Freelance illustrator and idea artist Yigit Koroglu has poured his ardour for all issues science fiction and fantasy into a formidable profession that has seen him working for the likes of Wizards of the Coast and Atomhawk Design. His tasks have included artwork for a spread of tasks, together with AAA video games, however he is finest recognized for illustrating Magic: The Gathering playing cards, which had been additionally considered one of his first principal inspirations to turn into an artist.I caught up with him to study extra about his inventive course of, and why working in giant groups is the important thing to constantly honing his expertise as an artist. He additionally handed me some ideas for learn how to create card artwork, which I am going to share beneath.Should you’re simply embarking by yourself inventive journey, see our guides to one of the best drawing tablets and one of the best laptops for drawing. We even have a function on one of the best digital artwork software program.
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Rakdos, Lord of Riots. “Painted for Magic: The Gathering’s Ravnica Allegiance Guild Kits, it’s my imaginative and prescient of the traditional demon main his frenzied cult, spreading terror and chaos via Ravnica’s streets” (Picture credit score: Wizards of the Coast)Inform us just a little about your background as an artist. How did you get began and what has your profession been like to this point?I’ve a bachelor’s diploma in inside structure, however after attempting it for a few years I discovered that it wasn’t my match. I took some programs that launched artwork and design, artwork historical past and drawing, and I used to be already drawing fantasy artwork as a hobbyist once I was a scholar. Digital artwork was getting fashionable once I graduated, so I gave it a attempt to realised that being a fantasy artist, utilizing a pill, was the path to take for the remainder of my life. I began to get commissions and contributed to tasks of assorted sizes, together with indie video games, cellular video games and guide illustrations. One in all them was to design the protagonist for a brief animation movie referred to as The Begun of Tigtone. Then in 2018 that brief movie acquired the inexperienced gentle for a two season run to be aired on Grownup Swim. I painted practically 200 characters, creatures and props for the collection. Throughout the identical yr I began creating card artwork for Magic: The Gathering, which had been my childhood dream. In 2022 I started working for Atomhawk Design and relocated to the UK from Turkey. I’ve labored there for 3 years.
The MORTEK Squad scout unit was a robotic idea that Yigit created for his portfolio (Picture credit score: Yigit Koroglu)How has your artwork developed through the years, and what has pushed these modifications?I’ve been a contract illustrator and idea artist for a decade. I might describe my type as reasonable with a contact of stylisation. Early on, I aimed for purely reasonable outcomes, however over time I found that including some stylisation made my work extra distinctive. I really like hand-painting each ingredient in a chunk as a result of I imagine that the feel of brushstrokes helps to make the paintings recognisable; you’ll be able to consider brushstrokes as your private watermark. After becoming a member of Atomhawk, I had the prospect to work alongside extremely proficient artists with distinctive expertise and nice personalities. It made me realise that irrespective of how lengthy you’ve been within the business, there’s at all times a lot extra to study. I studied plenty of anatomy, picked up new methods to hurry up and easy out my workflow and, most significantly, discovered learn how to collaborate successfully inside a crew to attain higher outcomes.
Defenders of Ardash. Private work that exhibits the final of the Urmahlullus defending the ruined metropolis of Ardash from invading snake-people. The Urmahlullus – half-lion and half-human beings – originate from historical Sumerian mythology. (Picture credit score: Yigit Koroglu)You’ve illustrated loads of gorgeous Magic: The Gathering playing cards. How did you get into doing this? Have you ever at all times been a fan of the sport?Once I was very younger, I got here throughout a booster pack from one of many earliest Magic units and immediately fell in love with the paintings. With out even understanding what the sport was about, I purchased the pack purely for the artwork. I saved shopping for extra units simply because I admired the paintings, though there was nobody round to play the sport with me. Amassing these units crammed with superb artwork in all probability influenced my resolution to pursue this occupation. Later, whereas illustrating for Paizo’s Pathfinder Journey Paths, my artwork director Andrew Vallas moved to Wizards of the Coast to turn into an AD for Magic: The Gathering. He invited me as an example a Phyrexian Altar for the Final Masters set. I accomplished the piece, they had been pleased with it, and I’ve been working as a contract illustrator for WotC ever since.
“My interpretation of Hazoret for Magic: The Gathering’s Amonkhet Remastered set. I portrayed the god unleashing a devastating meteor bathe, emphasising her divine fury.” (Picture credit score: Wizards of the Coast)Are you able to inform us a bit concerning the card artwork creation course of? Are you given a quick to work from, and do you want to concentrate on the way it matches into a bigger deck or launch?That is positively one of the best a part of engaged on Magic: The Gathering! We obtain extremely confidential idea guides that present detailed solutions and an in-depth presentation of the world we’re illustrating for. Whereas respecting confidentiality, I can say that the artwork administrators actually worth every artist’s distinctive type and encourage totally different inventive approaches inside the transient. The problem lies within the small dimension of the printed card: silhouettes should be immediately recognisable, and compositions should help the narrative whereas remaining dynamic. Despite the fact that we don’t at all times know the precise energy of the cardboard or its title within the recreation, our job is to create one of the best illustration doable.
Shurali idea. “I designed this monster idea throughout downtime whereas working at Atomhawk. Impressed by Turkic mythology, it combines bear anatomy with twisted tree thickets to evoke a robust, sinister forest spirit.” (Picture credit score: Yigit Koroglu) What’s it about science fiction and fantasy that significantly appeals to you as an illustrator?Once I was a toddler, the video video games I performed – largely RPGs – had very primitive graphics, leaving a lot of the story to my creativeness. This inspired me to visualise the sport’s world in my thoughts by finding out the quilt artwork and handbook illustrations, filling within the lacking particulars myself. You possibly can consider it as an natural model of Generative Fill! I imagine this tremendously boosted my creativity. The ‘untold’ parts in science fiction and fantasy fuelled my creativeness, and as I grew, I developed the abilities to deliver what I envisioned in my thoughts to life via illustration. Whereas many see science fiction and fantasy as escapism, I imagine they’re deeply rooted in human nature: our ongoing quest to grasp the unknowns of the previous, and a blueprint for the way we would progress to uncover the mysteries of the longer term.
“The primary illustration I created for Dungeons & Dragons: a gargantuan dragon wreaking havoc because it assaults vessels. I needed to stress its scale, energy and chaotic impression on the encircling seas.” (Picture credit score: Yigit Koroglu)Your work on AAA video games entails working beneath stress and to tight deadlines. How do you keep on prime of all the pieces whereas sustaining persistently excessive requirements?Engaged on AAA video games can positively be nerve-racking, however at its core it’s all about teamwork. Everybody on the crew must be absolutely devoted and continuously pushing their limits. Every particular person brings totally different strengths and weaknesses: one is perhaps an unbelievable designer however a bit introverted when sharing concepts; whereas one other may work extra slowly however provide worthwhile suggestions. The bottom line is to spotlight your teammates’ strengths and help them in areas the place they wrestle.The crew chief performs an important position by understanding every member’s talents and assigning duties accordingly. When these parts come collectively, and the crew produces nice work, all that’s left is to hope that the gamers are sort of their reception.
“A private character idea of Basat, a Turkic hero from Anatolian myths. Created whereas job looking, it options three distinct roles, references, dimension charts, again views and ability sketches for detailed 3D interpretation.” (Picture credit score: Yigit Koroglu)As a personality artist, how do you go about capturing the character of your topic?Earlier than beginning sketches, each idea artist ought to put together an intensive moodboard. Gathering references helps your mind make connections and clarifies the character’s path. Consider it as a set of visible hashtags. Spending as a lot time on the moodboard as on sketching helps concepts movement naturally. When sketching, start with silhouettes to seize the character’s character. Select dynamic poses and expressive facial options to convey temper. For instance, a hand on the hip and a downward gaze can counsel assertiveness, whereas crossed arms might point out resistance to new concepts. Warhammer 40,000’s Area Marines are an awesome instance: though they put on virtually similar armour and have related roles, their physique language and expressions give every soldier a definite character that feels actual and relatable. From a technical standpoint, use foreshortening, solid shadows and mirrored gentle to offer your characters quantity and depth. Particulars reminiscent of clothes, armour and props ought to really feel related to the character’s world and their setting. Making use of the Giant-Medium-Small precept helps to determine a transparent visible hierarchy.
“Mare is a private piece that displays horrifying, miserable nightmares. It depicts my ex-bogeyman, at all times ready at my bed room doorway as I attempted to go to sleep.” (Picture credit score: Yigit Koroglu) Of all of the work you may have created, what are you most happy with and why?I believe the illustration I created for Magic: The Gathering’s Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty set, Myojin of Blooming Daybreak, is the piece I’m most happy with as a result of it allowed me to convey a cherished reminiscence from my childhood via a fantasy illustration. Once I was round seven or eight, there was a meadow between our home and college that, in springtime, was crammed with waist-high flowers. I might stroll via them, surrounded by butterflies, sunshine and a mild breeze carrying the scent of grass. That second felt virtually magical and left an enduring impression on me. Whereas creating this illustration, I used that reminiscence as a reference (the flowers had been really yellow), and I’m very happy with the way it turned out. What recommendation would you give to different artists pondering of changing into idea artists and illustrators?It’s a difficult area nowadays and it will probably really feel intimidating at occasions, however so long as you really take pleasure in what you’re doing, success (nevertheless you outline it) will ultimately observe. For aspiring idea artists, it doesn’t matter what instruments you employ, the secret is to generate authentic, useful concepts rapidly relatively than spending an excessive amount of time perfecting polished however generic ideas. I at all times advocate carrying a sketchbook to jot down even your wildest or seemingly silliest concepts every time inspiration strikes. You’d be shocked how inventive you may get in probably the most surprising of moments and locations. Illustrators ought to deal with storytelling and temper – these are important. You solely have a couple of seconds to seize the viewer’s consideration, so your piece must convey emotion and narrative instantly. Fundamentals like anatomy, composition and color are essential. Even untrained eyes can sense when one thing’s off, so ensure all the pieces works in concord to help your visible story.How one can make card artwork
“It is a promo illustration for Magic: The Gathering’s Tarkir: Dragonstorm set. It depicts a shaman on prime of Shiv’s mountains, channelling the magical, fiery energy of dragons” (Picture credit score: Wizards of the Coast)Tempted to interrupt into the world of buying and selling card video games? Yigit shares what to bear in mind when creating artwork for the format.
Dimension
Buying and selling playing cards are small, and the paintings on them is even smaller. Whereas high-quality rendering is important, keep away from spending hours on tiny particulars that gained’t be seen. Give attention to the primary topic and total impression.
(Picture credit score: Wizards of the Coast)
Silhouette
The topic must be immediately recognisable. A transparent, robust silhouette will assist the character or creature to face out at a look.
Color
This performs a significant position, particularly in video games like Magic: The Gathering. Whereas the picture shouldn’t be strictly monochromatic, the palette ought to nonetheless mirror the cardboard’s mana kind or thematic tone.
(Picture credit score: Wizards of the Coast)
Values
Worth construction is prime, not simply in buying and selling card artwork, however in all visible artwork. Robust values give quantity, improve readability and make the illustration instantly comprehensible.
Context
Making a visually placing picture is essential, nevertheless it should additionally serve the aim of the cardboard and match inside the narrative and design constraints of the transient. Even probably the most stunning piece falls brief if it doesn’t serve its meant perform.
“It is a character that I designed for Magic: The Gathering’s Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty set. I really like this one particularly, because it brings again joyful reminiscences of my childhood and freedom.” (Picture credit score: Wizards of the Coast)I created Myolin of Blooming Daybreak is a chunk for Magic: The Gathering’s Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, impressed by Japanese mythology and a childhood reminiscence. I began by constructing an enormous moodboard targeted on Japan; there was a lot visible richness that it was inconceivable to not be impressed. Since I used to be given a written transient however no visible reference for the Myojin character, I had full inventive freedom to design it from scratch.I started with black and white form and worth sketches as an alternative of line artwork, which is how I often work. Then I added color washes and used a couple of Overlay layers to push the temper additional. The color palette was totally different from my ordinary mushy, muted colors within the entrance, contrasted with vibrant whites and deep blues within the again.For the flowers, I solely painted a couple of shapes clearly – the remainder are simply unfastened brushstrokes, giving the phantasm of a full meadow. Trying again, I’d tweak a couple of areas, however I’m happy with the resultDaily design information, evaluations, how-tos and extra, as picked by the editors.See extra of Yigit’s artwork on his web site.For recommendation on your personal artwork, see our ideas for utilizing gentle and shadow to attract the physique.This text initially appeared in ImagineFX. Subscribe to ImagineFX to by no means miss a problem. Print and digital subscriptions obtainable.
