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Hey, 'Nation!
When I met Kekai Kotaki (or 'Cake' as we call him here at the 'Bar) several years ago at the 2005 Concept Art Workshop, I was amazed and inspired by his talent and his awesome sketchbooks. Though he was a fresh face to the scene, I knew for certain that his skills would take him far. And that they have.
Since 2004, Kekai has worked consistently in the gaming industry, starting as a texture artist, and making his way briskly up the internal ladders of NCSoft and ArenaNet, to become the lead concept designer on GuildWars 1 and 2.
Yet even with the demands of his day job, he still finds time to do freelance work for clients like Tor Books and their art director, Irene Gallo.
Kekai is an artist of rare acuity and vision. The images he creates immediately immerse you in the realms illustrated. Some fantasy artists require a suspension of disbelief or a familiarity with the subject matter at the very least, in order to make you believe. Kekai provides you with immediate recognition — regardless of your situation.
Even though his method is abstraction, he assaults your senses with his evocative character designs, atmospheres and solid compositions. The majesty of his landscapes and environments are beyond reproach. The images we've presented here are a select few, but they will leave you in awe.
As we discuss in the interview, Kotaki has created so much content that's been used in promo adverts by the gaming industry, that you may recognize them all, and never have known they were his. As such, we recommend you check out his site and blog for a bigger piece...of 'Cake'.
- DWiGHT
Below is a small gallery of Kekai's images. There's a distinct "wow" factor at work!
This is one of the images mentioned in the interview. The one Cake said Daniel Dociu kinda art directed him on (to good results).
Hey Sidebar!
Just wanted to say thanks for doing these podcasts. I can't begin to describe how much I enjoy them - so - Keep on keepin' on!
-Mike
Posted by: Michael Curtiss | July 05, 2011 at 18:50
Wow, his work is for sure amazing. It is easy to know what every character is by just looking at them. To be honest, I am not much of a gamer anymore and less a PC one but I've always love the art behind every one of them.
Posted by: Henry Carreno Ortiz | July 05, 2011 at 21:49
This is a great interview guys thanks for the show !!!
I wanted to get that book about composition he was taking about but I could not make out the name. Do you happen to know what it is? Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Sean | July 08, 2011 at 18:12
(RE: Thanks Sean, we have been informed by another listener that Kekai, was referencing Hans Bacher's "Dream Worlds." It's available on Amazon.- DWiGHT)
Posted by: DWiGHT | July 09, 2011 at 09:08
Thanks, you guys rock keep up the great show!!
Posted by: Sean | July 09, 2011 at 17:53
Sidebar Sapiens,
Thank you for the interview...
THIS was something i was waiting for a while because 'cake' is insanely talented..
need to keep my eyes open for a process video from kekai..
Btw... a little help, when you mention the names of illustrators in between your conversation, like classic american illustrators...it would be of great help to have their names quoted in your sidebar posting...
because far away here in India, that's all great education for someone like me who get to know those great guys for the first time.
..and highly missing a 'round table'...when is the next round table...please talk about classic old american illustrations... Norman Rockwell,etc.
Much respect,
Manu.
Posted by: manu | July 11, 2011 at 03:49
Hey Manu,
You should check out http://www.cgmwonline.com/digital-fantasy-illustration.html for the process video you mentioned. Great stuff.
-Steven
Posted by: STEVEN | July 11, 2011 at 15:39
anybody about to buy 'dreamworlds'...buy it twice!!
its one hell of a book...
Posted by: manu | July 15, 2011 at 06:08