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Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds

Concept Artist, J.C. Park‌
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Class Details

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ConceptArtist,J.C.Park_박종원 Details

Intro

Class Intro
Concept Artist, J.C. Park

"For a concept artist to express nature
and the flow of time they require experience
in drawing various background objects"

To get the universe you picture in your mind
onto a page, it's essential to learn the fundamentals:
golden ratio, light elements, and perspective!

Class
Breakdown

Coloso Class Breakdown Details 1
Content

Length: 26 videos
(33h 36m)
Difficulty: Beginner
Unlimited views

Coloso Class Breakdown Details 2
Video Details

Audio: Korean
Subtitles: English

Coloso Class Breakdown Details 3
Software Required

Adobe Photoshop CC

Coloso Class Breakdown Details 4
Perks

Over 15 practice exercises
2 PSD files

Concept Artist,
J.C. Park's Profile & Portfolio

Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
Instructor

J.C. Park
Concept Artist


Hello, I'm background concept artist J.C. Park.
I've been working as a background
concept artist for about 16 years now,
I did background work for NCSoft
on "Steel Dog" and "Aion",
and later for NetEase Games in China.

I'm currently working at "ROCKFISH Games",
a game company in Germany,
and I have been here for 5 years.

Due to the growing game market,
there is naturally an increase
in demand for concept artists as well.
However, I feel that it's difficult to find
a place to learn professional concept art.
So I wish to try and quench
that thirst through this class.

I'm prepared to teach you
the essential aspects of concept art
to help you master and make effective
use of the basic principles you need
to draw background concept art.

Background images
Coloso J.C. Park
Concept Artist,
J.C. Park

[Current]
Deep Silver - Senior Concept Artist

[Former]
Rockfish Games - Senior Concept Artist
Goodgame Studios - Senior Concept Artist
LOCUS Creative Studio - Lead Concept Artist
PIXWAVE Concept Art Academy - Concept Art Instructor
NetEase in Guangzhou - Concept Art Adviser
CROOZ Inc - Card Game Illustration
WEBZEN NEW MMORPG - Concept Artist
SEED Game Graphic Art School - Concept Art Instructor
Applibot's Legend of the Cryptids, Galaxy Saga - Card Game Illustration
NCSOFT's AION - Concept Artist
NCSOFT'S STEEL DOG - Project Concept Artist
ZEMI-Interactive's 4STORY online - Concept Artist

Recognizable
Projects & Awards

[Projects]
Samsung Commercial Robot - Character Design
Gears 5 - Background Concept Art
Mulan, Ninja Turtles 2, Wonder Woman, etc. - Concept Art
Monkey King 3 - Background Concept Art Production
Ubisoft's Watchdogs 2.0 - Cover Concept Art (Packaging)
Supercell's Clash of Clans Trailer - Background Art

Instagram

15+ Class Exercises

J.C. Park Class exercises

Monotone Background

J.C. Park Class exercises

Depicting Building Lights

J.C. Park Class exercises

Utilizing Lighting

J.C. Park Class exercises

Background Changes: Time

Background Changes: Weather

Expressing a Distant View

J.C. Park Class exercises

Castle and Village

J.C. Park Class exercises

Fantasy + Sci-fi

J.C. Park Class exercises

Contemporary + Sci-fi + Nature

J.C. Park Class exercises

Nature

J.C. Park Class exercises

Forest Scenery

J.C. Park Class exercises

Background Changes: Seasons

J.C. Park Class exercises

Canyon

J.C. Park Class exercises

Concept Art 1

J.C. Park Class exercises

Concept Art 2

 
Highlights

Class Highlights

Drawing Skills Needed to Become a Concept Artist

A professional and systematic curriculum for those who are aiming to get a job in the industry. Learn the practical insights used in different industries such as games, movies, and animation.

Coloso J.C. Park Introduction

Complete Background Art with Your Own Hands

No more drawing just another random castle in the background! You can create background artwork by fusing the concepts and drawing insights of natural objects & understanding buildings often used in the background of paintings.

Coloso J.C. Park Introduction

A Solid Curriculum That Let's You Learn the Real-World Process

Simply drawing a nice picture isn't enough. Learn the proper workflow of drawing your ideas, creating references, and making rough drafts cultivated by a senior concept artist with 10-years of industry insights.

Coloso J.C. Park Introduction

From the Fundamental Concepts of Perspective
to the Depiction of Different Concepts

A - Z Background Concept Art

  • Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
    Practicing the Basics
    ★
    New to drawing? No problem. This lecture lets you practice the basics, from setting up Photoshop to practicing lines using the basic notions of perspective, composition, etc.
  • Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
    Drawing Basic Objects / Scenery
    ★★
    Anyone with basic skills will be able to keep up with this session! Learn to draw each concept using an imitation technique for buildings and photos based on simple shading and lighting.
  • Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
    Practical Concept Art
    ★★★
    You get to learn the entire process of planning and coloring a variety of actual background concept art.
  • Coloso J.C. Park Basics of Drawing Photorealistic Backgrounds
    Learning the Production Process
    ★★★★
    Learn the work process of efficiently producing scales, color correction, etc. for improving the quality of an illustration that seems to be missing its final touches.

Class Details
You'll Learn

  • Coloso illustration Class Details
    Golden Ratio for a Well-Balanced Background
    Learn to compose a harmonious background by splitting up the screen, positioning the elements, and balancing between what to and what not to emphasize.
  • Coloso illustration Class Details
    Utilizing Lighting Elements to the Fullest
    Learn about background changes caused by light coming from various directions, such as split lighting, rim lighting, backlighting, under lighting, etc.
  • Coloso illustration Class Details
    Learn the Basics of Perspective
    Build a strong understanding of perspective, which serves as the basis for backgrounds, and learn to create a horizon by connecting vanishing points.
  • Coloso illustration Class Details
    Learning How to Bring Out a Rich Sense of Space With Perspective
    Learn how to effectively separate foreground from middle ground and background from middle ground to add depth.
  • Coloso illustration Class Details
    Harmonious Color Combination for a Realistic Depiction
    Understand the color temperature of nature, learn lighting and shadows, and how colors change with the environment.
  • Coloso illustration Class Details
    Create a Background That Changes With the Weather and Time of Day
    Learn to create a dynamic atmosphere by adding changes of time and weather, such as dawn-day-afternoon-night / clear day / foggy day, etc.
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Curriculum

Curriculum
In-Depth Look

INTRO

01. Introducing the Arist & the Role of a Background Concept Artist

  1. Class introduction
  2. The importance of background concept art
  3. Demand in several industries
SECTION 01. Learning the Basic Tools & Concepts

02. Basic Settings and Using Several Brushes on Photoshop to Practice Line Drawing

  1. Explaining screen configuration and options on Photoshop to create a comfortable layout
  2. Default brushes and using the right brush for the right purpose
  3. Practicing line drawing using the pen pressure of a tablet pen

03. The Golden Ratio for Harmonious Background Composition

  1. Determining what will be drawn and expressed, the importance of sketching
  2. Starting off with a small canvas
  3. Screen splitting and element positioning
  4. Create a setup that guides the line of vision
  5. Margin space and silhouette checklist
  6. Manage highlighting different aspects (strength & weakness control)

04. Basic Understanding of Perspective

  1. The importance of eye level and angle of view
  2. Practice and application of 1-point perspective
  3. Practice and application of 2-point perspective
  4. Practice and application of 3-point perspective

05. Training to Draw Without Perspective Lines

  1. Reducing photo opacity to trace photos
  2. Placing photos on the side to copy photos
  3. Creating imaginary perspective lines in your head and applying them without using a photo

06. Using a Sphere and Box for Lighting That Changes With the Environment

  1. The shading of a sphere and box exposed to lighting; learning the partial definition of shadows
  2. Changes during a strong morning sunlight, a late afternoon sunset, and a dark night
  3. Effect on light: cloudy day vs. clear day
SECTION 02. Drawing a Background Concept

07. Drawing a Monotone Background Using Only Light

  1. Adequate positioning of short, mid, and long range distance expressed using monotone
  2. Ambiance changes based on the direction of light

08. Practice Expressing Basic Lighting by Copying Photos

  1. The importance of light and understanding different lighting
  2. Half shadow (split lighting), rim lighting, backlighting, underlighting, point lighting, and transmitted lighting

09. Expressing Scene and Lighting

  1. Three types of lighting
  2. Light source outside of the image
  3. Light source from within the image
  4. Light source within the image, but not visible to the observer

10. The 3 Elements of Color: the Importance of Color Combinations

  1. Observing natural colors & understanding color temperature
  2. Changing the color of light and shadows depending on the environment

11. Depicting Background Changes by Time (According to the Light Source)

  1. Dawn, morning, afternoon, evening (sunset), night

12. Depicting Background Changes by Weather

  1. Clear, cloudy, snowy, rainy, and foggy day

13. Expressing Perspective, Space Perception, and Expressing the Perception of Scale

  1. The importance of the foreground
  2. Effectively separating foreground from middle ground, and middle ground from background
  3. Drawing impressive background scenery using pastel colors

14. Depicting Architecture Through the Characteristics of a Silhouette

  1. The importance of an overall silhouette
  2. Creating a balanced skyline
SECTION 03. Practical background concept drawing

15. Designing and Composing Castles and Villages Frequently Used in Background Concept Art

  1. Researching references
  2. Planning
  3. Rough sketches (setting up the silhouette)
  4. Coloring

16. Designing the Interior of Structures Frequently Used in Background Concept Art

  1. Researching references
  2. Planning
  3. Rough sketches (setting up the silhouette)
  4. Coloring

17. Background Design: Fusing Concepts 1

  1. Fantasy + sci-fi

18. Background Design: Fusing Concepts 2

  1. Contemporary work + sci-fi

19. Understanding and Making Use of Nature

  1. Observing the environment
  2. Expressing long-distances effectively using an aerial perspective
  3. Using sky holes to draw trees
  4. Lumps of clouds, their shadows, and formation
  5. Difference in water surface transparency according to the angle

20. Using Colors Other Than Green to Draw Forest Scenery

  1. Understanding the different materials that make up forest scenery and learning to express the colors accordingly
  2. Modifying the brightness and saturation of green colored leaves to express varying moods

21. Drawing Natural Objects to Fit the Season

  1. Capture the changes of natural objects with seasonal lighting

22. Drawing a Gorge Using the Glazing Technique

  1. Creating a dramatic effect using the half-shadow (split lighting) technique

23. Selecting the Right Genre for Yourself

  1. Realism vs casual styles: Determining which style suits you
  2. Fantasy and sci-fi, contemporary work and fusion
  3. The characteristics and pros and cons of different platforms: PC, console and mobile

24. Background Concept Art Production Process

  1. Story ideation & researching references
  2. Setting up a monotone silhouette (sketch)
  3. Setting up your local color screen
  4. Setting up the direction of light and harmoniously connecting each aspect
  5. Adding scale and details, color correction, effects, and finishing touches

25. What Concept Will Your Resulting Work Have?

  1. Requirements needed to complete a drawing
  2. The importance of storytelling
  3. Researching references
  4. Planning and composition
  5. Creating 3 types of rough drafts

26. Final Concept Art Configured Within a Single Screen

  1. Choosing a single design draft and completing it
  2. Finishing off your work using different Photoshop effects

Interview
with Concept Artist J.C. Park

Background images
Question.01
What do you think is the most important factor to working as a background concept artist?


Everything starting from perspective, composition, lighting, etc. is important, but what's more important is whether or not the concept you want to show is expressed in your drawing. A lot of people struggle with this, and I've also gone through a lot of trial and error myself. I plan to share my detailed insights on setting up a concept and infusing it into a drawing throughout the class.
Question.02
How is this class special compared to other classes?


Rather than simply copying background work, we will be learning the details and basic understanding of shade, light, coloring, etc. required for background concept art and the detailed elements needed to make artwork, such as lighting. We will be going beyond learning the basics by creating actual examples, which will allow us to gradually enhance our skills.
Question.03
What would be something special about yourself?


My strength is that I can create high-quality concept art within a short amount of time. Being good at drawing is important, but what's more important when you're on the job is producing a clear concept and a high-quality result within the given amount of time. You will acquire a more efficient way of working using my process.
Question.04
Tell us about the marketability and prospects of background concept art.


I believe it's a job category with good prospects and potential for entering other markets. There's a high demand that starts with gaming, film, and animation and extends into books with background art, package cover art for board games, illustrations, etc. Once you reach a certain level, you'll be treated fairly well within the industry since it's not easy to find a background concept artist.
Question.05
To whom would you recommend this class?


I basically recommend it to anyone who wants to start building a solid understanding of the principles of background concept art. For students aspiring to work at a game, film, or animation-related company, and those preparing a relevant portfolio, I believe this will serve as an opportunity to upgrade your drawing skills.

Required Programs

This course will use Wacom Intuos and Adobe Photoshop CC. Please purchase and install the latest versions of the programs for an optimized lecture experience.

*These programs and/or materials will not be provided with the lecture.

Photoshop

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