Trying out Rebelle 7

I’ve been pushing my experiments with Rebelle 7 a bit further lately, and this time I focused specifically on the oil painting tools. After spending some time with them, I can confidently say I’m seriously impressed.

What stood out to me immediately was how naturally the paint blends, smudges, and reacts with the canvas. The experience goes beyond surface-level digital simulation, there’s a sense of depth and tactile response that feels remarkably close to working with real oils. The textures of the brushes, the subtle resistance of the strokes, and the way paint interacts with layers make for a surprisingly immersive workflow.

For artists who come from a traditional background and still crave that physical connection with the medium, but also want the flexibility and efficiency of digital tools, Rebelle 7 is a compelling solution.

It’s a tool that respects the feel of real-world media while expanding what’s possible in the digital space, and for me, that’s a game-changer.

#Rebelle7 #digitalpainting #traditionalfeel

Rebelle 7: First try

I’ve been trying out Rebelle 7, and WOW... this painting software is excellent! If you appreciate what traditional media can do in a digital space, this is worth checking out. 🥰

I'll be exploring more and give you further details and explanations of this software in the near future.

  #rebelle7 #digitalpainting

Art Hard Skills That Actually Move Your Work Forward – The Path of the Samurai

 

Talent is not enough if your core technical skills are unstable. Over the years, the biggest jumps in my work came from strengthening specific hard skills: value control, shape design, edge handling, perspective, and material readability. Soft skills matter too, but they do not replace technical clarity.

This post is a practical map of the hard skills that make the strongest difference for working artists, especially if you want to improve your concept art and portfolio quality. Use it as a checklist, not theory: identify your weakest area, train it with intention, and build from there.

Becoming a successful concept artist in the video game industry requires far more than just raw talent.

Like a disciplined samurai, a concept artist must sharpen technical abilities while mastering the mindset needed to navigate the demands of production.

It’s the balance between hard skills, the craftsmanship of the hand, and soft skills, the discipline of the mind, that sets apart those who thrive from those who falter.

Here’s a clear and quick breakdown of the essential skills every aspiring and professional concept artist should master to build a sustainable career.

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Hard Skills for Concept Artists: Building the Foundation

These are the technical abilities you must develop to meet the high standards of professional game development.

1. Strong Drawing Fundamentals

• Master anatomy, perspective, composition, and form.

• Without a solid structure, even the most creative ideas fall apart.

2. Value, Light, and Color Mastery

• Understand how light interacts with form and space.

• Strong value control for clarity; thoughtful color choices bring emotion to designs.

3. Design Thinking and Problem Solving

• Concept art is functional design, not decoration.

• Every prop, character, and environment must serve a clear purpose within the game world.

4. Digital Painting Proficiency

• Be fluent in Photoshop and/or Clip Studio Paint.

• Organized files, efficient workflows, and professional-quality execution are key.

5. 3D Literacy

• Basic knowledge of 3D tools like Blender or ZBrush can improve spatial understanding.

• 3D blockouts are invaluable for complex environments and rapid idea iteration.

6. Visual Storytelling

• Each image must hint at a larger world, a story behind the scenes, and a future yet to unfold.

• Great concept artists communicate entire narratives through a single frame.

• The call-out sheets will tell more than any keyframe or rendered illustration.

7. Video Games Literacy

• Seems obvious, but knowing about video games (both Mobile and PC/Console games) is a must if you want to understand your project, your teammates, and what the visual benchmarks of the industry are.

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Soft Skills for Concept Artists: Mastering the Mind

Technical skill is not enough without the professional mindset needed to thrive in a studio environment.

1. Adaptability

• Projects shift. Directions change. Styles evolve.

• A good concept artist adjusts without losing focus or quality.

2. Clear Communication

• Being able to articulate ideas visually and verbally is crucial.

• Great designs are backed by clear explanations and thoughtful collaboration.

3. Team Collaboration

• Concept art is just the first step in a larger production pipeline. Be the one inspiring the whole team.

• Understanding the needs of 3D artists, animators, designers, and programmers strengthens the entire team.

4. Resilience to Criticism

• Feedback is essential and often direct.

• Receive it with professionalism, adapt quickly, and grow stronger.

5. Time Management and Efficiency

• Meeting deadlines without sacrificing quality is non-negotiable.

• Fast, clean iterations build trust with leads and directors.

6. Self-Motivation and Lifelong Learning

• The industry evolves constantly. Be ready to evolve as well.

• Continuous learning keeps your skills sharp and your vision fresh.

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Why Balancing Hard and Soft Skills Matters?

In the competitive landscape of the video game industry, artists who balance strong technical execution with adaptability, communication, and teamwork are the ones who succeed and endure.

Your tools and techniques shape the work, but your mindset shapes your career. A professional concept artist trains both the hand and the spirit, just as a samurai sharpens both the sword and the mind.

Mastering both hard skills and soft skills is essential to becoming not just a good concept artist but a lasting force in the industry. 

Train with focus, work with discipline, and always remain open to growth.

The path is demanding, but for those who walk it with patience and precision, the rewards are worth it.

#ConceptArt #GameArt #CareerAdvice #HardSkills #SoftSkills #ConceptArtistSkills #VideoGameIndustry #SimonLocheArt #ArtDiscipline

Quick digital paint. 3 values study.

 

When it comes to sharpening your artistic fundamentals, few exercises are as effective, and as deceptively simple, as a 3 values study. This quick digital painting was done using Infinite Painter, and it’s part of a series of value exercises I return to regularly to maintain clarity in my compositions.

Why 3 Values?

The core idea is straightforward: limit yourself to just three tones; light, mid, and dark. This forces you to simplify forms, focus on readability, and make conscious decisions about where to place contrast. Without the full spectrum of colors and gradients, you’re left with the essentials: composition, shape, and light logic.

Reducing an image to only three values is an incredible way to improve your ability to group elements and create depth and focus. It also helps to avoid over-rendering and teaches you how to guide the viewer’s eye through strategic contrast.

Why Use Infinite Painter?

I chose Infinite Painter for this study because it offers a minimal yet powerful setup for quick sketches and controlled experiments. Its brush engine and layer control make it easy to block in values, test variations, and refine shapes, all while staying in the flow of creation.

Tips if You Want to Try This Yourself:

• Start with a simple silhouette and build your composition from large shapes first.

• Use a mid-value background to give yourself room to push light and dark.

• Avoid small details, focus on defining the image through shape and contrast.

• Keep it quick. 15–30 minutes is enough to get real value (pun intended) out of the exercise.

This kind of study doesn’t take long but consistently helps me refine my visual thinking. It’s also a great warm-up or break from longer, more detailed pieces.

If you haven’t tried a 3-values study in a while, or ever. I highly recommend giving it a go. You’ll be surprised how much clarity it brings to your overall painting approach.

#3ValuesStudy #DigitalArt #InfinitePainter #ArtFundamentals

Link: Infinite Painter.

Candy Solitaire Launches February 6th!

The cat is out of the bag! I’m thrilled to share that Candy Solitaire is officially launching on February 6th. Huge congratulations to the incredible team at New Games (proud to work in this department) for all their hard work in bringing a fun, vibrant twist to a time-tested classic.

This game is a celebration of creativity, combining the charm of a beloved format with a bold, colorful new look. If you enjoy clever challenges and bright, feel-good design, you won’t want to miss it.

Mark your calendars, this one is going to be sweet.

Trailer:

#CandySolitaire #GameLaunch #ComingSoon #NewGames

Late Afternoon Sketch – Aubrey Beardsley Tribute

 

This is a late afternoon sketch I made of Aubrey Beardsley, the brilliant and short-lived 19th-century illustrator whose work continues to inspire me. His sharp lines, bold contrasts, and striking compositions have always stood out as something unique, timeless in their graphic clarity.

I drew this using Infinite Painter, trying to keep the process simple and direct. No elaborate setup, just a quick session focused on capturing the elegance and eccentricity that defined Beardsley’s visual language.

Even in a short sketch, something is rewarding about spending time with the work of artists who came before, absorbing their choices, their rhythms, and letting some of that filter into your own practice.

Why I Use Shotdeck for My References

 

When it comes to building a strong library of visual references, Shotdeck has become one of my go-to resources.
Whether I’m looking for mood, lighting, composition ideas, or just fresh inspiration, it’s a tool that saves time and consistently delivers.

Shotdeck offers a curated collection of high-quality frames pulled from a wide range of films. What makes it so useful isn’t just the quality of the images, but the way everything is categorized, you can search by color palette, mood, composition type, time of day, genre, or even specific visual themes.

As someone who works across both illustration and concept art, having quick access to frames that have already mastered color balance, staging, and atmosphere is incredibly valuable. It’s not about copying, it’s about learning. Analyzing a great frame gives you practical insight into how professionals structure an image and guide the viewer’s eye.
I often use Shotdeck when preparing moodboards, studying lighting scenarios, or warming up with quick composition sketches. It’s efficient, inspiring, and constantly growing, which means you’re never short on new material to learn from.

If you’re serious about improving your sense of composition, color, or visual storytelling, I highly recommend checking it out. -> https://shotdeck.com

#Shotdeck #ArtReference #VisualStorytelling #ConceptArt #SimonLocheArt

✏️ Step-by-Step Pencil Portrait Tutorial: Master Realistic Drawing!

Drawing realistic portraits can seem intimidating, but with the right approach and a bit of guidance, it becomes a process you can enjoy and grow through.
I’ve just shared a new YouTube tutorial where I walk you through a step-by-step pencil portrait using Infinite Painter as my tool of choice.

Whether you’re just starting out or already comfortable with sketching, this tutorial is designed to help you build solid fundamentals, understand structure, and practice rendering with confidence.

Why Infinite Painter?

Though this is a pencil-style drawing, the tutorial is done entirely in Infinite Painter, an intuitive and powerful app that mimics the feel of traditional tools. Its brush response, simplicity, and ability to replicate the texture of graphite make it a great choice for both digital and traditional artists.
However you can use whatever digital or traditional technique you're comfortable with.

Who Is This For?

This tutorial is ideal for:

• Beginners looking to learn portrait drawing in a step-by-step way

• Traditional artists curious about transitioning to digital tools

• Digital sketchers who want to push their realism and accuracy

• Anyone who wants to draw along and build confidence

Watch the Full Timelapse

If you’ve ever wanted to create portraits that feel lifelike and grounded, this is a great place to start or deepen your practice.

Profile Portrait – Created in Infinite Painter

This is a profile portrait I created on iPad using Infinite Painter, based on a reference photo and sketched with a red old pencil brush. I wanted to keep it simple while exploring texture and line flow, and this brush has just the right feel for that, soft, tactile, and a bit unpredictable in the best way.

Infinite Painter continues to impress with how well it replicates natural media like pencils, oils, gouache, and watercolor. The control it offers over paper texture, depth, and brush behavior makes it one of my go-to tools for digital sketching and painting.

Highly recommend checking it out if you’re after that traditional feel in a digital space.

#DigitalArt #InfinitePainter #iPadArt

New Year’s Resolution: Reorganizing the Studio for a Creative 2025

As the year winds down, I decided to take some time to reorganise my studio space. It’s something I’d been putting off for a while, but it felt like the right moment to reset and prepare for what’s ahead.

The goal was simple: to create a more comfortable, functional environment that supports my workflow and encourages me to make even more art in 2025. I cleared out unused materials, rearranged some furniture, and tried to open up the space both physically and mentally.

There’s still plenty to improve, especially when it comes to my digital art station. My current table and chair setup is... let’s just say "less than ergonomic." That’s going to be the next big upgrade. 

Still, even with a few pieces of the puzzle left to finish, the space already feels different. Hopefully, this fresh start will help fuel new ideas.

#ArtStudio #NewYearsResolution #CreativeWorkspace #StudioReorganization #DigitalArtSetup #SimonLocheArt #ArtistLife