This is a comprehensive, hands-on guide to learning the basic drawing skills needed to successfully create video game art. "Drawing Basics for Video Game Art" demonstrates how fine art principles like drawing skills, anatomy, values and lighting and colour all apply to the creation of artwork for video games. The book features artwork from such hit video games as "Halo Reach", "Zelda", "Super Mario Galaxy 2", "World of Warcraft", "Grand Theft Auto", "Heavy Rain" and "Little Big Planet". Included are examples of classic to contemporary fine art in order to further show the reader the same basic principles still apply to all art forms and that video game art is very much still art.
Foreword by Tristan Donovan
Preface
Introduction
Level 01/ Fundamentals
Materials
Basic Pencil Techniques
Basic Perspective
Basic Volumes
Basic Lighting and Values
Visual Measuring Tools
Drawing Process
Level 02/ Advanced Drawing Concepts
Advanced Perspectives and Volumes
Advanced Lighting and Values
Atmospheric Perspective
Landscape Drawing
Level 03/ The Human Figure
Gravity and Movement
Proportions
Skeletal Landmarks
Level 04/ Anatomy
Six Stages for Rendering Anatomy
The Foot
The Leg
The Pelvis
The Spine and Ribcage
The Shoulder Girdle
The Arm
The Hand
The Head and Neck
Facial Expressions
Level 05/ Elements of Design
Frame
Camera Angle
Scale
Grouping
Lighting
Line
Shapes
Subverting Conventions
Level 06/ Character Design
Good Studio Practice
Brainstorming and Character Concept
Visual Metaphors
Mind-Map, Research, and Mood Board
Thumbnail Development
Final Character Drawing and Model Sheet
Level 07/ Environment Design
Character/Environment Shapes
Building Construction
Character-Centric Environment Design
Top-Down Environment Design
Gameplay Map
Level 08/ Color and Digital Tools
Color
Adding Color with Digital Tools
Professional Portfolio and Getting Work
Bibliography
Index
