Tip of the day: apply the big-medium-small principle to your designs and don't forget to add depth and perspective to all shapes to reinforce three-dimensionality.
Tip of the day: the principle of repetition creates a sense of cohesion and unity in an artwork. Check out how to repeat shapes, details, contours to create unity in this character design!
Sweet tip: when rendering rusted steel, analyze the base color and distribution of rust. Try this step-by-step to familiarize yourself with this material!
Tip of the day: counterchange is the tonal alternation between light and dark within a shape. You can simplify the values to just black & white and observe how they change within your subject. This helps integrate it in its environment and makes it look more realistic.
Did you know that without reflected light, we wouldn't be able to see at all in the shadows? Once you understand reflected light, you'll be able to create more realistic elements and scenes.
Tip of the day: be most critical in the first 10 minutes of sketching, when it's easier to think critically and make big changes quickly. This will set the foundation for the final artwork.
Hierarchy is a design principle that refers to the relative importance of elements within a design. Here are a few examples that you can use in your own designs!
Try this simple flow to render a texture of polished steel! Reflectivity can be challenging, so keep in mind these considerations to make it truly pop!
Tip of the day: use line weight and hatching to suggest light and shadow areas in your artwork. Don't forget to use areas of rest to enhance the focus on your areas of detail!
Make it pop! Add color vibrancy to a painting with a colored underpainting layer instead of the white canvas. Let the underpainting show through for vibrant color combinations!
Using references is important because it enables you to accurately depict the world, and create more convincing and engaging artworks.
Mathias teaches a course on simplifying the human body, which includes most of the examples in this post:
Tip of the day: split your environment into fore-, mid- and background to create a clear value structure, and use the principle of rhythm to guide the viewer through the environment!
Balance is a design principle that refers to the distribution of visual weight within an artwork or design (composition, characters, environments or props).
Here are three common types of balance you can use in your designs.
Tip of the day: create depth, interest and dynamism by adding gradation and lost edges to the brush strokes applied along the form - which enforces three-dimensionality, as we've seen in the previous tip.
Check out the suggested exercise!
Did you know that light is a powerful storytelling tool? The intensity of light can make or break the mood in illustration, film, photography and more!
Uncover the secrets of Light and Value:
Brush economy refers to using as few brush strokes as possible to convey the visual information. It does not mean painting quickly - it means applying each brush stroke with precision and purpose.
Repetition is a design principle that refers to the use of recurring elements or patterns throughout the artwork. It is a versatile principle, used not only in entertainment art, but also in graphic, industrial, fashion design etc.
Did you know this character design process?
Mathias explains the process in full detail, including insights from his own experience as character designer, in his course:
Tip of the day: the direction and flow of the brushwork can reinforce the shapes and ideas in painting. Brushwork can follow the form, or wrap around the form, for different effects.
Design inspiration of the day: have a look at how gesture, design and stylization are applied in this character. Every design choice is consciously made to enhance the character's story.
Contrast is one of the most important principles of design, because it naturally draws the viewer's attention. Here are some examples of contrast, all based on the same artwork.
This second (and last) part of this character design process covers refinement, coloring and rendering.
This is just the tip of the iceberg - check out Mathias's course for full details and considerations in each step of the character design process:
Tip of the day: sketch loosely to capture ideas and allow room for interpretation. When refining, add details and adjustments to support the original intention.
Gesture is a key method of capturing ideas and conveying intentions quickly. Let's have a look at some important aspects to know about gesture.
The figure drawings here were done by our artists in our recent drawing sessions on Discord!
Rhythm is a design principle that refers to the arrangement of design elements to create a sense of pattern, flow or movement.
Hue Teo presents all 12 designs principles in depth in his course:
A cool and simple way to add storytelling is to show how time or usage affect your designs. In this first part, we'll have a look at 3 types of weathering and aging effects that instantly add depth to your art!
When designing inorganic objects like vehicles, mechs etc., pay attention to functionality: structure, components, joints and how everything comes together to convey functionality.
You probably know about warm and cool colors, but did you know that temperature perception can be influenced by different factors? Check them out below!
Want to know more? Axel breaks down color in his course:
Here is a simple exercise to practice skin tones: choose a color palette and observe how light and shadow affect the skin color on a simplified character head. Try it out, and remember the components of light and shadow!
Artists can apply different composition rules to arrange the elements in an artwork. The 12 principles of design can also be used to enhance the overall composition.
Ideation is an essential part of the artistic process - let's have a look at 3 ways to generate ideas.
If you want to improve your ideation sketching, we have a free material on that on our website (this post covers just a small part of it):
Weight is one of the basic characteristics of the line, and line weight plays an essential role in drawing. Try out this simple exercise to vary line weight and see your art come to life in a new way.
When drawing characters, it adds more interest and personality if you portray them in dynamic poses.
Mathias Osland explains this in more depth in the course Basics of Character Design for Video Games:
Tip of the day: you can choose a color palette that's somewhat unconventional - as long as the colors work together, the final result will be aesthetical. This example works with a mid-value range.
Focus on the main shapes first, and add details later.
Try it out and tag us!
The lit side of objects can be broken down into 3 elements: center of light, highlight and halftones. Have a look at how these light areas are rendered in
@Mathias__Osland
's character!
Tip of the day: choose a color palette to work with, and build your artwork step-by-step, from blocking out the main shapes to progressively adding details that tell a story.
Try it out - tag us so we can showcase your work!
By using different types of edges in painting, you can create visual focus and interest. Let's have a look at types of edges used by John Singer Sargeant.
Sketching is a quick way of capturing and exploring ideas. Remember, sketches shouldn't be perfect - take away this pressure and you'll be able to focus on the creative process.
Great lighting enhances mood and facilitates visual storytelling. To create great stories, you must understand how light influences value and color.
Axel breaks down light and value in his course:
Design is more than a set of principles to create beautiful works. Design is a way of thinking, processing and solving visual problems.
An individual's capacity for problem-solving comes from experience, feedback, self-criticism and patience to tackle one problem at a time.
In this second part, let's take actual examples of weathering and aging in our artists' works, and see the stories that they tell! Remember, these effects are details that should enhance the design and fundamentals of your work.
Art foundations are the key skills to creating compelling art products. They are prerequisites for any kind of career in art - fine art, concept art, illustration, game art etc.
Follow us for more insights and get a free PDF with drawing tips at sign-up:
Thumbnails are small, quick sketches that explore visual ideas. They are useful in all types of art, and by starting out with thumbnails, you can reach better, more creative solutions, and make the rendering process more clear.
Thumbnailing is a fast exploration of ideas to find the most interesting variants to take forward in design. Here are three common methods of thumbnailing - they can be used in any type of design, here we will look at examples of thumbnailing characters.
We warmly invite you to a figure drawing session Saturday 8PM CET, hosted by
@Mathias__Osland
and
@AxelSauerwald
. Draw along and share your drawings after the session - check out Mathias's drawings from our previous event!
Join the Discord Event:
Join our practical figure drawing session held by
@AxelSauerwald
and
@Mathias__Osland
, Sat 8PM CET in Discord (link in bio). Whether for practice, for your next character design or simply for fun, join the session and enjoy!
Share your drawings with
#visignlivedrawing
!
Design is problem-solving, and as an artist you often need to solve multiple problems at once. This can make it easy to fall into some common design mistakes.
Colors carry meanings and can be used to influence moods or psychological reactions. Let's examine warm colors - keep in mind, these are some common interpretations, but you can always create your own.
Flow is essential in design, and lines & counter-lines are simple ways of establishing the flow in the early design stages.
Sign up to the newsletter on our website for more in-depth materials - something really cool is following for our subscribers next week!
Let's have a look at some common meanings behind cold colors - remember, you can use color to convey your own story.
For more in-depth tips, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter on our website - something awesome is cooking for you this month!
Cast shadows are created when objects block the light. Here is a simple way to determine the size and shape of the cast shadow, depending on the light source and the object casting the shadow.
Color plays an essential role in character and environment design, and can add deeper layers of meaning to the story by using color symbolism.
Sign up to get a free PDF with drawing tips:
Congratulations to our second prize winner
@Mikel_6279
- for his submission, he created two tower variants and a ward, cohesively designed as a set for a dedicated game event!
Check out his portfolio:
Fresh out! Check out these short video tips on Ideation Sketching: practical ideation techniques and simplification. Start applying these tips in design, concept art, illustration and more!
Design is a manifestation of both science and art; it is creativity and aesthetics mixed with utility and function for effective problem-solving. The process can start with either of the two aspects.
Color schemes are specific combinations of colors that work together to create aesthetically pleasing works. Working with color schemes helps with consistency and transmitting the right message, mood or feeling.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Visign! We wish you joy and inspiration for the holidays and throughout the next year, and we thank you for supporting us so far!
Join us in congratulating
@FishIsMyDish
, our first prize winner of the community art challenge - Game Style Prop Design. His submission goes above and beyond prop design, with a full setting exploration with gameplay in mind!
Check out his portfolio:
The theory of Big-Medium-Small is widely applied in game and film design, as it helps clarify visual information by creating a hierarchy based on size. Check out the examples in props and characters!
Proportions make characters believable. The normal human proportions are the ground for both realistic and stylized characters, and characters can follow different stylistic conventions depending on the media they are in.
Good character designs resonate with the audience because they are able to tell stories. Here are three ways to help your characters tell more about themselves.
Shape language is essential for design. The basic shapes that we know from natural and man-made objects gained common interpretations, positive or negative, from our long history with them.
The last three levels of drawing focus on the progress from natural elements to small and large spaces, using perspective, construction and composition. Sign up to get a free PDF with drawing tips:
Let's look at the entertainment art job market and concrete steps that artists can take to navigate this period.
Share this if you know someone who might benefit from career advice right now!
Join us for free on Discord:
Event is Saturday 10 Feb, 8PM CET.
What is value and why do we need it in artworks? The answer is simple - value helps create the illusion of light and form, so it is essential if we want to depict form and three-dimensionality.
"Design Theories & Applications I" with
@hue_teo
will allow concept artists to expedite their thought process and elevate their problem-solving skills. Check out his portfolio to see how he applies his extensive design knowledge for major studios!
Congratulations to our honorable mention, Olly. His submission includes a set of magical props and details their enchanted properties!
Check out his portfolio:
Art fundamentals are key to building effective visual narratives, and color is perhaps the most powerful and versatile tool in visual storytelling: it triggers emotions and aids the overall visual focus.
Sign up to get a free PDF with drawing tips:
"Basics of Character Design for Video Games" with
@Mathias__Osland
takes you through the production process of a unique character, from ideation to final render. Check out his portfolio to see processes and final designs he did for major studios!
We're excited to announce we are now live!
Thank you for being a part of our story so far, and we hope our courses will help you become the artist you aspire to be!
Check out our courses:
A solid drawing foundation means having control over lines to express ideas and emotions. These are the first two levels of learning drawing. Follow us for the full process, and sign up to get a free PDF with drawing tips:
Studying purposefully builds you up as an artist: you can unlock, retain and apply new concepts in your art - and become a better artist in the process!
Join
@Mathias__Osland
this Saturday to find out how to study and apply knowledge purposefully:
The wait is over! With just 9 days to our official launch, we're thrilled to show you a daily sneak peek of each of the 9 upcoming courses.
"Design Foundations I" with
@hue_teo
will uncover the
12 principles of design that you can use to create
stunning artworks.
The line is probably the most simple - and most versatile element of art. Mastering the line gives the artist power to define form, create the illusion of light and shadow, and tell stories through different line styles.
Light & shadow, together with other fundamentals, shape the viewer's emotional experience with an artwork: enhances mood, adds a layer of symbolism and guides the viewer through the composition.
Sign up to get a free PDF with drawing tips:
When drawing or painting, an artist can have a 2D or a 3D mindset. Both can result in amazing art, the key difference is how they treat the sense of depth.
"Light and Color" with
@AxelSauerwald
will help you infuse meaning and emotion in your art through color. Check out his portfolio to see how his use of color enhances mood and overall design!
Congratulations to our third prize winner, ROAM-3R. Unlike the other winners, who approached the brief from the perspective of sets of props, he considered props for different game factions!
Check out his portfolio:
There is no single recipe to learning, but here are 3 general tips to ease your mind into acquiring and retaining information better.
Sign up to get a free PDF with learning tips: