Streets of Rabat - Painted in Adobe Fresco

A quick digital painting study based on the streets of Rabat, Morocco. Painted in Adobe Fresco using a limited brush set and a limited palette.

#AdobeFresco #UrbanPainting #DigitalPainting #Rabat #Morocco #SimonLocheArt

Sketch with Adobe Fresco

 

This one's been sitting in the archives for a while. I don't think I ever posted it here.

#Sketchbook #ThrowbackArt #SimonLocheArt

The Video Games Industry Layoff Survival Guide

How to stay grounded, rebuild momentum, and protect your creative future

1. Let it sink in (but not for too long)

A layoff hits hard. Whether you saw it coming or not, it can shake your sense of self.

You’re not just losing a paycheck, you’re losing teammates, routines, and creative flow.

Give yourself space to feel. Talk to people who understand. Then put a short time limit on the emotional spiral. Even two days of rest can make a big difference.

You need your energy for what’s next.

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2. Don’t isolate yourself

Reach out. A short message to trusted colleagues or mentors goes a long way. Let them know what happened and that you’re open to future opportunities.

You don’t need a perfect pitch. Just be real.

Here’s a simple message you can send:

“Hey, I just wanted to share that I was part of the recent layoffs at [Company]. I’m taking a moment to breathe, then starting to look ahead. If anything comes up that feels like a good fit, I’d love to hear from you.”

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3. Update your portfolio without panic

Don’t try to rebuild your whole career in one night. Start with your best 5 pieces. Add a short caption for each: What was the goal? What was your role? What problem did you solve?

If you need more time, consider making a private link to share with recruiters now and polishing it later.

Related article: Video Games Industry: How to Get Hired as a Concept Artist

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4. Protect your narrative

People will ask, “What happened?”

You should keep it simple and neutral:

“There were company-wide layoffs, and unfortunately my role was affected.”

You don’t owe anyone the internal drama. Stay focused on where you want to go, not on what went wrong.

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5. Set a short daily routine (and don’t overdo it)

It’s easy to fall into panic mode and spend 10 hours a day on job boards. Please don’t. Overwhelming yourself won’t speed things up; it’ll just drain you.

Set a light, realistic pace:

• 1 hour: Apply to 1 job

• 1 hour: Personal project or study

• 30 min: Reach out to 1 or 2 contacts

Then stop. Reconnect with your family. Call a friend. Take a walk. Rest. This is also a chance to reset.

Ask yourself:

• Do I still like the kind of work I was doing?

• What do I want more (or less) of?

• Is now the time to start that personal project I’ve been putting off?

Layoffs can create space. Protect that space and use it with care.

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6. Explore your “creative anchor”

If your job was your main creative outlet, you may feel a void.

Try anchoring yourself in a personal project, sketch study, or idea you’ve shelved for years. No pressure to monetize it. This isn’t about proving your worth; it’s about staying connected to what makes you feel like an artist.

Aaaannd... Maybe this is the moment. The one where you finally start building your own game. Or draw that comic book you’ve carried in your head for years.

You don’t need to make it perfect. You just need to begin. Personal projects give structure and meaning when everything else feels uncertain. They remind you why you started this path in the first place.

... And who knows, what begins as therapy might grow into your next opportunity.

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7. Watch your self-talk

It’s easy to spiral into “Maybe I’m not good enough” or "That's maybe the end of my career in the industry". But that’s just your fear voice trying to feel in control.

Replace it with:

“This is a hard moment. I’m allowed to feel it. But I’m still an artist. I’m still building.”

Your identity isn’t tied to a company name.

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8. What to post (and what not to)

You can post publicly about your layoff, but keep it clean and forward-looking. Avoid venting. This is usually not well received by recruiters.

Try something like this instead:

“Today, I join many talented teammates in being affected by layoffs at [Company]. I’m proud of what we built and grateful for the people I worked with. I’m now open to new roles in [discipline], and excited to keep growing.”

It positions you as professional, not bitter.

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9. Consider freelance work

Full-time roles may take time. Freelancing can keep your skills active and your name in circulation. You don’t have to go all-in; one short contract or remote gig can rebuild momentum and help pay the bills.

Try posting availability on ArtStation, LinkedIn, or Discord communities. Let your network know what kind of work you’re open to. Be specific and focused.

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10. Reach out for mentorship

Now may be the time to ask for help. Reach out to someone whose work you respect and ask for a brief chat or a review of their portfolio.

You don’t need to know what you’re asking for perfectly, just say you’re looking for honest feedback or career advice. You might discover gaps you can work on, or even new directions to grow into.

For job seekers in games, Amir Satvat’s website is one of the most practical and generous resources out there, updated job boards, mentorship, and real tools to get back on your feet.

Mentorship can shift your mindset from “What now?” to “What’s possible?”

Amir Satvat's website is a resource's goldmine

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11. You’re not alone

The industry is currently experiencing a challenging period. But talent, care, and craft still matter. Stay in touch with what makes you proud to do this work, and keep showing up, even if quietly.

You’re not back at square one. You’re just in the pause between chapters.

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#GameIndustry #GameDev #LayoffSupport #ConceptArt #ArtCareer #DevLife #CareerTips #SurvivalGuide #ArtistSupport #GamesArt #LevelUp #VideoGameIndustry #PortfolioTips #CreativeResilience

Video Games Layoffs: A Personal Perspective from Inside the Industry

The recent layoffs at Microsoft alongside Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and King were personal for me. Like others in my field, I’ve experienced a cocktail of sadness and frustration. These weren’t simply headlines. They were friends, former colleagues, and people I admired.

Although I am fortunate to still be working in a role I care about, it’s difficult to remain unaffected knowing how many talented and dedicated individuals are now jobless. Some of them spent years crafting game designs, mentoring, and developing complex systems and pipelines which, while unnoticed by the majority of gamers, were essential.

I doubt this will be the last round of layoffs, as it’s the first of many we’ve encountered recently. Each attempt at restructuring reduces the amount of order and reliability that we attempt to accumulate. It also makes us examine in greater detail the ways in which the industry values people, what type of leadership is required, and how we analyze meaningful outcomes.

Most of the effort put in by developers and artists goes unrecognized. Every project has its share of decisions and sacrifices that accelerate progress, and in the case of a game, a game that is far deeper than what the final product goes far deeper than what the final product reveals. In every game, there’s many pieces of work that are missed, thus remaining unpaid, and most of them are and most of them are a requirement.

If you’re in a hiring position, or know someone who is, I hope you’ll look seriously at the many talented individuals now looking for new opportunities. Their value doesn’t disappear because of a restructuring decision. If anything, their resilience and perspective are more vital than ever.

To those affected: I admire the contributions you’ve made. I’m hopeful that your next chapter brings you not only stability, but a place where your talents are truly seen.

And to those still standing: let’s support one another. Share portfolios. Make referrals. Push for transparency and empathy where we can.

Because this industry doesn’t thrive on tech alone. It thrives on people.

#GameIndustry #MicrosoftLayoffs #GameArt #GameDevCommunity #SupportArtists #SimonLocheArt

Taste doesn’t scale, trust does

Most people think an art director’s job is to dictate a visual style...

… I disagree.

In my experience, the real challenge is helping the team believe in a shared vision, and in themselves.
Inviting your team to actively contribute to the art direction fosters both trust and a shared sense of clarity.

Anyone can point at a moodboard and say, “Let’s make it look like this.” But building visual coherence in a game is less about aesthetic preference and more about alignment, communication, and trust.

Here’s what I’ve learned after years leading diverse art teams:

▶︎ Taste doesn’t scale, trust does. Your personal eye matters, but empowering others to solve creatively within a direction is what makes teams strong.

▶︎ Clarity beats control. A great direction gives artists room to explore confidently, without second-guessing. Micromanagement kills both speed and spirit.

▶︎ Consistency is co-authored. Art direction isn’t about having the final word. It’s about shaping the first one clearly enough that others can build on it.

The best work I’ve seen didn’t come from enforcing taste, it came from shared ownership.

As an art director, your job isn’t just to see the picture. It’s to help others see themselves in it.

#ArtDirection #GameDevLeadership #ConceptArt #CreativeTeams #TrustOverTaste #GameArtTips

Ink and Character: Digital Portrait Study in Rebelle 7

Drawn in Rebelle 7, focused on gesture.

#InkDrawing #DigitalSketch #Rebelle7 #PortraitStudy #Brushwork #SimonLocheArt

10 AMAZING Art Training Books Every Artist Should Own

Whether you're a beginner building fundamentals or a seasoned artist refining your craft, the right books can become lifelong companions. 

This list includes some of the best art training books out there, full of practical exercises, brilliant teaching, and deep visual insight.

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1. Framed Ink by Marcos Mateu-Mestre

This is a must-have for understanding visual storytelling and composition. It breaks down how to create mood, movement, and clarity in sequential images. Marcos walks you through examples using cinematic lighting, silhouettes, and compositional flow, making this book invaluable for both comic artists and concept designers.

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2&3. Framed Ink Vol. 2 by Marcos Mateu-Mestre

A powerful continuation of the first volume, Framed Ink 2 focuses on advanced narrative techniques, staging, and visual empathy. It explores how to build tension, emotion, and rhythm visually, essential concepts for those working in story-driven media like games, film, or animation.

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4. Artists' Master Series: Color & Light by Charlie Pickard

A visually rich and clearly written book focused on how light interacts with form and how to use color intentionally. Charlie Pickard breaks down key concepts like atmospheric perspective, lighting direction, and hue shifts. Perfect for digital painters who want to improve lighting and storytelling.

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5. Framed Perspective Vol. 1 & 2 by Marcos Mateu-Mestre

These two volumes go deep into the mechanics of perspective drawing. Volume 1 covers the essentials: 1, 2, and 3-point perspective, horizon lines, and vanishing points. Volume 2 builds on that, focusing on how perspective can be used emotionally in storytelling. These books are foundational for anyone serious about environment design and believable space.

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6. Dynamic Bible by Peter Han

A self-published legend. Peter Han's Dynamic Bible is a workbook filled with exercises that develop your visual library, line confidence, and design logic. With a focus on building strong drawing habits and shape design, it’s ideal for artists looking to sharpen their fundamentals and take on concept sketching or creature design.

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7. Point Character Drawing by Taco

Full of simplified and dynamic breakdowns, this book is great for learning how to exaggerate form while keeping things grounded. It covers stylized anatomy, facial expressions, and poses with a clear and playful visual language. Perfect for artists looking to inject personality into their character work.

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8. Rockhe Kim's Anatomy Drawing Class

A brilliant guide for understanding anatomy in a stylized yet structural way. Rockhe Kim explains human anatomy through a designer's lens, breaking down muscle groups into clean, readable forms. Great for character designers, figure drawing students, or anyone trying to draw believable human bodies with a stylized edge.

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9. Space Drawing: Perspective Vol. 1 by Dongho Kim

An elegant, in-depth guide to practical perspective for illustrators and concept artists. Dongho Kim explains how to visualize space intuitively, making this book ideal for both beginners and seasoned environment artists. Beautifully laid out and highly digestible.

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10. Anatomy For Artists: Drawing Form & Pose by Tom Fox (tomfoxdraws)

A fresh and accessible anatomy book that connects gesture, construction, and surface anatomy. Tom Fox includes detailed studies, pose breakdowns, and insightful notes that help you understand the figure in motion. It’s a great companion for daily sketchers and character-focused artists alike.

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These books aren't just pretty to flip through, they're powerful learning tools. 

Whether you're leveling up your gesture drawing, mastering perspective, or understanding light and color, there's something in this list to help push your skills further.

#ArtBooks #DrawingTips #ConceptArtTraining #FundamentalsMatter #SimonLocheArt

The Secret Power of Notan: Designing with Light and Dark

Quick Notan Sketches Studies

As artists, we often get caught up in the excitement of color, detail, and brushwork. But when it comes to building a truly compelling composition, sometimes less is more. That’s where Notan comes in, a deceptively simple concept that can transform the way you design your paintings.

What Is Notan?

Notan (濃淡) is a Japanese word that translates to “light-dark.” It’s all about the relationship between positive and negative space, between areas of light and areas of dark. Think of it like the visual skeleton of your artwork. Strip away the color, the detail, even the subject, and what you’re left with is the pure structure of your composition.

Why It Matters

Ever stare at a painting that just feels off, but you can’t quite figure out why? Or maybe you’re planning a new piece and something in the layout doesn’t feel balanced? Notan studies help you see the design clearly, without distractions.

By reducing your scene to only two or three values (usually black, white, and maybe a midtone), you can spot compositional issues early. Is the focal point clear? Are the shapes too similar in size? Is the negative space doing any heavy lifting? These are the kinds of questions Notan helps answer.

How to Do a Notan Study

You don’t need any fancy tools to get started. You can:

• Use black markers or paint on white paper

• Snap a photo and simplify it digitally into black and white shapes

• Sketch with just one value on your tablet

The key is to stop worrying about realism and focus on clarity, contrast, and balance between shapes.

Here’s a great tip: Try shifting your viewpoint or cropping your scene differently. Even a small change in perspective can completely transform the Notan, and in turn, the strength of your final piece.

Not Just for Beginners

While Notan is often taught in art schools, it’s a tool that professional artists keep coming back to. Whether you’re working in oils, watercolors, or digital, it’s a fast and effective way to test the strength of your ideas before you commit hours of work.

Adding a third value, usually a midtone, can also be helpful. This allows for more nuance and helps guide decisions about lighting and depth later on in your painting.

Make It a Habit

Think of Notan like stretching before a workout. It doesn’t take long, but it sets the stage for everything that follows. Try making it a part of your process. Do quick studies before starting a new piece. Use them to test thumbnails or resolve tricky compositions.
You’ll be amazed at how much it sharpens your design instincts and how it helps you see your own work with fresh eyes.

Quick study made in Infinite Painter App

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Final Thoughts

In a world full of noise and color, Notan brings you back to the essentials. It’s a reminder that great art starts with great design. Light and dark. Positive and negative. Simplicity with purpose.

So the next time you’re stuck, grab a pen or open a new canvas, and block in the big shapes. Sometimes, all it takes is two values to bring clarity and power to your vision.

Tools to help you organise values:
- Photoshop
- Proko Value Tool

Related Articles: 

Leg Day for Artists: Why Focusing on One Skill at a Time Builds Real Strength

Quick digital paint. 3 values study



#Notan #ArtComposition #VisualDesign #ArtistTips #ArtStudy #CreativeProcess #PaintingTips #DesignThinking #ValueStudy #ArtEducation #MakeArtDaily #SketchSmart #ArtFundamentals #DigitalPainting #TraditionalArt #SimonLocheArt

See Value: A Fantastic Tool for Artists Who Care About Values

As artists, we constantly talk about the importance of values, and for good reason. 

Value structure (the contrast between lights and darks) is one of the most powerful tools for readability, composition, and mood. But seeing values clearly isn't always easy, especially when working in color.

That’s where See Value comes in. This small but brilliant app does one thing, and does it extremely well: it helps you see the values in your reference or artwork instantly.

See Value App lets you check the values of anything, and you can choose 2, 3, or 4 values only if you want 

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What Is See Value?

See Value is a mobile app that overlays a value filter over your camera or photo gallery. You can use it in real time or on imported images to instantly understand the light/dark relationships in your reference.

It’s perfect for:

• Studying photo references

• Capturing plein air scenes with better value awareness

• Checking your own digital or traditional work for value grouping issues

• Understanding why something feels "off" in a painting

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Why It’s So Effective

In digital painting software, it’s easy to toggle a grayscale filter. But when you're out in the world, or working traditionally, that option vanishes.

See Value brings that tool into the physical world, letting you:

• Instantly check value balance in real scenes or photos

• Train your eye to group values more effectively

• Compare different references quickly without second-guessing

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Use Case: How I Use It

I often use See Value when scouting references or setting up a sketch from life. A quick check through the app tells me what to emphasize, what to simplify, and where my focal areas could land. It’s especially helpful when the lighting is soft or complex.

It’s also a great tool to show students when explaining why certain areas of a composition work or don’t.

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Final Thoughts

See Value is a tiny tool with a big impact. It won’t make your painting for you, but it will train your eye and boost your awareness of one of the most foundational aspects of visual storytelling.

Highly recommended for any artist who wants to improve their value structure, whether you're painting, drawing, or simply observing.

See Value in the app store (FREE): https://apps.apple.com/in/app/see-value/id1312532225

The one value filter is very useful for Notan studies for example

#SeeValue #ArtTools #ValueStudy #ArtProcess #VisualClarity #SimonLocheArt

Leg Day for Artists: Why Focusing on One Skill at a Time Builds Real Strength

When you're making art, it's tempting to try and solve everything at once: composition, anatomy, values, color, storytelling, design... all packed into a single piece.

That ambition is good, but it can also be what holds you back.

Think of it like training at the gym. You wouldn’t try to do leg day, chest day, cardio, and flexibility all at the same time. You isolate. You focus. You build strength, one area at a time.

The same applies to your art practice.

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Narrow Your Focus, Accelerate Your Growth

Trying to improve everything at once usually leads to frustration and burnout. Instead, isolate one aspect of your craft, and dedicate a session or even a full week to it.

Want to improve your composition?

• Grab a marker or a single soft pencil.

• Set a timer for 10-15 minutes.

• Fill a page with thumbnails. Don't worry about detail or finish, just focus on flow, balance, and rhythm.

I often make this quick 1 value thumbnail to help me focus on composition. Notan Study

Want to improve color composition?

• Trace a portrait or photo, if you need a quick composition (yes, tracing is fine when you're focusing on something else).

• Then dive into color. Focus on getting the temperature, harmony, and contrast right.

• Ignore rendering. Ignore linework. Just push paint around.

Here, I just grabbed my iPad and directly painted with colors, not caring about accuracy

Want to sharpen your anatomy?

• Do 30-second gesture drawings with a timer.

• Spend a whole sketch session just drawing hands. Or shoulders. Or feet.

Studying masters for anatomy is a good idea as they have already solved many visual problems and cleared the composition. You just have to focus on understanding what matters to you.

Want to get better at lighting?

• Take a simple bust model or head sketch and draw it under five different lighting scenarios.

• Stick to grayscale. Don't distract yourself with color.

I often use an Asaro Head (very simplified low poly model) to do quick lifhting studies.

Want to work on materials and surfaces?

• Paint studies of just metal. Then just skin. Then just fabric.

• Don't worry about the character. You're just learning how each material reacts to light.

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The Power of Constraint

Focusing on a single area forces you to solve problems more deeply. It removes the noise and lets you listen to the part of the process you're trying to train. Like doing slow reps at the gym, you're building muscle memory and confidence where it counts.

Even professionals train like this. Behind every "polished" piece are dozens of focused studies: hands, rocks, values, brushstrokes.

So next time you sit down to draw, ask yourself: What's today’s leg day?

#ArtPractice #FocusedTraining #ArtistTips #ConceptArt #SketchbookDiscipline #NotanStudies #SimonLocheArt