Manifest: Concept Art, World Building, and Realism in Fictional Settings

Abstract

Fiction often mirrors real life, taking inspiration from personal or historical events. These influences in creative works provide viewers with a clear vision of a fictional world, helping them place themselves more easily within it. Through my research, I showcase how realism is captured in fictional works, specifically concept art. I explore the field of concept art and determine how realistic visuals in art can be used to make it more believable. Research into this topic is necessary to understand how history can affect an audience’s perception of art. Within my research, I discuss how images that evoke historical similarities connect viewers more genuinely to a work of art. I will be creating a series of character designs inspired by the American West and Lovecraftian aesthetics as a visual demonstration of my research. While the workflow and processes of concept art are considered established, the artwork that I created offers a novel scope of the western genre. Tying the visual language between Western history and 20th Century horror via historical and authentic clothing, as well as utilizing western movie archetypes, makes my art both visually unique and believable to an audience.