Ben Lo - Level Concept Artist
I first came across this image in my Limited edition art book on bio-shock infinite.
I found it very inspiring and sticking as a viewer.
Ben Lo is a amazing concept artists originally from Toronto, Canada. He is currently working in Boston, USA for BioWare and an games concept artist.
His most recent work has included then newly released Bioshock Infinite that helped
design the games environments along with some other aspects like airships, the interior of the airships and early concepts for the district area of Finkton - shown bellow. In his free time Ben Enjoys walking around South station to draw people there. He enjoys movies and playing games that include RPGs and Shooters. His skills are within Photoshop.When researching more into Ben Lo I found some personal journal entries from 2009 just after he graduated. It states that in hight school he wanted to be an Animator, which is why he did a 3 year degree in Animation, he through himself into it and hated it, but realised in the 3Rd year he wanted to do concept art, so with the help of this friends they thought him from no skills at all to create beautiful images that people would like.
The focal point in this image is the
statue of group of people, one of which is pointing to something out of view, I
feel this is the focal point of the area because the background be-hide this
area isn't as vibrant the artist has used quite pail colouring. The area in front is
quite dark using more deep yellow orange colouring I think this is because the light is being blocked by a tall
building on the right, the area in the middle is almost a balance of both sides.
The symmetry of the angel statues also leads your eye to this area and towards the 'Columbia Welcomes You' Sign. This lets the view know know that his area is Called Columbia more then likely some where in USA.
I think the hole image is based around leading your eye upwards, the painting give a feel that the city is floating in the air, of which it is actually is floating in mid air on different levels. You can also tell the city is floating because of the airship hovering at the same hight as the other section of city you can see this this image, it almost looks as if it's a dock for people to board the airship.
This image is quite a square on image aas if it has been drawn in the style of a photograph, i feel this is intuentnal, to bring a sence of realium to the image itself.
Light
Influences
It is obvious by looking at this image that the games is based around the character (Link) and that the sword is magical or very powerful.
The character is represented in quite a
symbolism?
• Identify any issues that are raised
Context
• Social/Historicalwaa
Why is the artist making work like this in this place and this time.
Personal Response
I think the hole image is based around leading your eye upwards, the painting give a feel that the city is floating in the air, of which it is actually is floating in mid air on different levels. You can also tell the city is floating because of the airship hovering at the same hight as the other section of city you can see this this image, it almost looks as if it's a dock for people to board the airship.
This image is quite a square on image aas if it has been drawn in the style of a photograph, i feel this is intuentnal, to bring a sence of realium to the image itself.
Light
• Chiaroscuro (contrasts of light and shadow) or Even Lighting
• Atmospheric Light (what mood is created)
This image style I would say is Cartoon style based on realism.
Influences
• other designers/periods/genres/mediums
Historical influences
It is obvious by looking at this image that the games is based around the character (Link) and that the sword is magical or very powerful.
The character is represented in quite a
The setting of this sence is within the temple of time a very important area in the game itself.
• Mise en scene
• Describe the content (what is it ‘about’?)
• Explain any ideas that the work is expressing (histrical, political,
social, cultural, etc.)
symbolism?
• Identify any issues that are raised
• Is there anything controversial about it?
Context
Explain any background known about the work (using research)
How does the context within which the work was made/is viewed affect meaning? (Context plays a major role in determining meaning)
• Social/Historicalwaa
• Geographical/Cultural
• Ideological
Why is the artist making work like this in this place and this time.
Why is the artist making work like this in this place and this time.
Personal Response
Gregory Crewdson
Gregory Crewdson is an American photographer, best known for elaborately staged scenes of American homes and neighbourhoods. He was born in september 26th 1962. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was educated in Yale University, Yale School of Art.
The focal point of this image I think would be the woman lying in the middle of the room. floating in what appearers to be water. To me it appease as if the woman is dead, she looks limp and lifeless. In my opinion I find that my eye is drawn towards the stairs of the room as it is brightly lit has a ray of sun shinning on it. I think the artist has done this specificity to draw your attention to the fact the woman in lying on top of water. You know this because part of the stair case is missing and there is a dark line on the stairs of where the carpet is soaking up the water.
The artist has used a lot of vibrant colours the items surrounding the woman are a good example of this. These colours are quite cold colours, the room is filled with blues & greens. This colour theme goes with the nature of the image, the woman is surrounded by water and looks very pail, I would assume the water is cold and icy due to this.
The water is reflecting the light coming from the windows and lamp there are no ripples in the water indicating that there is no movement in the room and no other presence is given or sign of foul play, I assume the woman died alone or been left to died here alone.
This photograph has been done in the style of realism, I can only assume to to make this image more dramatic.
This image look as if it was from different time period then present day, I feel this because of the photographs on the stairs look old fashioned as does the style of they de-core in this woman's living room. I would assume the time period of this image would be in the 1950's
I think, and this is just my own personal opinion by looking at this image with no other background information. I think its a literal state of drowning in your personal possessions. When some one is very materialistic and care more for personal belongings then life itself. That's what I think tha background message is to this image.
This image raisins the issue of how did the room flood when there are no taps or water pipes, no running water anywhere. I know this because of how still the water is and how crystal clear the reflection in the water is. I think this is quite a controversial image as the message is blatant you have to study the image quite well and come up with your own conclusion of what has happen here. Of course but the artists background I know in it set in a American neighbourhood but the image doesn't give you any clues on where in America.
Context
Explain any background known about the work (using research)
How does the context within which the work was made/is viewed affect meaning? (Context plays a major role in determining meaning)
• Social/Historical
• Geographical/Cultural
• Ideological
Gregory Crewdson photograph is a reworking of Ophelia
Also, an important influence you have not refered to in his photograph is that it is a reworking of Ophelia
Crewdson uses Digital photography, a new medium, that allows his to do very different things to film
Why is the artist making work like this in this place and this time.
Gregory Crewdson photograph is a reworking of Ophelia
Also, an important influence you have not refered to in his photograph is that it is a reworking of Ophelia
Crewdson uses Digital photography, a new medium, that allows his to do very different things to film
Why is the artist making work like this in this place and this time.
Personal Response
John Martin
John Martin was an English Romantic painter, engraver and illustrator.
The image bellow is one of the most well know images from John Martin Named 'The Great Day Of His Wrath' This was painted towards the end of his life. It shows a great seen of destruction the earth being ripped apart bodies turning to blood and city's collapsing in on them selves. This was to show the end of the world as professed in the biblical book of revelations. This painting is a part of a triptych (a part of 3 separate images intended on being view together) these pictures where sent out on tour when John Martin died in 1854, by 1861 this painting painting had been seen by more then 8 Million people, that was more then 1 in 3 people had viewed 'The Great day of this Wrath' and they accompanying paintings. These images where show dramaticly by gas light when they where put on tour in the 1850's this was to emphasis how dramatic these images where for this time period.
The film cover of 2012, shows heavy signs of inspiration from John Martin
See what England was like in 1850
also, who else was paiunting at this time?
The focal point of this image is the read hot lava that the earth is falling into the lines of the mountines guide your inwards towards this area.
This Image has one incorporated a geometrical shapes that is the triforce pyramid in the game this is a very important within the game but you would only know that if you have played the game, it doesn't really show within the image, so if I was to look at this image with a blank mind I might not realise it's importance or relevance to what is going on. However if you are a fan of the game like myself you will automatically know the location of place because of this symbol, Link is in the temple of time The triforce itself is a very powerful and holds the power to grant who ever my touch it whatever they're harts desire that triforce stands for That triforce stands for Power, Wisdom, Courage
The picture is angled is a specific way almost to lead the eye towards the top of the image towards the widow that is shinning down a pone Link and the Master Sword, the direction of the blue light also leads your eyes tot he top of the image. I think this could be because the light shinning down from the tower window is a yellow light, i think this is deliberate, as the colour yellow is often portrayed as the light from god and the sun it's self is yellow and the sun gives life (therefore sometimes referred to as a god), yellow is also used as a holy colour to emphasize good rather than evil, it also could be because the triforce symbol is gold (yellow)
The way this image is angled gives the image a seance of grate hight as if link is in a high tower or even in some sort of century Gothic church with high ceilings and towers.
Colour
• Main Colours used
• Cool and Warm Colours
• Range of the palette
• Effects colour creates
Light
• Chiaroscuro (contrasts of light and shadow) or Even Lighting
• Atmospheric Light (what mood is created)
The style of this image is cartoon, this is obvious by the types of colouring they have used the character is almost block colour with some shading to empathise the light coming from the surrounding area.
Influences
• other designers/periods/genres/mediums
Historical influences
It is obvious by looking at this image that the games is based around the character (Link) and that the soward is magelcal or very powerful
• Characters (how are they represented?)
The setting of this sence is within the temple of time a very important area in the game itself.
• Mise en scene
• Describe the content (what is it ‘about’?)
• Explain any ideas that the work is expressing (histrical, political,
social, cultural, etc.)
SO, why is John Martin making big apocalyptic paintings like this? Who is he painting them for? Why? What is influencing his work?
SO, why is John Martin making big apocalyptic paintings like this? Who is he painting them for? Why? What is influencing his work?
I think the light shinning down upon light is from the window above is very symbolic this is because it gives the impression that this moment is important within the story line. The light is almost like a holy glow lighting up the dark space around Link, almost like a ray of hope within the darkness. I also think the sword being almost the size of link has is a symbolic tot eh viewer it shows he's too young to use it, the fact he has to putt it out with two hands means its to heavy for him to wheeled. The blue light gives the impression that it is magical in some way. I also think that the fact that the ring of light around them is blue because the Master Sword is blue.
• Identify any issues that are raised
• Is there anything controversial about it?
Context
Explain any background known about the work (using research)
How does the context within which the work was made/is viewed affect meaning? (Context plays a major role in determining meaning)
• Social/Historicalwaa
• Geographical/Cultural
• Ideological
Why is the artist making work like this in this place and this time.
Personal Response
I think that this image is very powerful, Link's facial expiration show determination that is giving him the strength to remove the sword. Strength is power with power, comes courage and with courage comes wisdom. Wisdom, Strength, Power The 3 sides of the triforce.
My Specialism
I would like to further my skills and become a Level Designer for my specialism. I think there is nothing better then playing a game that has a good solid story line and amazing environment that has an impact of the player from the beginning. Bioshock Infinite is a good example of this.
I chose Ben lo a concept artist to research because I find his art work interesting and visually stimulating his artwork inspires me, I am not a concept and he doesn't inspire me to want to draw or paint but he inspires ideas to create environment and to shrive to have that sort of visual impact for game players that I would be creating a game for. I like his use of lighting the statues aren't brightly lit up for example the background, sky and clouds are this gives me imprecation that there are tall building beside them blocking out the sunlight but not taking away from these beautiful tall angles guiding you into the city.
I have chosen Gregory Crewdson as my second artist because I love the way he creates a scene with this photography. This images are a good example of show don't tell, that is very important in the game industry. A visual impact is a better way of telling a story then a spoken one. They photo's are very inspiring for ideas as you can create your own ideas of what has happened here or how the situation has come about. They way Gregory takes photos is very similar to game styles or posters for games, Dramatic and captures your attention without giving you too much information. His use of realism is something I admire and would love to take on bored when modelling my own game environments.
I have chosen John Martin as my last artist, although he is a painter and again nothing to do with the games industry his images have a massive visual impact and in some way disturbing but only because of the topic he was painting. His painting of the end of the world is almost futuristic without the human bodies falling into the lava you would think it was a different planet, it doesn't resemble much of earth any more.
and make sure you're makig it clear why you are bringing these artists together. How is John Martin influential over you and/or contept art in general
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