Texas Pin-Up

Likely going to be selling some prints at this years Vet Fest, so figured this was a great excuse to get back to some of the more patriotic art I used to make much for often.  Being that I've been in TX over a year now, I thought I'd dedicate a pinup to the Lone Star State. 

This was created in Photoshop from concept sketch to final render.

Photo Source Textures VS. Han Painted Textures

I have recently started a Block tradition at the school for creating a Link shield each class to talk about creating simple props for games. I have found that some students like this little asset because it allows them to play with the idea of making something in low-poly 3D with an asset they find very familiar.  I mean seriously, who doesn't want to make a Zelda asset?

This Block I went in a more gritty (realistic) approach to the Twilight Princess Link shield.  I used photos of wood, metals, and grime to edit together a PBR constructed material.  You can see that just by using photo sourced texture, it really makes the iconic shield look far more realistic and medieval than what we are used to seeing in most Zelda games. 

Here is the ArtStation post:

http://www.artstation.com/artwork/K2Bbr

Last Block I did a much more stylized "N64" style version of Link's shield.  Lower poly count and very simple construction works nicely when coupled with hand painted textures that are deliberately trying to make the asset feel like it's from a "cartoony" world.  The asset pictured only uses a simple diffuse map which tends to work very well when going with this simple art direction.  Just as cool and as much fun to create as the realistic shield pictured above.  

If ;you enjoy texturing and are trying to branch into different art styles, try picking a simple game asset from one of your favorite game series and do something with it you haven't seen before.  Fun exorcise and really flexes those texture painting muscles. 

Here is the ArtStation post:

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/0o8we

"Potato Masher! RUN!!!"

This is a low poly M24 grenade (WWII) that I created in front of my last class.



The lesson was on creating normal maps starting with a high poly to low poly bake using a standard 3D package.  Part 2 of the assignment is to go in and add the finer details using the xNormal Photoshop Filter and then overly the two normal maps together to create a single map with all the detail of both types of normal map creation.

Here is the ArtStation post:

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/9kJWW

This is my ax... There are many like it but this one is game art...

Here is a low poly prop and texture I recently created in front of my class to discuss texture workflow and storytelling within your texture.

Modeled in Modo
Textured in Photoshop  

Texture Painted at 1024x1024
Marmoset Render 512x512 diffuse only


To create a good looking, realistic game asset, you first want to collect your images for the base materials.

Ask yourself these questions:
What is this asset made of?
How is this asset constructed?
Where has this asset been?

Once you've made those decisions, you can begin finding the right source images to create your base metal, plastic, wood, screws, bolts etc...  Now using PS, place/rotate all your source images to your assets UV shells.  Once everything is in place and seam free, you can begin adding additional shading that the images did not supply but you want to create based on your concept.

After you have a nice looking asset that looks new from the hardware store, it's then time to give your asset some personality.  This is where the "Where has this asset been?" question comes in.  Has this item been used as a weapon?  Has it never been used but been sitting in the back of an old truck or tool box for the past 5+ years?  These are the things that will help you decide if you need dirt, dust or blood...and how much!

With every asset you make, you'll want to get better at asking yourself or your art lead these questions and then use the answers to help push your texture to a more interesting place.

Drawn with Lead on Sketchfab!

Sketchfab is pretty damn fantastic!
KABAR

Guns Daily T-Shirt/Hoody Design

This is another T-Shirt design I was commissioned to do by +Gunsdaily , I'm really happy how this one came out.  Go check out @gunsdaily1 on Instagram!  

Spike's Tactical AR15 FPS Game Models

I made a FPS quality version of the Colt M4 at my previous job, however we never got around to adding the feature and the weapons to go with it.  After holding onto the asset for a bit, I decided to turn it into a Spike's Tactical AR M4 and than later created a "flat top" version with FDE (flat dark earth) furniture.

Software Used:

• Maya
• Photoshop
• xNormal
• dDo
• Marmoset

Colt 1911 Game Model (Revised)

Another model from the vault of past goodies.  I originally made this 1911 model for a game idea where the player could customize and build their firearms and than use them at progressively more challenging shooting ranges.  Sort of a Hogan's Alley meets Gran Turismo.  The past renders I had of this asset were done with Maya's Mental Ray and not actually real-time as I had intended.  Now with current game engines and tools like Marmoset I am able to show off this pistol as it was meant to be seen.

Software Used:

• Maya
• Photoshop
• Marmoset

AK-47 Game Model

Here is a low poly AK I made at my time at Cole Engineering.  The version we used on our project was a bit too low poly for portfolio use, so I took the time to add some polys where needed and updated the texture to something a bit more realistic and higher quality.

Software Used:

• Maya
• Photoshop
• xNormal
• Marmoset

Beretta M9 Game Model

A common favorite in the firearms world as well as the current military issued sidearm, the Beretta M9 is hands down the most iconic 9mm on the market today.  I had made a very low poly version of the M9 in my time at Cole Engineering, but wanted to make a FPS (higher poly) version of the pistol to better showcase my appreciation for this awesome firearm.

Software Used:

• Maya
• Photshop
• xNormal
• Marmoset

School Props: Turntables 1 & 2

This is a collection of assets I made at Cole Engineering for a test scene to be placed in Unreal Engine 4.  I have gathered the assets I created (high and low resolution model, color/specular/normal textures) and placed them onto this turntable for demo reel/portfolio purposes.  All props are low poly with LOD's and were used in a real time walk through rendered with Unreal Engine 4.

You can view these assets in their natural environment in the video below.

I worked closely with the talented Justin Wildhorn and Sorob Raissi, you can see examples of this project as well as more of Justin's work here: http://www.justinwildhorn.com 

...and check out  Sorob's work here: http://sorob.net

Software Used:

• Maya
• Photoshop
• xNormal
• dDo
• Marmoset
• Unreal Engine 4

Molon Labe Pin-Up

Been so busy with gun related art, I figured I'd do some pin-up goodness.  ...and what do you know, it turned out all kinds of gun related too!  Sorry, it just sort of...happened!  :P

In all actuality, I did this more to post up on Instagram.  I've been really enjoying the firearm community over there, please follow me and join in on the IG fun!  Molon labe and shit!!

Altered Beast: Neff

This is my submission to the KKG Artbook from Gamers for Good.
http://www.gamersforgood.com/KKG-Artbook

Altered Beast was one of the lowest games on the list for submissions, and I have a great deal of fondness to both the Arcade and Genesis versions of the game.  I can't wait to see all the submissions once the book is put into print.

Good luck Kevin, we are all sending you the best of wishes in hopes that you beat this thing!  A big thanks to Gamers for Good and the Coopers for putting this all together.

Undead Ed

I have been doing sketches of zombie cowboys for a few years now, and awhile back I thought...I should make some sort of character from this idea.  So this is just a little something I threw together for the fun of it.  I thought it might be cool to do this piece like a trading card, so who knows...maybe there will be more?

Beretta 90-Two Modern Art Piece

So trying something a little different with this one.  I wanted to do something that was a bit more of a modern art piece, and I wanted to do it in grey-scale with only red being the accent color. Being how this was my attempt at "modern" art, I thought I'd go with a handgun I have always loved the look of, the Beretta 90-Two.  Looking like something out of Halo, the Beretta 90-Two was an attempt to make a more modern, stylish and light weight version of the famous Beretta 92/96 series.  It was available in both 9mm and .40s&w but sadly didn't catch on and Beretta stopped producing the pistol.  Even though this design was short lived, I'm a big fan of the Beretta 90-Two and was happy to make an art piece dedicated to it.  

Glock 21

I was planning on only doing 3 of these, but then I realized I hadn't done a Glock yet, and I can't be leaving out "Glock Perfection"!  This is the awesome Glock 21 chambered in .45acp.  This is Glock's full size .45 and one of their larger and more aggressive models which is used by many law enforcement agencies nation wide.  ...it is also my personal go to gun for both home defense and carry.  Something that really makes the G21 stand out above some other .45's out there is it's capacity.  With a 13+1 capacity you'd be hard pressed to find a better .45 for your money.  This is the gun I have shot above all others and to this day, I have yet to have a failure or malfunction of any kind.

Beretta Px4 Storm

Another digital painting to add to my gun series!  This is Beretta's Px4 Storm full size pistol with a two tone finish that Beretta calls the "Inox".   The Px4 has been growing in popularity and is the polymer replacement for it's older brother, the Beretta 8000 (Cougar).  The Px4 comes in 3 different sizes (full, compact, and subcompact) and 3 different calibers (9mm, .40s&w and .45acp), so there is a model that works for everyone.  If you are on the market for a polymer pistol, make sure you don't overlook the Px4 as a possible option, they are reliable and very attractive handguns.

Join the Empire!!

I have been feeling the itch to do something Star Wars related.  Of course I also am always in the mood to draw something firearm or pin-up related, so I thought...why not combine all three?  After I sketched out the pose for my silly idea, I gave the character a vintage hairstyle to give her that pin-up feel.  I drew inspiration from retro styles of lingerie for the dress and then added armor over it that I pulled from various imperial soldiers from the Star Wars universe.  Needing some badass firepower, I went with a standard stormtrooper blaster.  I then added a splash of "propaganda" to make it fun.

Enjoy!  ...and may the force be with you...always!

YouTube Gun Channel Logos

I love myself some YouTube!  Although I watch variety of different things on YouTube like most people, I spend most of my channel surfing on the firearm channels.  YouTube really is an amazing source of knowledge when it comes to firearms and there are a lot of great people out there who take time out of their week to share their knowledge and experiences.  Recently I reached out to a couple of my favorite gun YouTubers and offered to do some logo work. 

I did this image for a YouTuber who goes by The Martian Summer.  He's a newer channel but I have found his videos very insightful and he's just a good guy with a good head on his shoulders when it comes to firearms and his viewpoints on guns in society.  He sent me an image of himself to work from and it was cool to collaborate with him on the final design.  He liked the design so much he is now putting it in the begging of his videos.  He was even nice enough to give me a shoutout which was very cool of him and unexpected. 

You can find his videos here at the link below, I highly recommend them.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMartianSummer

Here is another logo I made for another gun YouTuber, The Yankee Marshal.  His channel is very educational and he's also quite a character!  His videos  tend to be on the lighter side and very entertaining.  He likes to keep his guns clean and pretty, so a lot of his videos are on firearm maintenance and modifications.  He also does a bit of prepping and gun range videos.  Just a really cool dude!

Watch The Yankee Marshal here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheYankeeMarshal

1911 Concept

Digital painting of a "Drawn with Lead" edition 1911.  Been watching American Guns and I always enjoy seeing the cool customized hand guns they make for their customers...I guess you could say this might be what I'd have them make me if I was every so inclined. ;)