Asked • 08/15/19

What is a "visual library" and how to work on it?

Reading through concept art forums, Ive met an opinion, that one of the most important things for a concept artist is to have a vast visual library. Out of the context of that opinion I take that this is about a "library" in your head, not on your hard drive.I would like to know what is a visual library, why is it so important and how to work on it.

Jonathan G.

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A visual library starts for all of us at a very early age. Consciously or not we begin to accumulate "visual information" that is stored in our memory and collectively becomes a 'library" over time. This attribute has both a positive and negative effect. For drawing and painting purposes it can be for some a fairly accurate mental picture to be called upon as needed. The down side - and my main point here is that it can "generacise" objects / subjects we often see. A tree is a tree is a tree if you will, when in fact while things can be similar that does not make them the same. I have seen students actually draw from their minds eye (Visual library) while actually observing their subject in person. I hope I have offered a meaningful point of view here. If you seek drawing skills I beleive I can help.
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04/29/20

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Tayler O. answered • 08/15/19

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Traditionally and Digitally trained Visual Development Artist

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This is a really good question! you can think of your visual library as the assortment of knowledge you have based upon what you have seen. I think the word "library" is completely interchangeable with the word "vocabulary". In the same way that you discover words through studying them and understanding how they work, you do the same similarly with things studied in the real world.


This is a good reason to always be sketching from your environment, understanding how light works under certain situations/materials, and observing the designs of other creators. With this knowledge at hand, you can then find a way of using your "library" to create new designs and images that are believable and functional.


Hopes this helps! :)

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