IceHound Blog

Card Caricature Painting

2011-12-20T18:37:00.000-08:00

Today I was given an assignment to create a card for the Studio Director and this is the result...

Concept Outsourcing

2011-11-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

There is a movement afloat in game companies who seem to think that concept art can be outsourced to low wage countries. Concept Artists are actually Visual Designers, they receive information from the Game Designers and make it a reality – they further the design by adding visual cohesiveness to ideas. You need the 'Concept Designer' working in the studio do this, otherwise the game vision will be impaired, it is only when they are working directly with the rest of the team that this vision is fully realized. Generally outsourcing is perceived to be a cheap way to generate content but in reality when you add things up (outsource package generation, extra direction, new hires for outsourcing management, time consuming fixes, miscommunication, cultural differences, duplicitous or bad faith contract negotiations, corruption, projects held hostage, stolen content, incompetence) it can be costly in the long run...

Drawing Bugs on the Bus

2011-11-06T23:54:00.000-08:00

Transformer theme...

2011-11-06T23:52:00.001-08:00

Some of my past prop and background designs from days spent in commercial animation

2011-10-30T21:51:00.000-07:00

From Kathryn Cave and Chris Riddell's 'Something Else', Studio B's 'What About Mimi' and Nelvana's 'George Shrinks.' Everything was hand drawn (making sure all lines were closed-off) and then painted in Photoshop; whimsical stuff...

Drawing beasts on the Bus...

2011-10-11T23:03:00.000-07:00

Light Asssault Crawler

2011-10-07T23:32:00.000-07:00

macpaint.org

2011-08-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

Some of my old Macpaint art has been displayed at this site.

Stegoaadvarkosaurus

2011-08-14T22:55:00.000-07:00

Cold War X-Plane Transport

2011-08-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

Air Mech

2011-07-16T00:49:00.001-07:00

MechHound

2011-07-16T00:48:00.001-07:00

Village Speed Paint

2011-07-01T22:24:00.000-07:00

My first computer

2011-06-16T16:38:00.001-07:00

Tandy TRS-80 with 4k of ram and a tape drive. c. 1982

Spy

2011-06-10T17:24:00.000-07:00

SOCOM 4 Trophies

2011-05-06T22:12:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, I illustrated all the trophies - this poster includes all the revisions as well.

If you feel like seeing how they match here is the list :

http://www.ps3trophies.org/game/socom-4/trophies/

More SOCOM 4 Cinimatic FX Planning

2011-05-06T22:07:00.000-07:00

SOCOM 4 didn't get very good reviews but you can't fault the rendering guys and artists there. They did a great job modeling, populating, lighting and creating FX for the game and dealing with the many changes it underwent during the 5 years it was in development. In my informed opinion they were outstanding.

SOCOM 4 Tactical Maps

2011-04-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Since the engine couldn't handle many of the screenshots and much of the geometry only existed for the player POV, each map had to be hand painted. Since things like this need to be done yesterday on top of the your regular concept duties timely completion can be a challenge. In this case they needed 40 of these created just before the game was to ship. :) The first one is the screenshot of the existing level, second is what I painted and third is the finished user interface briefing map that I colour corrected and added the fog of war to.

Here are a couple more for a marketing presentation that I painted and created the graphics for. Most concept artists would look down upon this type of work but one must be willing to take on all types of projects in order to be versatile and make sure you are marketable. Besides I like everything I do; I just have to look back on my days as a cop and say to myself : "It beats searching smelly people" and there were quite a few disgusting prisoners to search...

SOCOM 4 Clawhammer Logo and Symbol Studies

2011-04-24T00:56:00.000-07:00

SOCOM 4 Lighting Concepts

2011-04-24T00:25:00.000-07:00

Some quick concepts used by the team for colour and lighting guides.

SOCOM 4 Concepts

2011-04-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

Original box art with finalized characters from 2009:

OPSCOM Final older character:

A young 45:

Many head variations were explored, this continued into the modeling stage:

Back to drawing on the subway.

2011-04-07T22:17:00.000-07:00

I commute 3 to 4 hours a day now so this helps pass the time and keeps me equalized...

Technical Ilustrations

2011-03-27T21:19:00.000-07:00

While cleaning out some old portfolios I found some of my early technical illustrations - this is one I did for BC Transit. I know, dry stuff but it was interesting to do and it paid the bills. This was back in the day when Freehand was owned by Aldus and Adobe Photoshop was new to the shelves.

Moving-on-up! Literally...

2011-02-17T19:14:00.001-08:00

After three years of living away from them, I'm returning to Langley to be with my Wife and Son. I'll be leaving Zipper Interactive and have accepted a Senior Concept Artist position at Relic Entertainment/THQ in Vancouver, British Columbia. I have been both Senior and Lead Concept Artist and Graphic Designer at Zipper for the past 4 years, it is a great place with good people, I will miss being there.

SOCOM 4 - Bombed-out Bridge

2011-02-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

Warrior

2011-02-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

Mask

2011-02-02T23:11:00.000-08:00

SOCOM 4 Boss Mobile Base

2011-02-01T22:20:00.000-08:00

MAG - DLC Winter Soldier

2011-01-31T21:32:00.000-08:00

VALOR Soldier wearing a winter variation outfit.

Streamliner

2011-01-31T21:17:00.002-08:00

I had a little down time so I began work on a Bonneville Streamliner.

SOCOM 4 - Stealth Missile Concepts

2011-01-20T21:19:00.000-08:00

Main Street Below

2011-01-14T10:43:00.000-08:00

Opening Night Killer

2011-01-14T10:32:00.000-08:00

Napoleon Face Morphs

2011-01-07T21:56:00.000-08:00

Future Soldier Speedpaint

2011-01-07T12:53:00.000-08:00

Dino Buddy

2011-01-06T00:28:00.000-08:00

A little project I have been working on for style variety. :)

Raven Lord

2011-01-05T16:56:00.000-08:00

Something I have been working on lately. I still have to place the robe and jewels on him and do the usual background and clean up.

Streetcar Thumbnails

2010-12-22T23:32:00.000-08:00

These are concept thumbnails that I created for a recent fantasy game proposal.

Mech Warrior Brave

2010-12-20T00:42:00.002-08:00

There is a reason so many Concept Artists paint Mechs and Robots, they are straight forward to do considering you are lighting faceted surfaces, besides they are fun!

The Stricken Stallion

2010-12-17T13:17:00.000-08:00

This is a large (4 1/2 ft sq.) acrylic on paper painting that I did not too long ago as part of my return to traditional media which I might add is very rewarding. I have depicted a cornered, aggravated horse that is being mishandled by a few like minded, abusive individuals. The horse is, of course, afraid and is lashing out especially in the face if the whip. I'm influenced by Francisco Goya and his direct and deliberate use of lighting and color to describe the mood of an event. A digital photo of the piece doesn't do it justice.

Clawed Beast

2010-11-23T23:45:00.001-08:00

Reno Race Plane No. 1

2010-11-04T00:59:00.000-07:00

Red Training Aircraft

2010-10-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

60s Go go girl with knife.

2010-10-15T00:09:00.000-07:00

240z ( IceHound Z ) For Sale $20,000

2010-10-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

Three years worth of work, and still an ongoing project. I guess I can consider it an artistic piece, since I decided what it was to look like... :)

The full story here:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3391523/1972-datsun-240z

Future Grunge Town

2010-10-11T11:48:00.001-07:00

More FX - SOCOM 4

2010-10-10T23:04:00.000-07:00

More Guns!

2010-09-28T10:55:00.001-07:00

It's fairly quick to do these side views.

MAG DLC Environments

2010-09-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

MAG Comm Van Thumbs

2010-09-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

These were created using SketchBook Pro

Mag DLC Corporate Logo Design Comps

2010-09-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

These are designs I created for an International Energy Company used for MAG Downloadable Content.

FX Example - SOCOM 4

2010-08-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

Some game FX.

Some Sports Car Modification Concepts

2010-07-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

This is for a hot rod metal fabricator in Seattle.

Wind Generator Base

2010-06-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

Geothermal Plant

2010-06-08T18:17:00.000-07:00

More Bridges

2010-06-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

New Monster

2010-04-27T01:18:00.000-07:00

MAG Syr Darya Uplink - Rocket Hanger

2010-04-09T11:48:00.000-07:00

Head Doodles

2010-04-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

Train Doodle

2010-04-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

Again just passing time on the plane.

Robot Hiker

2010-04-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

Just doodling.

The Wall

2010-03-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

This is a wall mural I painted for Zipper to make the studio look more like a studio for promotion purposes...

MacPaint

2010-03-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

My Aunt owned a new 512 Mac in 1985 and she let me use it for school. I fell in love with it and moreover 'MacPaint':

Hot Wheels

2010-03-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

Here's my first Hot Wheels concept.

MAG Copper Hills Mine Silhouette studies

2010-03-10T15:40:00.000-08:00

MAG Valor Faction shoulder patches

2010-03-09T21:14:00.001-08:00

It's official: SOCOM 4 by Zipper Interactive

2010-03-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

I have been working on this for a bit now, I can't believe it stayed mostly under wraps for so long.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/107/1074103p1.html

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/socom-4-its-official/

Bridge Production Concepts

2010-03-02T22:35:00.000-08:00

Quick Mech Sketch

2010-03-02T00:06:00.000-08:00

Snip Mech

2010-02-28T22:13:00.000-08:00

This is a Small Promo Piece for a Fantastic Four video game proposal.

2010-02-24T00:55:00.000-08:00

Remember Kritter? Mario Strikers Charged

2010-02-24T00:52:00.000-08:00

Gundam Tank

2010-02-21T18:37:00.000-08:00

I always have loved drawing Gundam or Mech, I love the crazy technical aspects of the style.

End of the Snow Boar

2010-02-18T20:07:00.000-08:00

Forest Beast

2010-02-18T20:04:00.000-08:00

Stealth Missile Thumbnails

2010-02-17T14:18:00.001-08:00

MAG Base Element Thumbnails

2010-02-17T14:17:00.000-08:00

Soldiers

2010-01-18T22:48:00.000-08:00

Holiday Practice - Creature 01

2009-12-23T00:04:00.000-08:00

Mario Strikers Charged - Original Ball Concept

2009-11-24T12:51:00.000-08:00

This is the original ball concept I created for Mario Strikers Charged. The design went through 12 variations before a final one was decided upon. It had to have lenses that would make it come alive and glow during the Mega-Strike.

Here's some refined ones...

...and the final:

Zipper Interactive - dedicated people...

2009-11-24T12:37:00.000-08:00

I must say that the developers at Zipper are extremely dedicated. Some of the debates centering around tactics, the look of the game, game play, how weapons should act and what should be in MAG are simply incredible - they live this stuff....

MAG Asset Design: Modular Security Fence

2009-11-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Much of being a Concept Artist is designing objects or characters for production - it is inglorious but enjoyable just the same. Creating multiple thumbnails quickly, trying to make each one unique is a fun challenge, after ripping through 30 or so I find I have to tell myself to stop. This one fulfilled a requirement for a portable reactive armor fence for the RAVEN faction displaying the different types of panels.

Space Environment

2009-11-12T21:02:00.000-08:00

Automatic Mortar Systems - Pencil Thumbnails Drawings

2009-11-11T23:23:00.000-08:00

They wanted some faction based automatic mortar systems so commanders could call in strikes. These are some of the thumbs I provided for direction. Something like this would take a few hours to do and are straight forward.

MAG Alyeska Terminus Thumbnails

2009-11-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

Here are some thumbnails I did for the Alyeska level for MAG.

Gangsta'

2009-11-03T22:12:00.000-08:00

MAG Kennecott mine

2009-11-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

MAG Syr Darya Uplink

2009-10-26T10:41:00.001-07:00

Bug 1

2009-10-25T00:22:00.001-07:00

MAG Syr Darya Uplink - Rocket Hanger

2009-10-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

I did this for a game that I was working on, I have a bunch of these on file and I think I will show them off.

Cartoon Street

2009-09-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

Just having fun. This was for another game, based on a toon theme...

Overview

2009-09-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

This was part of a proposal for a new game. I enjoy painting this sort of thing, placing the soldiers where I think they should be according to some loose strategy - like toy soldiers. I always admired the National Geographic map illustrations and always thought it would be amazing to try one.

Meanwhile down at the docks... MAG Absheron Refinery

2009-09-03T22:00:00.001-07:00

Street

2009-08-11T11:27:00.001-07:00

Remember this guy?

2009-08-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

Haunted house

2009-08-06T10:07:00.001-07:00

I thought this photo turned out fair

2009-07-31T23:36:00.001-07:00

Petey Piranna in Soccer Gear - Mario Strikers Charged

2009-07-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Slasher Assault Racer - this was a preliminary concept for NFS Underground 3

2009-07-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

Donkey Kong Hieroglyphics

2009-07-12T00:10:00.001-07:00

Used in the Sand Tomb - Mario Strikers Charged