Concept Artist Research - Patrick O'Keefe

Patrick O'Keefe is a concept artist for various games (including Dead Space 3, Oblivion and Battlefield) and adverts for large companies such as Mercedes, Mcdonalds and many more. Taken from his website "A Visual Story Artist for film, video games, television and commercials, Patrick O'Keefe is also an Illustrator for web and print as well as a Muralist for community projects.". The reason I chose him as my concept artist to research is that he has many different styles and many examples to look at in comparison to other concept artists' work I found online. His style can vary widely depending on who or what he is producing the art for, showing that he isn't an artist that stays in his comfort zone and is able to draw many different styles. This is good when it comes to research as a lot of inspiration can be taken from the various styles.

These two examples can show the vast difference, the first one being more simpler geometric style to a more realistic piece of art for a game that aims for realistic graphics. All his work obviously catering to the client's needs and desires. In every bit of art it is clear there is a specific colour scheme in place that fits the feel that the piece of art is trying to achieve. I especially like his artwork for the game Dead Space 3.

I really appreciate the amount of detail put into this, while it still looks rough in places I feel this is part of the style. It's not meant to be crisp looking as it is trying to convey the feel that is wanted for the game, which is very much a corridor-type science fiction game with dark gritty elements which I feel this artwork captured perfectly. I haven't played this game but the artwork speaks mountains for it and conveys a lot just with the colour tone and type of detail in it. Obviously a lot of research was put into this as it has similarities to other science fiction games or films set on spaceships, such as the grated floor, tubing and blacked out windows as well as all the details added into the walls which you would expect on a spaceship. There is so much going on in these pictures that it gives you such an idea of how the game would be and the overall style of it.

I would encourage everybody to check out his blog as it has a wide array of different styles of art that inspiration can be taken from.
http://theokartist.com/