Interview: Character Artist: Josh "Ghost_Rider" Singh

[Nysuatro]

WHat do you think about making tutorials about how to paint a skin in photoshop?
I have seen a lot work of you and you skins are beautiful. I know I could learn a lot of you.
So I was hoping you maybe was interested in making some tutorials.

Thanks for the intervieuw

[benclark]

Thanks for the interview man

your models are instantly recognisable. What are your influences outside of gaming??

[doom3d]

I do have a real question now. In alot of your concepts that i see they are drawn in a blue pencil it looks like. Is that a certain kind of pencil?

[ragupasta]

Ghost Rider:

A quick question for you...

I can model fine, and I can unwrap fine too, but my Photoshop skills are rubbish. I have seen quite a few PS tutorials, but they are like..."In this layer, desaturate, adjust levels, add a Artistic sponge filter, and the like.

Now the basic's like desaturate and levels is fine, but, most of the tutorials I have seen tell you to add "enter name of PS filter here, and certain amounts of whichever". Now after you've watched/read that, you still dont have an undrestanding of "Why that filter worked, and when could I use it again"

What advise can you give on this situation. I know its a vast a question, but a very important one I feel. Tutorials are an excellent way of learning, but to not understand why a certain filter worked, or not, is one that is left open too much.

Thanks for your time!!

Ragupasta!!

One day I will have the ability to texture.....

[Ghost_Rider]

Q:Nysuatro "WHat do you think about making tutorials about how to paint a skin in photoshop?
I have seen a lot work of you and you skins are beautiful. I know I could learn a lot of you.
So I was hoping you maybe was interested in making some tutorials"

A: I really wanted to make some tutorials, in fact I started documenting the process of making the skin for that second Blizzard entry. I should post it even though it's not finished. One of these days I'll do a simple project and post my workflow and some of the processes I use to achieve certain effects.

Q:Alchemist101 "Thanks for the interview man
your models are instantly recognisable. What are your influences outside of gaming??"

A: I love comics. It's just so much raw creativity. Whenever I read comics I always come away inspired.
Movies used to inspire me, but They are just all from comics now. 300 is gonna kick ass though!

Q:doom3d "I do have a real question now. In alot of your concepts that i see they are drawn in a blue pencil it looks like. Is that a certain kind of pencil?"

A: yeah it's called non-photo blue pencil. you can get it ln regular pencil form or in leads you can put in your mechanical pencil. You can find it at your local art store. I use it cause it dosent smear very much and it's great to get a good underdrawing with. Then go over it with a regular pencil once you have your lines.

Q: ragupasta "Ghost Rider:

A quick question for you...

I can model fine, and I can unwrap fine too, but my Photoshop skills are rubbish. I have seen quite a few PS tutorials, but they are like..."In this layer, desaturate, adjust levels, add a Artistic sponge filter, and the like.

Now the basic's like desaturate and levels is fine, but, most of the tutorials I have seen tell you to add "enter name of PS filter here, and certain amounts of whichever". Now after you've watched/read that, you still dont have an undrestanding of "Why that filter worked, and when could I use it again"

What advise can you give on this situation. I know its a vast a question, but a very important one I feel. Tutorials are an excellent way of learning, but to not understand why a certain filter worked, or not, is one that is left open too much."

A: Ragupasta, The layer styles I use most are "Multiply, overlay, softlight, and Color" They all do different things that I like. and in combination they do even more things. And I rarely ever use them at their full strength, I usually set the opacity down to whatever I feel like.
It's really a matter of taste and experimenting with what works for you. I'll make a tutorial and explain it.

Thanks for all your questions. Keep them coming!

[doom3d]

Thanks man, looks like i'll be heading to the hobby lobby tonight.

[Energy222]

Being a young father and spouse of a fantasitic wife myself I have decided to change careers from the military to the video game industry as an artist (aspiring character artist). This interview has definitaly inspired me to push even further with my current learning. Thanks GA for providing such a great interview and keep up the awesome art Ghost Rider!

[koogorah]

Great work!... If not too personal, would you tell us around what age you started your career in gaming? not graphic design but pure 3D and texture, and after how long you actually got a job please?

Thank you for sharing your tips and flicks

[hamburg113]

Hi

This topic help me a lot in developing my project. I will contribute more when I finished it.

[lbitoredmale]

Thanks for the Interview, helpful