Q&A: regal character

Creating a simple 3D scene to block in a more extreme perspective can help when creating action- oriented artwork. Even if you’re not a 3D expert, play around with royalty-free models and set up a couple of lights and a camera to quickly try out more interesting compositions. I do exactly this with the two speeder bikes. I use some photos to composite the background together. I also paint in the two figures on the speeder bikes and establish the positive- negative space ratio. This describes areas in the image that either contain visual information or are relatively empty. It helps me to direct the viewer’s eyes more effectively. My goal is to create an impressionistic storyboard frame from one of the films. To this end, I try to keep the style rough and painterly and cover up most of my photo textures, using brushes that emulate oils and acrylics. I enhance the detailing around the two figures and bikes, which strengthens my focal areas.