Digital Landscape Study: Clouded Sky and Marshy Seashore at Sunset (Infinite Painter)

This recent digital painting study, created in Infinite Painter on iPad, was inspired by a dramatic coastal scene that captured both atmosphere and tension. The focus of the piece was a cloud-filled sky at sunset, heavy with movement and light shifts, stretched above a quiet shoreline dotted with marshes.

I was drawn to the contrast between the weight of the clouds and the softness of the fading sunlight reflecting on the water.

Working in Infinite Painter allowed me to blend texture and color efficiently, experimenting with brushes that mimic oil or pastel without losing precision. I kept the palette tight, leaning into cool purples, desaturated greens, and streaks of warm orange light cutting through the grey.

The result is more about mood than detail. It’s an attempt to capture that fleeting moment at the end of a stormy day, when the clouds finally break and the light spills across the land in unexpected places, one of those moments when the landscape feels bigger than you.

Looking forward to exploring more scenes like this.

#DigitalLandscape #InfinitePainter #iPadArt #CloudscapePainting #SeashoreStudy #SunsetMood #SimonLocheArt

Figure Drawing in Adobe Fresco

 

Infinite Painter - Sketch from Photo Reference

 Infinite Painter - Sketch from Photo Reference

Sketch with Adobe Fresco

 

Mediterranean Landscapes – Quick Studies in Infinite Painter

 

I recently took some time to create two quick sketches in Infinite Painter, both inspired by the beauty and diversity of Mediterranean landscapes. It was also the perfect opportunity to test out a new brush that I’ve really been enjoying, it added just the right texture and flow to these fast studies.

The Mediterranean offers a wide variety of forms and atmospheres that are endlessly inspiring: rugged coastlines shaped by the wind, dusty hillsides stretching under clear skies, and scattered villages tucked into the landscape. Each scene carries its own mood, shaped by light, color, and time of day.

I’ll definitely be doing more of these sketches. The Mediterranean always has more to offer, and it’s the kind of subject that keeps inviting you back to look closer and draw/paint more.

#InfinitePainter #MediterraneanLandscape #DigitalPainting #LandscapeSketch #ArtPractice #SimonLocheArt

Quick Sketch with Adobe Fresco

 

Here’s a quick sketch I made using Adobe Fresco.

Fresco stands out for digital painting and drawing because of how naturally it handles brush behavior and blending. The live brushes are especially impressive, mimicking the flow of watercolor or the texture of oils in a way that feels intuitive and direct.

It’s a great tool for quick studies or more refined work, and the clean interface keeps the focus where it should be, on making art.

Definitely a solid choice if you want a digital tool that feels close to traditional media.

Digital Portrait - Adobe Fresco

 

Study from photo Reference

Barcelona Hidden Street – Charm Through Sketching

 

Tucked away from the main tourist routes, Barcelona’s small hidden streets offer some of the city’s most authentic and inspiring scenes. During a recent walk, I came across one of these charming alleys, a quiet corner with textured walls, soft afternoon light, and the kind of atmosphere that feels both timeless and alive.

I decided to capture it through a quick sketch....

Barcelona’s hidden streets are full of inspiration for artists, and working from life (or from quick photo studies) keeps the process fresh. This drawing was a reminder of how much beauty lies off the beaten path, no grand monuments needed.

If you’re ever in Barcelona, don’t just stick to the major landmarks. Wander. Get lost. Look for the small, quiet moments. They’re often the ones worth remembering.

Made with Infinite Painter on iPad Pro.

#UrbanSketching #BarcelonaSketch #CityDrawing #HiddenStreets #TravelArt #Sketchbook #BarcelonaArt #SimonLocheArt

5 Essential Books to Understand Color Theory

Understanding color theory isn't just about memorizing the color wheel, it's about learning how to see, feel, and use color in ways that create mood, clarity, and meaning. Whether you're a painter, concept artist, illustrator, or designer, a strong grasp of color can elevate everything you create.

Here are five essential books that go beyond theory and dive into the practical, emotional, and technical use of color in art.

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1. Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter by James Gurney

An all-time classic. Gurney breaks down how light and color interact in the real world—from surface texture and material to atmospheric effects. It's packed with visual examples and explanations grounded in observation. Perfect for anyone working in a realistic or semi-realistic style.

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2. Interaction of Color by Josef Albers

More philosophical than illustrative, this book challenges how we perceive color and trains your eye to see relationships between colors, not just hues. If you want to understand optical illusions, simultaneous contrast, and color relativity, this is your deep dive.

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3. The Elements of Color by Johannes Itten

This Bauhaus master organized one of the earliest structured approaches to color. His teachings connect color to emotion, symbolism, and design principles. While more abstract, it's essential reading for those wanting to connect color theory to broader artistic thinking.

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4. Color and Light for the Watercolor Painter by Christopher Schink

Even if you don’t work in watercolor, this book offers excellent insight into transparency, layering, and color harmony. Schink discusses how to simplify complex color ideas into decisions you can actually use in practice.

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5. Artists' Master Series: Color & Light by Charlie Pickard, Nathan Fowkes & others

One of the newer additions to this list, Pickard’s book bridges classical theory and digital painting. He explores light behavior, atmospheric perspective, and temperature relationships in a clean, modern layout with examples that feel directly applicable to concept artists and illustrators.

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Final Thoughts

No single book has all the answers, but together, these five give you a rich, layered understanding of how color works in your hands and in your eyes.

Read them, revisit them, and above all: apply what you learn. Color isn’t a checklist. It’s a language.

#ColorTheory #ArtBooks #PaintingTips #VisualDevelopment #ArtEducation #SimonLocheArt

Evo Gaming Podcast #183 – Talking About The Art of Art Management

Evo Gaming #183 – The Art of Art Management

I recently had the opportunity to join the Evo Gaming Podcast (Episode #183) to talk about a subject that's both incredibly close to my day-to-day and often overlooked in the wider conversation about game development: art management.

In this episode, titled "The Art of Art Management," we discussed what it really means to lead, structure, and support an art team in a production environment. From balancing creative vision with technical realities to building team culture, reviewing work, and communicating across departments, we explored how much goes into making a game beyond just the art itself.

It was a real pleasure to share thoughts on topics like:

• The transition from artist to art director

• How to give and receive feedback without crushing creativity

• The importance of clarity and consistency in communication

• Managing time, morale, and momentum on long projects

A big thank-you to the Evo Gaming crew for having me on. If you’re an artist, art lead, or just curious about the inner workings of visual development in games, I think you’ll find something useful in the conversation.

🎧 Listen here: Evo Gaming Podcast #183 – The Art of Art Management

#GameArt #ArtDirection #ArtManagement #GameDevelopment #EvoGamingPodcast #SimonLocheArt