This acclaimed fantasy artist isn't letting AI put him off traditional painting on vast canvases
by https://www.creativebloq.com/author/imaginefx-staff · Creative Bloq
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Grzegorz ‘Greg’ Rutkowski is a fine artist, digital painter, illustrator and concept artist from Poland who started his career in 2009. He has been commissioned by major names in entertainment, including Wizards of the Coast, Blizzard, Disney and Games Workshop, and he's done concept art for games ranging from Sony’s Horizon Forbidden West to Ubisoft’s Anno.
To his dismay, his name has often been used in prompts for AI-generated art due from people hoping to ape the story of his vivid fantasy art. Studies have found him to be one of the most-ripped-off artists by users of Midjourney and Stable Diffusion.
While Greg often uses digital tools in his work for clients, he also paints traditionally using acrylics and oils (see our guides to the best acrylic paints and best oil paints), often on large canvases to create epic fantasy scenes with a painterly look. Below, we take a look at four examples.
Legend
This scene depicts a knight returning from a victorious battle. People are treating him like a hero. This oil painting was created in 2023 on a linen canvas measuring 100 x 70cm.
For Honor and Freedom
It took Greg around 10 months to complete this oil painting on linen canvas (200 x 130cm). He finished it in 2024 and recorded the whole process, which is available on his website as a complete course on painting battle scenes.
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Go it Alone
This painting was commissioned by Wizards of the Coast for its Magic: The Gathering TCG. It was painted in 2022 with acrylics on linen canvas (80 x 60cm).
Chaos Dragon
Another 2022 MTG commission for Wizards of the Coast. Greg used acrylics again for this piece, but this time on a cotton canvas, measuring 70 x 50cm.
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