Whether it's just a hint of doom in an otherwise uplifting image, or a portrait of an arrestingly hostile character, working with dark themes is a rewarding area of exploration for any artist.
Concept artist and illustrator Jeff Simpson creates work that evokes a sinister ambience, but he doesn't identify himself as a dark artist. "Like any creative person I try to find elements of reality, nature or people that I find interesting or mysterious and worth exploring,” he says. "When we " put a magnifying glass up to any subject, it tends to amplify its complexity and our idealisations and expectations tend to be challenged. If this process makes things feel 'dark' to most people then so be it, I suppose!"
CHARACTER PERCEPTION
Jeff's mother was an art teacher and he grew up looking through her art history books. "I would try to copy the usual masters from across the eras. I was drawn to the drama and the significance the paintings held in their day. Maybe I've always wanted to convey that sense of wonder, fear and fascination with my own work." For Jeff, creating a portrait with a substantial presence begins with imbuing the character with a sense of respect or honesty. "Even if it is an animal or creature, it needs to have a sense of being, and not be just a cartoon or symbol. It should feel as if its life was lived in a way we can relate to somehow."
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Denne historien er fra May 2022-utgaven av ImagineFX.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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
CONJURE MAGIC ILLUSTRATIONS
Daria Anako demonstrates her process for creating a whimsical piece of art with some spellbinding touches
First Impressions
We discover the early influences that inspired the artist
ZBrush for iPad
GAME CHANGER The desktop version of popular 3D sculpting software ZBrush has been redesigned for iPad - and it's brilliant
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
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
DRAGON OFORCEC
Legendary D&D artist Larry Elmore explains the keys to crafting timeless fantasy art.
DUNGEON MASTERS
ImagineFX marks the milestone 50th anniversary of the launch of Dungeons & Dragons with a look at its rich tradition of illustration
Erik Ly
Gamer's haven Why the artist enjoys a maximalist aesthetic more than the minimalist approach.
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