Step-by-Step Process of Creating Game Concept Art for 3D Games

Abhiwan Marketing
Aug 1, 2025
4 min read

Every development starts with concepts. Game concept art plays an important role in game development. Concept art is the first step in the development. It includes drawing, sketches of the game characters, vehicles, and more. Through this, game designers, artists and developers understand how it looks in 3D. Concept art is the first step of design, whether it is a 3D racing game or an action-filled 3D mobile game. It saves time and imagination in life. The article explains the step-by-step process of concept art creation.

Why is Concept Art Important in 3D Games?

Concept art is very important in 3D games. Here's why it's important:

Saves time and money
Gives everyone a clear direction to follow
Explores multiple ideas quickly before production
Builds the game’s visual identity
Improves collaboration between artists and modellers.

Where is Concept Art Used in 3D Games?

Character design - player avatars, enemies, side characters.

Environment Design - Game maps, cities, landscapes

Vehicle Design - Cars, bikes, spaceships for 3D racing games

Weapon and Prop Design - Guns, swords, magical items, accessories

UI/UX Concept Art - Buttons, menus, screens

Step-by-Step Process of Creating Game Concept Art for 3D Games

Here is the Step-by-step process of how artists create concept art for 3D games:

Step 1: Understand the Game Vision

The game concept artist needs to understand the game.

What type of game is it?
What is the platform?
What is the story or theme?
Who is the main audience
What mood or emotions should the visuals show?

Step 2: Collect References and Build a Mood Board

Next, the artist collects inspiration and reference material, which is called mood boarding.

Photos of real-world items
Art from other games
Movie screenshots
Textures and patterns
Color palettes

Step 3: Make Quick Sketches

The artist sketches small, quick versions of characters. These are called thumbnail sketches.

Fast to draw
Simple in shape
Used to test multiple ideas

Step 4: Refine Best Ideas

After many sketches, choose the best and refine it.

Adding clear lines and shapes
Improving the anatomy
Adding facial expressions or car features
easy-to-understand design

Step 5: Add Colour, Lighting

Now, the artist designs life by painting with colours and light.

Selecting a colour palette
Showing how the object reacts to light
Adding material textures
Creating atmosphere with shadows and glow

Step 6: Create Turnaround Sheets and Poses

This step is important for 3D modellers and animators.

Turnaround sheets show the 3D views of a character or object.
Pose sheets show how the character moves or fights.
Expression sheets show different moods

In 3D games, modellers use these sheets to create accurate 3D versions of the art.

For a racing car, the sheet might include:

Side view with measurements
Top-down view of cockpit layout
Rear lights and spoilers in detail

Step 7: Feedback and Make Revisions

The concept art is now reviewed by:

Game designer
Creative director
Animation or modelling team
Sometimes the client or publisher

They may suggest:

Changing colour tones
Adding or removing parts
Making the design more child-friendly
Adjusting the scale for gameplay

Step 8: Deliver Final Concept Art

The final concept art package is shared with the rest of the team. It includes:

Final colour render
Turnaround sheets
Expression/pose sheets
Texture and material guides
Notes for 3D modellers and animators

What Tools Are Used in Concept Art Creation?

Tool Name	Purpose
Adobe Photoshop	Digital painting and editing
Procreate	Drawing on iPads and tablets
Blender	For 3D blocking (optional)
PureRef	Collecting and organising references
Krita	Free painting tool for artists

Tips for Great Concept Art in 3D Games

Focus on the silhouette and shape first before the detail
Use contrast and lighting to guide the eye
Think about gameplay mechanics — make sure the design supports action
Keep the target platform in mind
Match the style of the game

Concept Art for 3D Racing Games

For 3D racing games, concept art includes:

Race cars with unique body styles
Track layouts with obstacles and checkpoints
Environmental mood
Driver suits, helmets, pit stop props
UI screens for lap time, speed, and score

Concept Art in 3D Mobile Games

For 3D games on mobile, concept art focuses on:

Clean visuals that work on small screens
Bold colours and minimal detail
Lightweight design to reduce memory use
Fun and clear character shapes
Easy-to-read environments

What is Concept Art in a Game?

Concept art is the first visual representation of games. It will help in visualisation, characters, and environment design. Concept art is created in 2D through digital painting. It gives visual direction to the development team.

First Visual Step
Idea to Image
Team Guide
Not Final Art
Used in All Game Areas
Saves Time and Money
Important for 3D Games

How Much Does Game Concept Art Cost?

The cost of concept art depends on experience, style, and complexity. Here’s a basic pricing guide:

Type of Concept Art	Description	Estimated Cost (USD)
Basic Character Sketch	Simple outline or black & white concept	$50 – $150
Detailed Character Concept	Full-colour, detailed design with costumes, props	$200 – $500
Environment Concept Art	Game background, scene, or landscape	$300 – $800
Vehicle or Racing Car Design	Detailed vehicle design for 3D racing games	$150 – $400
Weapon or Prop Design	Swords, guns, tools, or magical items	$100 – $300
UI/UX Concept Art	Menu screens, buttons, icons (mostly for mobile)	$100 – $250
Turnaround Sheet (Multiple Views)	Front, side, back, and top views for 3D modelling	$150 – $400
Expression or Pose Sheet	Different facial expressions or body poses	$100 – $300

Conclusion

Concept art is a creative journey in game development. It gives a roadmap to the development team through imagination. From rough sketch to full and final designs, every step gives life to the imagination. Whether you are creating a 3D racing game or 3D mobile games, game concept art is the first and important step to game success. The steps include Game Vision, Mood Board, quick sketching and many more things. With these steps, you ensure the game design and give inspiration to the team.