The art of world building
ImagineFX|March 2021
Think big To succeed, don’t just create a world, create a universe, reveals Paul Gerrard, the artist behind an ambitious multi-channel project
Paul Gerrard
The art of world building

Having taken four years to create, it’s only natural that Paul Gerrard would feel bullish about Rivals, his graphic novel that depicts a brutal martial-arts fantasy world. Not only is this the first in a series of books the artist has planned, but a board game is also due this year, followed by a PlayStation 5 game pitch, and even a planned live-action TV series.

“I decided,” says Paul, “it’s not enough just to do a script and a package, I want to do the whole thing, the whole George Lucas.”

With a background in film and TV concept art, on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hellboy and Indiana Jones 5, Paul is no stranger to the demands of the industry or what it takes to create a new IP. He began on Rivals by defining his world: “post-apocalyptic […] medieval, with a kind of Mad Max overlay”. From there he worked on mapping the history of the planet, then its factions, then its clans, and finally he whittled his way down to his characters and only then did he begin writing the story.

TEAM WORK

Rivals is co-created with writer and film director Mike Clarke, and comic artists such as Greg Staples and Dave Kendall have joined to bring the graphic novel’s pages to life. Paul is canny about bringing on board people he’s worked with (Greg Staples was production designer on Hellboy with Paul), and he’d work through Rivals ideas with Mike Clarke because the pair were on set of the indie horror film Cali together.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2021-Ausgabe von ImagineFX.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2021-Ausgabe von ImagineFX.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS IMAGINEFXAlle anzeigen
PAINT EPIC BATTLES IN TRADITIONAL INK
ImagineFX

PAINT EPIC BATTLES IN TRADITIONAL INK

Warhammer illustrator THOMAS ELLIOTT shows you how to create an epic science fiction fight scene with this step-by-step guide

time-read
5 Minuten  |
January 2025
CONJURE MAGIC ILLUSTRATIONS
ImagineFX

CONJURE MAGIC ILLUSTRATIONS

Daria Anako demonstrates her process for creating a whimsical piece of art with some spellbinding touches

time-read
5 Minuten  |
January 2025
First Impressions
ImagineFX

First Impressions

We discover the early influences that inspired the artist

time-read
6 Minuten  |
January 2025
ZBrush for iPad
ImagineFX

ZBrush for iPad

GAME CHANGER The desktop version of popular 3D sculpting software ZBrush has been redesigned for iPad - and it's brilliant

time-read
1 min  |
January 2025
BenQ GW2786TC
ImagineFX

BenQ GW2786TC

GET AN EYEFUL Don't scrimp out on your health with a monitor that's kind on the eyes and good for creative tasks

time-read
1 min  |
January 2025
Huion Kamvas Pro 19
ImagineFX

Huion Kamvas Pro 19

TABLET WARS An attractive pen display does an excellent job of balancing price and performance as it sets out to challenge its rivals in the mobile marketplace

time-read
3 Minuten  |
January 2025
DRAGON OFORCEC
ImagineFX

DRAGON OFORCEC

Legendary D&D artist Larry Elmore explains the keys to crafting timeless fantasy art.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
January 2025
DUNGEON MASTERS
ImagineFX

DUNGEON MASTERS

ImagineFX marks the milestone 50th anniversary of the launch of Dungeons & Dragons with a look at its rich tradition of illustration

time-read
7 Minuten  |
January 2025
Erik Ly
ImagineFX

Erik Ly

Gamer's haven Why the artist enjoys a maximalist aesthetic more than the minimalist approach.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January 2025
2D meets 3D: How the workflows are merging
ImagineFX

2D meets 3D: How the workflows are merging

Interdimensional As VFX and animation evolve and tools become more accessible, Tanya Combrinck asks whether the separation between the mediums is reducing

time-read
5 Minuten  |
January 2025