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Narayana Walters

I am a professional indie game developer who has released successful games that are both 2d (Endoparasitic) and 3d (Wrought Flesh). In this course you will learn the techniques I use to quickly make high-quality 2d and 3d art for my games. This includes rotoscoped animations, IK based animations, stencil painted textures, and 2d vfx that makes simple art pop and look great.

Read more

I am a professional indie game developer who has released successful games that are both 2d (Endoparasitic) and 3d (Wrought Flesh). In this course you will learn the techniques I use to quickly make high-quality 2d and 3d art for my games. This includes rotoscoped animations, IK based animations, stencil painted textures, and 2d vfx that makes simple art pop and look great.

In the 2D section I cover making a player character that uses IK for the upper body and rotoscoped animations for their lower body, a monster made of silhouetted blobs, simple sprite styles for making interesting environments, and vfx to make it all look good.

In the 3D section I cover making a humanoid monster character, with specific focus on my texturing style. While I only cover making a character, the same techniques can be easily applied for texturing environmental assets.

This is a fast-paced course that rapidly summarizes my techniques, the videos are not intended to be followed step-by-step, but rather watched to learn the general steps and mindset I take when creating art.

This course is aimed at game developers experienced with 3d modelling software such as Blender, game development tools like Godot, and 2d art software such as Krita. If you are not confident in your abilities with these or similar tools, this course is not for you.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to make detailed textures for 3d models with a low-poly retro style
  • How to quickly make nice-looking minimalist 2d art for horror games
  • How to easily make rotoscoped animations for your games
  • How to make simple vfx for your 2d games

Syllabus

2D art
Using Blobs to Make and Animate A Top-Down Monster

Links:

https://www.mixamo.com

https://codeshack.io/images-sprite-sheet-generator/

Read more

Download 'ik anim start proj' and open it in Godot to follow along

Download 'vfx start proj' and open in godot to follow along.

3D art

reference images:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lerva1.jpeg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Three_Soldiers_MET_sf16-32-219s1.jpg

https://www.si.edu/object/turks-and-arabs:saam_1967.14.58

Modelling Your Character
Rigging Your Character

Download 'source images' and unzip to follow along

Animating Your Character With Mixamo

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How To Rapidly Make 2D And 3D Game Art with these activities:
Review Blender Fundamentals
Reviewing Blender fundamentals will ensure a solid base for the 3D modeling and texturing techniques taught in the course.
Browse courses on Blender
Show steps
  • Revisit the Blender interface and navigation.
  • Practice basic modeling operations like extrusion and scaling.
  • Experiment with modifiers like subdivision surface and bevel.
Practice Rotoscoping Basics
Practicing rotoscoping will help you quickly create animations for your games.
Browse courses on Rotoscoping
Show steps
  • Find a short video clip with clear movements.
  • Import the video into Krita or a similar 2D art software.
  • Trace over key frames to create a basic animation sequence.
Follow Godot IK Tutorials
Following tutorials on IK in Godot will help you better understand the IK-based animation techniques covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Search for Godot IK tutorials on YouTube or other platforms.
  • Follow along with a tutorial that covers basic IK setup.
  • Experiment with different IK configurations and constraints.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Experiment with Stencil Painting
Experimenting with stencil painting techniques will help you create detailed textures for your 3D models.
Show steps
  • Create a simple 3D model in Blender.
  • Experiment with different stencil brushes and textures.
  • Practice creating different effects with stencil painting.
Mastering 3D Modeling with Blender
Reading this book will help you master 3D modeling with Blender.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on modeling and texturing.
  • Follow along with the examples in the book.
  • Experiment with different techniques and styles.
Create a Simple 2D Horror Game Mockup
Starting a small project will allow you to apply the techniques learned in the course and solidify your understanding.
Show steps
  • Design a simple concept for a 2D horror game.
  • Create a few basic sprites and animations using the techniques from the course.
  • Implement basic gameplay mechanics in Godot.
Document Your Art Creation Process
Documenting your art creation process will help you reflect on your learning and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Record your screen while creating art using the techniques from the course.
  • Add commentary explaining your thought process and techniques.
  • Share your video on a platform like YouTube or Vimeo.

Career center

Learners who complete How To Rapidly Make 2D And 3D Game Art will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Game Artist
A game artist creates the visual elements of video games. This includes character design, environment design, and creating textures. This course helps game developers experienced with art tools like Blender, Krita and Godot learn techniques such as rotoscoped animations, IK based animations, and stencil painted textures to rapidly make high-quality 2D and 3D art for games. As a game artist, you may find the sections on 2D and 3D art particularly useful. Additionally, the course covers making detailed textures for 3D models with a low-poly retro style and how to make simple visual effects for 2D Games.
Texture Artist
A texture artist creates the surface details of 3D models, bringing them to life with color, patterns, and materials. As a texture artist, you'll be responsible for creating visually appealing and realistic textures for characters, environments, and props in games or films. This course on rapidly creating 2D and 3D game art would be very beneficial, especially the section dedicated to the instructor's texturing style for 3D models. The focus on making detailed textures for 3D models with a low-poly retro style is directly applicable to the work of a texture artist.
Indie Game Developer
An indie game developer works independently or in a small team to create and publish video games. This course is taught by a professional indie game developer who has released successful games in both 2D and 3D. In this course you will learn the techniques the instructor uses to quickly make high-quality 2D and 3D art for games. As an indie game developer, you may find the sections on 2D and 3D art particularly useful. Additionally, the course covers how to make detailed textures for 3D models with a low-poly retro style. This course will allow an indie game developer to improve their art for games.
3D Modeler
A 3D modeler creates three-dimensional representations of objects and characters using specialized software. This course helps 3D modelers learn how to quickly create high-quality 3D art for games. The 3D section covers making a humanoid monster character, with specific focus on the instructor's texturing style. This course will also help a 3D modeler learn how to make detailed textures for 3D models with a low-poly retro style. This course will allow a 3D modeler to rapidly create 3D game art.
Technical Artist
A technical artist bridges the gap between art and programming, developing tools and workflows to improve the art creation pipeline. This course may be useful for technical artists who want to improve their understanding of the art creation process, particularly in 2D and 3D game development. The course covers techniques such as rotoscoped animations, IK based animations, and stencil painted textures. A technical artist may also find the sections on 2D and 3D art particularly useful. This course may help a technical artist improve their art for games.
Animator
An animator brings characters and objects to life through movement. Whether working on films, television shows, or video games, animators use their skills to create captivating and believable motion. This course may be useful for animators who want to improve their understanding of the art creation process, particularly in 2D and 3D game development. The course covers techniques such as rotoscoped animations, IK based animations, and stencil painted textures. This course may help an animator improve their animation skills.
Visual Effects Artist
A visual effects artist creates special effects and animations for video games and other media. This course helps visual effects artists learn how to create simple visual effects for 2D games. The 2D section covers making a player character that uses IK for the upper body and rotoscoped animations for their lower body. A visual effects artist may also find the section covering how to make detailed textures for 3D models with a low-poly retro style particularly useful. This course may help a visual effects artist to rapidly create 2D and 3D game art.
Art Director
An art director oversees the visual style and aesthetics of a creative project, such as a video game or film. They guide the art team, ensuring that the visual elements align with the overall vision and design. This course may be useful for art directors who want to improve their understanding of the art creation process, particularly in 2D and 3D game development. The course covers techniques such as rotoscoped animations, IK based animations, and stencil painted textures. The art director may also find it useful to understand how to make detailed textures for 3d models with a low-poly retro style. This course may help an art director in their art for games.
Game Designer
A game designer is responsible for the overall design and vision of a video game. While this role is primarily focused on gameplay mechanics and storytelling, a basic understanding of art creation can be beneficial. This course may be useful for game designers who want to gain a better understanding of the art creation process, particularly in 2D and 3D game development. The course covers techniques such as rotoscoped animations, IK based animations, and stencil painted textures. This course may help a game designer to understand the art for games better.
Illustrator
An illustrator creates images for various media, including books, magazines, and websites. This course may be useful for illustrators who want to expand their skills into the realm of game art, particularly in 2D. The course covers techniques for making nice-looking minimalist 2D art and simple sprite styles for interesting environments. The illustrative artist may also find it useful to learn how to make simple visual effects for 2D games, and using blobs to make and animate a top-down monster. This course may help an illustrator expand their skill in art.
Level Designer
A level designer creates the environments and layouts for video game levels. This course may be useful for level designers who want to improve their understanding of the art creation process, particularly in 2D and 3D game development. The course covers techniques such as rotoscoped animations, IK based animations, and stencil painted textures. Additionally, the course covers making detailed textures for 3D models with a low-poly retro style, which is particularly useful for creating environments. This course may help a level designer to create art for games.
Motion Graphics Designer
A motion graphics designer creates animated visuals for various media, including commercials, websites, and video games. They combine animation, visual effects, and sound to create engaging and dynamic content. This course may be useful for motion graphics designers who want to integrate 2D and 3D elements into their work. The course covers techniques such as rotoscoped animations, IK based animations, and stencil painted textures. This course may help a motion graphics designer learn art skills.
User Interface Artist
A user interface artist designs the visual elements of user interfaces for software and video games. Although this role is primarily focused on visual design, a basic understanding of 2D and 3D art can be beneficial. This course may be useful for user interface artists who want to improve their understanding of the art creation process. The course covers techniques such as rotoscoped animations and stencil painted textures. This course may help a user interface artist gain some art knowledge.
Creative Director
A creative director is responsible for the overall creative vision and execution of a project, campaign, or brand. While this role is primarily focused on strategy and leadership, a basic understanding of art creation can be beneficial. This course may be useful for creative directors who want to gain a better understanding of the art creation process, particularly in 2D and 3D game development. The course covers techniques such as rotoscoped animations, IK based animations, and stencil painted textures. This course may help a creative director improve their art for games.

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How To Rapidly Make 2D And 3D Game Art.
Provides a comprehensive guide to 3D modeling with Blender. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic modeling techniques to advanced sculpting and texturing. It useful reference for expanding your knowledge of Blender and improving your 3D modeling skills. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

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