Report article Building a tower

A few months ago I decided that I could make better environment art but improving in art is hard, and often requires trying something completely different to get the result you want. Since then I have been thinking about how to build some new and improved cat buildings for Overgrowth. Here are some drawings I have made along the way.

Posted by jeffr on Nov 9th, 2009 digg this super bookmark


A few months ago I decided that I could make better environment art but improving in art is hard, and often requires trying something completely different to get the result you want. Since then I have been thinking about how to build some new and improved cat buildings for Overgrowth. Here are some drawings I have made along the way:


This is the first concept I did of a city for Lugaru 2, about 5 years ago. I felt like I got the basics right, but it was kind of boring and missing lots of the details.


By the time I made this image I had already built a lot of assets for Overgrowth and had a clearer idea of what I could improve. I liked the roof and taller profile from this, but I could tell I was going to have to try something new to break out of my usual habits.


I even tried thumbnailing. I got to try some crazy ideas here, and starting playing with some new rounded shapes, but I was a long way from how I wanted the final concept to look.


I tried another new technique recently. I wanted to keep my designs grounded and detailed, so I decided to pick some inspiring photos from google image search as a basis for my next concept. I finally felt like I was getting close to a solid look. I just needed to put it all together.


Here is a concept I did today. I am pretty pleased with the overall look and colors, and how well the tower integrates with the more organic stucco structures to the left of it. I am thinking of building something in 3D next, or maybe the concept needs more work. What do you think? (permalink)


Track us on ModDB (visit our page)

Please join us here too:
Facebook icon ModDB icon Steam icon Twitter icon YouTube icon

Comments
Croco15
Croco15 Nov 9 2009, 8:47pm says: Online

COOL!

+2 votes     reply to comment
Armageddon104
Armageddon104 Nov 9 2009, 8:51pm says:

Sweet concept art! Hope that's a real level! :D

+4 votes     reply to comment
Aprch
Aprch Nov 9 2009, 9:05pm says:

You really fusioned the whole aspects that you were looking for, and the result it's really awesome. Good job.

+1 vote     reply to comment
matthewdryden
matthewdryden Nov 9 2009, 9:08pm says:

I love your concept art! I love your whole project.

(Oh, and: Screw UDK, I'll be modding with Overgrowth tools.)

+3 votes     reply to comment
AlCool
AlCool Nov 9 2009, 9:50pm replied:

Don't be so quick to judge, when you don't even know the limitations of the engine.

+6 votes     reply to comment
awesomepossum
awesomepossum Nov 9 2009, 9:42pm says:

Fantastic concept art!

+1 vote     reply to comment
vfn4i83
vfn4i83 Nov 9 2009, 9:58pm says:

Impressive concept once again. great work.

+1 vote     reply to comment
vessedeloup
vessedeloup Nov 10 2009, 12:35am says:

Very nice!
I don't want to turn you off on your stylistic explorations, but I liked your blocky buildings a bit more though. They seemed original and functional/credible at the same time. This one looks good but it seems unfinished.. more like a ruin than a proper house.

What type of hardware/software are you using for you sketches?

+1 vote     reply to comment
jordan__maxwell
jordan__maxwell Nov 10 2009, 12:51am replied:

I think it is the 2... whatsits that point out of the right of the building, maybe if you join them to another building on the other side, and make the whatsits into a joining walkway it would make them look more complete. Or if you made them smaller. the bottom right "inspiring photo" is amazing, make a city like that

+1 vote     reply to comment
archkyrie
archkyrie Nov 10 2009, 1:41pm replied:

lol, that 'inspiring' photo is a drawing of the tower of babel, if i am correct.

+1 vote     reply to comment
Squeebo
Squeebo Nov 10 2009, 1:13am says:

Great concept.

+1 vote     reply to comment
SinKing
SinKing Nov 10 2009, 1:14am says:

Solar Collectors on the roof?! WTG!

+1 vote     reply to comment
aerozol
aerozol Nov 10 2009, 3:14am says:

Honestly, I think it's not 100% right looking. Maybe take a look at some architecture and... rabbit burrows? Great art though!

+1 vote     reply to comment
aerozol
aerozol Nov 11 2009, 4:45pm replied:

I was kidding about the rabbit burrows - I just think concept no. 2 is much more distinctive than the last one.

+1 vote     reply to comment
Bekey
Bekey Nov 10 2009, 3:30am says: Online

amazing level design concepts

+1 vote     reply to comment
lethal_vortex
lethal_vortex Nov 10 2009, 3:37am says:

nice concepts:)

+1 vote     reply to comment
Calibur25
Calibur25 Nov 10 2009, 12:49pm says:

I like the steps you took to get a solid idea of each componet of the tower, then created somthing that looks original and beleavible. Nice job!

+1 vote     reply to comment
liqid
liqid Nov 10 2009, 1:24pm says:

Have you ever considered doing your drawings in vectors instead of pixels?

+1 vote     reply to comment
maniacmoop
maniacmoop Nov 10 2009, 5:18pm says:

I like.

+1 vote     reply to comment
JohnnyMaverik
JohnnyMaverik Nov 10 2009, 6:12pm says:

That all looks awesome, hope it translates well in game...

+1 vote     reply to comment
Jesternz08
Jesternz08 Nov 10 2009, 7:20pm says:

Looks wicked, 3D time!

Edit: CityConcept.jpg looks great, any chance of a 1280 by 800 version?

+1 vote     reply to comment
jeffr
jeffr Nov 10 2009, 7:49pm replied:

Hmm I couldn't find one, but I will check with Aubrey!

+1 vote     reply to comment
Lucifer
Lucifer Nov 11 2009, 8:16am says:

I don't understand how people criticise a concept with such accuracy of how 'it should be' when the actual game itself is its own universe.

I hope the Dev's stick to making this for themselves, rather than paying any attention to others on what they think. (unless asked)

+2 votes     reply to comment
Myloman
Myloman Nov 14 2009, 12:12am says:

I think this idea is coming together quite well, and I hope that it reaches 3D fruition. The idea of such a tower would be great! :D I especially love the mountains and clouds subtlety, which then helps bring the tower to the foreground more.

+1 vote     reply to comment
Post a Comment

Only registered members can share their thoughts. So come on! Join the community today (totally free) and do things you never thought possible.

News
Browse
News
Report Abuse
Report article
Bookmark
Digg Super bookmark
Related Games
Overgrowth
Overgrowth Indie
Single & Multiplayer Adventure
Related Engines
Custom Built
Custom Built
Commercial Released Sep 2, 2007
Related Groups
Wolfire Games
Wolfire Games
Developer & Publisher with 12 members