Work for the showreel

During last 2 weeks I was preparing dissertation and building portfolio website for the end of the year show as I will need to have something online for job hunting as well as business cards. It has been ages since I have done any web development so I took an easy option which took about 4 days to develop; including finding my old work and either taking pictures or scanning. Here is the link to my website www.jurgitarainyteart.me . It is not great but it is better then nothing at all and I will improve it as the time goes by and I have some free time.

I have also created a sketch of the first layer of forest for the land game level (see image below)

Environment: forest area sketch

As I have continued working on the Dissertation I was slowly moving along with the art for the showreel. I have more or less completed the whole environment for the land level. I made some minor changes. One of them is the clouds. I've redrawn them with a pencil brush so the clouds have more 'texture' and stand out better from the sky background.

Environment: forest area

New texture for the clouds.

I have also redesigned the game character Lyse. First version only painterly look and the second one added some white patches on its body. Hopefully to remind somewhat of a moon or stars, as it supposed to be living in the sky.

Lyse: version 1

Lyse: version 2

On Monday I will be submitting a video of the environment and a character walking which I still have to finish it off.

Finally got it!!!

After Last week’s presentation I have made a decision to continue with the oil/acrylic media look do to the facts that digital watercolour technique seem to be time consuming, especially when trying to get it to look right (as realistic as possible), also there is that layer issue mentioned in my last week’s post. I think oil/acrylic look is a bit of a safe option, but at the same time still very interesting one and not fully explored. In addition, there is a lot of practical information available online about digital painting in general and some of the digital artist (especially the ones that came from or also practice traditional media) now and again mention their use of certain techniques or types of brushes or other tools (e.g. Smudge tool) or ways of work on layers that are a little bit similar to traditional art. For exampleNykolai Alexander comes to mind. I've seen/read quite a few of her tutorials, and she seem to like using photographs of traditional media or even everyday patterns or textures for her custom digital brushes, as well as adding layers of some stains, or just smudges of colour and reducing their opacity to create a bit off 'mess'/'imperfection' to eliminate that 'digital polished look' in her own digital art. I do think that since human eye is trained to see patterns, facial features in various things, subconsciously we can recognise the repetition of brushes/brushstrokes that is visible in the digital art. I think subconsciously we might be able to recognise that there is something in-organic within the painting that is going on. But that is only my own theory and at the moment there is probably no point going in to it even if I really want to find out because I already have too many things going on.

So after I made up my mind about the media style and still was not happy about the previous attempt I've done a few more quick tests (see images below). I have wanted to see if I can find a better way of painting that looks more natural.

In the image above I was experimenting about leaving the black outlines and just layering the low opacity colours. It looked more like a watercolour then oil/acrylic so I decided not to continue with it.

In the image above I was experimenting with brushstrokes. How in a dark environment I could still possibly show some of the texture of the tree trunk.

Here I was trying to experiment with the sky: what brushes to use how it would work with the tree.

In the image above I was experimenting with a different kind of brushstroke.


I could feel it that there was something not quite right. The colour palette was what I wanted it to be and for some reason it was not working, and I had this issue with textures of the paint of the trees and the sky, how can I make them look different so they do not look boring but to still make it work. Something just wan not there and I was not happy.
I had to take some time off because my neck and my back were starting to hurt like crazy. After a day and a half I have returned back to the art and things just fell in to place. To help me along with the colour I did use an array of images that contained my desired colours and then just colour picked them and went on top with my brush covering everything that was there previously just keeping and mixing the colours I wanted. The same technique I have used it last year for the creation of animation background paintings. Also played some more with the colour dynamics on my brush. Below is an image I have managed to create and it just worked. I knew I got it! (see image below)

It just made me feel sooo good. Now just have to improve on it and make it things work better.


Now that I have the artwork on the way, I will also need to go back to the dissertation writing. During Crit presentation everyone was asked about their research and their dissertation. It certainly worked as a reminder to do the written work. I definitely need to go back to the aesthetics books as I really need to understand how I can tie it properly with the art that I am creating and digital 2D game art in general, and especially if I’m going to analyse art in my dissertation. It is still a very confusing topic to work ones head around. My plan is to complete the dissertation by the 21st of April with a few parts regarding my work missing and to be filled in later). I  do not like writing dissertation before my practical work is done but it has to be finished well before the submission because my supervisor needs at least 2 weeks to read it and give feedback.

Also need to make sure that I will have something to submit before 7th of April for the showcase reel.

On Thursday I had also been recommended to look at some art as practice books (e.g. Graham Sullivan 'Art practice as research') but so far I did not have time to do it.

Pre crit week

Last Thursday I went to The Jolomo Bank of Scotland Awards exhibition at HMC (Hannah Maclure Centre). I think this was the best free time I have spent so far this year. I am really getting bogged down with my project. I seem to be doing nothing at all but my university work and still worrying if I can do it well enough. Pressure is mounting up and by always staring at my PC screen I am not doing many favours for myself or perhaps even for my project.

During the event I did not have that much time to look at the paintings that were hanging there but I really enjoyed talks with the artist. I have even stayed longer then I was intending at first because some of the conversations I had with the artists were really interesting and were close to my heart and my mind: the whole painting process, returning back to art after years of break, the constant beating yourself up by feeling like of being not good enough etc. Since I did not have much time to look at the exhibited paintings I went back to the exhibition this week during the day and really enjoyed looking an analysing the paint on canvas and how each painter had their own style and ways of applying paint on to the surface or choice of colour.


During last five days I have managed to complete the Game Concept Document*, make a better sketch for the underwater and land/forest part of the game as I doubt I will have enough time to create the rest of the game artwork. (see image below)

Also a better version of the land/forest screenshot. (see image below)

Character designs

Silhouettes

Iterated designs (not all complete)

I will have to rethink character design as most of them are too complicated and might be difficult/time consuming to animate.

As well as started to set up the proper land/forest layer for my final peace (see image below)

Tomorrow meeting my supervisor again to see what is her feedback and discuss what I would like to and should present during my crit presentation.


* Current Game Concept document can be found following this link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/q65ylkz26uzgk8p/Honours%20Game%20Concept.pdf

Pre-production

This week I was really busy dealing with my own game idea and game design.

First I made a sketch of how I have imagined the game would be: the whole layout. (see image below)

 Also made a quick sketch of the land/forest environment part. (see image below)

Then I needed to 'polish' the game idea and mechanics. Basically figure out what exactly is happening in the game, what the character can do, what are interactable objects and how they interact with the character, environment etc. Also what information got to be displayed in UI. I was trying to work that out in my mind by looking at my skech first but I was going nowhere as I kept forgetting things and had difficulties visualizing things as the 'gameplay' progressed. I know that game developers often use paper prototypes to test their ideas and seen some video about it so I did just that.

Paper prototype (see images below)

Paper prototype: up until land/forest starts

Paper prototype: land/forest and air parts

I have to say, having my game in front of me, even if it was on paper made it so much easier to understand and visualise how things worked and find 'holes' in gameplay and context. I did change environment layout and some of the items that the player had to acquire and how he/she would use them. HUD/UI requirements also become much clearer.


Before starting work on my Game Concept document I dug out my year 2 Entertainment Design module notes and an old Game Design document. I have used adjusted version of the framework for this game idea and completed first draft. I still need to finalise some minor things and write a Look and Feel part.

Also drafted  Game Asset List document. But it is far from final as I need to work out a few things related to HUD design and interaction.



To help me with game art and Look and Feel part of the Game Concept document I have created  three Moodboards. (see images below)

Colour Moodboard

Since the game would take place in the late evening and early night I decided that I want blue-violet colour palette to represent the coldness and cold tranquillity however because this story is not a horror story but more of a mystical fairytale I want oranges and yellows to balance  the coldness and create hope and warmth.

Since I am still not sure in which traditional media style I should paint all the game assets I have also created two moodboards: one for watercolour media (similar style to the boy and balloon painting I have created during week 19) and one for oil/acrylic media (similar to Noboy game underwater screenshot created during Semester 1)

Watercolour media moodboard

Oil/Acrylics media moodboard

Also this week I have met with one of the AGDS members as he wanted to find out more about my game idea and see if he would be interested to get involved. So far I do not know if it will lead anywhere. It would be good if my idea could be turned in to a game prototype, however the backup plan is just to create a gameplay video which at this point is the most likely outcome.

Finally, my game idea!

On Monday as usual I had a meeting with my current supervisor Lynn. We did discuss the game art I have created and showed in last weeks pitch presentation. And as I already knew she agreed that both of the collaboration games not being very suitable for the purpose of showcasing my work. This is the point where I should be talking about how terrible I am at ideas and how I have no idea what I am going to do next. However, I was feeling really excited because on Sunday night, before our meeting, as I was lying in bed, THE game idea just clicked in my head. All the 'floating' bits came together to make a one cohesive idea. I was absolutely delighted. So I got out of the bed, noted all on a piece of paper and went to sleep all happy. I knew I have nailed it. :)

I have explained to Lynn my game idea. In short its about a character (boy related to Sandman) that travels underwater, land and air collecting and distributing items. This game would be a side-scrolling game therefore it would fit well with my project idea since it is a about painting and computer screen can be that interactive canvas.

The collectable items would be string, jar with a lid, stars and fireflies.


Lynn was really pleased that I have managed to come up with an idea and game play that makes sense and at the moments fits well the idea.

My next steps regarding  the game is now to polish up the mechanics of what is happening when and how, what UI I will need and of course a Game Concept Document and an Asset List document.

So far the ideas for a gameplay are somewhat similar to Limbo (2010)* seen in this video (see below)

hayabusaDGO. 2010. LIMBO - gameplay part 1/7. [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCA79zPaQe0 [Accessed 17 February 2014]

or a Dust: An Elysian Tail (2013)** without the enemy fighting but perhaps with a somewhat similar environment or even UI. (see video below)

deluxe345. 2013. Dust: An Elysian Tail Gameplay (PC HD). [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itEVq6fzKmM [Accessed 17 February 2014]

This week’s plan is to start Game Concept Document draft, Assets List draft, project Moodboard creation and if I have time left create some concept art. Also, I am going to get back to the two AGDS members to see if maybe they would like to help me with my project.

And for a change, I am really feeling excited.

* Playdead. 2010. Limbo. Microsoft Windows. Playdead.
** Humble Hearts. 2013. Dust: An Elysian Tail. Microsoft Windows. Microsoft Studios.