Peter Popnek

I decided to look for a concept artist that I found inspiring as I do not play games very often and could not think of a game designer who I knew enough of do look up further. I looked for concept artists whose work was used in films that I liked because of their visual aesthetic. This lead me to discover Peter Popnek who has been the concept artist for films such as Hugo, Kind Arthur, Speed Racer, The Three Musketeers and V for Vendetta. 

Above image is a concept sketch of Saxon weaponry and costume from Antoine Fuqua's King Arthur (2004) and below image is the concept sketch of London used in Martin Scorsese's Hugo (2011) both are by Popnek.

 What I liked about Popneks style as a concept artist was that he uses futurism and combines it with older styles to create something unique and strange. This style works for the films he has worked on as they have been very industrial either having a science fiction element or being involved with machinery in some way.

Popnek's concept sketch of a maiden in Paul Anderson's the Three Musketeers (2011).

For example the above image shows his concept sketch for a young maidens costume and attached gadgets. The style of dress right down to hair and make up is very old and ragtimey however Popkens gadgetry used is very industrial and futuristic without overpowering the old time look. This is a kind of style which I like.

Below two images are Popnek's sketchs of scenes from James McTeigue's film V for Vendetta (2005)

The same style can be seen in James McTeigue's film V for Vendetta (2005) where Popneks style is used once again. This time it is a futuristic London he was conceptualizing. However he keeps the old and historic brick looking London buildings and introduces a very industrial and sleek interior to them. This creates a familiar yet sterile effect which worked really well for V for Vendettas plot. 

All images are sourced from Peter Popken's online portfolio here.