What's coming up?

So, what am I up to in 2016? Well, apart from U7, which is my long-term gig (and seems it will remain so for many months to come), there is a couple more things on the plate...

Some large-scale awesomeness: after "Downtown" project, prepared for a night club in Shanghai, I'm slowly finishing another, similar project - three huge illustrations/matte paintings, with the widest being a triptych almost 30k pixels wide. Once the artworks are printed (in several layers for extra depth) and installed, I'll share some of the images.

Since my Shade3D intro was warmly received and folks behind the app are super nice, I've started working on a five part tutorial series, Advanced Concept Art Series, where I will take a closer look at Shade (among other apps). It's going to be a long, info-packed and very thorough 5-part concept art series that will present several different pipelines used for concept art development and presentation. In each part, I’ll be working on a different image from my personal artbook “Razordome”. You can find more information on my website, in the "Store" section.

So, quite a bit is coming up and bigger changes related to AK-ART are down the road. What changes? You'll see :)

Interview for Shade 3D online

Welcome in 2016!

Interview for folks at Shade 3D is online, you can check it out here. I talk about my personal pipeline, concept art in general as well as the work on the latest project, "The Universe of Seven".

UPDATE: The interview is also available in Japanese here.

On the cover of 'Если'

Still busy putting finishing touches on the promo website for the upcoming game I'm concepting for. In the meantime, here's one of my images on the latest cover of 'Если' (e.g. 'If') a Russian magazine about science-fiction and 'things to come'. This issue is about the future of robotics.

'Store' section coming soon

Just a quick update about a 'Store' section that will be added to my official portfolio soon. It will feature several options that might be of interest to some of you, namely:

1. Prints: I will be offering selected artworks as high quality prints, something to mess up your walls ;) You can already find the first images on my Society6 profile.

2. Tutorials: I will be creating several longer tutorials, filled with useful stuff (I think) and put them out there via popular Gumroad service. In addition to these paid ones (but affordable, I promise), I will be updating my YouTube channel with free, shorter video tutorials, covering various tips and tricks. Gumroad will also contain some freebies like wallpaper-size images and, in the future, free e-books (the first one with cool pen/marker sketches and some tips regarding the use of those).

3. Licensed images: if you are looking for sci-fi artworks for your eBook, presentation, indie game, etc. but you are on a tight budget, this may be an offer for you - I will be offering many of my personal artworks for use in such projects. Currently, I have over 70 high-resolution artworks on the constantly growing list.

So, a bunch of stuff is coming. I'll keep you updated, also make sure to check my AK-ART Facebook account for more updates.

A bunch of news

Sorry for the lack of updates, been quite busy recently creating concepts and matte paintings for two cinematic trailers that will be featured (or at least should be) on this month's E3 event (June 10-12). Both are big franchises and it was a blast to work on them.

'Jupiter Ascending' has been postponed till February 2015, unfortunately, so you'll have to wait a bit longer before I can upload some of the cool concepts created for the show. However, a Polish sci-fi drama 'Iron Cloud' premiers on June 8th, so soon I'll post some of the concepts and matte paintings created for the flick.

I'm also looking forward to the next chapter of 'Galaxy 11' that will feature majority of designs I prepared for the campaign. Hopefully, so are you :)

If you're on Facebook, make sure to 'Like' and follow my new profile 'AK-ART'. That's where I'll be putting all the news, WIPs, selected artworks and links to video tutorials (coming soon via my YouTube channel).

#GALAXY11: The Training

Next clip from Galaxy 11 is up! I did a bunch of concepts for the training sequences/interiors and the 'sparring robots' designed in collaboration with Oscar Cafaro look dope! Check it out!

#GALAXY11: The Beginning

Teaser of an awesome project I spent a few months on, creating tons of concepts. More kick-ass action coming soon :)

'Iron Cloud' teaser

First short trailer for 'Iron Cloud', an independent Polish sf flick I helped on a bit. It's nice to see some of the concept and matte work coming to life. Looking forward to see the whole thing! Production also has also started generating some positive buzz over the Internet, e.g. here

For more information about the movie, check its Facebook page

New 'Jupiter Ascending' trailer

New, kick-ass trailer for 'Jupiter Ascending' debuted today. Check it out and hold on tight. Can't wait to see the whole thing and to share some of the concepts prepared for the show :)

Shanghai Show & Tell - March 11th

If you're in Shanghai and want to meet for a chat, this Tuesday (March 11th), you'll find me and other industry professionals there:

More info on the website: here. Make sure to drop by if you have a chance.

Snapshots from lecture in Cracow

A few months ago, I gave a lecture about my work on 'Cloud Atlas' and concept art in general, at AGH in Cracow. It was a nice event and hopefully will grow bigger and bigger.

Feature at ConceptArtWorld.com

Popular website Concept Art World featured some of my works here. Thanks guys!

Prezentacja na AGH w Krakowie

Dla zainteresowanych: 20-ego Kwietnia o 18.00, w Centrum Dydaktyki AGH ul. Reymonta 7, Kraków będę dawał prezentację pt. "Kreowanie futurystycznego świata na potrzeby filmu" na przykładzie "Atlasu Chmur" (zgadza się, na tydzień wpadnę do kraju nad Wisłą). Wstęp wolny, jeśli ktoś chce posłuchać to zapraszam. Opowiem o procesie tworzenia i jaką drogę niektóre z projektów przeszły od wstępnych szkiców po końcowe rendery. Poza swoimi konceptami będę też prezentował koncepty i storyboardy innych artystów, także kilka zdjęć z planu filmowego.

Link z info: http://www.artbuzz.edu.pl/prelegenci/adam-kuczek

Promo clip for my workshop

Interested in enrolling but hesitating? Watch this short promo clip that explains a few things about the workshop. Only two weeks left!

3D matte painting and compositing workshop!

Great news for those all interested in matte painting. On April 1st, I'm launching 6-week long workshop related to 3D matte painting and compositing, using mainly Maya and Nuke. Course will be hosted and provided by VFX Workshops created by Alp Altiner. I will be sharing lots of industry tricks and techniques. Workshop has a limited number of participants, so if you're interested in enrolling, quickly go to: http://vfxworkshops.com/instructor-workshops/3d-matte-painting-maya-nuke-ak/

Feature in SFCALR Issue #1

Several of my works have been featured in Issue #1 of a new e-zine SFCALR, which stands for 'Sci-fi concept art & literature review' (website here). Many cool images overall and some interesting articles, so if you have a chance, check it out.

What's coming soon? Quite a bit.

Wow, a month without a post? Sorry, been quite busy, working on a variety of things but lots of stuff is coming soon. I've started a couple of my own projects which I'll post by the end of the year - one post-apocalyptic action-packed, full of nasty creatures and man-on-mutant combat. The other, very contemporary - a series of set designs of great variety, from creepy serial killer's basements to bright and cheerful cafeterias. In anticipation for these projects, a new version of my portfolio has been released, which you can check at the usual address: www.ak-art.net

Small (furry and fluffy) update

I updated slightly my portfolio and threw in a new 'studio photo'. Moments later, my cat felt (rightfully so) neglected and assumed one of his poses. It somehow didn't fit the official snapshot but hey, that's what's the blog is for, right? So, here's Ton-Ton and his affection for Wacom pillow.

Let's meet at PIXOMONDO Shanghai

PIXOMONDO, vfx company from Germany, has many branches all over the world and one of them is here, in Shanghai. Folks are super-talented (recently made the bulk of 'Hugo' in 3D) and really friendly. They also organize once a month a 'casual Friday', where you can come and hang out for a few hours, munching on German pretzels and sipping some wine. So, if you're in the neighbourhood of YeJiaZhai Rd. and have a free evening every second Friday of a month, don't forget to drop by. I've been there last month (see the picture) and tomorrow.. yep, you guessed it. See you there.