Is it just me or...

[Phait]

is anyone else tired of the same concepts over and over? Mechs, people with huge boots, swords and guns, anime *gag*...

I WANT INNOVATION!

[Fipse]

Hi Phait,

I don´t think it´s just you but it´s a problem of the job. If it´s concept-art you have to think around the job and most professionals here who are really working in the business have to cope with the standard clichés of the computer or games industry. But when the concepts are good even the 1345th elve-mage with magic sword can be something special (I just think about Jason Manleys Vampire-Chick that he posted recently).

Beside this professional level there are here many learners around who often dont really think about conceptart but just want to learn to draw and paint. The easiest way is to get back to the simple ideas - and this means Elfs, Orcs, Mages whatever comes to mind. The people are influenced by what they see and this may be Anime, LOTR etc. I´m just expecting a lot of Matrix-induced drawings in the next weeks :D.

I don´t have much nerve to do the Darf-Elf-Bearded-Magician thing either but I have to cope with this themes because I´m trying to get an illustration job where I know that they are desperately looking for some decent illustrators. It´s a little hard for me because I mainly started drawing again because I have some ideas for historical illustration in mind - so all this stuff seems quite boring at the moment.

But I´ve got to confess that I´m at the moment just browsing - esp. in the finished forum - when I see the next elf-witch posting and it´s not made by someone I could imagine an original concept. But I promise I will crit more again ;).

Fipse
(who´s interpreting medieval manuscripts this evening again)

[egerie]

THREAD (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7095)

[Payback]

I don't think that's what he meant, egerie.

[Phait]

I admire your reply, it seemed.... *searches for words* - better than I expected from anyone. I understand your point and of course the things we tire of are expected, I just would like to see something fresh.

I've always been that way, mostly with my web design. I don't follow trends (or try my best not to) so it's only natural for me to want to see something different with concept art as well.

The other day I thought to myself, if I am who I want to be as an artist within 3, 4, 5 years - I want to put my skills towards a game that is truly innovative in it's characters, setting, plot, etc etc.

Things like that can be called a goal, but nothing is really guaranteed. But it's kind of a point on the road where I'd like to be provided I've improved artistically.

[stalecracker]

Phait- I difg what you're saying... but to warn you you *a little*... When you are working professionally (in the Gaming Industry, that is...) there are 2 kinds of games:

1) the innovative, Kick ass, can't believe I get paid to do this


AND...

2) the "Can't wait to get home and draw my own stuff" type.

There's about 200 billion of number 2 and 3 number ones.
You have to be able to draw the "Mechs, people with huge boots, swords and guns, anime " stuff with the same "passion" as you do the "truly innovative in it's characters, setting, plot, etc " stuff...

Trust me... I've been at both. Artistic wanderlust is great for a while then you start to look at your life and think "Insurance would really be great right now", "My car is a piece of crap now that it won't run", etc...

The plain truth of the entertainment industry is that repetition sells and innovation can be licensed a WHOLE buncha times...

*cha-CHING*