My Process for Creating Concept Art
Introduction
My name is Felix Clement. I was born in Cochin, a city in South India, where drawing and painting weren’t just hobbies they were passions that fueled my imagination. As a child, I would draw whenever I had the chance, even during school lessons, often daydreaming about my next subject.
Academically, I was an average student. Memorizing textbooks never interested me; instead, I preferred to see, feel, and understand concepts visually. My mother’s mentorship played a huge role in shaping my confidence as an artist. As a teenager, I began dreaming of a career in art, which led me to explore animation, concept painting, storyboarding, and character design.
I started my artistic journey in 2000, training myself to draw like a professional. Over the years, as digital tools evolved, I transitioned to tablets and software like Photoshop, which helped me bring my visions to life. By 2015, I had expanded into game design and concept art, eventually working as a game designer and concept artist.
With 25 years of experience, I have explored various artistic styles and mediums, mentored students, and even led teams in animation and concept art training. As the academic head of an animation institute, I guided countless artists on their creative journeys.
Step 1: Gathering Inspiration
Where do ideas come from?
Inspiration can come from anywhere movies, books, real-life experiences, and even dreams. For me, films have been a huge influence, especially fantasy, historical, and classic cinema. Observing real-life events and doing study sketches have also played a significant role in shaping my artistic vision.
Although I wasn’t much of a reader in my early years, I later started reading about art history and the lives of the great masters. Learning about their journeys motivated me to deepen my understanding of art and refine my foundations.
Do you use references?
Absolutely! References are essential for creating believable artwork. Observing the real world helps ground your work in reality. For example, I often use my own hand as a reference taking pictures and sketching different poses to help improve anatomy and realism.
Now that I have my inspiration and references, it’s time to put ideas on paper.
Step 2: Sketching and Thumbnails
How do you begin rough sketches or silhouettes?
I always start with rough sketches. It doesn’t matter whether on a scrap of paper, a notebook, or even a napkin the goal is to capture ideas quickly. I carry a small "scribble book" everywhere, so whenever an idea strikes, I can jot it down. Even while waiting for food at a restaurant, I take out my scribble book and sketch concepts.
How many variations do you create before settling on one?
I typically create four to five rough sketches, each showcasing different forms, compositions, and unique features. Instead of settling on one immediately, I take the best elements from multiple sketches and merge them into a stronger concept.
Traditional or digital at this stage?
I start traditionally with pencil sketches. Once I have a rough concept, I take a photo with my smartphone and bring it into Photoshop. At this stage, I use photo bashing and digital sketching to refine the idea before moving on to detailed rendering.
Now that we have a solid sketch, it’s time to develop the details.
Step 3: Refining the Design
How do you develop details and forms?
With a smartphone always at hand, I have a convenient tool for capturing references. I take photos of textures, lighting, and forms around me and integrate them into my digital work.
What do you focus on first anatomy, perspective, or composition?
My primary focus is always the subject. The composition should guide the viewer’s eyes to the most important part of the artwork. Anatomy, pose, and storytelling elements all contribute to how engaging and believable the final piece will be.
What tools/software do you use?
With the design refined, it’s time to bring it to life with color and lighting.
Step 4: Color and Lighting
How do you choose colours for mood and atmosphere?
The colour palette depends on the story behind the artwork. Is it set in a medieval world? A futuristic city? An apocalyptic wasteland? The colours must reflect the time, mood, and atmosphere of the concept.
Do you use references or predefined palettes?
Yes! References are crucial. Studying real-life lighting and colours helps create convincing environments. The mood whether eerie, romantic, or dramatic determines the choice of colours and lighting.
How do you establish lighting for depth and drama?
Lighting is one of the most important elements in storytelling. A strong light source enhances depth and focus, making the subject more dynamic. The way light interacts with the scene can completely change its emotional impact.
With colour and lighting in place, the final step is adding textures and final touches.
Step 5: Adding Textures and Final Touches
Do you use custom brushes, photobashing, or hand-painting?
Previously, I hand-painted everything in Photoshop, using custom brushes for specific textures. Now, I incorporate AI tools like Tensor Art, which significantly speed up the process. What used to take 9-10 hours can now be done in minutes.
How do you ensure the artwork feels polished?
Once I generate three to four AI variations, I use Photoshop’s masking techniques to refine the final piece, blending different elements together. Finally, I upscale the image and manually adjust the finer details.
Any last checks before calling it done?
Yes! Even with AI assistance, the human touch is essential. AI should be used as a tool, not a replacement. I always fine-tune details myself because the final vision should be mine, not the AI’s.
A Note on AI Ethics in Art
AI can be a powerful assistant, but it should never replace the creativity and decision-making of an artist. While AI speeds up production, it’s still the artist’s vision, storytelling, and refinement that make an artwork unique.
It’s important to use AI responsibly ensuring that it serves as a supportive tool rather than an automated solution. Artists must maintain originality, using AI-generated elements as enhancements rather than the foundation of their work. True artistry isn’t about automation it’s about the creative choices that make a piece unique.
Conclusion
For those new to art, don’t be afraid to start! Even if you’ve never drawn before, simply sketching basic shapes can help develop creativity. Improvement comes with time, practice, and patience it’s a journey, not a race.
Early in my career, a director once tore apart my carefully illustrated storyboard. I was emotionally affected, but he taught me a valuable lesson: Art is not about personal attachment it’s about storytelling. Since then, I’ve always seen my work as a work in progress, constantly pushing myself to improve.
So, keep experimenting, seek feedback, and most importantly enjoy the process. That’s where true artistry lies.
🚀 Now, go create! 🎨✨
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