Still Searching for Artists...
by John Kanalakis · 02/05/2011 (5:21 pm) · 11 comments
While making progress with the new Torque X book update, I have a 2D game in production that desparately needs art help. My philosophy is always to build out game prototypes with very crude placeholder artwork. This way, I can focus on the gameplay rather than the glitz of attractive art. But now, I've reached that point where there's enough gameplay in place and I just need great artwork to add the visual polish.
It's also worth noting that I'm not looking to keep the same level of detail while going from the reference image to the final image. That much detail in a small image will just make it noisy and not as playful and cartoony. This probably requires some skills with vector art tools, like Adobe Illustrator or Expression Design. I have about 20 isometric images that need to be created under paid contract. I've tried posting in the Jobs forum here, on Craigslist, and on LinkedIn without much luck. I'm looking for ways additional to reach artists that might be interested - is there a more artist-specific forum? If you're interested in taking on some contract artwork or know someone who is, please contact me at jkanalakis@msn.com.
As I get closer to release, I'll blog about the new game and its development.
John K.
It's also worth noting that I'm not looking to keep the same level of detail while going from the reference image to the final image. That much detail in a small image will just make it noisy and not as playful and cartoony. This probably requires some skills with vector art tools, like Adobe Illustrator or Expression Design. I have about 20 isometric images that need to be created under paid contract. I've tried posting in the Jobs forum here, on Craigslist, and on LinkedIn without much luck. I'm looking for ways additional to reach artists that might be interested - is there a more artist-specific forum? If you're interested in taking on some contract artwork or know someone who is, please contact me at jkanalakis@msn.com.
As I get closer to release, I'll blog about the new game and its development.
John K.
About the author
John Kanalakis is the owner of EnvyGames, an independent game development studio in Silicon Valley that produces games and tools for Xbox 360, Windows, and the Web.
#2
02/06/2011 (4:13 am)
You could make simple models in 3D and then use Spriteworks http://www.garagegames.com/products/spriteworks.
#3
02/06/2011 (5:56 am)
@Daniel: you do realize how funny is your advice... right? :)
#4
John K.
02/06/2011 (10:33 am)
Ideally, I'm looking to hire this week. I have all of the reference material ready to hand-off to an artist to get started. I'm not using SpriteWorks because I want the sprites to have a very colorful, cartoony, and softly shaded look with much less detail than the model has. I definitely use SpriteWorks for other projects, but this one is going to need originally drawn graphics.John K.
#5
Need a sound or fx designer on the team? Would be more then happy to help out for credit on the works. Let me know, I hope your project goes well. Good luck with it and the hires.
Will
dlstorminc@yahoo.com
Digital Lightstorm Studios
http://www.myambientworld.com
Artist of http://www.garagegames.com/products/ambientsounds here at Garage Games
02/06/2011 (2:53 pm)
John:Need a sound or fx designer on the team? Would be more then happy to help out for credit on the works. Let me know, I hope your project goes well. Good luck with it and the hires.
Will
dlstorminc@yahoo.com
Digital Lightstorm Studios
http://www.myambientworld.com
Artist of http://www.garagegames.com/products/ambientsounds here at Garage Games
#6
John K.
02/06/2011 (7:40 pm)
Will, that sounds like a great offer. I'll email you some details about the game and then we can talk further about it. I'm planning to bring the game to beta by March, so we're moving pretty fast for the first release.John K.
#7
02/07/2011 (4:19 am)
@ Guiseppe, sry, may just was a bad idea to try to help:)
#8
John K.
02/07/2011 (5:45 pm)
Daniel, nooooooo... Guiseppe was just kidding because he knows that I created SpriteWorks and sell it in the GarageGames store. It wasn't suggesting that it's a bad idea at all. In fact, it's a very good idea to go this way. The only reason that I'm not doing it is because the specific cartoony look I'm trying to get wont work with a 3D model. Hmmmm I might be able to use SpriteWorks to pose the building and then import it into Illustrator and use that as a background reference image, then paint over it. That's a really good idea. In any case, I apprecaite your idea. Thank you. :)John K.
#9
02/08/2011 (2:16 am)
@ John, now i got the kidding :) This cartoon look will make it much intersing! I like this idea much. Hopefully to see more soon. 
#10
02/13/2011 (9:22 am)
@ John, for original digital artwork and commissions try here (http://www.deviantart.com), and for professional 3D artwork try here: (http://www.turbosquid.com/). 
#11
05/23/2011 (2:07 am)
@ John, Are you still looking for help ?? 
Torque Owner Bobby Leighton
Imagn' Games