Stele #5

**Merlkir** · April 11, 2008, 02:13 PM

Hello,
I'm a new concept artist for Europa Barbarorum II and it's my pleasure today to tell you something about how these concept artworks are made.
The first task I got was to paint the Gestikapoinann, Lusitanian spearmen. I liked the patterns they have on their shields and also the equipment was rather simple so it was a good starting piece. I was supplied with good information by the wonderful historians of EB. If I needed anything more, I just had to ask

The process of painting/drawing concept art varies with different projects. I could sketch the characters and paint right away, I could sketch and paint quickly to get the atmosphere right...
Since EB II is so much based on historical accuracy, I decided to paint it as real looking as I could. That meant getting a friend of mine pose for a reference photo so I can get the pose and anatomy just right. He posed for both characters and it was rather complicated, but it all worked out in the end. Then I would sketch in the bone structure to see how the clothing and armor would fold and deform.
After that comes the actual hard work. Painting everything in shades of grey. I chose this approach because it allows me more control of values and shape definition. I kept adding detail until I was satisfied with the result. I also posted a WIP version on the forums for approval. It looked like this. You can see that only the soldier on the left is detailed, the right one is still unfinished.

People noticed some glitches in anatomy and also perspective of the round shields. I fixed those. (or at least tried to

the best I could)
Then came the next stage which was adding color. I tried several color schemes until I was happy with the result. Then I painted in the background. I didn't think about it much and it was still missing something. The colors were right, the lighting was ok, but it just lacked something. Through some tricks with paper textures I achieved a more „traditional“ painting look and suddenly the background looked more interesting. Also it got the picture closer to what I was trying to achieve the whole time. I really admire the historical work Angus McBride has done for Osprey books. I tried to come a bit closer to his style than my usual own.

This is the finished painting of Gestikapoinann. I hope you've enjoyed this Stele. If you have any questions about the process or painting in general, feel free to ask. I might even answer

Also, I would like to ask anyone willing to help EB II and concept art in particular to go to this thread not only will you help EB, but you'll also get your name in the mod's credits

link to the relevant help thread:

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=157962

**Lebre** · April 11, 2008, 02:32 PM

i got to say
you make some very beautiful art, really beautiful
i hope you can show more of those, i really love to see skill at work

btw what did you used to make those?

**thelord** · April 11, 2008, 03:32 PM

wow that is literally incredible Merlkir, I wish I could draw that well. Sadly though artwork isn't one of my talents.

Also what happens once your concept art is completed, is it sent straight to the skinners?

**hekk** · April 11, 2008, 03:35 PM

Very inspiring work there, great to see professional and original art being a part of a professional and original mod.

**Merlkir** · April 11, 2008, 04:45 PM

Lebre: I used PS

thelord: it sits there in it's own thread waiting for a skinner to appear

**Lebre** · April 11, 2008, 04:50 PM

its amazing
I could almost say you used a brush

**tabacila** · April 11, 2008, 05:21 PM

Sweet mother of mercy another stele is out! Great work Merlkir, really gets you in the mood so to say! Hope to see more of your art soon.

**Merlkir** · April 12, 2008, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by tabacila

Sweet mother of mercy another stele is out! Great work Merlkir, really gets you in the mood so to say! Hope to see more of your art soon.

that depends on the fans of EB

I simply need the reference photos

**super_newbie_pro** · April 12, 2008, 05:21 AM

Melkir, if you have drawing on roman army ; column of soldiers, the soldiers who cross a river, guard of soldier on a wall or a toure, training formation of légionaries etc... i am very interest !!! But only on roman army or roman battle with beautiful Germanic forests

I could publish you on best forum of French Roman army Fan

**Little Legionaire** · April 12, 2008, 09:19 AM

I really don't remember such a artwork base can able to match EB's quality and quantity manner. There are tons of solid reasons to wait and support EB project constantly. Most favored part of this project is teamwork for my part. They simply never give up and always looking for fresh skillful people to keep it alive and thanks to god they do. Such as Merlkir. I can clearly say those artworks easily can be use for any Osprey Book which is related this timeframe without any doubt. Hats off for art of sense and thanks for this great post Merlkir and EB team.

Godspeed

and naturally +rep for Merlkir.

**gaius valerius** · April 12, 2008, 11:54 AM

Looks great

**born2dive67** · April 12, 2008, 07:41 PM

you need reference photos? couldnt a skinner just use the reference photo's themselves? I was thinking that you did artwork on units not found in any pics but from a collection of writings as per what a unit had and what not, and then drew up and painted artwork from that

**Merlkir** · April 13, 2008, 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by born2dive67

you need reference photos? couldnt a skinner just use the reference photo's themselves? I was thinking that you did artwork on units not found in any pics but from a collection of writings as per what a unit had and what not, and then drew up and painted artwork from that

I want reference for human anatomy. Hence the poses and all. I CAN paint without reference. But the result will very probably be worse.

**super_newbie_pro** · April 13, 2008, 06:47 PM

If you want video about rome empire, look here, i have 2 beautiful vids for you

- http://www.dailymotion.com/super_new...-ro_videogames

and

- http://www.dailymotion.com/super_new...nai_shortfilms

**james924** · April 20, 2008, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by super_newbie_pro

If you want video about rome empire, look here, i have 2 beautiful vids for you

- http://www.dailymotion.com/super_new...-ro_videogames

and

- http://www.dailymotion.com/super_new...nai_shortfilms

Awesome video, newbie_pro, thanks for the links!

**TheColdTruth** · April 14, 2008, 10:22 AM

Wow, very nice work Merlkir.

+rep FOR YOU!

**Aguirre** · April 17, 2008, 03:52 AM

this looks awesome! don't give up on this mod, im sure its A LOT of hard work and I for one really appreciate it. keep it up!

and, will this mod have some forests similar to the german forest of rtw? they were obviously oversized but the ones in mtw2 is kinda lame, too open.

**Nevada** · April 19, 2008, 02:37 PM

this looks great!

how yould you do them with PS?
I hate drawing on the PC!

**TaysChreNN** · April 20, 2008, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Nevada

this looks great!

how yould you do them with PS?
I hate drawing on the PC!

Yah, I've got a graphics tablet and I still prefer drawing on paper by far, something about the constrained proportions doesn't feel natural... I guess practice makes perfect..

Nice previews by the way.