The Art of SketchUp - part 1: Fantasy

[michaliszissiou]

@solo
What is so wow on this image? Another rather expected boring vue render.
Otherwise, this artwork, this modeling, is excellent. As expected from this gifted artist.

[ken28875]

Hi guys,

Sorry for the late reply (as usual... ). Things have been quite busy with work and family.

I don't think I have mentioned it before. I left Trion Worlds last summer to pursue other career opportunities. I have been doing some freelance works for a facebook game using Sketchup for architectural concepts. I will post some images whenever I have the chance.

Electronic Arts/ Maxis Studio has contacted me and hired me to work on a new game back in December. It's for an unannounced game that was actually announced during the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco a few weeks ago. So I can say it now: I have been working on the newest version of Simcity, designing and concepting architecture. It's quite different from the fantasy and sci-fi stuff that I did before. I hope I will be able to post some images soon.

A few replies to some of you:

Yours Avatar's image is great, but i think the man has his left leg a little misplaced...

>> That's correct. It's a test to see if people will notice. You're the winner. J/K....You have an eye of an eagle...thanks for seeing the mistake. I will fix it when I have time.

What can I say, your work is amazing! I especially like the tree, I attempted to make a gnarled old tree several time, failed miserably. Any tips or secrets you'd like to reveal??

>> Steve M: Thanks for you comment. I am glad you like my work. About the gnarled branches: draw with the line tool,Arc tool, BZ_Toolbar (classic bezier curve) to create the path of you tree or branch, then use Draw a Taper plugin.

Your gallery is truelly amazing!

>> Merci, Pilou. Bonne journee!

Awesome Work!

>> Thanks for your comment, mesadesign.

WOW!!!!

>> Thanks, Pete.

Awesome, I didn't realise a lot of RIFT was developed in Sketchup! A conversation I keep having with people (particularly architects) is that they feel SU is a children's programme, which it's anything but. Seeing amazing stuff like this just gives me more answers to take on the naysayers. Keep up the great work.

>> Thank you, Jordan. No, Rift was not developed with Sketchup. It uses its own game engine. I use Sketchup for concepting and building models that will be exported into the Rift game engine for testing/previzualisation. My Skepchup models are used by modelers as reference to build the final 3d assets in Maya.

Few posts ago you were writing about your modeling techniques. I wonder if you could record a video showing your modeling methods while you are using Sketchup. I'm not asking you for tutorial, just for show. I know that you are pro, and working with Sketchup is your job so it can be impossible.
Sorry for possible mistakes. I’m not English native speaker.

>> Pawel: I don't have a video recording software installed on my computer and I don't really have time to make tutorials, but I hope I will do some in the future. However, if you have specific questions, please email me and I will reply to them when time allows. Thanks.

Unlimited fantasy and extraordinary ability

>> Thanks for your nice comment, Alvis.

i like that forest image. especially those trees and cliffs
keep up the good work

>> Thank you, Irwan. Glad you like that image.

Otherwise, this artwork, this modeling, is excellent. As expected from this gifted artist.

>> Thanks, Michalis. I really appreciate your comments.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Okie, here are some more images of 3d concepts I did for Rift.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thanks everyone for stopping by and viewing my work. Have a wonderful week!

_KN

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030&p=337096#p337096
Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/

[pilou]

I have been working on the newest version of Simcity, designing and concepting architecture.

That's a cool news!

[Ghalko]

That is awesome! Sim City has to be one of my all time favorite games.

[ken28875]

I have been working on the newest version of Simcity, designing and concepting architecture.

That's a cool news!

>> Merci, Pilou!

That is awesome! Sim City has to be one of my all time favorite games.

>> Thank, Bryan. I hope I will be able to post some images in the near future.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hey guys,

I hope all is well.

I just had an interview with Nomer from Nomeradona Sketchup Vray Resources. Most of you probably heard of him. He is one of the best Vray for Sketchup users out there. Anyway, I would like to thank him for the interview.

You can read more here:
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html

There are a few images that were not posted anywhere else, but exclusively for this interview, like the one below.

Sketchup + Vray + Photoshop

Have a great day!

_KN

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030&p=337096#p337096
Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotligh ... -industry/

[iichiversii]

Iv never seen this post before, but I'm glad I came across it now, your work is fantastic and just by studying your images iv learned so much, I'm looking forward to future posts on this, ill be watching this post closely, well done

[urgen]

...Ken,really COOL! thank you.

[ken28875]

Iv never seen this post before, but I'm glad I came across it now, your work is fantastic and just by studying your images iv learned so much, I'm looking forward to future posts on this, ill be watching this post closely, well done

>> Hi Damien. Thanks for your nice comment. I am glad you are able to learn a trick or two from my sketchup models. Feel free to ask questions. However, it might take a little bit of time for an answer since I am quite busy with work and family.

...Ken,really COOL! thank you.

>> Thanks for your , Urgen. Take care.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hey everyone,

The image below was in the interview on Nomer's blogspot.
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html

I have added a few more from the same buildings.

Sketchup + Vray + Photoshop

Have a terrific day!

_KN

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030&p=337096#p337096
Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/

[Cyberdactyl]

Ken - You're prolific and awesome.

[EscapeArtist]

Wow. Nice work.

[ken28875]

Ken - You're prolific and awesome.

>> Thanks for your nice comment, Cyberdactyl. Take care.

Wow. Nice work.

>> Thank you, Jeff. Have a good day!

_KN

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotligh ... -industry/
Interview on Nomer's blogspot.
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.c ... t-ken.html

[dale]

Your imagination is something to be envied, and I can feel the passion you put into these.
Stunning!

[ken28875]

Your imagination is something to be envied, and I can feel the passion you put into these.
Stunning!

Thank you for your nice comment, Dale.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Here are some more Sketchup models I did for the Online Game Rift.

Have a good day!

_KN

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Interview on Nomer's blogspot.
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html

[ken28875]

Hi guys,

Long time no post.

I hope all is well.

Here are some old Sketchup Conceptual models I did for the MMO Rift.

Have a great one!

_KN

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Interview on Nomer's blogspot.
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html

[pbacot]

Good to see you here and all this new work. Love your work! wonderful little Moss Houses and Kilns.

Thanks! Will visit the interviews too. Peter

[ely862me]

Duude ! Wonderful job ! Love it all the way ! Keep it going !!

[Cyberdactyl]

Hey Ken, in celebration of the Mayan calender, your image below reminds me of this video, most especially this point in the video?

[ken28875]

Good to see you here and all this new work. Love your work! wonderful little Moss Houses and Kilns.

Thanks! Will visit the interviews too. Peter

>> Thanks, Peter. Glad you like the Moss houses and kilns. It was fun building them as they are more organic than the usual architecture buildings.

Duude ! Wonderful job ! Love it all the way ! Keep it going !!

>> Thank you, Elisei. I will keep them coming.

[quote="Cyberdactyl"]Hey Ken, in celebration of the Mayan calender, your image below reminds me of this video, most especially this point in the video? /quote]

>> Thanks for sharing the video, Cyberdactyl. Very interesting.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Some more old sketchup concepts for Rift.

Have a great weekend!

_KN

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Interview on Nomer's blogspot.
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html
Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030&p=337096#p337096

[sh00ks]

Awesome work!

Cant wait to see what your input/work is in SimCity

[ken28875]

Awesome work!

Cant wait to see what your input/work is in SimCity

Thanks for your kind words, Ronald. I hope I will be able to post some of my building concepts I did for Simcity 5 soon.

Here are some fairy house concepts.

Please watch for my next post on my sci-fi thread in a few days. I will post some new personal sketchup models that I did during the past month after my contract ended with EA/Maxis (Simcity).

Happy holidays to you, your family and loved ones!

_KN

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Interview on Nomer's blogspot.
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html
Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030&p=337096#p337096

[cotty]

Here are some fairy house concepts.

They might be a little bit drafty, but they are very nice!

[ken28875]

Here are some fairy house concepts.

They might be a little bit drafty, but they are very nice!

>> Yes, kind of drafty indeed. Thanks for your comment, Carsten.

Here are some spider egg and wasp hive.

Have a great day!

_KN

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030&p=337096#p337096
Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Interview on Nomer's blogspot.
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html

[ken28875]

Hello everyone,

I went to my archived files and I digged out one of my first tasks working on the MMO Rift. It was back in early 2006, almost 7 years ago.

The first image is the conceptual model that was approved by the Art Director, although I kind of like the second one which is a little bit more fantasy.

Have a great day!

_KN

The approved conceptual model from 2006 was later re-used and redesigned into a different fortress about two years later. I did post some images earlier in this thread. But this is the one I was referring to in case you have not seen it.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtop ... 96#p337096
Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotligh ... -industry/
Interview on Nomer's blogspot.
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.c ... t-ken.html

[liam887]

Hello everyone,

I went to my archived files and I digged out one of my first tasks working on the MMO Rift. It was back in early 2006, almost 7 years ago.

The first image is the conceptual model that was approved by the Art Director, although I kind of like the second one which is a little bit more fantasy.

Have a great day!

_KN

The approved conceptual model from 2006 was later re-used and redesigned into a different fortress about two years later. I did post some images earlier in this thread. But this is the one I was referring to in case you have not seen it.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtop ... 96#p337096
Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotligh ... -industry/
Interview on Nomer's blogspot.
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.c ... t-ken.html

I remember this...awesome!

[pilou]

I hope I will be able to post some of my building concepts I did for Simcity 5 soon.

This one ?

Video

[ATLAStudio]

I suspect my rate of work will drop off significantly when this game comes out...looks great

[Daniel]

impressive, inspiring work, Ken.

[Bryan K]

Dang! I WANT that game!

And yes, impressive work Ken.

[ken28875]

@ Pilou, James, Daniel and Bryan K:
Thanks for your kind comments and interest in the game Simcity 5.

It is coming out on March 5th.

Check out the website:
http://www.simcity.com/

I worked on all kind of buildings : commercial (hotels, boutiques, supermarkets, etc.), residential (apartments, houses, trailers, etc.), industrial (Warehouses, Coalbreakers, etc.).

Hopefully, when the game is out and I get permission from PR, I will post lots of higher res architectural concepts I did.

Since I am still under NDA, I cannot post high resolution images to show you what I did work on. But here are some screenshots from the games (you can find the videos on youtube) as well as corresponding concept art.

We had 3 in-house concept artists in charge of doing some buildings for Paris, London and Berlin. I got the task of designing the British apartments. But at the end, I was assigned to do all of the 3 cities.

So here are the London ones for our English friends. I know we have lots of them in the Sketchucation forum.

Have a wonderful week!

_KN

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030&p=337096#p337096
Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
Interview on Nomer's blogspot.
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html

[ken28875]

Hi everyone,

I will post some more concepts for Simcity 5 later.

Back with conceptual models for the online game Rift:

Have a great weekend!

_KN

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030&p=337096#p337096
Interview with Sketchupartists.org
http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotligh ... -industry/
Interview on Nomer's blogspot.
http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.c ... t-ken.html