Crew Hallway junction - first art collaboration!

Hey everyone!

As you know, I do this project mostly  by myself, which is amazing in terms of creative freedom. But at times it's also tough, because...well, making this game is a huge undertaking :) So last year I started looking for ways to collaborate, and found a programmer (Rob) who could take over  most of the code work for the game. This certainly was pleasant experience, but in the end it had llittle effect on  my own workload. And that's because  80% of the work I do, consists out of making art for the game.


So recently I decided to  start looking for an artist who could take over some of that workload :) 

And soon I found the perfect person for the job! This was Marlies, a very professional freelancer, who had an  artstyle close to my own - and who was already a fan of the game.

Starting the colaboration - preperations

Now because I'm looking for long-term help here; I first decided to make a 'full art guide' that explains every detail of the game's art style.  

This is important because there are a lot of rules involved in making the art of Space Rescue, which won't be evident by just looking at the game. And well,  this is the result  -->  SRCP_artguide_backgrounds.pdf (workupload.com)  

Have a look! ...Did you expect there was so much involed in making the art?

The briefing

Now to be fair, the art guide doesn't cover everything yet...  So far it only talks about 'backgrounds' ...which already takes up 12 pages.  But since I wanted Marlies to start on a background first, I felt that should be enough for now.

Now the art guide alone, is just a starting point. Next, I had to make a good briefing for this specific assignment. And because it was the first assignment, I choose something for Marlies that didn't include too much creative choices yet ( because making the right creative choices requires more experience on the project, so  that's for later).

The background

Of course I send Marlies a detailed briefing, but in short it came down to this; I asked her to turn this sketch, into a detailed illustration:

And the final image should match the look of the two backgrounds that will appear beside it (which are already in game). 

Additionally I provided this reference sheet, with  examples of similair objects as in the sketch:

The Result

So then Marlies went to work!  And without any further contact after the briefing, Marlies send over this result:

Pretty impressive right? :) 

Now, I should add that this background connects seamlessly with the other 2 above, and that the Photoshop-files were also perfectly organized. Thanks Marlies!


Finishing the results

Now the result Marlies delivered is even  better then what I hoped for.  But... that doesn't mean there is no work left for me. Because, when outsourcing work, you can never expect artist to 100% recreate your style - especially not on a first attempt.  

So, I opend up the Photoshop file again, and spend a few more hours working on this image myself- adding the final personal touch.

And this is the final result that will go into the game:

Oh- and the doors also open! (Marlies also drew a version of this of course.)

Well, I hope you like the result - and  I look foreward to work more with  Marlies in the near future :)

All the best!

Robin