devilminer.com

Dustbuster Project - Collaboration with Industria Mechanika!

2011-12-16T23:37:00.000-08:00

I am very excited about a recent project based on the Dustbuster concept. In collaboration with Michael Fichtenmayer of Industria Mechanika, and Nate Clowar, 3D modeler, we've been working at getting this thing built as a physical resin model kit!!

These guys are high-caliber pros and I feel very lucky to be working with them on this. For this vehicle, Michael chimes in to share his expert knowledge on building this vehicle in resin, while I focus mainly on the design as it is being 3D modeled by Nate. I'll keep posting future progress shots until the end. Michael's already completed plenty other models so be sure to check them out! Here are Michael's and Nate's links!...

Michael Fichtenmayer a.k.a. FichtenFoo
www.fichtenfoo.com
www.industriamechanika.com

Nate Clowar www.clowar.com
Here are some behind-the-scenes progress shots!

Cool sites!

2011-11-29T10:19:00.000-08:00

I was recently featured by Kirill of 2dgeek.com! Some other sites I've found while cruisin' the net are below. If anyone's got some sites they follow for art inspiration, comment or send over an email---always nice to find more!

http://www.2dgeek.com/
http://conceptcentral.blogspot.com/
http://thenewcaferacersociety.blogspot.com/

Biomechanoid Lair : Inspiration: H.R. Giger

2011-11-08T22:06:00.000-08:00

New images! Brush experimentation...again!

2011-11-03T22:08:00.000-07:00

The top image is my homage to the Tron movie with some of my taste for the industrial. The lower image I'm testing out the brushes.

On Concept Art World!!

2011-11-03T17:25:00.001-07:00

I'm currently being featured on the super cool site, Concept Art World! Not exactly sure how long it's been up there but here's the link anyway!

Dryads!

2011-11-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

I've found inspiration lately to do otherworldly creatures---as I continue with a mech in 3D ;)

Jet Rescue (not a mech!)- Inspiration: Steve Burg

2011-10-20T22:44:00.001-07:00

This piece is off a mech piece I did earlier, so ya it's got some mech blood in there somewhere.

Tech-a-neek

2011-10-14T00:41:00.000-07:00

I went to Scott Robertson's workshop last weekend. I just love how his efforts in finding new ways are endless. I've always felt that to create good art, you can mimic. To create great art, you innovate. He is a tireless pioneer on innovation and I owe him many thanks for many things throughout my path. I also found him to be very humble and easy-going. I tried one of his techniques with the bottom image.

My co-worker's new game!!

2011-10-12T21:03:00.001-07:00

Sorry for not posting more mechs...been friggin busy! So for now let me tell you to go buy David Parker's new Xbox game RIGHT HERE. Its a cool indie game of Zombies!! Who doesn't like that?!? Go David!! Congrats man!

My New Website!

2011-10-03T23:32:00.000-07:00

Click here! Let me know whatcha'll think!

Ovalrider -WIP

2011-09-10T10:26:00.001-07:00

B.A.T.-X32411-M

2011-07-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

Mech time...

2011-07-08T00:36:00.000-07:00

Time for mechs again, no more reviews until I get my mech phase out of me...tough to do so don't get your hopes up.

Jimmie Johnson's car is in Transformers 3!!!

2011-07-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

Devilminer.com, Miguel Lopez- Concept Artist. Our game---Jimmie Johnson's Anything With an Engine--- should be out soon!---

it is hosted by the one and only Jimmie Johnson from Nascar, so by placing a transformer version of his car in the newest Transformer flick will definitely help out sales for the game, methinks!

The Matrix 2...sorta...and a REALLY good one too

2011-05-26T00:07:00.000-07:00

My ultimate dream is to one day be the conceptual artist for a Matrix sequel---if it ever does happen---after which I may die happy and forever be in the history of a Matrix film. Until then, I look out for unique twists on the world of my favorite film of all time, The Matrix (excluding those already released, like Animatrix, Matrix comics, toys, DVD box sets, etc. And YES I have all of them!)

Every now and then you stumble on the world wide web and find treasure---and what treasure!! The Matrix was not just a film but another world where our minds could roam beyond our imagination. It was a blank canvas, with only Neo to lead us towards the truth. This fan film took just that and held their own by introducing us to two brothers out to kill the one and only Neo. This takes place perhaps a little after the first film---enough time for Kaydara and his geeky brother to envy The One and figure out a way to find and beat him. The movie is beautiful to watch, with scenes so good they surpass some major blockbusters! The music is cool---a little on the Tron side (but I think this was made before Tron so maybe Daft Punk took the idea! Oops, I've said too much). The script could have been a bit better, the voice actors I thought were terrible---a TOTAL buzzkill since the film looks awesome (c'mon! It's a friggin Matrix sequel made by fans!!), and Neo looked---just like Neo which was very exciting---but looked CG at times and very plastic-y. I'm totally for the rush and energy in movies---a climax or perhaps just some ultra-cool 2-3 second moment (I'm thinking of Tron and the kid's first Lightcycle ride), no matter how bad the script is. I am entranced and cannot be bothered---this film had those moments, especially towards the end where Kaydara finally finds Neo. (Come to think of it, I could have swore I heard my wife calling me---oh well!) The whole scene and the rest that follows is intense and I thought the makers did a spectacular job. I especially loved the very last scene where Neo flies into the clouds---genius.

Below you'll find the whole 55-minute film. There are thirty minute ads every five minutes, so it gets pretty annoying. Just do what I did, grab your favorite beer and enjoy the show. The ads don't matter as much afterwards. Enjoy! Go MATRIX!!

http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2011/05/24/kaydara-the-matrix-fanfilm-movie/
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xickar_kaydara-official-film_shortfilms

Their official website: http://www.kaydarafilm.com/kaydara_film.html

My soopa-fast Greyhound

2011-05-20T01:20:00.000-07:00

Totally inspired by Syd Mead's dog race painting.

Cowboys' Tony Robo, year 3101

2011-05-16T23:49:00.000-07:00

This version doesn't date overrated pop singers. AND they win the Super Bowl during the year hosting it. AND thumbs are mechanical so they can't break---come to think of it, clavicles too can't break. AND mechs don't get married to Miss America contestants either. This QB I like.

Fred's Mech

2011-05-11T00:30:00.000-07:00

Just running errands... :P

Mechy Mantle

2011-05-06T00:14:00.001-07:00

I'm a huge sports fan, so why not sports robots?! First up, Mr. Mantle, year 2812.

Sparkler Mech

2011-05-04T23:39:00.000-07:00

My mech doodles! more to come...

2011-05-02T23:57:00.000-07:00

2011-04-18T01:56:00.000-07:00

This one comes from a spider mech I did earlier, posted in Nuthin But Mech. Black and white to add more drama of course! The composition's not the best, I think. I'm in a mech phase so you'll be seeing more mechs later!

Poster!

2011-02-21T21:04:00.000-08:00

Color! Finally! Any critiques or comments are welcome!

migMECHone - Hypershot renderings

2011-02-12T15:08:00.000-08:00

I became obsessed with the interior mechanisms on this thing! You could kind of see them all in the back view there. I'll come back and put in some renders with the shell removed since I really wanted it to seem somewhat functional! In the meantime I hope you enjoy these!

Detail shots

2011-02-02T19:26:00.000-08:00

Mech continued...

2011-01-06T22:18:00.001-08:00

I feel it's got more visual prowess with these new legs!

progress halted---quick redesign...

2010-12-14T15:59:00.001-08:00

New version of the legs! Very sporty!

MigMech 3D Project progress

2010-11-22T21:51:00.000-08:00

I checked out an incredible 3D artist's work by the name of Jas Hodge---oh my. Here's a link to his Star Wars' AT-AT work. I am just amazed at all the detail, something I'm hoping to achieve on this model. It is absolutely mindblowing. I'll keep at it, kids!

MechWorld Project: 3D Process

2010-11-11T23:57:00.001-08:00

Progress shot. Still needs way more techy stuff I think!

HORRIBLE VIRUS OUT!!

2010-10-27T23:01:00.001-07:00

I just got the worst of the worst viruses and it's brand new DISGUISED AS A FLASHPLAYER update! ARRRRGGHH, I'm so peeved. BUT, I prevailed, knocked him out cold (after almost 4 hours!!!!!!!--yes I'm still that angry!)...and this is how I did it:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101017011908AAcZyMF

I'm definitely spreading out the word and I hope you do too! HUGE thanks to that Giedrius guy on that site. This thing was a BEAST---it prevents you from installing anything, from going into Safe Mode to delete it, pops up messages every 5 seconds, UGH it was terrible. Apparently it hit big last year and ever since has been refined and updated to the nightmare I dealt with today.

Okay, i'll calm down. Spread the word, please! Again, it's disguised as the new Adobe Flashplayer update.

MechWorld Project: 3D Process

2010-10-20T23:37:00.001-07:00

Oct. 21, 2010
My student version of Maya is expiring on Monday. Yay-uh! My laptop's got 8.5 edition, though...geez. So for this one I plainly went for all the solid shapes here which should give me a good base to start my details on. Thanks guys for looking---I'll keep adding to it like always.

Oct. 20, 2010
I don't know what it is about 3d modeling that I approach things badly the first few days!--- I basically figure out that you have to start with broad shapes before you go into detail---I'm way too impatient for that! I do feel the torso is getting there though. I'll keep updating..

Ready for 3D...

2010-10-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

A few changes made. Time for Maya!

Silhouette Studies

2010-10-19T00:21:00.001-07:00

#1-14---wow I need to practice more of these...they are very important as you can see. Just look at the progress! The first ones are horrible blobs that I couldn't make out what they were, whereas the last ones are legible and interesting. I usually skip this process but that's proving to be a fatal mistake! Plus I feel I'm learning a lot by doing these. I now see the reason for them. I'll keep adding more later.

MIGmechONE : study

2010-10-14T21:43:00.000-07:00

MIGmech in Technicolor! Also posted on Lorin Wood's blog!

MechWorld Project: Ortho Study

2010-10-13T23:39:00.000-07:00

Here's the final ortho study! I added a little more detail on the back part. Ready for Maya!

Final Refinements

2010-10-13T00:38:00.000-07:00

Made some changes...the top is the latest before doing the orthos.

Mechworld Project: Stage 2 : Concept Refinement

2010-10-08T01:08:00.001-07:00

Finally decided on one---after beginning to color another prior. Sheesh! The latest is the topmost image. Hope to get this in 3D soon

Mechworld Project : First...Mech...EVAR : Stage 1

2010-10-06T22:48:00.000-07:00

I am not too familiar on mechs, so with further practice I hope to get one decent enough to model out. HERE GOES NUTHIN... ;)

Mech study

2010-10-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

Hmm...To finish or not to finish?

Mig 31-B LightCycle : Fun renders

2010-10-03T00:42:00.001-07:00

Surface evaluation and lighting tests...so much fun!

Mig 31-B LightCycle: Renders

2010-09-29T23:59:00.001-07:00

COLOR study 1 - hypershot

Mig 31-B LightCycle Project: 2D to 3D

2010-09-27T23:34:00.000-07:00

Done with the actual modeling---finally! Hoping to add textures and lighting in the future...Thank you for your comments (and patience!). Next up is color!

Mig31-B LightCycle Project: 2D to 3D

2010-09-24T01:45:00.000-07:00

Needs the wires or the bike simply is naked! At 90% done at this point...

Scott Robertson's "Drive"

2010-09-23T18:43:00.000-07:00

My concept art site is officially updated, all new layout! Click the image below. Also, Scott Robertson will have a workshop Oct. 8-9 @ Red Engine! Here's an image of his recent "Drive" book (below)...

I've been basically looking back at his stuff for inspiration pretty much all the time that I just had to post it here. His work is killer---it's very cool how he can keep his vehicles so vigorous and vibrant and hold a class or two at Art Center. Looking forward to future vehicles from him definitely. Here are some of his links:

Scott Robertson blog

designstudiopress

Mig31-B LightCycle Project: 2D to 3D

2010-09-22T00:32:00.000-07:00

Nearing the end!...

Mig31-B LightCycle Project - From 2D to 3D

2010-09-16T01:56:00.000-07:00

Almost there!

Mig-31b LightCycle Project: 2D to 3D

2010-09-15T01:30:00.000-07:00

Few errands got in the way so I'm only up to this point---arrrgh! Still a lot to go...I WILL get this done by Friday, galdarnit!

Mig31-B LightCycle Project - From 2D to 3D

2010-09-08T23:11:00.000-07:00

Mig31-B LightCycle - Orthographics

I liked this vehicle from the start---hoping I can get this thing in 3D to add to my 'folio!

"TurretTank"

2010-09-07T23:31:00.001-07:00

Inspired by a vehicle I did way back called the "TurretTruck". I'll give you five bucks if you know which one that is ;)

LORIN WOOD ROCKS

2010-09-07T01:07:00.000-07:00

I just gotta thank again Mr. Lorin Wood for the inspiration and knowledge he's given me this past year. He has been a terrific teacher as I continue to learn conceptual art. I worked tirelessly on my hopes to perhaps add to the Borderlands game's lot of vehicles---a game he worked on at Gearbox---all for him and for fun in general. He is one of the reasons I've focused more on vehicle conceptual design.

His website:
http://lorinwood.com/

You'll see a 3d model of one of these Borderlands/Lorin Wood-inspired vehicles soon! Thanks Mr. L!

"HaggenKrusher" tank concept

2010-09-07T00:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a tank!

Conceptships and La Cueva del Lobo features!

2010-09-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

http://conceptships.blogspot.com/2010/08/concept-ship-design-by-miguel-lopez.html

http://lacuevadellobo.blogspot.com/2010/09/el-arte-de-miguel-lopez.html#more

Thank you Igor and Vladimir for the features! I won't stop now! Keep coming back...

Mechsuit1

2010-09-02T22:55:00.000-07:00

Robots rule!

And here's mech #2

2010-09-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

Here's another version of Araka

"Araka-31" - Inspiration: Steampunk n spiders

2010-08-31T21:18:00.000-07:00

Spider mech! Thought I'd try something different!

Website is back up! See it at Devilminer.com!

2010-08-30T18:59:00.001-07:00

Portfolio! (May 2010)

2010-08-26T00:25:00.001-07:00

Here's a portfolio I did after my graduation. It includes digital art, compositions, vehicles in 2D and 3D, and storyboards (more like comic book pages---but those are tough too!):

Portfolio (May 2010)
Most of the work is on my website too @ devilminer.com.
Questions, please email me: mlopezart@yahoo.com. I'll add a revised version a little later!

"UniByke" - Inspiration: Akira

2010-08-25T23:20:00.000-07:00

I knew what this shape was right off the bat---it's the cleaning up that takes more time---fun time though.

2010-08-25T00:15:00.000-07:00

I'm not feelin it with this one...I'm stopping and I'll see what I can fix later... :)

"Scorpion" - Inspiration: ice n snow

2010-08-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

Industrial vehicles look cool in the snow. Nuf sed.

"Vroom 1a" - Inspiration: F1 Racers, David Levy

2010-08-23T01:03:00.000-07:00

Busy weekend!---but finished it as promised. Continue with cars? As Syd Mead tells me, "GO GO GO, dude!" Yes sir!

Seriously?...

2010-08-20T15:13:00.000-07:00

"Dear Miguel Lopez,
We would like to inform you that your website devilminer.com is estimated to exceed your monthly traffic allowance quota of 1GB based on your current usage projection."

So my portfolio website will be off the air I guess for the rest of the month---I'm not paying their Upgrade fee! Don't want to and don't even have the money! BUT, I'm very grateful that people are checking it out!!!

2010-08-19T01:17:00.000-07:00

I'll try finishing this one up tomorrow...very sleepy. G'night!

"Hugo" Barrel Hauler - Inspiration: Martiniere, David Levy, Tron

2010-08-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

Half ship, half vehicle. Basically it's a hauler in the industrial areas.

"Mig-31b Lightcycle" - Inspiration: Syd Mead, David Levy

2010-08-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

This one was a bit tougher---I struggled to find the right balance. After a lot of experimenting with the shapes, eventually one specific pattern came into mind from an old abandoned drawing, which led to the gaping vent look in the final result.

"Ruckus" - Inspiration: Borderlands game, Antique vehicles

2010-08-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

"Ruckus" is inspired right out of "Six"version. Hey I recycle too, you know!

"Six" - Inspiration: Tron, Trains, Ghost Rider

2010-08-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

More more more!!!

"Soft" - Inspiration: Borderlands video game, Daniel Simon

2010-08-16T00:43:00.000-07:00

I've found it's tougher to create vehicles than spaceships. Spaceships can look however shape you make them and it'll look good, with practice though. Vehicles are more design-y, they require reading into positive and negative space, space between wheels, and a good combo of mixing both intricate detail with thick shapes that will flow well with the wheels and its overall silhouette. I think drawing robots are just as difficult. Anyway, I struggled a little more with this one, having to flip around the canvas a lot---mainly because my mind was focused on a certain look, more industrial than moon-lander-ish. This brushy method is way tougher to do when trying industrial style because it creates big shapes as opposed to pencil lines. This one is inspired from Gearbox's Borderlands vehicles. It's called "Soft"---don't know why, just the first word that popped in my head.

"Mig-31a Hauler" - Inspiration: Syd Mead, Tron

2010-08-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

Progress shots of this car. I had entered a contest from Nvidia last month but wasn't too happy with my final result. I think I'm prouder of this one than a lot of vehicles I've done in terms of technique. My love for using pencil has its limits, but with these new PS brushes I'm enjoying it a lot. This is a hauler vehicle, extra cool of course.

"F1-Badass" - Inspiration: Transformers, F-1 Racecars

2010-08-11T23:24:00.000-07:00

Again like the "Redland" piece, I splatter brush after brush until I catch something interesting. I flipped this one dozens of times until I found a good shape to start with. I'll be back to finish the piece a little later.

2010-08-10T23:17:00.000-07:00

I had lots a fun with this one. Originally starting out as a beautiful dragon flying briskly in the flowing breeze---eventually hating the heck out of it and did what I wanted. I hope you like it

One follower! Yes!

2010-08-10T21:04:00.000-07:00

wow, just noticed I have one follower...yes!! you go, Kai! [don't leave me pleeeeease!]

I'll be doing LLLOTSS more cars a little later, including 3d models of em. I want to thank Lorin Wood, Tyruben Ellingson, and Syd Mead, whom are among the pros that keep me going in a cool email-y kinda way.

devilminer.com is my site...not updated much but should now that I'm getting the art bug again.

email: mlopezart@yahoo.com

Enjoy!

2010-08-10T21:01:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Sir Lorin Wood's remarks---really good teacher too---I've added more of a focus, drowning out some areas while playing with extreme light in others.

2010-08-10T00:20:00.001-07:00

Here's a modified version of the previous. I'll call it the "T-Cycle"- first draft. I'll continue with this one---I feel I like this one better. To be continued...

2010-08-09T23:28:00.000-07:00

"frogger" car - draft 1

"RedLand" - Inspiration: Sparth, Martiniere

2010-08-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

I can't believe what a difference a day or two makes of strictly focusing on brushes. Man I'm lazy, I should've done this ages ago. Anyway, the "RedLand" piece above is a product of what you can get when simply applying random brushes on a canvas then figuring out what the heck is in all those shapes. I maintained a high level of detail within the city and the surrounding area as the focal point. I would love comments or critiques on any of my paintings so don't fret

2010-08-05T00:46:00.000-07:00

Very sleepy (1 am), but hopefully I can get something outta this one as I continue it tomorrow...g'night

2010-08-01T22:57:00.000-07:00

This one took me a while but I think it's getting there. I love the dry industrial look I got when I maxed out the Brightness attribute!

Gato-V1 Mech

2010-08-01T17:02:00.000-07:00

This is a more refined version of the previous one. I referred to District 9's Greg Broadmore's style to bring out the character more.

.

2010-07-31T10:43:00.001-07:00

I HOPE i can get more paintings in...I"m telling you ever since I got to LA things've been clickin in my head. That's good because I lost a lot of inspiration during the move.

The one below is something I tried using the warp tool on brushes I already have, then attempting to create something within the mix of shapes attempted. I feel it still needs more city landscape so I'll continue this one a little further.

A further revision of the cat robot I did for the 'Curiosity.." painting. By the way, I'm don't think the yellow does anything for this painting. I think I'll tone it down...perhaps add a few hints of other warm colors towards the back or something..

Character design is probably closest to my heart since all my life I did them for my own personal comic books. I have to try doing more of these...below I experimented with brushes and, again, with the shapes I got, I imagined this shape, eventually leading to this...

Curiosity killed the cat people

2010-07-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

I started this one out by using the girl image I did previously. I copied, lessened the opacity levels, and used a bunch of filters to create this first image (top). Eventually I was able to make out a few shapes that I found were interesting, leading me to rotate the canvas horizontally to start out the final vision. In the end I found it interesting how I would not have figured out such a composition had it not been for strong yellow hues. I hope you like it...hope to do more in this great city of LA!

art for art's sake

2010-07-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

As I walked on beaches of Venice and Santa Monica, I got inspired by all the art and diverse groups out there. This is a great town!

2010-05-01T01:46:00.000-07:00

3D model of Syd Mead's Lemans Racecar

2010-05-01T01:23:00.000-07:00

Syd Mead rocks. Here's my version of the Lemans racecar inspired by the painting.

2010-05-01T01:09:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what happens to those who never make the grave? They combine to make one bad ass oozing ZombieBall.

2010-05-01T00:42:00.000-07:00

Well right now I have no idea where I'll end up...graduating in two weeks! Sheesh...I'll have two degrees under my belt and still no real highlight. Ohhh but I'll get there---

2010-05-01T00:31:00.000-07:00

2010-05-01T00:30:00.000-07:00

2010-05-01T00:27:00.000-07:00

2010-05-01T00:22:00.000-07:00

Borderlands 2 vehicle hopefuls

2010-05-01T00:10:00.000-07:00

I love cars...what better way to start em off than with Borderlands-inspired warrior vehicles!! The game offers an insane amount of weapons---why not add to a variety of vehicles for the next one?

Same ship, rendered...

2010-01-07T17:24:00.000-08:00

Hello all...Welcome and thanks for visiting...

2010-01-07T17:11:00.000-08:00

Go blogs!! Devilminer.com is my original site so go take a look...go ahead I'll wait. In the meantime, enjoy the visual goodness I've provided for you.