Art Fundamentals - Courses for 3D Artists ?
polycounter lvl 3
Does anyone here know any free or paid courses that can help with improving art fundamentals while working with 3D ?
My 3D technical skills advanced nicely, but I believe I am lacking a lot of the fundamental art knowledge, and I would like to improve that, if possible, in a structured guided way.
Replies
CtrlPaint is an awesome structured system. https://www.ctrlpaint.com/library
Plus we have more here http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/Concept_Fundamentals
I've watched ctrlpaint a few years ago, probably should refresh my memory haha :)) It was really awesome for learning.
I was however wondering if maybe there is someone that made a tutorial course directly applicable to 3D art? As in doing 3D scene while applying and explaining art fundamentals. I can't really find many of those online, and it would be nice to have an all in one in which I could make my own variation of whatever the artist is doing, while also getting fundamentals.
Things used to be pretty simple workflow wise, but as I expanded my knowledge i also got more into perfectionism and liking complexity, and it would help to see someone tackle the beginning of, for example environment art. For example: How people focus on the blockout stage to create composition, etc.
I've read some things here and there, such as for example: Blocking out with really rough 3D shapes and also lighting the scene before texturing, to make sure that you are getting the right atmosphere.
From the resources you've sent, I also really like this one since it's about keeping focus and negative space, decluttering. Really nice read: https://polycount.com/discussion/177913/improving-readability-in-composition-01
I'll take a look at the others soon as well, thanks !
Oh, environment art. Why didn't you say so! :) I thought you meant general art skills.
Env art at it's most fundamental is level design
http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/Level_Design
Also here's another step by step
Oh, never though about it that way, but yes actually that makes a lot of sense, all the fundamentals for environment art are most likely in level design, damn. This answer was more mind blowing for my brain than it should have been :))) I do mean general art fundamentals, such as composition, colors, light. But I believe a lot of that might also be covered through level design, since there's also lighting level design. So in a way level design = guiding the player in 3D space, in a similar way that composition would. If I find anything interesting with some searches, I'll post it here
The 2nd one is really useful too. Thanks !
The second link in my first reply is likely to help with composition, colors, light.
It will for sure.
From a level design perspective I also found these. Gonna look for some proper courses as well these days. Never searched up level design courses to be fair so maybe I'll find something interesting. If i find smth interesting I'll post that here.
So here's some stuff I found for fundamentals, with level design and outside of level design:
Ten Principles for Good Level Design - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNEe3KhMvXM
Level Design Workshop: Blockmesh and Lighting Tips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09r1B9cVEQY
Methods for finding pleasing compositions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOMRWxo0ixo
Composition Understanding Shapes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg-So3ElA8g
Also checkout Tim Simpson over on Polygon Academy a ton of stuff in there, I think you'll find helpful as well
https://www.artstation.com/pixelmasher/blog
https://www.youtube.com/c/polygonacademy
I totally recommend Tim Simpson, one of my favourite teachers. I remember his article on motivation helped me a lot: https://www.polygon-academy.com/tips-for-artists-struggling-with-motivation/ tutorial
Indeed!
To be honest, nothing beats insight shared by those with coal-face exposure and may I also mention as some random dude who just does this CG stuff for "fun"
Is that enviro art as a whole...is *beeping* hard in every-which-way possible or so it would seem too me, at least 🤪