvds for my birthday 2 from you 2 from Robertson and 2 from Clyne. Now I'm wishing I got more of yours. I'm still waiting for them in the mail but I can already tell I will be getting my money's worth.

[Sammy]

I guess it's good you don't post so much, otherwise you'd cause way to many aneurysms!

Syd Mead better wach his back, 'cause there's a new pioneer in the biz.

[Gillespie]

Thanks for sharing Feng. Not just for these, but for the Gnomon DVDs and all of your previous artwork too. Can't say that I like one over the other here, they are all very rewarding to look at. :jump1:

[Red_Rook]

Awesome stuff man, huge improvements on yer oplder work. Too bad you missed austin. Im going to go back and stare at those paintings some more. :love:

[ElvisMcVegas]

You are a very talented artist, keep up the great work

[bizarde]

My favorites are the second and the fifth images, anyhow, great stuff.

ps: I miss your character/vehicle concepts .......... :xx:

[SamBrown36]

Feng, your stuff just keeps getting better, it's crazy to see the development from post to post. Thanks for sharing this stuff. Yeah, it sucks you couldn't make it to Austin, it was quite the experience. Maybe the next workshop, huh? If there is one. Thanks again, are you still teaching at Gnomon? And when's your book coming out?

sam

[Dougbot]

Dude Feng, these are amazing. Seriously. Now I have to hate you :).

I'd love to see a process, are you using a photo to start with, or just winging it (Which we all know you can do). Gawddamn! These are sooo cool.

I don't care what you say, this stuff rivals Church's. Potentially surpasses! Awesome stuff.

[one2hit]

how in the hell did you do that second one in an hour? that background looks photographic.

[egerie]

Your evolution is undeniable! neato.

[alti]

i love your land/cityscapes.
did you use a photo as a background for one of them? you probably diddn't but if you did its a good effect.

[wilsonjr]

Hi Feng...
Amazing your evolution! did you teach yet?
Could you please show us the process of your paintings!??????

wilsonjr

[Makkon]

Agreed! You must show us how you did that. I've been struggleing with enviroments lately, and I have no Idea how to use my WACOM. PLEASE! you have no Idea how much this means to us!

[se7en_]

I didnt make them but they are definately painted over photos. Makes them look soooo real.

If anyone wants to know how he does it buy one of his DVDs at gnomon. I know I am buying some immediately.

7

[WillSchnevel]

:shocked: These are absolutely amazing! The colors seem so perfect that I thought that I was looking at a photo at first!

I'm so glad you actually took time out of your busy schedule to share these with us!

[p4b10]

Thanks for sharing, it's really inspiring.

It shows great improvement since the last color work we have seen from you. Congrats.

[jerO]

Hi Feng...
Amazing your evolution! did you teach yet?
Could you please show us the process of your paintings!??????

wilsonjr

buy the DVDs :)
http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/gallery/zhu.html

[xephon]

Feng, you are insane like no other, these so-called 'roughs' are amazing! After seeing this post, you must come out with a Digital Painting Vol. 2 dvd - these pieces seem to far surpass your previous paintwork. Your development and conceptual proliferation is otherworldly.

I second Sam's question: do you still teach at Gnomon? Or do you just do demos at Art Center in the midst of your hectic schedule? I would love to take one of your classes.

Thanks for posting, hope to see more like everyone else!

[dns2k]

feng kool concepts man.

The watts crew will be at comic con all week so if you wanna come by jeff watts' booth and say hi i am sure ron lemen would like to talk shop. i'll probably be hanging out in artists alley with some family friends. it would be kool to meet ya in person since i dont get up to LA often.

good luck on your project

-dns

[se7en_]

Not to sidetrack this thread but if anyone has feng's DVDs which one is the best and how much can I expect to learn from each one? Their website doesn't say how long each title is or how in depth he gets into his process. Any info would help. thx.

7

[Killer Napkins]

that shiz is unreal man.. i love it!

[mikel]

The greatest strength of these pieces can be found in their economy. No line or shape is wasted; each mark has a place and a purpose. The end result being paintings which are loose enough to still feel fresh and not overworked.

Thanks for posting these and like everyone else I'd love to the process behind these.

[Teknoholic]

Dear Feng,

These are, of course, brilliant displays of your master of speed and skill. I hold your work in the highest regard, and have for years looked to you as a hero. We actually had a little email discussion a few years ago when I was about to start college. Just me praising some of your recent work on Battle Realms and letting you know that you were making a difference, and you being modest and encouraging. That being said, I would like to offer some thoughts. Now, feel free to take this with a grain of salt, since I'm nowhere near your level. I'm just some dork thinking about your work, and trying to provoke a little bit of discussion pertaining to the medium of concept art in general.

I'm not sure how to put this. I cannot grasp a soul in any of these pictures. It's as if there is nothign to hold on to. They are so fast that my eyes slip right off of each one. If I try to remember any of them, even after a moment, I can only recall the vaguest of details, and even then they seep and blur into one another to become a "Feng Picture" of no particular identity. I get the feeling that you and others may have similar trouble when looking at these.

I wonder if perhaps your speed has become your greatest setback? It's as if these are drawn even before you get a chance to let yourself think about them. Is there any contemplation? Do you get any time to pour a little of your life into them?

I'm a relative n00b in the concept art world, a world that you helped to construct. But I do know that art is better when the artist gets to leave a bit of themselves behind in their work. A message, from artist to viewer. A plea to be understood as a being with a life and struggles. I know that you must be more than glass and sharply angled steel girders. All I can see is a razor cold silence in any of your constructs. I find nothing to LOOK at and think about. I want some little self-portrait or narrative about yourself hidden in there. I know you aren't a machine. Where is the mood?

(An incidental side-note, but one that may be a point, in the case of your architecture, there are no doors and no open windows. Never a place to sit, rest, look around and contemplate.)

I wonder if you have thought about this, or if anyone has. Thanks, if you read this.

Your #3 fan (because 1 and 2 must be stalkers),
Ben
ben's art (http://student.mica.edu/bharris/files/ben_slide.html)

Okay, Concept Arters, ban me from your board for blasphemy. Or at least flame me into some void somewhere.

[Aerythes]

Teknoholic> Haha, I doubt anyone will flame you despite that blasphemy. :D Just kidding. I wouldn't go so much into the "soul" of pictures, since that is such a vague and ambiguous word, lacking even any rudimentary definition. But what I do know is that I have no trouble remembering each picture's identity. To me, each of these is a strong conceptual piece with its own visual focus. Perhaps you're looking at these in the wrong way.

[Teknoholic]

"Soul" and "Art" are ambiguous to a cliche :)

Yeah, I guess I could be looking for something else. Crap, I'm changed...?

[Presence]

Feng the only thing I can say is that EPIII was beyond lucky to have you.

Unreal man.

[Denart]

wow Mr. Feng Zhu! amazing use of lines and colors to achieve such beautiful atompsheres and designs. :shocked:

[imglue]

woah whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoooooaaaaaaoooo. these are tight. i love the colors and the perspective. feng, you rock the socks.
you shouldve gone to austin, but its cool. good luck with all the projects you busy man.

keep raising those eyebrows :chicken:

[Ulysses]

These are beautiful pieces. I'm amazed how fast you did these! Thanks for being such an inspiration. :chug: :bow:

[Feng]

thanks everyone for the kind words.....these roughs don't deserve the kind of praise written here.......=) but thank again, it really means a lot and gets me inspired to do more....

i'll try to answer some questions:

Yes, i still teach at Gnomon, this term. I'm taking next term off because work is getting too busy. However, i'll probably be back in the spring term (it all depends on my current production). I also teach a class over at art center, on Saturdays from 9-2...you guys are welcome to stop by. Room 202...

as far as doing some dvd demos about painting, i think there are already some really good ones out there. Check out Ryan's, James' and Mark's....really cool stuff on those DVDs. I'm very glad to be working with these super talented artists.....those guys are the ones who got me into this digital painting thing.

I'll try to save some step by step next time....and post some progress shots.

About painter and PS: I love both programs, and each has their strength and weaknesses. So i always have both programs open, and switch back and forth constantly (just save the file as a .PSD, both programs read it fine...including layers, etc). Painter is really good for drawing and sketching (because of the canvas rotate). When i'm working in painter, it doesn't feel digital at all......it really feels like i'm drawing on paper, so my process is very similar to traditional techniques. However, since everything is digital, you have to start thinking a bit different. Photoshop is really good at doing this. You can scale stuff around, copy paste...etc....

Teknoholic: yeah, i totally understand what you are saying. Sometimes i do go through stuff too fast....but it's not the case always. What you are seeing here are my "relaxing paintings"....stuff i do when i get home or in class for a demo. These need to be quick and expressive.....think of them as a sketch painting, no where close to being finished. What i'm not posting here are my actual work stuff....which sometimes can take days per painting.....extremely detailed down to the nuts and bolts (and designed out....as in the case of windows, seats, etc). We work in production, which is very different than say an art gallery show. It's almost like working in a factory.....making products. The purpose of these production sketches may not always need to show the "soul", because they are more about communicating an idea. But then again, how do you define "soul?" As everyone sees that differently. Granted there are similarities, but broken down to their roots, production art and fine-art illustration are very different fields. And in cases like this, these are pure production sketches.....not meant for the viewer to have deep thoughts or read the artist's feelings. I do have to disagree with you on the subject of mood however....because i do feel lighting, temperature, etc with these sketches...as those do pertain to production needs. I can go on and on writing, but this is one of those subjects that can never have a clear answer. The best way is for the viewer themselves to paint and sketch...and try to address their comments in their own artwork (by doing so, you'll find the answers on your own).

thanks again for the kind words guys....

*edit* forgot to mention about Comic Con. Yeah, i'll be there on Sat. I have no idea how i'm gonna meet you guys tho...is there some kinda gathering taking place? I'm gonna be at a StarWars presentation thing (from 12-2 i think)...ryan's doing a talk about the designs....and some of us art department guys will be there.....maybe i'll see you guys there. Oh, i'll also be hangin' around scott's DVD booth from time to time.....

-feng

[Swoop]

I wish i didnt live in a country on the oposite side of the world sometimes hehe ;) Oh well i can always hope to meet you, and ryan sometime during a conventions later on. I didnt get to go to 3d festival like i planned :(

I would love to see steps on how you are doing theese quick sketches. I think they express a great sense of mood...

Now i'm gonna try and get some paints done, since i'm more inspired again. Looking forward to the step-by-step hehe :D

[fundagenie]

I wish i didnt live in a country on the oposite side of the world sometimes hehe ;)

Me too swoop..... the world by the way is a big place......

I wish i too cud attend fengs and ryans classes ......
i dont think so in this lifetime i will be able to make it....... :crosseyed
anyway post ur works, so guys like us can atleast observe and try learning.... :dorky:

[Uinku]

Kick ass! Make a tutorial!!!!! These are really rocking my manties! I love the way you combine nature and the modern buildings in your drawings!

[Loga4]

Awesome Work!

[Montross]

I defently be at the Star Wars Pres. Hope I can meet ya Feng.

[se7en_]

not that this merits a lot of discussion but Tecknoholic is very off base. All these images have been burned into my rentnas since I first saw them. Not for the sense of "soul" but because they communicate the feeling of the enviroment to a modeler, director, producer, etc. They also have balance, concept, a focal point, immersive colors and dynamic lightning. They are perfect in their expressive side and concrete enough that I could envision walking around one of these locations. The final fact is probably most relevent... he only spent 45 minutes.

Feng and ryan and my new gods and I offer you Tecknoholics "soul" as a sacrifice from all of CA. : )

On th flip side Tek, I was highly entertained by your post and its great to see someone willing to challenge the status quo. It was well thought out and inspiring (if if it was total off base).

Keep up the great work Feng. I would really like to see a new DVD since it looks like you have grown a lot as an artist from your previous work. Don't stop pushing the envelope.

7

[one2hit]

ok, on a more serious note. Although I admire these greatly, are these intended to be like concept art? It seems like a modeler would have a difficult time converting these images into 3d planes because a lot of it seems to be like flat volumeless sheet-type surfaces with lines floating everywhere else. I'm a newbie with art so don't mind me if I sound arrogant or something : / I'm just curious.

[waikit]

Truly amazing work Feng. Wished that the Artbyfeng Online Store had a big poster collection of your work. Really want to have those environments sketches on my wall. Looking forward to the progress post and your new site :wink:

[kraal]

first I would like to say I am also a fan of Feng's work and that is what bought me to this thread.

I would like to add somethings to the comments that are being scattered about in this and other threads.

1 being a note about concept art. the modern definition of concept art has been skewed to the side of 3D modeling. Concept art is just that concept art to express a concept and envoke discussion about the project or process. I hope many understand what I am pointing out.

Next about the people wanting to be like (insert artist name here). the gnomon DVD's are great and I have many of them and I learn a lot from them. Now the bad news I see this more with the ryan church dvd's than feng's but here goes. This are techniques and just that sure perspective and such is covered but it is not taught. The tecniques are backed up with true skill. so I give a fair warning that if you do not have the foundation skills to draw there is not a lot these DVD's will give you. Like i said i see it more with Ryan Church's DVD's really poor compositions and crooked buildings poor color balance ect.

ok I said enough go ahead lash back I can take it

[KaiS.]

I'm impressed!!

[Wafflehouseninja]

Id give my left nut to be half as good as you :x

[souleage]

thanks everyone for the kind words.....these roughs don't deserve the kind of praise written here.......=) but thank again, it really means a lot and gets me inspired to do more....

i'll try to answer some questions:

Yes, i still teach at Gnomon, this term. I'm taking next term off because work is getting too busy. However, i'll probably be back in the spring term (it all depends on my current production). I also teach a class over at art center, on Saturdays from 9-2...you guys are welcome to stop by. Room 202...

as far as doing some dvd demos about painting, i think there are already some really good ones out there. Check out Ryan's, James' and Mark's....really cool stuff on those DVDs. I'm very glad to be working with these super talented artists.....those guys are the ones who got me into this digital painting thing.

I'll try to save some step by step next time....and post some progress shots.

About painter and PS: I love both programs, and each has their strength and weaknesses. So i always have both programs open, and switch back and forth constantly (just save the file as a .PSD, both programs read it fine...including layers, etc). Painter is really good for drawing and sketching (because of the canvas rotate). When i'm working in painter, it doesn't feel digital at all......it really feels like i'm drawing on paper, so my process is very similar to traditional techniques. However, since everything is digital, you have to start thinking a bit different. Photoshop is really good at doing this. You can scale stuff around, copy paste...etc....

Teknoholic: yeah, i totally understand what you are saying. Sometimes i do go through stuff too fast....but it's not the case always. What you are seeing here are my "relaxing paintings"....stuff i do when i get home or in class for a demo. These need to be quick and expressive.....think of them as a sketch painting, no where close to being finished. What i'm not posting here are my actual work stuff....which sometimes can take days per painting.....extremely detailed down to the nuts and bolts (and designed out....as in the case of windows, seats, etc). We work in production, which is very different than say an art gallery show. It's almost like working in a factory.....making products. The purpose of these production sketches may not always need to show the "soul", because they are more about communicating an idea. But then again, how do you define "soul?" As everyone sees that differently. Granted there are similarities, but broken down to their roots, production art and fine-art illustration are very different fields. And in cases like this, these are pure production sketches.....not meant for the viewer to have deep thoughts or read the artist's feelings. I do have to disagree with you on the subject of mood however....because i do feel lighting, temperature, etc with these sketches...as those do pertain to production needs. I can go on and on writing, but this is one of those subjects that can never have a clear answer. The best way is for the viewer themselves to paint and sketch...and try to address their comments in their own artwork (by doing so, you'll find the answers on your own).

thanks again for the kind words guys....

*edit* forgot to mention about Comic Con. Yeah, i'll be there on Sat. I have no idea how i'm gonna meet you guys tho...is there some kinda gathering taking place? I'm gonna be at a StarWars presentation thing (from 12-2 i think)...ryan's doing a talk about the designs....and some of us art department guys will be there.....maybe i'll see you guys there. Oh, i'll also be hangin' around scott's DVD booth from time to time.....

-feng

Thank you to told us some you feelings at you work , by the way,can you told us how can you to set the lightings in the Concept works. and have some
stander in the Film or 3d animation film ? Sorry for my Poor Chinese English :)

Your works are all Great, Hope to see you Othe Nice Works:)

[Leopoldo]

Interesting read this was... made me think of a couple things.

Like the purposes of concept art. Many of my (game) clients don't understand the difference between concept art and production art. The concepts being many takes on any given subject to get the strongest visual for that and production illustrations being the specific designs of any one concept that was chosen for production.

About the soul of concept art I think it's more important to capture the vibe and vision of the final product, and in that I feel your work is tight.
It would be interesting to see your take on something more organic, like a re-make of Mr. Scott's "Legend" or something.

Concerning your DVDs I bought your first bundle which I was pleased with. They gave me some good pointers but more than that they confirmed that I was on the right track with my own creative process. I did miss however some more "how to design" based on the requiremnets of a client. It's still some "random form" searching going on which I guess is a vital part of getting your creativity going.

Anyways, thanks for sharing, both on the DVDs and here on CA.org.

Bon travail,
Leopoldo

PS The more you loose your lines from the process the more painterly your work become. You might want to try and turn off the line art layer in some of these and they might be better.

[SpaceFilth]

Feng,

you leave me breathless as always...

any chance you could spare five mins just to let us all know what tools you use in painter and their size, canvas size and dpi?

inspiring work my man!

SF.

[diamondage]

...as usual.

Have to drop by more often here....









http://www.oliverscholl.com

[stalsby]

I totally disagree with Teknoholic!! I guess hes not too familiar with "previz" I think those paintings have a lot of soul and mood despite the quickness! its as if the quick indications create a sense of mystery and wonder which allow the mind to imagine things and everyone sees it differently. One person may see a line or a dot but i see a person or a tree! And its not like Feng was devoting a lifetime on these paintings so you cant really critique them like he was tryin to create masterpieces although they are!! These are just quick indication paintings to get the idea or concept across, then they can be further developed or changed because the client may not like it!!! Rock on Feng you got soul and youre super bad!!!!!!!!!