Marek is a very talented digital painter who looks at his paintings as scenes from movies. He tries to capture the most pivotal moment that will make his art look explosive and amazing. Marek gives us insight on what he does to improve his skills, as well as explains what type of tools he uses to paint.
1. Welcome to PSDTUTS! Please introduce yourself, give us a brief bio, tell us where you're from, and how you got started in the field.
Hi There! My name is Marek Okon, I come from Poland and I'm 27 years old. My fascination with digital graphics started with an old Commodore C64 and painting Batman fan art pixel by pixel. I loved the possibilities the computer gives the artist and I wanted to explore that passion. During my college years painting was just a hobby to me since I worked as web designer and flash animator.
While this experience didn't improve my drawing skills I learned a lot about how to deal with different clients and of course I got to know Photoshop inside and out, I’ve been using it as my main tool to date. About three years ago I decided to start my career as a professional painter and concept designer. I had a few not bad images In my portfolio, then got my first book cover commissions and thing started rolling.
2. Most designers in your field use PC Tablets, what exactly do you use and how is it more efficient compared to the other products out there?
I work on Wacom Intuos3 A4 and its by far best tool I worked on. I tried three different tablets before but none of them had such precision and control over the painting process. Don't get fooled. It's not a tablet that makes good images, it can speed up the process but ultimately is all up to artist. A tool is just a tool no matter how good or bad it is.
3. The saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" is quite fitting for your art. One painting looks like it has a whole novel worth of story to it, so where do you draw inspiration to paint such plot orientated illustrations?
When its a book cover, inspiration comes from the story I'm reading. During reading I see all the scenes in my imagination and then I pick one that will fit the cover best, one that will draw attention of the people passing by this book. When its personal works I usually create my own little story around the picture, so every piece of equipment presented, every location and character has its part in the world presented. I rarely go and create something accidental.
4. The imagery in your work ranges from battle scenes to amazing landscape shots, What is your favorite type of scene to paint and why?
I Like mixing SF and fantasy. I love SF because I can show of some of my design ideas and general vision of a future. Fantasy on the other hand has something childish inside which really warms up an image and makes it more appealing to a viewer.
5. What exactly goes through your head when you are about to start a new painting? Quickly walk us through the process of completing one of your amazing paintings.
First stage is always thinking what I want to draw. And while it sound simple it’s the time you have to decide what your image is really about- a core idea as I call it. All the other elements orbit around that core idea and must fit it and support it. Second stage is quick doodling (usually on a paper) trying out a few composition setups, some design elements and so on. Next, I paint the initial sketch on the computer, add some preliminary colors and start detailing the whole piece till I'm happy with final results.
6. Does the outside world influence your work at all? If so how, and does it always have a positive effect on the work?
My main problem is that I work too much, seriously If it wasn't for my fiancé who drags me out from my apartment every now and then I would draw 24/7 with only a few brakes for eating and sleeping. But it’s good to catch a brake from time to time. It lets your brain gain a fresh perspective on a parting, you can relax and attack picture with a new approach and strength. I also love watching movies, Its really useful to look at how the camera takes that directors use to emphasize certain things. I have a huge film shot library in my head that I use every time I have problem with proper framing or composition.
7. Even the best designers practice frequently learn new things, so where exactly do you go to find tutorials or articles that help you find inspiration for your paintings?
I think my biggest drawback is color and tone management. In those areas I still feel unsure and often have to experiment during painting. Unfortunately there isn't much about the rules and theory behind proper color palettes and good tonal management. I bet it’s not a big problem for someone who has art education behind them but for self taught guy like me it is. There are however books about traditional painting where those problems are explained quite well, so lately those books are my main source of knowledge
8. Thanks again for providing PSDTUTS with this opportunity to interview you, any final thoughts? What would you tell other designers that hope to be as good as you one day?
Thank you for interviewing me, and kudos on the great website. Even I found a few useful tutorials here, and I thought old dogs cant learn new tricks! As for advice I have only one - keep practicing. You will suck at the beginning, like everybody else did, but you have to power through. Learn as much as you can, experiment as much as you can and above all - keep practicing! There's no other way.
Where to find Marek on the Web
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User Comments
( ADD YOURS )PaulRoman November 12th
Some stunning work there I must admit
( )FeatherHost November 12th
Amazing, looks very realistic.
( )espen November 12th
fantastic! really amazing images.. and he think he has problems with colors.. pff
( )BogDinamita November 12th
oh boy!
( )wiley November 12th
like the girl with the grenade alot
( )Jeremy Davis November 12th
loswl November 12th
WOW!!…..brilliant artist and great interview..truly a Photoshop master!! ;O)
( )Naldz Graphics November 12th
Impressive work!!!!nice interview
( )Jesús November 12th
Wow!!
( )A really good job. Excellent
Renee November 12th
Wow those are amazing, and the lighting is brilliant! What talent he has!
( )Nate November 12th
Absolutely amazing work! Great inspiration. Thanks
( )Vader November 12th
He’s from polend. he’s the best !
( )Howard Pinsky November 12th
I wish I had 1/10th that talent! Beautiful work!
( )Tim Soret November 12th
It seems that all the greatest designers are self-taught.
( )Marek Oron is clearly one of the painter I admire the most.
Each image he painted is astonishing, because they really conveys a strong sense of storytelling and they all require an effort of imagination from the viewer. Great interview by the way.
Dan November 12th
love the lighting on hide and seek
( )Jaffar November 12th
wow……Im really amazed with that at work….wish I had that talent
( )Grant Friedman November 12th
This guys rocks!
( )Rijalul Fikri November 12th
Wow, amazing artwork. I do love all his artworks.
( )insic November 12th
really nice. this guy is awesome.
( )q November 12th
Wow some very amazing pieces, very inspiring. I think its time to invest in a Wacom tablet. Good job Marek and great interview Emil.
( )Chris Banach November 12th
polish artists are (and have been through ages) among the most talented in the world, along with chinese.
( )Bryan Grajales November 12th
Awesome Love the “Rain” aka the girl with the granade !
But it seems that this website is not a for tutorials anymore…
Now its kind of a magazine…. now we’ve seen more interviews than tutorials! =(
( )Gman November 12th
The hand of a god onlys works his good!
( )Arik November 12th
Great artist, although there are many great digital painters. That is not what sets him apart from the rest. BUT, what does catch my eye is that the concepts he uses are different than those I have seen from most artists. ‘Rain’ is something like I have never seen before, it’s more cinematic than anything. I’ve seen loads of artists that stick primarily to SF or Fantasy, yet fail to mix the two. Marek on the other hand does a great job at this.
I salute you sir and wish you all the best with your career.
( )geir b nystad November 12th
WoW i must say this, this guy don’t know anything about art. all this stuff sucks!!! everything is totally off, don’t even look real!!
go back to school buddy!
( )Tanaka13 - Créations du Net November 12th
a great artist there, nice interview!
( )Vladrxpx November 12th
i am amazed, the details are incredible!!!
( )Muffen November 12th
This is so far the best artiest i’ve seen, congratulation mans, great work!
( )Josh November 12th
Please less cheap interviews more tuts in this tuts website
( )thanks
w November 12th
gee.. o_o
( )Erick Rodrigo November 12th
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh my god!!!
no condition!!!
congratulations man!!
sorry, bad english!! i am Brazilian
i don’t I understand english
but alone the images speak for me
show de bola!!! kkkkkkkkkkk
( )Jenny Stuart November 12th
Oh wow. Seriously the best artist I have seen in a very long time. Cheers!
( )Tom Ross November 12th
To be honest this isn’t my kind of themes or artwork. However, saying that, this guy is evidently VERY talented. Thanks for sharing.
( )Jess November 12th
Love Okon’s work. I’m so glad you guys decided to do an article on him!
( )Crazyhunk November 12th
His works are awesome….
no more words to say…..
( )Abdul Akbar November 12th
i was so amazed……… that what a guy this is.
what a talent he has.
he is really really the master of digital painting.
( )Hennessy November 12th
Kiking ass !!! mannn its so coooool. Awesome
( )John November 12th
WOW. This is some serious talent right here. Very Impressive and Inspiring.
( )Ronnie November 12th
he’s one of the best artist i have ever seen. The girl with the grenade is my actually wallpaper. So much power in these pics. I love it.
( )Thodoris November 12th
He is very talented! His work is really unique!! Nice one! I provided a link of this interview at my blog! Way to go PSDTUTS!
( )James November 12th
Absolutely AMAZING work!!!! Nice interview, thanks!
( )tct November 12th
Thanks for the interview.
( )Rafael Folk November 12th
omG, amazing !
( )Behzad Saeedi November 12th
i wish i had the same skill ! great! thanks for the interview…
( )Master November 12th
im the master…. lolz work… no match for me….
grrrrrrrrrrrrr…….
( )macias November 12th
ufff… holy smoke… that kicks ass SF / Blade Runner … i love it. It;s masterpieces 4 me
( )agustin ruiz November 12th
i love the bladerunner inspired one! greaaaaaaaaat
( )em November 12th
Where to find Marek on the Web
* Deviant Art
* Portfoilio
* CG Society
This secound “Portfolio” link is wrong
( )Seraphim Collective November 13th
I’ve look at his work so many times on CG Society. All I can really say is, AMAZING!
( )Matt November 13th
man I suck. These are awesome
( )Maciej Kwas November 13th
Cheers from PL, good to hear about you. I have been watching you since your art won DD on digart. You are doing a good job, just keep it up.
@geir b nystad
( )If you don’t like something it doesn’t really mean that it sucks. Just… you don’t like it. And it’s your opinion. As far as it will be written with so strong words better keep it only for yourself.
Josh Drake November 13th
Really stunning paintings here! This guy is crazy with a brush (or should I say the brush tool), I can tell. Thanks for yet another great interview, guys.
( )sean steezy November 14th
holy crap that is some awesome sh*t. there is some GWAR style beasts, and I love the thumbnail for this article. i am in awe.
we’re not worthy!
( )Marco November 14th
The interviewer should have asked how much time does it takes to create those paintings.
I think it takes from 20 to 40 hours.
( )Jonno November 14th
Wow, very very talented artist. Great cinematic feel to the images, and his lighting work is superb. I enjoyed this one muchly, thanks!
( )sang mantan November 15th
talented artist. two thumbs up !!!
( )Ariful Alam Khan November 16th
The Girl with the grenade named RAIN. It is so mystic. Nothing to say except AWSOME. Thanks for the inspiration
( )Ariful Alam Khan November 16th
ALL THE WORKS ARE AMAZING. SPECIALLY I LIKED THE PICTURE ‘RAIN’, THE GIRL WITH GRENADE AND THE PIN IN OTHER HAND, IT IS SO SYMBOLIC.. SO MYSTIC. THANKS FOR THESE GREAT INSPIRATIONS…
( )Kovi November 22nd
very nice job. Nice lightnigs and details
( )aahaynes January 14th
I think the question to ask this guy is “Does he knowledgeshare?”
It would be so very nice if he mentored others. He would be an amazing instructor with all his insight.
( )Xtel February 8th
Very good artist. I like the one with a girl in the rain. Very nice work man.
( )Morayma N. Rodriguez May 7th
Hey, you’re work is highly remarkable!! My partner and I are putting together a presentation for our class on how to use Coral X painter for Digital Paint project.
We were wondering if we could schedule an interview with you if that’s possible. It would be either over the phone or online if it more convenient for you.
( )rezza June 27th
greattttt!!!
( )Marek Okon July 21st
There are TWO Marek Okon’s. I am the MIXED MEDIA DESIGNER. The Marek Okon featured in this article is a different person with the same name and nationality. He is an illustrator. Please take my WEBSITE OFF this post. Thank you.
( )Alley October 18th
Amazing ,
( )