Be inspired by the visuals of cinema

Clearly conveys a moody Star Wars cinematic moment, achieved in part by painting over 3D models

Josh Viers conveys a moody Star Wars moment.

or this workshop I’m going to give you a little insight into how I create some of my Star Wars art. I’ve only just recently started using 3D in my process, and I’ve found it’s invaluable in composing a scene. With even the simplest 3D elements I’m able to define and compose my space in a way that makes it tangible.

Since I love film it also makes sense to start with that as my inspiration. I’ll

fChristmas 2015 often take a scene from one of my favourite films and use it as a starting point. You’ll be building your art on the selected scene, so choose wisely! Remember, just because you love Clueless doesn’t mean it’ll be a good starting point for your art. Pick a movie that was lauded by critics for its look – a film with great cinematography.

For example, I know that using a Coen Brothers film as the launch point is a safe bet because Roger Deakins acts as director of photography for most of their films. If I can emulate Roger’s work then I’m heading in the right direction.

My end result will often be very different from what I started with, but with a solid foundation and good inspiration it’s hard to go wrong. If you’re not sure where to begin, Evan Richards’ blog ( www.evanrichards.com) is an amazing resource for great cinematography. Okay, it’s time to put my advice into practice!