CArtist looking for direction

[Merlkir]

Hi!

My name's Jan, but you might know me by my net nickname Merlkir. I'm currently working as a freelance illustrator and I've been contributing concept art for various mods for quite a long time now. (Mostly for the Mount&Blade and Total War games. The most known is The Last Days of the Third Age, a finished LOTR total conversion for MnB.)
I'm also currently working on Guide to Glorantha, a massive encyclopedia for the world of Glorantha, which several Morrowind's designers were big fans of. (equally odd and strange as Tamriel can be)

Links to my DA gallery and blog are in my signature. I'd really like to help out with TR, Morrowind is still my favourite TES game and this projects seems quite amazing.

However, I have not played Morrowind for over 5 years, my knowledge of the lore is certainly limited. I did read the guidelines and how concept artists should operate, that you appreciate independence.

That's understandable, but I already do this thing for a living and thus am a bit spoiled. I'm used to clients sending me illustration briefs and supplying me with necessary written and visual reference.

I have no problem adopting an existing style for landscape, culture, architecture etc. But "looking at other artists' work" doesn't really do it for me. I'm quite overwhelmed with the amount of artwork on this forum alone. What's official? What's accepted? What's even relevant?

Many topics have posts two or three years old. Do they still apply? I don't know.

If anyone in charge could give me a starting point, that'd be great.

Say: "OK, we have gaps in this culture and we could use daily use items, armour and atmospherics. Here's a wiki link describing that culture and here's a link to the artwork we have so far. That's your reference, go nuts."

That'd be more than enough for me.

BTW: my specialization is armour and weapons. I'd love to do monsters and creatures as well, I could probably do decent plants and if I find the time, those atmospheric paintings/drawings as well.

I'm hoping to become a part of this great project, so if anyone can, please help me!

[rot]

Hey, loved your work on TLD-

No one person knows everything about what CA TR needs, but here are some elements, hoping others can provide more,

There is a dire need for more fauna. Specific regions that could use creatures adapted to their environment: (and fitting the Morrowind aesthetics)
- the Ash Swamp (1) , (2)
- the [url=http://imgur.com/a/oXqr8]Othreleth mushroom forest[/url] (rough concept which isn't final, but the vibrant palette is the idea for this)

For reference, these two are original creatures made for TR:
the long-legged Velk - [url=http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/9232/longleggedvelkspeedycop.png]CA[/url] , [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQzkwWcyIyM]ingame video[/url]
and the Hoom (unflattering CS screen) (in snowy regions)



- the Dres' Skyrender, pretty important part of the region for House Dres (traditionalists, ancestor cults, slave traders) (which will be developed last, but should eventually be made of almost 100% original assets) actually has no CA for a desired final version. [url=http://www.tamriel-rebuilt.org/g/scrcaps/22/Dres%20sky%20render.jpg]This[/url] is the one currently in the mod, but the model is sort of a placeholder and people have often mentioned wishing it weren't just a straight giant wasp. Still, giant flying insect that can be mounted by guards/slavehunters (and colours probably tending towards yellow)


Environments: the Deshaan (Dres region) itself also can use more CA, the theme being a very hostile environment with cultivated salt deserts(?). Some good examples of early CA: [url=http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3467/deshaan1.jpg](1)[/url], [url=http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/2926/deshaan2.jpg](2)[/url]

As for their architecture, the exteriors are more or less done? (at least when it comes to the concept - pictures seem to be dead but here's the idea: [url=http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/1353/richhouseconcept1c.jpg]house[/url], [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJKFelINFFA&list=PLoVYm4pKYUBO-44iCBSLpfkS1RahHCfVL]video[/url], [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRWHctE2KIQ]video[/url]) -
but there are no assorted interiors to the buildings, and no particular concept for what the inside of a Dres building looks like.



[url=http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/viewforum.php?f=213]This[/url] is the forum where objects are being worked on, to give you an idea of what concept art is currently being used (though most of it is probably old concept art from Morrowind)


Weapons and armour are generally speaking not the most pressing needs, but the bonemold armour sets from the game are a good reference for style. One idea from Adanorcil was a stronger (maybe heavy? bonemold is medium) bonemold armour set - because they're the most iconic for Morrowind, but in the game are all unfortunately short-lasting low-level equipment as far as the player is concerned.
This [url=http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7169/trindorilwarrior.jpg]Indoril warrior CA[/url] was the base for TR's Indoril armour models.


All I can think of for now. Also, welcome!

[Ironed Maidens]

It's an honor to have you wanting to be aboard with us all! I can put in some requests for CA if it's ok! And welcome to the team!

[Merlkir]

Awesome! Keep them coming, I definitely see a few things I want to try out. Thanks, guys.

[Gnomey]

On the Skyrenders, they appear in the [url=http://www.imperial-library.info/content/page-18-0]Origins of Cyrus[/url] comic book, but they are never shown completely. Also, the eighth post on [url=http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/viewtopic.php?t=22852&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=160]this page[/url] may be of interest, showing ideas for (wild) Skyrender nests.

[Yeti]

We already had someone working on [url=http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9897526/Skyrender.jpg]a Skyrender[/url] a few years ago. I think the files are still [url=http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/viewtopic.php?t=22980]on the site[/url], but he never finished it.

[Merlkir]

Aww pity! That looks rather good and a skyrender was among my favourite picks.

[Swiftoak]

Wonderful Concept Art! Seeing as we need concept artists, I've asked that you be given access to our internal discussion forums, and the ability to post in our Planning sections (which are publicly visible but not postable by regular members). Can you confirm that you have the access and can see the "Internal Discussion" forum?

[Merlkir]

Yep, I can see it.

So, what's the word from the inner circle? Anything you'd like me to give a shot?

[Swiftoak]

Hmm, usually we just tell people to draw stuff that fits into MW's aesthetic, but we do need creatures for the various regions. Perhaps try drawing the Sky Render but make it look somewhat less, insecty? I'll try to come up with something more concrete soon.

[Rats]

A warm welcome to you, Merlkir! Great to have such an awesome artist with us

Aside from purely inspirational Concept Art TR could really do with some art that could be placed within the game world. Personally I'd love to see new designs for Velothi frescoes for various tombs and temples. We currently have only [url=http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y417/rats_tr/frescoes_zpsf46c29ee.png]these four[/url]. Some religious / historical scenes the frescoes could depict are:

* [url=http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Nerevar]Saint Nerevar[/url] battling against the Nord [url=http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Wulfharth]King Wulfharth[/url] at Red Mountain. Two towers of men wrangling on the edge of a volcanic crater.

* [url=http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Tribunal:Almalexia]Almalexia[/url] and [url=http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Sotha_Sil]Sotha Sil[/url] fighting against [url=http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Mehrunes_Dagon]Mehrunes Dagon[/url] over the ruins of Mournhold.

* The Daedra Lord [url=http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Boethiah]Boethiah[/url] eating the elven hero [url=http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Trinimac]Trinimac[/url] as horrified High Elves look on.

* [url=http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Vivec]Vivec[/url] teaching his people to breathe under water and flooding Morrowind to drown the Akaviri invaders (could be pictured as snake people or ice demons or something else entirely).

As for creature concept art, I think the Argon Jungle in the extreme south of Morrowind could do with some unique fantastical fauna designs. Think toads and salamanders that have been crossed with rodents, or bats, or with cave bears. Key word would be disturbing.

All art will of course be welcome! Anything can be used either as inspirational stuff for modelers or in-game in tapestries or illustrations in books.

[sasquatch]

I'm glad someone else suggested this. More murals would be great because of their size and the number of places they could be used. Other things I would like to see are simple drawings that could actually be used in game for scientific observations with fieldnotes in the margins, line drawings for artist characters, or more paintings. It also hasn't been mentioned here but hand drawn maps of local areas and larger regions would be helpful. Jule has requested some in particular for a cartographic all society or somthing (you can check his claims for the specifics).

Here is the link for the claim in need of maps:
http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/viewtopic.php?t=12340

I think with your talent it'd be great to get much of the work actually featured in the game. Gl and welcome to TR.

[Rats]

How's everything going, Merlkir?

[Merlkir]

I'm too busy finishing up work on Guide to Glorantha right now. But if all goes well, that should be done this week.
Then I'll have a week of semi-vacation and I'll take the sketchbook with me, so hopefully I'll get some concept drawings done then.