Ex Bioware Artist looking for work.

[easydoesit]

Artist : Michael Grills
Site :Michael Grills Illustration and Artwork (http://www.illustrationandartwork.com)

I have over 5 years experience in the video game industry and I just recently decided to go freelance. I love to do all types of work and I am not limited to any particular style as my experience has made me highly adaptable to my employers needs no matter what they are.

If you want a profesional who gets really excited about the projects that he is on then please look at my website and drop me an email.

michael@illustrationandartwork.com

[BarrySlisk]

I like your pixel art! Thumbs up! :)

[Tertsi]

Your pixel art is fantastic!
I guess you'll be hearing from me some day. :)

[WickedEwok]

Some Great work! I hope you stay freelance until start a new project:)

[easydoesit]

My Goal is to maintain freelance status for the rest of my Life. :cool:

[Sysiphus]

Good purpose, that'd be my dream, too.

Very good pixel art.

Is it you then who also made the Neverwinter ingame illustrations of the menus, etc?

[truth]

Nice pixel art, but it doesn't seem entirely pixel art, it is obvious you did not do all of it using the pencil tools and fill tool.

You seem to have used some airbrushing.

[nvision]

Hey Mike! Good to see you getting some more exposure and contract work...you site redesign looks great!

I have to agree with Truth, though...those icons in the Pixel Art section seem like traditional paintings, resized and edited to remove anti-aliasing around the edges (still good icons, though). Generally, pixel art pertains more to work created pixel by pixel, using a 1x1 pencil tool, more along the lines of pre-3D console and handheld work (sorry, we're purists!)...

[Sysiphus]

I do pixel art work with pencil or brush. And they're freaking happy with it (I am not inventing this ;) )

I agree is not the traditional pixel art, using brush, but as much as it sells well ...

I meant 2d art, anyway. Imho this guy is really good. :) (lol, working at Bioware is quite a refeence! )

And quite of use for shareware 2d games(the majority are 2d or 3d rendered), which are all after a very well ended 2d aproach, with that quality.

I wish him earn good bunchs of money :)

[Sysiphus]

purists?


well...

do so, if you please...

but I use both, pencil and brush.

And I keep our main client very happy. And is 32x32, and 16x16, or 50x50 (bosses) Java and Symbian games...And am paid a good salary for it.

I have read that often, but I happen to seen many of that pure dpaint stuff not so well done.. As much as you clean the thing later and reduce colors as needed, if needed...

Sorry, a bit of hijacking the thread, but I am defending the guy(besides bumping it ;) ).
And even more, for PC LCD screens, is much more sense using that kind of art he does, than very low res artwork like the one used at mobile games. (or all arcade machines(which I so much truely love), etc)
So, this art is ideal for any developer.

[the2bears]

Nice work Michael, good to see gaming talent in Calgary :)

edit: read that as artistic talent

Bill

[truth]

No need to defend him, his art is obviously spectacular, but technically his "pixel art" is not pixel-art. I am nonetheless happy with his art and actually inspired. Though much is inspirational in life, I rarely proclaim something inspirational unless it is exceptional.
:-)

[the2bears]

No need to defend him, his art is obviously spectacular, but technically his "pixel art" is not pixel-art. I am nonetheless happy with his art and actually inspired. Though much is inspirational in life, I rarely proclaim something inspirational unless it is exceptional.
:-)

Not sure if this is directed at me. If so, I was not defending him, I merely corrected my comment from "gaming" to "art" talent, as the former pigeon-holes.

Bill

[truth]

No, the guy before you admitted he was defending him, from what it appears he deems is offensive but maybe the starter of the thread doesn't feel it is offensive anyway, as I said it should not be

[Sysiphus]

euh?

No offensive part at any place in this thread. I only was commenting about the interesting fact that some of us do have a more flexible(or more in today's moment) of the "pixel art" concept. Imho is just another way to do things. More than defending him (that word was not put by me -edit- I did, oops.Well, that can be the part misunderstood, I was meaning he sure can do any kind of art. Bad choice of words, as can be badly understood... ) I was just merely saying I like his art. That was the message, I mean.

Some people(and I don't know about you) think is not valid pixel art if done with brush instead of pencil pixel by pixel. I don't agree with that concept(I use both), that's all.

[easydoesit]

I realize that my work is not done %100 pixel by pixel. But my success in this industry has come from never being a purist and adapting my work to the best solution in a given timeframe. No game company has ever asked me to do the work pixel by pixel but if they did I would of course do it in that fashion.(I can only see that being necassary for really low memory limit games anyways.)

To me its an issue of semantics. Because there is a culture of artists that do pixel art in its pure form I need to be careful that I don't over use the word.

But, my clients don't care and understand me when I say "pixel art is art for games no matter how I got to the finished product." And honestly thats who I really care about impressing.

[moxica]

Very nice work full of details!

Just to add my 50 cents, I do agree with Easydoesit & Sysiphus about the 'pixel work' meaning.
Tell me if I'm wrong but I don't ever remember the word "pixel art" during the old (and good) years of Deluxe Paint or Brilliance on Amiga (definitely one the roots of the 'pixel/bitmap work') that's why I always found that "pixel art" was sort of 'fashionable/up-to-date' word :D

Brush & airbrush are common tools for every pixel pusher package so... ok I stop here huhu ;)

[disaffected]

nice work, if I ever need any art for future projects I'll be sure to let you know! ;)

[Wiz]

Holy junk. that's real cool. I'm curious to know how you make such awesome things.

[gpetersz]

I realize that my work is not done %100 pixel by pixel. But my success in this industry has come from never being a purist and adapting my work to the best solution in a given timeframe. No game company has ever asked me to do the work pixel by pixel but if they did I would of course do it in that fashion.(I can only see that being necassary for really low memory limit games anyways.)

To me its an issue of semantics. Because there is a culture of artists that do pixel art in its pure form I need to be careful that I don't over use the word.

But, my clients don't care and understand me when I say "pixel art is art for games no matter how I got to the finished product." And honestly thats who I really care about impressing.

And why should you?
Pixel-art was there because in the 80's and the beginning of 90's we only
had 8, 16, 32, 256 colors and you had to put the image together pixel by pixel to look good. Nowadays, when nobody goes under 16 bit it is not an issue anymore!

So in my opinion, pixel-art is not a must anymore, it goes the way the dinosaurs gone. One must only pixel if working on web-art gifs and pngs, but it will only last until the bandwidth goes wider and nobody will care about an image being 10K or 100K. ;)

I don't mean to offend anyone, and I don't defend the artist of this thread! (okay, I do, but I believe that I am right :D)

Back to your art, it just rocks! I wish the best in the freelance industry!

[bluejay]

I must say those are some great artwork!
really enjoyed your work on Jade Empire!

[Adrian Cummings]

Your artwork standard is very good indeed and you should have no problem getting freelance contracts from here for starters! :)

[Mr.Blaub]

One must only pixel if working on web-art gifs and pngs, but it will only last until the bandwidth goes wider and nobody will care about an image being 10K or 100K. ;)

That's a good point, but if you're working in photoshop you can even use web-oriented profiles when converting your work, hence there really isn't any constructive reason at all for working pixel-by-pixel.

It does give me a greater sense of achievement when I've done something entirely in Paint though :)

[easydoesit]

Hi all,

Since this original post I have worked with 6 Casual and Indie gamers. Some was just fill in work while others were Promo and Conceptual and I will be able to update the site with the GUI work soon.

THanks for looking.

[bennylam]

Artist : Michael Grills
Site :Michael Grills Illustration and Artwork (http://www.illustrationandartwork.com)

I have over 5 years experience in the video game industry and I just recently decided to go freelance. I love to do all types of work and I am not limited to any particular style as my experience has made me highly adaptable to my employers needs no matter what they are.

If you want a profesional who gets really excited about the projects that he is on then please look at my website and drop me an email.

michael@illustrationandartwork.com

Hi Michael,

You have done good artwork. I am an indie game developer looking for good graphic designer for a new game project. Basic design and programming has been done but needs artwork idea and graphic dress up. Are you expensive and accept only fixed term assignment? Will you consider being a partner artist in a game project and share the risk and success of the product?

You may reply me directly by email off forum.

Thanks

[Vic Davis]

I'm one of the six indies Michael has worked with recently and the work was simply outstanding. Michael always delivered on time and exactly as promised. I'm pretty new to the development process so many of the descriptions of the different illustrations were pretty vague, but Michael came up with some great designs that fleshed out the ideas. He's very talented and professional and I highly recommend his services.

Vic Davis
Cryptic Comet Inc.

[easydoesit]

Virtual Villagers is the latest and greatest of Casual that I have done. Check it out. I did the Gui work and the Box Shot.

Its on Big Fish Games (http://www.bigfishgames.com/downloads/virtualvillagers/index.html?src=bfg12y0xenl0112).

Its Number 2 last I checked and its really doing well. Glad to be on another great team.

[Cyruz]

Interesting...your services may be of use to me soon. I'm currently speaking with a possible investor to buy me a dev-kit/liscense for the GBA and to fund a few employees. I'm looking at possibly developing for the DS, but I don't yet know the cost difference and I would also need to re-learn some things as my programming experience is in GBA.

I will be needing contract-based artists to provide LOTS of 2D art as what I am making is a 2D anime styled RPG with very diverse genre categorization going from a serious adventure/romance all the way to light-hearted comedy. All of that translates to; art will be vastly varied. I see you are more than capable of that by your profile.

I will also be looking at finding a good composer to make the music. I, myself COULD do it if really needed, however; time often constricts more than I would like and I am not as good of a musician as I would like to be.

Keep in mind I am young and relatively new to the business when compared to most of the people you've likely worked with; I'm 19. But I want this game to happen, and when I want something I WILL have it, and there is nothing that can stop me from having it. (If I can get an investor to consider handing money to a 19 year-old kid believing he can return on the investment, I can get a few people to draw some pretty pictures and write a few songs. :P)

[Sysiphus]

Kudos(*again*) for that last one Easydoesit. :)(specially liked that main screen from the shots)
Looks like you did the best step going indy :)

[Sparks]

Ahhhh, do I spot there a screen with the Neverwinter Nights weaponry or what !
Really great stuff, I must say, very atmospheric.

[Arthur]

Michael is an amazing illustrator. Just look at the work he did on Virtual Villagers--it speaks for itself.

We find him very easy to work with, and he really adds value beyond his obvious artistic skill.

[Mjonesgraphics]

n the 80's and the beginning of 90's we only
had 8, 16, 32, 256 colors and you had to put the image together pixel by pixel to look good. Nowadays, when nobody goes under 16 bit it is not an issue anymore!


Ah, the old days! ;)

Nice work by the way. How was working at Bioware?
Goodl uck with the freelancing, some nice stuff on your site.
Mark Jones

[easydoesit]

I'm proud to say that after 6 hard months of intense work Virtual Villagers - The Lost Children (http://www.bigfishgames.com/downloads/virtualvillagersth/index.html?afcode=afb1698c9078) is finally available for everybody to download and play. Click on the Link above to get it.

I did most of the graphics in the GUI, and Playable map (not the characters), as well as the introduction Illustrations.

Please check it out.

[pigbrain]

Nice work, man :)

[Josh1billion]

I've played the Virtual Villagers games before, and very nice work on Virtual Villagers 2! The visuals are all very professional and appealing.

You'll probably hear from me one day (within three or four months) as I'll be looking for an artist who can deliver portal-quality art for 2D games very similar to that found in Virtual Villagers 2. I see your post stating that you worked on the GUI and map. One day, my game will require a GUI redesign.

My game is a "tower defense" style game, similar to many custom map games found in StarCraft and Warcraft III. A quick Google for "FlashCraft" will bring up a fun Flash game made from this concept. I intend to sell my game through portals such as Yahoo! Games (one site where VV2 can be easily found).

Information and very rough screenshots can be found at my website: http://josh1billion.prophp.org . As you can see, at the moment, the graphics are mostly prototyped and few, if any, of the images currently used will make the final cut. You can see the gameplay start to be illustrated, though.

Anyway, that's just some stuff to start thinking about. I don't expect a reply, but if you have any thoughts, feel free to send me a private message.

[ManuelMarino]

Congratulations Michael! Great work, you are very talented! Would you work on album covers?

[easydoesit]

http://www.michaelgrills.ca/assets_d/6212/portfolio_media/vv3_boxshot_139_orig.jpg
http://www.michaelgrills.ca/assets_d/6212/portfolio_media/story2_bg_188_orig.jpg
http://www.michaelgrills.ca/assets_d/6212/portfolio_media/littlevillage_163_orig.jpg
http://www.michaelgrills.ca/assets_d/6212/portfolio_media/rocketbunny_117_big.jpg

[easydoesit]

http://www.michaelgrills.ca/assets_d/6212/portfolio_media/slope1_154_orig.jpg
http://www.michaelgrills.ca/assets_d/6212/portfolio_media/bigtalkingbrocoli_127_orig.jpg
http://www.michaelgrills.ca/assets_d/6212/portfolio_media/sumo-heads_123_orig.jpg