Grawuar

I'm a Polish artist with an academic background, dabbling in 2D art using various media.

Your concept art portfolio includes a wide array of subjects, from environments to characters, among other things. What’s your process for approaching such varied designs?

I follow closely the brief, look at what is needed and discuss every detail with the art director and other collegues, if needed. Sometimes one thing leads to another and for example the environment needs to correspond with characters or vive versa. I always try to make designs cohesive, even when varied. And of course different projects demand different styles, I want to stay flexible.

You have worked as a Concept Artist at multiple studios and on multiple projects. With each project demanding a different aesthetic, how did you shift gears to excel in that position?

I look at what's already established and try my best to fit in with the style.

How do you balance creativity with the business side of things?

I love being able to put my own spin on things when I'm able, but having constraints and being pushed out of the comfort zone by the project at hand is also good. Work is work, and it can be challenging, thus helping to grow!

As a Creative, how do you bring forth your style in the different projects you work on?

There are things which I suppose define my style and I always want to keep in, no matter how varied the projects are: attention to detail and anatomical accuracy.

What’s it like being a Creative in Poland, in terms of the work, influences, treatment, etc?

Since Poland is a big hub of gamedev studios and full or creative people, I find it very motivating in terms of inspiration. Once the terms of cooperation are established, work can also be fun. Professionals are very supportive to the newcomers, that is a big plus!

How did you get interested in creating? What were your early influences?

I always drew as a kid and never stopped, haha! I was mainly influenced by the media - cartoons, animated movies, and by comic books, illustrated fairytales etc. I also watched tons of nature-related documentaries and tried my best to draw the animals from memory afterwards. My fascination for depicting our beautiful world never wore off.

How do you think quality, storytelling, and great teamwork come together on a project?

Sometimes it's a great big mess, but the results are rewarding once it all comes together. Being open for any kind of feedback and ensuring everyone knows what to do is the key.

How do you balance artistic expression with technical precision in your work?

One time precision is vital, other times not so much - it all depends on what the work is needed for (e.g. storyboards need more focus on movement than precise designs). Some projects allow for more artistic freedom, others do not - and I'm fine with that.

Concept art of ancient hercules and animals

Tell us more about the concept art process while working on a movie?

I didn't have the opportunity to do concept arts for a movie yet, but I believe they wouldn't be much different than those needed for a video game or a comic book.

What was the first project you worked on professionally, and how did you land it?

The first big project was working as a concept artist and illustrator for the Polish gamedev studio Dark Point Games making its first game, Achilles: Legends Untold. I was recommended by one of their workers, they liked my works and I was integrated with the team. It was a great learning opportunity.