Long-time ImagineFX readers will remember that we featured Atomhawk in the magazine just a few years ago, in issue 138. But in 2016 the company, which provides digital art and design services for clients such as Warner Bros., Sony and Marvel, only existed in one place: Gateshead in north-east England. The following year, Atomhawk launched a brand new studio in Vancouver, Canada, so we figured it was about time we caught up with them, too.
The first thing studio director Chris Rowe makes clear is that, despite having two branches on opposite sides of the Atlantic, it’s still very much one Atomhawk. “As one team is finishing their day, the other is just starting, so the production teams typically do a daily sync-up on everything,” he explains. That said, each studio usually focuses on its own set of projects, and the latest one Chris can talk about is Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, a collaboration with Xbox Game Studios. “This was also one of the biggest projects we’ve ever done, with over 900 panels of beautiful, historically accurate illustrations and paintings being produced,” he says. “It required a truly phenomenal effort from everyone involved, over quite a long stretch of time.”
KEEPING ARTISTS HAPPY
Other projects launching last year included Mortal Kombat 11 and FIFA 20. And working on such big-name AAA projects certainly helps keep artists happy, Chris stresses. “Most of the gang are gamers themselves, with their own love and passion for certain genres and IPs,” he notes, “so it keeps them motivated to deliver.”
This story is from the April 2020 edition of ImagineFX.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2020 edition of ImagineFX.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A Tribute To Akira Toriyama
Remembering a legend Artists from across the world pay homage to the influential manga artist and genius creator of Dragon Ball
First Impressions
The illustrator reveals his journey through the world of art
DEVELOP 3D SKILLS FOR CONCEPT ART
Gaëlle Seguillon creates a breathtaking fantasy environment by combining a selection of techniques within her workflow
DRAW FUTURISTIC VEHICLE DESIGNS
John A. Frye uses just a single brush to transform his messy thumbnail into a bold and colourful hard-surface creation
PART 5: SIMPLIFY THE VALUE SCALE
Charlie Pickard introduces his top advice for achieving strong values in your artwork to create clear and powerful imagery
Charles Ratteray
Page-turner Library meets laboratory in the artist's studio, packed with inspiration and a mix of media
How to tell a story in an image
Narrative masters Tanya Combrinck talks to four artists about using visual elements to imbue their work with personal and universal human stories
ILLUSTRATE A MAGICAL CHARACTER
For this illustration, I was asked to create a fun, bright image with the theme of making artwork magical by the developers behind the digital drawing app Clip Studio Paint.
First Impressions - Glenn Arthur
Influences from Disneyland shape the artist’s work
THE ART OF BRIAN SUM
Dominic Carter talks to the mech master about honing his cyberpunk visions, character designs, and his new artbook