Lara Cane - Concept Art Portfolio 2024

Introduction

Greetings, everyone! I'm Lara Cane, an aspiring concept artist with a passion for learning and creativity.

My journey commenced at Staffordshire University when I enrolled in the Concept Art for Games and Films coursework. As someone who has always been drawn to the arts, I jumped at the opportunity to further my skills and knowledge in this field. Combining my two greatest passions—video games and art—has presented a clear path for my future career aspirations. The coursework has not only honed my artistic abilities but also deepened my appreciation for the industry.

At the moment, I'm  dedicated to polishing my portfolio as I eagerly chase after my first job in the industry! 

Hot Looks, Cool Heat! | (Unofficial) Stampede: Racing Royale Concept

Introducing 'Stampede Racing Royale: Hot Looks, Cool Heat!' - a vibrant fan concept infused with the essence of summer beaches and energetic fun, all heightened with a dash of sassiness and a flair for fashionista-inspired character and kart designs. 

Summer was my main inspiration for this concept. With the season approaching, I aimed to design a theme that would resonate with players, offering a fun and interactive experience. Drawing from summer events in various games, I chose vibrant color variations that I personally enjoy and associate with the excitement of the season. Additionally, I incorporated elements from personal favorites like Barbie and other animated works to infuse the design with a stylized aesthetic.

Introducing my character design, Luna Reef!

She's a chic squid girl with a passion for fashion and fun. Inspired by Splatoon characters and my unique personal style, Luna brings a splash of creativity and excitement to the scene.

Catch the wave with Shark Surfer 2201, this summer's hottest kart!

Inspired by Luna Reef, I envisioned something fun and chaotic, and the shark image was perfect. Covered in playful stickers, the kart reflects Luna's carefree spirit, perfectly complementing the design.

Development

Coming up with Hot Looks, Cool Heat was a breeze in terms of ideas, but bringing it to life visually, particularly with the kart design, presented a delightful challenge as I embarked on creating my vehicle. Beginning with research and references in pre-production, I progressed to experimenting with iterations and color variations. Working within the confines of the game's established art style was crucial, especially with a preset character already in place.

Stika Tempo: Nihon Shoki | Fighting Game Character Concept

In the mystical realm of Japan, sisters Himari and Tsukiko, divine goddesses of grace and power, enter a legendary tournament to combat malevolent spirits threatening their realm. They shine as beacons of hope, champions of light, destined to triumph over the forces of chaos and despair.

Inspired by Japanese games and culture, I took on the challenge of creating characters influenced by the classic styles of Street Fighter (Capcom) and Tekken (Bandai Namco), while also attempting to capture the essence of Tetsuya Nomura (Final Fantasy) distinctive artistry. This project is deeply inspired by Japanese folklore of Amaterasu.

Meet Himari, the Sun Goddess

 bursting with boundless energy and chaotic vitality. Armed with her trusty paintbrush, she embarks on a mission to cleanse the world of darkness and evil.

Meet Tsukiko, the Moon Goddess

Graceful like the moon and tranquil as the midnight ocean. Her primary weapon is her scrolls, which she wields with skill and precision.

Pre-Production

In the pre-production phase of developing the two characters, I initiated the process by engaging in blue sky development, allowing my imagination to roam freely. This involved creating initial silhouettes and iterations to visualize their potential appearances and explore the thematic direction I aimed to pursue.

Mid-Production

Mid-production is where the magic happens as I refine my characters to their current state. I find immense joy in the iterative process, constantly revisiting and tweaking their designs until they perfectly embody the image I have envisioned for them.

Fighting Style

Drawing inspiration from Street Fighter's flexibility with equipment and fighting styles, I crafted two distinct characters. Himari embodies aggression, while Tsukiko leans towards a defensive style. This duality was inspired by Black Desert's (Pearl Abyss) portrayal of two sisters from the same lore, showcasing contrasting personalities and combat approaches.

Costume Clash | Student Collaboration Project 24

This year, I stepped into the role of co-lead for concept art in our game project, taking charge of designing the UI and conceptualizing power-ups. Drawing heavy inspiration from Godzilla franchise, our game is infused with the vibrant energy of TV shows, manga, and comic styles.

Power-ups 

Given our strong inspiration from Godzilla franchise, I made the decision to create these whimsical assets to maintain the playful and distinctly Japanese essence throughout our project.

You've reached the final stretch! Thank you sincerely for investing your time in exploring my work. Your attention and support are greatly appreciated :)