Is ADVANCED CONCEPT ART worth it if you’re shopping in Photography?
Stuck staring at a blank canvas because your 3D blockout looks like a potato? That is the exact friction point this $2 pack is designed to solve. Most concept artists know that painting from scratch is slow, but the real bottleneck is often figuring out how to take a rough 3D base and turn it into a polished, photorealistic image without losing the structural integrity of the design. Val Orlov, a senior concept artist with over 18 years of experience in major game and film productions, has packaged his specific workflow into a single, accessible file set. It is not just a tutorial; it is the actual working file, the process breakdown, and the base geometry itself, allowing you to reverse-engineer a professional pipeline in Photoshop. If you are ready to stop guessing how to integrate 3D into your 2D art, ADVANCED CONCEPT ART is a low-risk entry point into a method that saves hours of redrawing.
Quick answer
| Best for | Concept artists and 3D generalists who want to learn a photorealistic workflow using real 3D geometry as a base. |
| Skip if | You do not have Photoshop installed or you are looking for a generic “how to draw” course without technical file access. |
| Price | $2 |
| Format | Final PSD (48.5 MB), GIF process (65 MB), OBJ/FBX meshes (56.5 MB), and a 355 MB reference list. |
| One-line take | A complete, deconstructed professional workflow that shows you exactly how to fix camera, light, and base forms in Photoshop. |
What you’re actually buying
At $2, you are not just buying a video; you are buying the actual tools of the trade. The core of this pack is the Final PSD with all layers, which is 48.5 MB of pure, editable structure. This is the “cheat code” for learning: instead of watching a cursor move, you can dive into the file, see how the 3D render interacts with the painted elements, and understand exactly where the line between geometry and brushwork ends. It transforms a passive lesson into an active study session. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
Beyond the final file, you get the GIF process, a 65 MB visual breakdown of the entire creation workflow. This is crucial for understanding the order of operations—how Val Orlov approaches camera view, lighting adjustments, and base form corrections before adding detail. It demystifies the “magic” of making a 3D blockout look like a finished concept piece. You are seeing the logic, not just the result. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
The technical backbone of the pack is the BONUS OBJ / FBX Base meshes (56.5 MB). These are the actual 3D geometry files used in the project. The listing notes that you can even open the OBJ base mesh file directly in Photoshop (File > Open > choose your OBJ file), which is a handy tip for quick checks without needing a full 3D suite. This allows you to replicate the exact structural foundation the artist used. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
Finally, the pack includes a FREE BONUS Reference list weighing in at a massive 355 MB. This is a curated library of visual references that likely informed the project’s style and lighting. For a total download size of 513 MB, you are getting a complete ecosystem: the result, the process, the geometry, and the inspiration. It is a rare amount of material for the price, especially when it comes from someone who has worked on titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Call of Duty. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
Why it’s on our radar
This product stands out because it solves a very specific, high-friction problem in the concept art pipeline: bridging the gap between 3D blockouts and 2D final art. Most tutorials focus on one side or the other, but Val Orlov’s approach integrates them, showing how to use 3D geometry to achieve a photorealistic result while retaining the flexibility of 2D painting. The inclusion of the actual PSD and mesh files makes it a practical resource rather than just theoretical advice. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
The seller’s background adds significant weight to the method. With over 18 years of experience and credits at Ubisoft, 4A Games, and other major studios, the workflow is not a hobbyist guess—it is a battle-tested method used in professional game and film production. For anyone struggling with the “plastic” look of 3D renders or the “flat” look of pure 2D concepts, this $2 investment offers a direct look at a senior artist’s solution. It is a high-value, low-cost way to upgrade your technical toolkit. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
What actually matters
Before you download, confirm that you have Photoshop installed, as it is the primary requirement for opening the PSD and, optionally, the OBJ files. The workflow is designed to be “super easy and cool” according to the listing, but it assumes you are comfortable navigating a layered PSD file. If you are brand new to Photoshop, you might need to spend a little extra time just understanding the layer structure before you can fully absorb the workflow. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
Check the file sizes carefully if you are on a limited connection or have storage constraints. The total package is 513 MB, with the reference list alone taking up 355 MB. While this is a lot of value, ensure you have the disk space to store the reference library and the mesh files. The OBJ / FBX Base meshes are particularly useful if you also use 3D software like Blender or Maya, as you can import them directly into your own projects to replicate the base forms. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
Finally, consider your current skill level. The listing states it is “suitable for all levels,” but the advanced nature of the workflow—integrating 3D geometry with photorealistic 2D painting—suggests it will be most beneficial for intermediate artists who are ready to move beyond basic sketching. If you are looking for a beginner’s “how to draw a face” guide, this is not it. It is a technical workflow for creating concept art based on real 3D geometry. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
Mid-check
If you have Photoshop and you are ready to see how a senior artist builds photorealistic concepts from 3D bases, See current options.
FAQ
Can I use the 3D meshes in other software? Yes, the pack includes OBJ and FBX Base meshes (56.5 MB). These standard formats can be imported into most 3D programs like Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max. The listing also notes that you can open the OBJ file directly in Photoshop for quick reference, making it versatile for both 2D and 3D workflows. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
Do I need to know 3D modeling to use this? Not necessarily. The workflow focuses on using existing 3D geometry as a base for 2D painting in Photoshop. While understanding 3D space helps, the primary requirement is Photoshop. The GIF process (65 MB) breaks down the steps, so you can follow along even if you are not a 3D expert. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
What is included in the 355 MB reference list? The FREE BONUS Reference list is a large collection of visual assets (355 MB) that likely served as inspiration for the concept art. It is a valuable resource for finding lighting, texture, and style cues that match the photorealistic aesthetic of the project. It complements the Final PSD and OBJ / FBX Base meshes by providing the visual context for the workflow. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)
Bottom line
If you are tired of your concept art looking either too “digital” or too “flat,” this $2 pack is a no-brainer. You get the actual working files, the process breakdown, and the base geometry from a senior artist with 18 years of industry experience. It is a direct line into a professional workflow that bridges 3D and 2D, giving you the tools to fix camera, light, and base forms with confidence. For the price of a coffee, you can deconstruct a senior-level pipeline and apply it to your own projects. (ADVANCED CONCEPT ART)