Master Narrative Realism & Illustration with Steve Firchow
The Gnomon Workshop has released Narrative Realism & Illustration, a masterclass in narrative illustration, recorded by Machine Zone Art Director Steve Firchow.
The intermediate-level workshop provides over three hours of video training, using Photoshop: it does not cover any 3D techniques.
Improve your character and environment designs for concept art and illustration
In the workshop, Firchow sets out how to create immersive narrative illustrations, demonstrating his own digital painting techniques, compositional principles and design philosophy.
Firchow focuses on helping artists to improve the efficiency of their layout and rendering work, through a wide range of time-saving techniques.
Compositional approaches covered include balancing the level of detail in character and environment designs, so that the final image appears detailed without being cluttered or confusing, primarily creating the impression of detail through control of silhouettes.
Firchow also shares insights from his career, including the ‘creative waste’ that occurs in big productions, and the importance of saving all of the ideas you have to repurpose in future.
As well as the training videos, viewers can download Firchow’s Photoshop files, showing the artwork from the workshop at key stages, and his brush settings.
About the artist
Steve Firchow is Art Director at mobile game developer Machine Zone, and a concept artist and illustrator who has been working in games, comics, and publishing for 30 years.
His resume includes Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Final Fantasy XV: War for Eos Hidden Expedition and illustrations for Wizards of the Coast, Dark Horse, Disney and Mattel.
Pricing and availability
Narrative Realism & Illustration is available via a subscription to The Gnomon Workshop, which provides access to over 300 tutorials.
Subscriptions cost $57/month or $499/year. Free trials are available.
Read more about Narrative Realism & Illustration on The Gnomon Workshop’s website
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