From unusual mechs to robotic vampires, this artist shows what can happen when you draw without a brief

Digital art.

Thomas is a concept artist from New Zealand who works in the film and games industry. He specialises in hard surface and costume design, and he particularly enjoys drawing robots, using Blender and Photoshop. In his personal work, he tries to break away from traditional tropes by thinking freely, imagining unusual mechs, weapons and creatures like robotic vampires.

Below, he presents three examples of his work. If you need the tools for your own digital art, see our guides to the best digital art software and the best drawing tablets.

Mech Sketch 16

(Image credit: Thomas Oates)

“Part of a series of mech sketches I’ve collected in various zines. These were part of an attempt to work loose and uninhibited by a brief.”

Project Lightning Medusa

(Image credit: Thomas Oates)

“The testing of an experimental high-powered rifle. Inspired by the ERDA Positron Rifle from Neon Genesis Evangelion, I wanted to design a rifle that could use enormous amounts of external power."

Helion – Guard of the Rivers of Blood

(Image credit: Thomas Oates)

“An illustration for a fictional card game, and part of the Skulduggery 24 exhibition. A member of a robotic vampire line that’s immune to classic vampirical weaknesses."

You can see more of Thomas’s work on his Instagram profile.

Inspired to work on your own digital art? See below for deals on drawing tablets that we've reviewed.

This article originally appeared in ImagineFX. Subscribe to ImagineFX to never miss an issue. Print and digital subscriptions are available.

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