- Adobe Photoshop
- Blender
- Full Course
- Intermediate
- Over 25 hours of training!
Painting Historical Fiction
with Marco Gorlei
- Adobe Photoshop
- Blender
$149
$74
Lifetime Access
Digital workflows with timeless techniques.
Learn to create stunning classical-style paintings with modern digital techniques. Concept artist Marco Gorlei will guide you through crafting rich, textured images reminiscent of the old masters, using digital painting, 3D, and photobashing. Beyond technique, Marco’s deep reference-gathering workflow will help you bring authenticity to your work, nailing historical details like clothing, architecture, and ships. By the end of the course, you’ll have a portfolio-ready masterpiece, supporting artwork, and a deeper understanding of how to conduct meaningful research for your projects.
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$149$74
- Instant access to this CourseOnce you've signed up for this Course, you'll have unlimited access to it as long as you have an account!
- 25 Hours of lecturesThis includes all of the premium training which is included as a part of this course.
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Your Instructor
Marco Gorlei
Marco Gorlei is a seasoned concept artist with over eight years in the film, gaming, and illustration industries. Specializing in realistic environment design, he has contributed to projects like Magic the Gathering, "Ghost in the Shell" (2017) and Paramount's "Halo" series. His experience includes roles at Atomhawk Design, Ubisoft Reflections, and People Can Fly.
Van Gogh would've given his other ear to learn from artists like this.
Artwork by instructor Marco Gorlei
Course Lesson Plan
Here's the low-down on everything covered in this course.
- 25 hoursTotal Bundle Duration
- 186 VideosVideo Lectures in Bundle
- 24.55 MB of FilesDownloadable Project Files
Tools Used ?The tools listed below are used throughout the lectures of this course. Using alternatives is definitely possible depending on your proficiency, but we can only recommend using these listed softwares.
- Adobe Photoshop
- Blender
Lesson 1
Sketching
In this lesson you’ll come up with an idea for your painting, and learn to immerse yourself into the era you want to depict. Then you’ll create a set of composition sketches and callouts to lay a plan for your images to come.
- 5 hours 11 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 34 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
- Project FilesDownloadable Project Files
Guidance
Introduction
How to Find Inspiration
Ideation
Fundamentals
- Fundamentals IntroPreview01:00
- Analyzing CompositionPreview20:32
- Composition Analysis HomeworkPreview01:34
- Identifying Good LightingPreview10:55
- 3D Demos IntroPreview01:07
- Demonstrating Light in 3DPreview11:17
- Detail Distribution in AssetsPreview15:28
- Assets Detail Distribution HomeworkPreview00:51
- Object PlacementPreview03:50
- Big, Medium, Small in CompositionPreview08:56
- Big, Medium, Small in Composition HomeworkPreview01:11
- ColorPreview19:56
Sketching Styles
Value Comps
Callout Sketches
Lesson 2
Hero Asset
Using simple 3D techniques, you’ll focus on modeling the single asset that will be most eye-catching within your compositions.
- 3 hours 9 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 31 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Introduction
Marco's Blender Recommendations
Basic Form Creation
Various Basics Interlude
Refining the Base Form
Finished 3D Model
Texturing
Lesson 3
Asset Kit Creation
You will now create a set of 3D assets to populate your scene, based on what is laid out in your composition sketches.
- 2 hours 42 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 20 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Useful Techniques
Natural Terrain Assets
Small Detail Assets
Architectural Assets
Advanced Texturing
Conclusion
Lesson 4
3D Scene Setup
In this lesson, you will lay out three different camera angles of your world, using your composition sketches as a guide.
- 1 hour 29 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 13 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Initial Scene Assembly
Refining Assets
Scene Refinements
Conclusion
Lesson 5
Refined 2D Sketch
Before moving into the final paintover, you will first create a set of refined sketches using your 3D scene as a base. With this workflow, you will be able to quickly and freely experiment with details.
- 3 hours 30 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 25 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Introduction
Reviewing the Scene
Prepping for Refined Sketch
Refined Sketching Essentials
Refining the Terrain
Adding Detail and Life
Lesson 6
3D Enhancements
Once you have a plan laid out from your refined sketches, create any new assets, and adjust the 3D scene as needed to prepare for the final paintover.
- 2 hours 48 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 25 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Set Dressing Asset Kit
Reworking the 3D Scene
Large Prop
Final Refinements
Conclusion
Lesson 7
Paintover Blockout
You’ll begin working on your final paintover by adding in all of the broader elements and refinements which make up the scene, without worrying about fine details.
- 3 hours 56 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 22 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Refined Photobashing Techniques
Initial Photobashing
Bringing in Life
Blocking in Fine Details
Conclusion
Lesson 8
Finishing the Paintover
In this lesson you will finish your paintover and lay out all your work for presentation in your portfolio.
- 2 hours 12 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 16 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
First Pass of Refinements
Second Pass of Refinements
Post-Processing
Presentation
Homework can be cool.
Check out some of the amazing work Painting Historical Fiction students have created by doing their homework.
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