Ruan Jia is the best digital painter alive (Concept Art Thread feat Halo Infinite)

[Servbot24]

I already put this in the Halo OT but I need an entire thread just for me to gush over the absurdly brilliant technique of Ruan Jia. Feel free to use this thread however you like in the replies, I just am taking an opportunity to hyperventilate. :)

In my opinion he's the best digital painter alive. I choose that specific term because "best concept artist" would be a different category. Being a great concept artist is primarily about serving the development pipeline, which Ruan does of course, but his specialty lies in painting technique.

Here's his ArtStation page: https://www.artstation.com/ruanjia

Here are some of the recent work on Halo Infinite:

Here is some of his fan art:

Original Work:

 

[Fright Zone]

Technically very skilled, sure, but these images don't really do it for me.
I think its the tone mainly, they feel quite cold and grey to me.

Certainly seen many digital artists whose work is more appealing to me personally.

 

[Dever]

Idk, it's very good but almost all AAA concept art is amazeballs.

 

[Sesha]

Great art, but does he only draw humans as weird smooth doll people?

 

[Hell Shinobi]

Meh.

For me is still Horia Dociu.

 

[astro]

It's Simon Stålenhag, imo.

www.simonstalenhag.se

Click to shrink...

Click to shrink...

 

[nelsonroyale]

Its good. No need for comparison...there are many others as good in there own way, but he is talented no doubt

 

[105-Shake]

That Gundam one 🥵

 

[Dark Knight]

Extremely subjective query, but this artist indeed has amazing volume-rendering skills.

 

[Electricb7]

No dissrespect as he is a good painter, but not even close

 

[Servbot24]

Uh guys are you even seeing his color choices???

 

[super-famicom]

Ok this looks great

 

[s y]

I like his stuff but I find some of it a bit too over rendered, like Seshomaru's hair. Some of my fave digital painters:


Alberto Mielgo:

Jihun Lee:

Sergey Kolosov

Betty Jiang

Yuliya Litvinova

 

[StrangeRoboMemory]

I like his stuff but I find some of it a bit too over rendered, like Seshomaru's hair. Some of my fave digital painters:


Alberto Mielgo:

Jihun Lee:

Servey Kolosov

Betty Jiang

Yuliya Litvinova

Click to shrink...

Wow...holy crap.

 

[darkkinder]

I like his stuff but I find some of it a bit too over rendered, like Seshomaru's hair. Some of my fave digital painters:


Alberto Mielgo:

Jihun Lee:

Servey Kolosov

Betty Jiang

Yuliya Litvinova

Click to shrink...

I love Servey Kolosov art. His artworks from dishonored are beautiful 👌

 

[Servbot24]

Great art, but does he only draw humans as weird smooth doll people?

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Most of his work is anime inspired which is the reason they look like that. Also it looks great :)

 

[Rae]

What about Craig Mullins?

Goodbrush

www.goodbrush.com

 

[TrojanAg]

Dave Rapoza is definitely my favorite Digital Painter. The detail is insane.

 

[lunanto]

Those are fantastic, no doubt.

 

[lunanto]

Okay, I am watching this thread lmao Post your artsy godness folks!

 

[Servbot24]

What about Craig Mullins?

Goodbrush

www.goodbrush.com

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Craig Mullins is the one and only painter I considered before making this thread. Truly elite.

 

[LetsEatSnacks]

Uhh, not even close. I wouldn't say he's bad but the other stuff in this thread is already far more impressive to me.

 

[Morrigan]

I like his stuff but I find some of it a bit too over rendered, like Seshomaru's hair. Some of my fave digital painters:


Alberto Mielgo:

Jihun Lee:

Sergey Kolosov

Betty Jiang

Yuliya Litvinova

Click to shrink...

Those are incredible

Lady Maria :O

 

[Deleted member 34725]

Generally don't like using "best" when discussing art.

That being said, I do enjoy concept art from artists who care about painting and Ruan Jia is a modern day master.

If anyone is a fan of the more painterly concept art I would suggest also checking out Jeff Simpson as well.

 

[Hexa]

The Halo concept art does nothing for me, but the fan art is fantastic.

 

[Servbot24]

If anyone is a fan of the more painterly concept art I would suggest also checking out Jeff Simpson as well.

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Hell yeah, Jeff is great

 

[Yappa]

Who is the character in the Gundam one?

 

[OmniStrife]

I like how every following counter example, is better than the one in OP's post... lol