Gnomon Adds Maya and Photoshop DVDs
The Gnomon Workshop welcomes two new instructors to its training library, with the release of MAYA DYNAMICS: OUTER SPACE ENVIRONMENTS and FROM SPEED PAINTING TO CONCEPT ART Photoshop DVDs.
John Clark, an effects lead at Sony Imageworks, and David Levy (aka Vyle), senior concept artist at Steambot Studios, have produced two unique and inspiring titles. Clark’s DVD gives an in-depth look into the creation of an outer space animation sequence using Maya's dynamic effects and rendering tools. Levy’s DVD shares his amazing concept design “speedpainting” workflow, using custom Photoshop brush techniques to quickly and effectively illustrate his beautiful designs.
"It is with great enthusiasm that we are releasing these lectures," states Alex Alvarez, director of Gnomon. "Both John and Vyle have put a lot of effort into these new titles, sharing many years' experience in each DVD. John has worked on many amazing projects during his career, including a lot of experience with sci-fi outer space scenarios. It is exciting to be able to learn the effective techniques he has developed with Maya... methods that would take countless hours of experimentation to arrive at on one's own.
"On the flip side of things, we have Vyle's DVD," continues Alvarez, "2D design is of course the foundation of all the work we do in the gaming and vfx industries and Vyle is one of the top artists. At the last Gnomon Workshop Live event we were treated to a demonstration by Vyle and Barontieri on their Photoshop speedpainting techniques. Through the creation of custom brushes, they has developed a workflow for the quick ideation of everything from architecture and landscapes to vehicles and characters. This DVD shares those techniques via inspiring and informative demonstrations."
In MAYA DYNAMICS: OUTER SPACE ENVIRONMENTS, Clark presents the entire process of creating an outer space effects sequence. Starting with a space ship and a camera move, he takes the viewer through a step-by-step look at how to create a sequence that includes following a space ship as it breaks free of a tractor beam, launches out of planetary orbit, then flies through a field of asteroids and starbirth nebula clouds. He uses Maya's Dynamics system to build elements in the shots, demonstrating their use within the shot environment. He shows how to use cloud particles as a volume surface on which to project shaders to simulate nebulas that can be both stunning backgrounds and realistic clouds that can be flown through. He also walks you through a series of simple effects that add dynamic detail to the shots: sprite-stars, tractor beams, explosions, an energy field and an asteroid field.
In FROM SPEED PAINTING TO CONCEPT ART, Levy demonstrates the Adobe Photoshop techniques that he uses to create environments for the entertainment industry. He specifically reveals the custom brush creation techniques that have been perfected by a small group of passionate artists in Montreal. From two basic brushes, he shows you how to develop your own library of custom brushes that will allow you to gain speed and efficiency during your speedpainting process. Beginning with examples such as mountains, forests and clouds, he then leads you through the creation of a concept art painting, from rough sketches to a final piece with environment, vehicles and characters. Using texture brushes, you will then learn to refine and complete the painting without losing the original dynamism and composition of the sketch. This DVD includes the set of brushes that are created in the lecture, as well as the layered PSD files.
John Clark, an effects lead at Sony Imageworks, and David Levy (aka Vyle), senior concept artist at Steambot Studios, have produced two unique and inspiring titles. Clark’s DVD gives an in-depth look into the creation of an outer space animation sequence using Maya's dynamic effects and rendering tools. Levy’s DVD shares his amazing concept design “speedpainting” workflow, using custom Photoshop brush techniques to quickly and effectively illustrate his beautiful designs.
"It is with great enthusiasm that we are releasing these lectures," states Alex Alvarez, director of Gnomon. "Both John and Vyle have put a lot of effort into these new titles, sharing many years' experience in each DVD. John has worked on many amazing projects during his career, including a lot of experience with sci-fi outer space scenarios. It is exciting to be able to learn the effective techniques he has developed with Maya... methods that would take countless hours of experimentation to arrive at on one's own.
"On the flip side of things, we have Vyle's DVD," continues Alvarez, "2D design is of course the foundation of all the work we do in the gaming and vfx industries and Vyle is one of the top artists. At the last Gnomon Workshop Live event we were treated to a demonstration by Vyle and Barontieri on their Photoshop speedpainting techniques. Through the creation of custom brushes, they has developed a workflow for the quick ideation of everything from architecture and landscapes to vehicles and characters. This DVD shares those techniques via inspiring and informative demonstrations."
In MAYA DYNAMICS: OUTER SPACE ENVIRONMENTS, Clark presents the entire process of creating an outer space effects sequence. Starting with a space ship and a camera move, he takes the viewer through a step-by-step look at how to create a sequence that includes following a space ship as it breaks free of a tractor beam, launches out of planetary orbit, then flies through a field of asteroids and starbirth nebula clouds. He uses Maya's Dynamics system to build elements in the shots, demonstrating their use within the shot environment. He shows how to use cloud particles as a volume surface on which to project shaders to simulate nebulas that can be both stunning backgrounds and realistic clouds that can be flown through. He also walks you through a series of simple effects that add dynamic detail to the shots: sprite-stars, tractor beams, explosions, an energy field and an asteroid field.
In FROM SPEED PAINTING TO CONCEPT ART, Levy demonstrates the Adobe Photoshop techniques that he uses to create environments for the entertainment industry. He specifically reveals the custom brush creation techniques that have been perfected by a small group of passionate artists in Montreal. From two basic brushes, he shows you how to develop your own library of custom brushes that will allow you to gain speed and efficiency during your speedpainting process. Beginning with examples such as mountains, forests and clouds, he then leads you through the creation of a concept art painting, from rough sketches to a final piece with environment, vehicles and characters. Using texture brushes, you will then learn to refine and complete the painting without losing the original dynamism and composition of the sketch. This DVD includes the set of brushes that are created in the lecture, as well as the layered PSD files.
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