Hi Everyone,
The gracious Mr. Dan has been kind enough to allow me to show some of my recent stuff for Thor 2. Thank you Dan. I worked on Thor 2 for quite a while doing character design work on the Dark Elves and the Space Marauders. Once again, it was a great opportunity to work with the very talented bunch at Marvel. Here’s some of the images, and please feel free to ask any questions.
Lastly, I’d like to give a heads up for an Art book that my good friend and long time collaborator, Vance Kovacs and I have launched on Kickstarter as of 12/2. The project is more of a personal project in the sense that it is entirely our own thing. I’m sure alot of you that draw and paint for a living can relate to the idea of one day getting a chance to put everything you’ve got into a project with out any other direction than your own. That what this is. I’ve been doing images that belong to this ‘project’ for a long time. Throughout my professional career thus far, Vance and I have talked about somehow, some way, putting this thing forth into a number of projects, starting with what we thought was fitting, given our background as concept artists for many films and games, with a hard back book that will collect much of the conceptual paintings and drawings that make up this pre- development phase. The book is called “The Art of Eclipse, the Well and the Black Sea”.Check out Kickstarter for more info.
Here’s the link:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/821251295/the-art-of-eclipse-the-well-and-the-black-sea
Thanks for checking this stuff out!
-Justin
All the pretty pretty scary things…..
Great work!
Wow! The art for Thor2 is increadible! The 1st 5 min of the movie I thought to myself “this is going to be one visually Epic experience “and I was right! Those dark elves were just perfect…and Borr's helmet- I see it all over your concepts-it is bad ass! I am rly exited about the art book too. Is it gonna be available through amazon as well? In moments like this I curse myself for not having started my career 5 years earlier…I'd kill a man for the 10k reward 😛 I wish you both all the luck in this new project and I hope the book gets widely destributed and more of us get our hands on it!
Awesome designs, Justin – I wasn't really a fan of the movie (much preferred the first one) but I thought the production design, spaceships and character design was brilliant. Thanks for sharing your work.
wow Justin, your works are sending chills down my spine! So awesome! I'm definitely backing the kickstarter. Hope it goes well. I can't wait for more!
These are really awesome, and totally capture a mood in each image. Are you creating both digital and oil paintings for clients? How did you get involved in movie work?
What do I need to learn to be able to paint like this?
Wtf. I have never seen so beautiful character design. You should be very proud of yourself.
Justin, do you have any advice on designing the costumes and armor? I always have the hardest time with that. Do you use a lot of reference and like lists of items to help give you ideas?
Nice work Justin. I really enjoy the designs you've been brining to the Marvel universe. Epic, dark, space opera action. Best luck with Eclipse 🙂
Hi Elliot, Thanks for the nice words. For film work its always digital. I'm always ready to paint in oil though. I got involved in movie work from Grant Major, who was production designer for “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”. He saw a centaur that I did which was included in an early Spectrum.
Mikkagi, thanks, glad you like what I'm doing. The bottom line for 'painting' is to do it over and over again. Look at paintings you like and imitate what their doing with edges and value etc.
Thanks Mikko!
Best advice here is to look at it like its not costume or armor, but an arrangement of cool shapes, value and color. Yes, I do use reference. With film though, these things actually get built, so there is much consideration with function. I remember working with John Howe on “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe” and realizing I was in the presence of an expert who knew how to not sacrifice function for design. Most of my stuff you probably wouldn't be able to move in…
Thanks a lot Scott.
Thanks Gollorr.
Your welcome, and thanks for the compliment Feelthesteele.
as always, amazing work. both vance and you just never disappoint.
the artbook project looks interesting as well – with kickstarter still only taking credit cards and those being super uncommon where i live, is there any chance you will be open for paypal once you are safely beyond your funding goal? (or even get the book on amazon, that would be great, too)
i really regret not being able to chip in via kickstarter, but id love to support your project with a few dollars. (not to mention having an artbook of vance and you!)
Hi justin sweet. i love your artworks, its just great. im learning art to be a game character artist too.
my question in most of your work things are not clearly defined just colour, shape and mood that is why
i love you work so but doesnt 3D modelers complain to you about that? or is it just key concept art?
Hi Justin. Are you working with Photoshop or painter? Also, how do you obtain the oil “feel” on your digital paintings?
gorgeous work!
Awesome artwork! I saw some hints of Frazetta/NC Wyeth there 🙂
i can only see success coming from this collaboration. Best of luck to you both!
Thanks for your response! Big fan of the direction you are taking character design for Marvel. I hope to see more great stuff here.
I'm going to kickstart this now! So excited!
Your work is an incredible inspiration. There is so much old world traditional experience that goes into each piece it's hard not to to explore each fascinating design. SO stoked to see these new character concepts for Thor!
I got Thor 2 artbook just because of this (hated the movie)
amazing concepts!!!