Avowed: The Art of a New Era
Avowed: Inspirations Behind the Art
When Skylight Collective set out to craft the key art for Obsidian Entertainment’s fantasy RPG, Avowed, the art team knew they weren’t making just another traditional video game box art. The result – a striking, watercolour-inspired image that feels at once both mysterious and evocative, abstract and traditional – sets Avowed apart in the world of fantasy role-playing games. But how did it come to life?
Avowed’s Art was a Risk Worth Taking
Going with an unconventional approach wasn’t without its risks. "It felt like a risky decision, but one that just felt right," Carrie Patel, Game Director at Obsidian Entertainment, recalls. "And as you noted, our game is weird, so why not embrace that with the key art?"
Making Avowed’s Key Art
The team at Skylight Collective used photobashing in Photoshop, combining concept art from the development team, supplemental imagery, and artist-created elements to fill in the gaps. To achieve the desired watercolour look, they studied classical watercolour painters like John James Audubon and created custom brushes to emulate watercolour washes and inks. "Then we just painted," David Cipriano, Executive Creative Director at Skylight Collective, explains. "We literally painted over the art we had been sketching."
Designing for a Digital Age
Despite its classical inspiration, Avowed’s key art needed to function in a modern, digital-first landscape. "The box is one of many placements," David notes. "We actually prototype it against probably six to eight different placements – Xbox dashboards, game store pages, Game Pass – so we ensure it’s modular and adaptable."
What is the Future for Game Art?
Avowed’s key art represents a shift towards more expressive and less formulaic imagery in game art and promotional art. David believes that taking creative risks is what leads to truly distinctive artwork. "If everybody can get on board with creating a little bit of weird and being a little uncomfortable, we can always make distinctive art."
Conclusion
Avowed’s key art is a bold statement in an era dominated by video and digital marketing. When given the freedom to experiment, game art can still surprise, inspire, and perhaps, pick up an Xbox controller. Or at least, load up one of the best digital art software and start painting.
FAQs
Q: What inspired the art team to create Avowed’s key art?
A: The team was inspired by the game’s unique story and world, as well as the desire to create something different and unique in the world of fantasy role-playing games.
Q: What was the process like for creating the key art?
A: The team used photobashing in Photoshop, combining concept art, supplemental imagery, and artist-created elements to fill in the gaps. They also studied classical watercolour painters and created custom brushes to emulate watercolour washes and inks.
Q: What is the future for game art?
A: Avowed’s key art represents a shift towards more expressive and less formulaic imagery in game art and promotional art. Taking creative risks is what leads to truly distinctive artwork.
Q: What can we expect from the art team in the future?
A: The art team is always looking for new ways to push boundaries and create unique and distinctive artwork. They are excited to continue working on Avowed and other projects, and to see where their creativity takes them.
