Arcane University: Concept Art Theory and Tutorials

Here you will find external resources on a variety of 2D subjects for beginners and experienced artists alike.

Concept art is all about creating designs that work - but how do you know what works? Why does it work? There are things you need to know if you want to create good concepts. Below you will find links to various places where you can expand your knowledge.

Digital Libraries

Extensive video libraries that cover a multitude of subjects with short videos. If you watch all of these you will be more than ready to apply for a project. Depending on your skill level you may want to watch all of them or pick out specific ones.

CTRLpaint.com introduction to the fundamentals of drawing and concept art
Proko.com anatomy and portraits
Schoolism.com [PAID] classes with lesson plans.

Books

For those who learn by reading rather than watching. These may be available at your local library.

Andrew Loomis: http://www.alexhays.com/loomis
Color and Light by James Gurney
Drawing on the Right side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
How to Draw: Drawing and Sketching Objects and Environments by Scott Robertson
Framed Drawing Techniques by Marcos Mateu-Mestre
Framed Perspective Vol. 1 by Marcos Mateu-Mestre
Framed Perspective Vol. 2 by Marcos Mateu-Mestre

Fundamentals

Fundamentals are essential and required knowledge for anyone who wants to create good designs. Consider these mandatory.

The Core by Nathan Fowkes
Landscapes and Environments by John Burton
The Beginning Artist’s Guide to Perspective Drawing by Artists Network
10 Minutes to Better Painting by Marco Bucci
How to Draw Form: Basics for Drawing Characters in 3D
Cloth and Drapery
Environmental Composition - Basics for camera placement in Perspective by FZD
Basic head drawing part 1 by Steve Huston. (Other parts are available at New Masters Academy, this one is already great for the basics)
Perspective webinar by Marshall Vandruff Marshall is well known to be one of the best perspective teachers out there. His knowledge applies into different fields of art, from props, environments to figures.

Concept Art

Resources specifically aimed at bettering your Concept Art skills. Highly recommended!

CTRLpaint’s Concept Art PlayBook is a mini course in how you might draw various assets in concept art.

Coherent Shape Language For Character Design is a very important video to watch when it comes to creating good, harmonious designs that fit.

How Can a Character's Personality be Conveyed Visually, through Shape

Character design with Wouter Tulp, hosted by Bobby Chiu This is a mini series on the paid course of Wouter Tulp's character design course on Schoolism. This should give a better overview on how characters are properly set up.