Bassbot.
Poster for a secret gig organised by Sofar Sounds, Bangalore, India. Had this idea of a robotic bassist brewing around in my head, which seemed like the perfect fit for a gig poster. Made this 5-limbed robot (probably a repurposed combat robot?) which now plays bass guitar. Also a kind of a statement about where AI and music are headed. How soon before a being of artificial intelligence creates music with soul?
First sketch featuring the basic idea and the composition thumbnail. The robot is suspended by cables in the comp thumbnail, but is standing on the ground in the main rough sketch. Also has 4 arms - two doing the plucking and two on the frets. Placed an old-school 4-string bass guitar which would be in stark contrast to the modern-looking robot.
Early rough Photoshop scribbling and colour ideation. Went with the suspended robot theme from the earlier image. The main Spring Mint Green body colour of the robot evokes all those '50s atomic age cars and appliances, but with a couple of areas finished in shiny bronze. Could this be a repurposed combat robot which now plays music and tests musical instruments?
Beginning of line refinement and basic composition. Tried keeping all the good parts of the rough Photoshop sketch.
Basic colour fill. The main body colour of the robot was a little too greenish in this image. Tweaked it and gave it a bit of a Blue tinge for the final version.
Final finished poster. Added a lot of detail in the upper black areas, the cables and the main subject. Added that bird from the rough sketch. Updated the text with a thinner weight.
