Feng Zhu and the Gnomon Workshop have put together an amazing DVD collection for aspiring artists and those looking for insight on how these amazing artists work. You'll immediately recognize Zhu for his work on the Star Wars prequels, though all of the art is custom for the DVDs and not franchise related.

Here's a copy of their press release about the DVD series, and we'll be posting reviews of the discs in the days ahead. So far, we love what we've seen!

THE GNOMON WORKSHOP RELEASES CONCEPT DESIGN DVDS
Concept Designer Feng Zhu Joins Gnomon

September 29th, 2003 -- HOLLYWOOD. The Gnomon Workshop has released four new training DVDs by concept designer Feng Zhu. Focused on the traditional and digital techniques of the concept design industry, these four titles contain over 8 hours of instruction by one of the industry's leading artists.

Feng's clients include Lucasfilm, Disney, Blur Studio, Electronic Arts, GT Interactive, Origin Systems, Microsoft, Film Roman, Universal, Warner Brothers and Sierra. Feng has been teaching Production Design at Gnomon for two years. He is a gifted instructor whose classes fill every term with both students and professionals.

"We are thrilled to be releasing DVDs by Feng.," explains Alex Alvarez, Director of the Gnomon Workshop. "Through online communities and his personal website, Feng's design and rendering skills have become an inspiration to artists around the globe. He is also a skilled instructor, who is clear in communicating his thought process and technique."

"Alex Alvarez approached me about making some DVDs almost a year ago.", explains Feng Zhu. "At the time, I was just leaving for Lucasfilm, so it never materialized. Once I returned to LA, however, we decided to get it produced. I took a week off and spent every day at Alex's studio. After a couple boxes of pizza, tons of soda and coffee, we got it made. I had a lot of fun working on them." As for whom the DVD's are geared towards and whom they would benefit, Feng answers, "Anyone interested in the techniques used in concept or industrial design. I thought about what a student would want to see, and put as much as I could into these DVD's, we wanted to make these DVD's informative and fun to watch. I picked several subjects that are familiar with designers and students."

Gnomon Workshop DVDs are priced at USD$69 and can be purchased online at http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com. Academic pricing is available. Each title includes 120 minutes of instruction, lecture notes and bonus material.

Look for reviews soon!