Sammy Hall: Evoke the Dragon

[TAD_Orders]

Part 1

In this first of two hour-long tutorial explorations, concept artist Sammy Hall covers basic and advanced techniques for developing visions of a conceptual world, focusing on fantasy dragons and their environments.

As he flows along his path of creation, Sammy's design and use of composition roots you into each of his visions, covering everything from brainstorming to inking thumbnails to finding a methodology to your design, and then building diversity and options with color.

In the 2nd download, he renders the chosen color scene into a fully developed concept illustration, sharing the lessons he learns while creating the painting, and giving you a true-to-life experience in how digital tools can help you to constantly add polish to your own creations.
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Sammy Hall has been a sketch artist since he discovered fossils in the earth and sharks in the oceans. His career in concept design has kept him occupied in many different artistic directions, production illustrations, and storyboards, but mostly Sammy sketches. Creating in the videogame industry, he explores emotional storytelling powers and has worked on many projects, including: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Donkey Kong Country Returns, and John Woo's Stranglehold. Currently he lives in Austin, Texas with his dogs and turtles, and they spend their time in swimming holes, and wandering the trails in search of his next organic inspiration.
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purchase: http://media.massiveblack.com/downloads.html
trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgbYT8b3HTo
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Part 2 coming soon!

[Malakuko]

Brilliant download! Its got me sketching like crazy :D Cant wait for part 2.

[Sammy]

I'm happy you dig it Malakuko : D the audio was wrapped up on the 2nd DVD so it's in production

[Hive_minD]

This download is unique people. Just unique.
For those of you who are uncertain of who Sammy Hall is, go check out his sketchbook in the exclusive sketchbook section. His work is amazing, and was a total win-over in convincing me to purchase this download. His work, and style is pretty much experimental (as he himself often says in the download) yet he has his composition and storytelling so well integrated, that his illustrations and conceptual ideas work splendidly.

At first I was a little bummed that the video showing the pencil/pen process was multi-framed, showing multiple sketching getting visualised all at the same time (much like the ZhangLu downloads), but after a while they show each sketch getting drawn. Not just one big one and the other sketches in smaller frames. they all get a turn. It made sense with the dialogue.

The next part was quick colour mock-ups. Loved it. Now and then I thought, gawd damn, slow down, but now after watching the whole thing, I am happy with the speed seeing part 2 will be taking more consideration to details and final renderings.

I myself am in the process of pure experimentation and found this download extremely worth the money. It goes through the process of making sketchy and "minimal" sketches into great works of art. If still in doubt, check out his sketchbook, and if you find just one piece of art that you like, then you should check this out.

Chris

[oracrest]

It came out great! I watched it this weekend.


Many teachers simply walk you through the steps of executing a piece, but I think you really hit some good points about harnessing more of the chaotic and spontaneous nature of creativity, and letting it work for you rather than against you.

Kudos! :lineart:

[madbot]

Thanks Sammy!
I've always wanted to see a video like this. Taking a simple and clear thumbnail and working it up to a finished product. I myself can get a little overwhelmed with the process of a painting these days and I just love how you tackle all the issues you face head on and turn them to your advantage with spontaneous results. Fabulous work, looking forward to the next part.

[Hive_minD]

Any new news about when this part 2 is coming out? I´m thinking right after this sale would make sense? Looking forward to grabbing it as soon as it comes out!

[AhChu]

just finished watching, awesome download. I really love the experimentation with the colour and compositions. Nice work, I'm really looking forward to getting part 2 :)

[Hive_minD]

Any news on how far they have come with part 2? :)
I am stoked!

[KEM720]

Part II trailer was just posted yesterday, I hope that means it will be here soon. :D

Y9uywD0nNvA

[Hive_minD]

I see the link for part 2 has come on the Massive Black website, though when I click on it goes to purchase something totally different, so do not think they have it loaded up just yet. But soon I guess

[Jacki OH]

Hi all,

We had a helluva time posting this video but here it is finally!

The download is in THREE parts, and includes a Photoshop PSD file from Sammy :]

http://media.massiveblack.com/downloads.html#sammy2

Happy painting!

[Marsty]

Woohoo! Downloading now. Can't wait.

Mine doesn't include the .PSD but it does include the none layered .PDF?

[Sammy]

thanks Jacki for getting this uploaded!

I sent over the biggest final image I had of the concept-paint. I don't usually work on layers once I get to painting an image, so I can manage the subtle values and colors of the entire image. I tend to ctrl-e and collapse the image as a composition gets settled, then I'll pencil away just rendering what I can get to.

[Dizon]

holy shitfist!!!

[Farvus]

Hey

I watched both parts of tutorial and I really enjoyed seeing the process. I highly recommend watching this if you're into creating rich imaginary world within illustrations. Just like in introduction it covers lots of basic techniques helpful in painting (which is good reminder) but also lots of advanced things which are definitely worth trying out.

What really spoke to me personally is the approach that's not trying to be fast but rather trying to focus on single every part with simple brush to get the understanding of what you're drawing or painting. It's also some way of diving so deep into the process that it can become something enjoyable even if you're rendering small tree in the corner of the picture for several hours :). If every single object in a scene has very strong part in telling the story of the whole image, rendering has no chance to become boring.

[AhChu]

Awesome, just picked up part2 now.......look forward to watching it tonight

[oracrest]

Got part 2 as part of the holiday day sale. Gonna go play some Demon's Souls while it downloads....