

Edit March 19, 2008:
Reader Art contest WINNER in "GameInformer" magazine (April 2008) pg 13
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This is from the masterpiece and cult classic of the gaming world, "Ico" for the PlayStation2. Pretty much anyone that played it agrees that there was nothing quite as magical or that managed to make you actually care like Ico did. I found out about the game through a demo disc (PlayStation Underground JAMPACK - Summer 2001) that I bought for a Soul Reaver 2 pre-release demo. While the Soul Reaver 2 demo was a bit disappointing, this game Ico was amazing and sure enough, I picked it up on release day. If it wasn't for that demo, I would have been one of those people reading "Top 100" and "Best Games You Never Played" lists wondering what the big deal was.
I've wanted to do a fanart pic for quite a while but never had a concept that really worked. I wanted something other than just a stationary Ico and Yorda (the girl you help along the way and whose hand is in the drawing). For me personally, some of the most intense moments were when Yorda was taken away and carried into the black pools. Most times I was right there, but sometimes I was taken off guard and only managed to save her at the last possible moment. Thats what this image is supposed to convey. That sense of panic and desperation as you run like hell to make it to her in time.
I love how this one turned out. I wanted the colors to be very close to the game and intensionally refrained from "single pixel" detailing. I think the little bit of "painted" look fits the style of the game. I hope you enjoy the image. Much love to Fumito Ueda (the designer and director of Ico), Sony for publishing it, and you guys for checking out my fan art for it.
...And by complete coincidence, I have 999 pageviews at this very moment ... so heres to 1000
EDIT: Done in GIMP 2.2 and 2.4 using the standard circle paintbrush tool. Only exceptions are smudge in a few places, the lasso to correct some sizing/angles, and the text and pen to sign my name.
Reader Art contest WINNER in "GameInformer" magazine (April 2008) pg 13
---------------------------------
This is from the masterpiece and cult classic of the gaming world, "Ico" for the PlayStation2. Pretty much anyone that played it agrees that there was nothing quite as magical or that managed to make you actually care like Ico did. I found out about the game through a demo disc (PlayStation Underground JAMPACK - Summer 2001) that I bought for a Soul Reaver 2 pre-release demo. While the Soul Reaver 2 demo was a bit disappointing, this game Ico was amazing and sure enough, I picked it up on release day. If it wasn't for that demo, I would have been one of those people reading "Top 100" and "Best Games You Never Played" lists wondering what the big deal was.
I've wanted to do a fanart pic for quite a while but never had a concept that really worked. I wanted something other than just a stationary Ico and Yorda (the girl you help along the way and whose hand is in the drawing). For me personally, some of the most intense moments were when Yorda was taken away and carried into the black pools. Most times I was right there, but sometimes I was taken off guard and only managed to save her at the last possible moment. Thats what this image is supposed to convey. That sense of panic and desperation as you run like hell to make it to her in time.
I love how this one turned out. I wanted the colors to be very close to the game and intensionally refrained from "single pixel" detailing. I think the little bit of "painted" look fits the style of the game. I hope you enjoy the image. Much love to Fumito Ueda (the designer and director of Ico), Sony for publishing it, and you guys for checking out my fan art for it.
...And by complete coincidence, I have 999 pageviews at this very moment ... so heres to 1000

EDIT: Done in GIMP 2.2 and 2.4 using the standard circle paintbrush tool. Only exceptions are smudge in a few places, the lasso to correct some sizing/angles, and the text and pen to sign my name.
GRAB HER ALREADY!! AAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!
With shadow of colossus
I recently got the hd remake collection of the two and...you have captured it
Well done good sir!
Good work! Very very good work! I loved this then and I love it now! It's so nice to look at! ^^
One thing I wanted to know, since I just started playing it: Is Ico speaking Japanese in the game or is that a made up language like Yorda's?
Also, one more for you. Are you a fan of art games and do you have any recommendations?
How about this: What would be your favorite games in general and why do you like them?
That and your art is cool.
Because of that, you are now watched. ^-^