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Shawn Gong: the concept Artist with capital A!

By on 2016/03/21
Shawn Gong created the illustrations for the 3 main characters of the novel "New Era"

Shawn Gong created the illustrations for the 3 main characters of the novel “New Era”

You can easily spot a naturally talented individual as you meet one. This is Shawn Sunghwoa Gong. Born in South Korea, Gong studied Graphic Design and started a career as concept artist in the gaming industry right after finishing his studies, job role he fills in the present. He also did a postgraduate course in London. However, although I met him during this last branch of his education, I am confident he already had the tools and the knowledge before studying anything. That’s the essence of true born artists.

shawn

Shawn Sunghwoa Gong

Both as concept artist and as portrait artist, Shawn Gong shows an extraordinary attention to detail and a deep artistic delicacy on every project. I have been more than lucky to witness his artistry and, even more, to have him drawing concepts for the 3 main characters of my novel New Era 

The Creative Post: When and why did you start drawing?

S.G.: I don’t know why I started drawing. I just got interested in sketching something all the time when I was little boy. And it was since I started playing video games and reading comic books when I really wanted to copy those fictional characters and create my own version of them. This might be the reason why I decided to start a career as concept artist.

I love the concept of the book New Era. I designed 3 main characters following information that their physique, eye colour, skin tone, costume and facial expression. I really enjoying the challenges all the time like creating characters with limited information.

T.C.P.: Who are your influences and where do you get inspiration from?
S.G.: There are so many great artists who are inspiring me. Every artwork I admire for a different reason.  There are artists that create some hyper realistic CGs I love, or simple hand-drawn image, or hand-crafted subjects… I find all those inspiring. I sometimes go out to take some photos; other times I research online to get inspiration from other artists.

T.C.P.: Your interest and expertise on character drawing. Where does this come from and is it what you would like to be specialised in?
S.G.: I like watching Animation films and playing the video games. These contents including interesting characters. And this is the kind of work I’m doing at this moment. I like my job. And I like the process of studying a character to design and develop them.

T.C.P.: Your journey on drawing the characters of the book New Era: challenges, what you liked about the project, general overview
S.G.: I love the concept of the book New Era. I designed 3 main characters following information that their physique, eye colour, skin tone, costume and facial expression. I really enjoying the challenges all the time like creating characters with limited information.

T.C.P.: What are your near projects?
S.G.: I’m working in Edutech industry at the moment, on a project is about learning English. And I am still working mainly for the Gaming industry.

See some of Gong’s artworks in the gallery below. Also visit:

https://www.behance.net/sgpowerstn

 

 

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