Concept Art Masterclass | Create Conceptual Art from Scratch

Explore Blender, an open source, free software for creating computer generated images, and discover how its upcoming beta and new features empower efficient concept art.

Download the Blender 2.8 beta from the top menu as a temporary solution; then extract the downloaded zip and run the executable to launch Blender, with an optional desktop shortcut.

Explore Blender basics: orbit around the default cube, select with right click, and zoom, pan, and frame using simple shortcuts; use a pen to maintain momentum.

Explore the interface outline window and object hierarchy, learn to select objects via the outline or in 3D space, and master transform shortcuts for translating, rotating, and scaling.

select all four points of one side by right-clicking and dragging in screen space to shape a 3d model, and learn how orange selection and wireframes guide the editing process.

Master Blender selection modes, including rectangle selection and edge/face selection via the tool menu, and use G, S, and R to move, scale, and rotate, with the floating crosshair.

Explore Blender shading modes from wireframe to rendered view using the Eevee real-time renderer; use the Z shortcut to switch modes quickly and observe HDR lighting.

Discover how to create a plane quickly in Blender using shortcuts, placing it at the cursor, adjusting size in object properties, and centering with G for an efficient workflow.

Master edge loops to add subdivisions and more polygons on a plane, using Ctrl+R to place loops, scrolling to set quantity, and refine the mesh for a smoother workflow.

Select an object, open the material window, and adjust the base color and roughness using the principal shader to explore physically based rendering.

Discover Blender's subdivision surface modifier to smooth and subdivide meshes with Catmull-Clark, increasing faces in real time while preserving the original shape, and explore viewport vs render and shade smooth.

Add texture to your surface using normal maps and bump maps, apply a noise texture for height variation, and tweak roughness maps to create a two-dimensional illusion with varied highlights.

Create a detailed terrain in Blender via extrusion, sculpt trees, assign materials, and set sun lighting, then build an ocean scene with screen space reflections.

Set up the scene in blender by adding a plane, centering it, and using the transform window; then subdivide and apply a displaced modifier with a texture.

Add a texture by choosing a distorted noise texture and adjusting its strength and size to sculpt the surface. Increase subdivision and apply shade smooth to reveal stylized mountain-like shapes.

Master the node editor in Blender to build materials with a physically based shader, adjust roughness, and apply textures for real-time, nonlinear material previews.

Apply a gradient map to terrain by reading geometry position, using a color ramp and mapping node to map colors along the z axis from green to brown.

Explore ambient occlusion and gradient map to see real-time shadow changes as you adjust sun position, shadow color, and depth cues in your scene.

Create a blue, metallic water surface in Blender by adding a plane, adjusting roughness, then enable screen space reflections in render settings to achieve perspective-based reflections.

Create a cube, apply principled volume shader to volume input, enable volumetric lighting, adjust density and start distance, tint bluish, and enable bloom and emission to craft mystical atmosphere.

Learn to create stylized terrain with procedural textures, using bump and normal maps, texture coordinates, and a black and white image to fade tree textures from top to bottom.

Master gradient map edits and color ramp tweaks to shape light and texture, then enable subsurface scattering to achieve a waxy, translucent look in your concept art scene.

Set up the camera to control perspective, adjust focal length to 20 mm or 18 mm, snap to viewport with ctrl alt zero, and refine the composition with foreground.

Advance sandbanks by duplicating a plane, applying a procedural texture as displacement, and tweaking noise distortions and Perlin options for a natural, rough sandy terrain.

Adjust light and composition by manipulating the sun and camera angles, split windows for better perspective, and refine subsurface scattering, color ramp, and atmosphere to create a painterly, cohesive scene.

In this modelling exercise, students build a roundhouse from a cylinder, shape a straw roof, and apply textures, materials, and shading techniques.

Adjust shadows with context and contact shadow settings to enhance realism in a low-resolution mesh. Build a rough composition by extruding shapes and placing crates and boats with cursor alignment.

Extend the boat modelling by subdividing a cube, shaping on the y axis, and extruding to form hull, then duplicate and instantiate to reuse the reference mesh while mastering shortcuts.

Duplicate the foreground layer, move and rotate it onto the hill using the gizmo and normals, and switch between global and local coordinates while tilting the camera for rendering.

Master rendering and saving in Blender by duplicating architecture, adjusting subdivision and view vs render settings, and exporting high-resolution images for Photoshop painting.

Revisit the course scenes to recap procedural textures and the displacement modifier shaping 3D models. Emphasize texture projection, gradients, fog, and reflections for practical concept art workflows.

Refine the composition by painting over a rendered image, using selection tools and airbrush to block in areas, soften edges, and focus on conveying a clear narrative rather than detail.

Learn to paint the sky as a mood-setting element, using selection and masking to build layered mountains and clouds that expand the scene, then refine with brushes and gradients.

Add background clouds using brushes and layers, then experiment with warm and blue tones and overlay brushes to create depth and light in the sky.

Create foreground clouds using a new layer and cloud brush, adjusting placement for storytelling impact. Experiment with erasing, wisps, and light streaks to connect the clouds to the scene.