vyle-art

Dedicated to my dad

2012-01-07T18:09:00.000-08:00

My dad used to be an avid sailor. My memory of him will always be adorning a red sailing gear, smoking a cigarette in a storm with a big smile. I remember being a kid, we were going through a rough sea around "les bouches du Rhone" and I was petrified with fear. I kept imagining what it would be like if the boat capsized, or if something suddenly broke like the mast or the rudder. In general I was an anxious kid, and fear would just exacerbate sea sickness. In many ways, sailing became a remedy for my shyness, anxiousness and lack of confidence.
For many years on, we did not talk or get along, until he announced me he was sick. We did one last trip together sailing in the Mediterranean sea and laid our battles to rest.
Few years ago, when he passed away, his ashes were being thrown in the same sea. I sometimes wonder if in some way he has become one with his favorite place.
This image is dedicated to my dad.

Be part of "PLUG"!!

2011-06-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1068245015/plug-stunt-vfx-fundraiser

Please joins us on Kickstarter and be part of "PLUG"!!! Every dollar count, and we'd love to put your name on our credits!! The team is done shooting, but a lot of work is left to do... We welcome any help, even if you are a texture artist, an animator, a rigger, we want plug to be great! INDIE sci-fi will never die!

Talk at PIXAR: the experts series

2011-04-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

April 23, 2011, Pixar Animation Studios.
I will be giving a talk next week in San Francisco about the work done on Tron Legacy. This even is Presented by the Visual E!ects Society (VES) and Ex’pression College.
If you want to have more details, please RSVP to Millie Li mli@expression.edu
The talk will be followed by a projection of Tron Legacy.

PLUG shooting now!

2011-04-08T16:14:00.000-07:00

The steambot team is working as we speak on making the project "PLUG" happen. In a mayhem of dust, paint, motor oil and cameras, a beautiful baby is shaping up. We will keep you posted very soon with more photos and videos!
photo: Hatem Benabdallah

PLUG - ONLINE

2011-03-01T12:01:00.001-08:00

Teaser one is now online.

Steambot's "PLUG"

2011-02-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

Steambot studios is hard at work in Los Angeles, working on "PLUG", their new intellectual property. Stay tuned for upcoming teaser and images...

TRON artwork coming soon

2011-01-19T14:32:00.000-08:00

As soon as I find a minute, I will be posting a huge load of concepts made for TRON legacy, for which I worked on almost 2 full years as senior concept artist. For now here is a teaser! All copyright Disney studios.

LeBox SHOP!!!

2010-10-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

Yes at steambot we finally have A SHOP!! Sorry I have not been giving that info sooner, but the last few months have been busy with work and more work... Many surprises will come this year :)
Will keep you posted!
There you will find some Gnomon DVDs, our DSP published Exodyssey, and of course our first home made brew: STEAMPAINTING!!!!

Steampainting!!

2010-07-20T22:52:00.001-07:00

The STEAMPAINTING: Spark book is the first in a series of five educational books. Unlike the IP based books in the Steambot series, the STEAMPAINTING series focuses on the process and techniques Steambot artists used to create concept art. In volume 1, Spark looks at the method behind the inspiration of each subject, and specifically, helps users navigate the comprehensive steps used to create a visual representation of a design, idea or mood. These books reflect the passion and enthusiasm for concept art and offer a glimpse into the artists’ mindset and motivation behind each STEAMPAINT image

L.A Siggraph "Digital Illustration in the 21st Century"

2010-06-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

8 Jun 2010, Art center
Hope to see you there!

Event Description

Android Jones and David Vyle Levy will discuss and show some of the cutting edge conceptual and imaginaive work being created now by an ever increasing group of artists around the world.

Skycrafter

2010-04-01T18:08:00.001-07:00

Maiden flight.

STEAMPAINTING: coming soon!

2010-04-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Keep your seat belts fastened, coming soon on Steampainting: Creative process, a brand new collection of creative educational books, DVDs, custom brushes and much more by Steambot.
Stay tuned for more information!

How many fins?

2010-03-16T23:12:00.000-07:00

How many fins can you put on a vehicle? A lot apparently.... From the sky-crafter independant space-jet manufacturer, comes this sub portal speed experimental jet (still following?). Who wants to test it?

Fancy Robo-Jets

2010-03-12T22:58:00.000-08:00

Long time no paint for fun... Inspired by some neo-friends and too much coffee, and a horrible week, here are a bunch of new robo-jets...

TRON Legacy trailer

2010-03-11T10:38:00.001-08:00

It has been more than a year and a half now that I have been working on Tron legacy, and it has been quite an amazing ride! Check this new trailer that just came up!

Steambot Interview on CG channel!

2009-05-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

Interview done at the Gnomon Gallery, May 12th 2009. The exhibit will be up for one month.
View it on CG channel HERE

Old Dje

2009-04-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

"Old Dje" is a Spaceship and Nudrifts Parts vendor. Stuck on a polluted earth like everyone else. His technical knowledge is excellent, which makes him the best customizer around. Extra character designed for EXODYSSEY.

Temptress of the waterfall

2009-04-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

Around a sinuous road, and before crossing the river, the waterfall temptress guards those who seek the Ottoman secret.

Witch hunt

2009-04-24T23:30:00.000-07:00

Same subject, closer on Hussard in the middle of witch-hunting.

H U S S A R D

2009-04-24T23:26:00.000-07:00

Defying mysteries and hidden societies, Hussard is a home made steambot character. Had not been inspired on my favorite subject for a looong time, suddenly inspiration kicked my butt.

EXODYSSEY website

2009-04-21T10:18:00.001-07:00

The official Exodyssey website is finally up and running. Please refresh your browser if you only see a coming soon splash page, enjoy!

How to Laptop-paint? (hyperdetailed technical diagram)

2009-04-14T22:42:00.000-07:00

Few people (hi Colin!) have asked me few times how my laptop-painting setup works? Well.... To be honest, it sucks! I have in plans to use a tablet PC, but since I still have a functioning laptop, why in hell would I buy a new one? Cheap bastard? Maybe... Hey, I'd rather spend my money on a good wine and cheese, it is all a matter of priorities O_O Here is a (super detailed, digital diagram, hopefully it won't fall in enemies' hands ah!) sketch on how I do my laptop paintings from life, I hope it clarifies or confuses you even more.

First EXODYSSEY review by PARKA! (positive!)

2009-04-13T14:45:00.001-07:00

Just got wind of the first review regarding exodyssey!
It seems the person reviewing enjoyed it, and took note of the fact that this book was entirely created on our own time. It was a lot of sweat indeed....
Read it HERE. I was impressed on how thorough the review is, and how knowledgeable and accurate it is. Thanks for taking the time to do it Teoh Yi Chie!

Massive Black REVERIE

2009-04-10T18:14:00.000-07:00

Bunch of speedies made on the spot in Dallas, or at the airport (this is becoming a habit!).
Had a lot of fun, a lot of drinks, and met with a lot of old farts from the industry.
Still working in L.A, was last night at art center to check the student's work, great stuff all around. Preparing the EXODYSSEY signing party too (7th and 9th of May)! Just bought a roll of paper to print what will be presented at the exhibition, and I just got a phone call from DSP telling me that the books will be on amazon next week, and that they are already available on the east coast!! Soooo close!

Waiting for airplane to Montreal

2009-03-02T22:49:00.000-08:00

I don't have much time to paint for myself, so I thought I'd put my half asleep early morning coffee lacking coma to good use... Airport very speedies.

Steambot Interview!

2009-02-25T08:35:00.000-08:00

Preceding the release of our book mid march, here is a very laid back interview the team decided to post. We hope it will give an insight on who we are, why we originally created Exodyssey, and also demonstrates some of the way we work.

L.A land!

2009-01-16T13:31:00.000-08:00

Working like crazy, but also enjoying the sun, the beach, cycling, Snowboarding and other L.A fun stuff to do! I hate the driving, but I am spoiled as I do not really have to experience the highways much...
So far the experience here has been pretty amazing, and a nice change from videogames after almost 14 years. I have met a bunch of artists, amazingly talented which helped me feel at home here, even for a frenchie :) Thanks to all of you, you know who you are.

I had not lived close to the sea since I left my hometown in Montpellier France many years ago, and it feels like it was not that long ago, although the grey hair prove me wrong... I send a thought to all my friends in Montreal, France, Austin, Dallas: happy new year to everyone! I miss y'all!

Crusader character

2008-12-18T15:34:00.000-08:00

More character sketches, getting ready for xmas.

Anaglyphic Speedpainting!

2008-12-06T22:13:00.001-08:00

Probably one of the first "Anaglyphic digital speedpaintings" ever posted :)
For your viewing pleasure.
Right eye blue, left eye red.

Engineer Character

2008-12-06T14:13:00.000-08:00

Originally developed for a project in Austin at Spacetime Studios. Currently the project is on pause. Hopefully the team will get it revived sometime soon. For the time being I will be posting some of the concept assets that have already been released to the public on their website, starting with the engineer character.

exodyssey SPEEDPAINT

2008-12-06T13:14:00.000-08:00

This is a speedy I had been wanting to do for a while. Our hero Harry, going out of his apartment, aboard his weird low-hi tech vehicle. For this one, I already had cooked the composition in my head (all tended to push towards the vehicle), by thinking of these old "new york" style back-alleys, dirty and polluted, but pushed further in the future. At that point, the style of Steambot's universe take on earth has been very well established by the team, so it is a real pleasure to develop more and add to that world.

EXODYSSEY

2008-11-28T17:12:00.000-08:00

As mentioned earlier this week, Exodyssey, Steambot's first intellectual property is going to prints very soon! You can see here the most current cover. The book contains 176 pages of illustrations, concepts art, storyline, technical comments and more! Published by the reknowned Design Studio Press thanks to Scott Robertson, we hope that all science fiction fans will have their fix! It was a lot of sweat for the whole Steambot team to bring that artbook to life, but it was definitely worth it. Keep posted for the opening of our marketing campaign including interviews, tours and launch parties in L.A and Montreal.

Finally out of my capsule

2008-11-26T17:43:00.001-08:00

Well, as you may have noticed, I am not really a big news kinda guy. I tend to hide in my capsule for quite a while without communicating much :) but usually I paint a lot during those times!
Hopefully this blog will change all this! I will try to give updates about myself, but also Steambot studios, the company we founded few years back with a group of talented concept artists.
I am currently working in Los Angeles on a movie project, and getting ready for the release of EXODYSSEY, Steambot's first intellectual Property. Stick around as I will hopefully update news, unpublished work and more here.
Thanks for passing by!

Fasten your seatbelts

2008-08-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to vyle-art's blog! David "vyle" Levy is one of the founders of Steambot studios.