Drawing with markers
polycounter lvl 7
My teacher tells me we have to draw with markers because that's what all the pro designers do. Can someone tell me if this is really needed in the game industry.
I personally think it's pretty rediculous. You can draw with pencils or photoshop way more efficently if you ask me.
But really... drawing with markers I just can't get it in my head. Besides markers are FFing expensive!
Also it appears marker drawings fade off after a couple of months.
Ahh I'm just a little pissed off at the moment. So please Polycount calm me down.
I personally think it's pretty rediculous. You can draw with pencils or photoshop way more efficently if you ask me.
But really... drawing with markers I just can't get it in my head. Besides markers are FFing expensive!
Also it appears marker drawings fade off after a couple of months.
Ahh I'm just a little pissed off at the moment. So please Polycount calm me down.
Replies
The reason markers are used is simply because of the nature where you build up shapes with various tones of grey(more common method)(though you can easily do the same with PS), you can quickly and easily build up form with markers and pen very quickly. Pencil you would have to sketch and sketch, and eventually clean up in photoshop or with eraser. Markers you could build up using lighter markers, then go over with pen once you're forms and details are finalized - which cleanup in PS would be no more than a curve pushing the markers out. As for going straight PS, some people prefer concepting or storyboarding on paper before hand.
To say that all the "Pros" do it is rather stupid, thats not a reason for a person to learn the skill. Also to say ALL the pro's do is not true, not all the pro's do it, some do it all digitally, some do it with pencil, some do it with markers - one who uses markers that comes to mind is Feng Zhu, but other than him, i can't bring to mind otherwise that work with markers alot. It's a valuable skill to have, some people may ask you to do it - film industry. But In the end it's a matter of personal preference and dependent on your workflow and what you are comfortable with. Remember games industry for the most part is about the end result - whether or not it's readable(concept art). Colleges like to see your work progress and how you are working.
I haven't experienced this, I have marker drawings from 3 years ago that have had zero fading, so maybe you're experience is with inferior markers.
Though having said all of the above, I haven't used my markers in the last 2 years.
If you want some examples of typical marker sketches you should check out some of Feng Zhu's demos for Gnomon. He has a few really nice DVDs that are done with Prismacolor markers.
I can't speak for everybody but I think most people are using digital only workflows by now simply because it's faster and easier to make changes.
then again i'm not a professional sooo yeah.
I didn't have a very big push on markers in my main illustration classes at school, our progression replaced markers with colored pencil and acrylic paint, but I did get to use them in my other art classes. It may feel horrible when you dont have the ability to throw down a new layer, erase, or hit undo, but the lessons you learn from color blending, color and intensity build up, blocking in lights and shadows early, layering, etc are all well worth the effort.
Markers have a unique set of challenges and can make some really cool end results, so before you dismiss them check out some of the artists that are famous for using them like Feng Zhu and Doug Chiang. Here is a little mini tutorial from Doug Chiang's website:
http://www.dchiang.com/robota/studiotips/one/studiotips1.html
As a game concept artist it would be worth getting familiar with them, but maybe not to the point of making super-polished marker art on the level of Dough Chiang or Feng Zhu. I wouldn't say it's a required skill, but you might be surprised how helpful it can be for exploring visual ideas in a different way. And it's even less necessary for a 3D artist, but physical media like that are always useful for expanding your range as an artist because they encourage different ways of thinking about design compared to Photoshop or a 3D package.
I guess the bottom line is that you are very, very unlikely to be required to use markers as a game industry artist, but using them can do a lot to help improve your understanding of visual design.
I'm focusing on evironment art btw, in case anyone's wondering.
I don't think there's wide use in games, but for I.D. guys (who design concept cars, electric shavers, lamps, iphones, etc.) it's a marketable skill.
You can find video tips and inspiration for that ID style here: http://www.idsketching.com/videos/
Regarding Feng, he said he dropped markers in favor of Painter a long time ago. But his marker rendering skills and technique carried over into digital.
Since you're in a class setting, I recommend just following your teacher. Having traditional tool experience should help you when you use digital markers especially when you want to customize your brushes or the effect you're going after.
Yup markers will fade especially lighter tone ones and if you expose it to direct sunlight. You can minimize this effect if you spray it with a UV fixative spray which you can get from an art store.
Plus as others have said it'll make you commit more, and get better.
relax and have some fun with them, plus you can get some cool drawings out of it!
Yea, this exactly. Wtf. You're being told to draw things, not do complicated mathematical proofs. Don't whine, enjoy it.
you should watch this -
http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/product/332/Creating-Unique-Environments,-DIGITAL-DOWNLOAD
he also has a few basic value/shape rendering videos that utilise both markers, pencils and charcoal
Markers are LOT of fun, if you ask me (except, you'd better get the special marker paper that doesn't suck all of it's filling in a day)
and stick to the good quality brands - either Prismacolor or Copics
I prefer copics since they're refilable, really comfortable, have an extra-broad chisel option and I'm a japanfag
Yes!
While I do love Ctrl+Z, I always end up noodling around with digital stuff until it's just mush if I abuse it. This happens much less often with traditional media.
I really grew to love markers, although I don't work in traditional media much anymore. They are great if you're too impatient to build up volume with pencils, which I always am. Have a really nice smooth feel to them too.
About ctrl+z, my bigger problem is the Delete key... Lately I have been just creating crap to add on to my character or whatnot and then totally deleting an hour of work to go a different direction. End up noodling for hours, in 2d and 3d.
Chartpaks are the worst. Is this brand still in stores?
I've tried copics, prismas, trias...but best marker experience for me is the Mars Staedtler 2000 set. Far as I know they only come in slim barrels. They're awesome because they're water based so they don't stink. And there's no bleed thru when you use regular sketchbook paper.
I think this is the nextgen, the 3000s: http://www.staedtler.ca/watercolor_brush_marker_us.Staedtler
I've only used the "2000" so can't confirm if it's the same. If you shop for markers, best if you go to the art store and try out some markers on scrap paper (some stores allow for that).
That's why you should buy low odor pens.....now everyone knows the dirty secret behind my handle
True that Vig