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matkaminski

Mat Kaminski
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Commission Status: OPEN!

Information:

Now that I’m all graduated and whatnot, I’m willing to take on commissioned work. You can peruse my blog to find examples of my work as well as information about my process. I ask for half payment up front to my Paypal address to begin a commission, matkaminski@yahoo.com. Unfortunately no other forms of payment are accepted unless we can meet face-to-face in Memphis, TN, or at a convention. If we meet face-to-face, I will ask that you sign a contract, but we can work out pay plans (although I will not take less than half up front). As a side note, if you commission me, and then decide to meet me at ANY convention that I’m at, you will be offered a considerable discount for making the trip!
The following types of media are acceptable:
  • Digital Painting (will only be prints unfortunately)
  • Acrylic, Watercolor, Gouache paints.
  • Charcoal, Pencils, Ink, Pastels
I have the ability to make many types of prints as well, such as 8" x 10" heavy-weight card stock, all the way up to large-format canvas prints of any of my work.
If you see anything you like on my blog, do not hesitate to ask me about format and pricing, we can most likely work something out!

Process:

Step 1: Setting Up a Commission:
The commissions listed here are intended for non-commercial use and cannot be used as a means to earn money (so no merchandise, logo design, etc). They are intended strictly for individuals (not businesses) who would like to have a character-based illustration made. If you would like to inquire about non-commercial character illustrations, please send me an e-mail with as much information as possible about the kind of illustration you’d like, including any and all information which may be useful (refs, character descriptions, etc). If you would prefer to give little information and allow me more freedom in making the commission, that is fine too.
As for commercial work, I do take these as well, but we would have to further negotiate the terms for this type of work. For more information about this type of work, send me an e-mail and we can see what we can work out.
Step 2: Initial Sketching Phase:
After the initial payment has been made, I will begin working on a first round of pencil sketches. I am initially comfortable with up to ten initial sketches. If you are still not entirely comfortable with the sketch, you are free to request changes in the following ways: up to two major revisions (such as different pose, different outfit), and any minor revisions (such as adjustment of hair length, different accessories, etc).
If the project entails more conceptual type work, I will submit no less than ten initial sketches.
Step 3: The Final Piece:
As soon as you are satisfied with the sketch, work begins immediately on the final piece. After receiving the final piece, you may request minor changes (adjustment of colors, minor tweaks), and when you are fully satisfied you will receive a large (printer-ready) version of the commissioned piece or, if requested, a physical print in the type of paper you are asking for.
If you would like to work out a traditional piece such as a painting or charcoal render, we have to be able to meet face-to-face (see above for more information).
Terminating the Commission:
IF, for any reason, you need to terminate the commission, you must pay for all of the artwork which has been made up to the point of termination, including rough sketches, linework, coloring, etc. This is an undesirable situation, for all parties involved, so please make sure that you are 100% ready for a commission when you request it and be committed to the process once you begin!

Examples of Work:

The following list shows the commission types available plus an example image. For more examples of my work, please visit my DeviantArt Gallery. If you’d like an illustration type which is not included in the list, please send a description of what you’d like to my e-mail address.

Sketches:

Rough line sketches with minimal shading or colors.

Cleaner, more detailed line sketch, drawn in pencil. Will be shaded.

Fully-rendered charcoal drawings.

Fully-rendered pastel drawings.

Digital Painting:

Grayscale painting. Fully-rendered but simply in black and white.

Fully rendered, full-color digital painting.

If you would like to start up a commission, private message me OR email me at matkaminski@yahoo.com

Thank you, and I look forward to working with you!

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Streaming in about 5 minutes...

Gotta queue up the tunes, and then away we go... not sure what we'll be painting today, but... ehhh :)

www.livestream.com/matkaminski…

Bit of a metal day perhaps...?
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Gonna try this out... come listen to music, chat, and watch some painting for a bit!
Painting a random environment!
From: www.mapcrunch.com/

Listening to Glitch Mob!

www.livestream.com/matkaminski…
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Commission Status: OPEN!



Information:

I am currently open for commissions for character designs. These prices are for illustrations of of one full-bodied character. Head-shots are at a reduced price (see below for all pricing information). I ask for full payment up front to my paypal address, matkaminski@yahoo.com. Unfortunately no other forms of payment are accepted unless we can meet face-to-face in Memphis, TN. If we meet face-to-face, I will ask that you sign a contract, but we can work out pay plans (although I will not take less than half up front).
Currently I can only accept digital work, but I have the ability to do traditional work in both wet and dry media. These include: Gouache, Oil Painting, Colored Pencil, Charcoal, Watercolor, Fully Rendered Pencils, and Inks. I am usually more available for this type of work during the summer or if you are local.

Process:

Step 1: Setting Up a Commission: 
The commissions listed here are intended for non-commercial use and cannot be used as a means to earn money (so no merchandise, logo design, etc). They are intended strictly for individuals (not businesses) who would like to have a character-based illustration made. If you would like to inquire about non-commercial character illustrations, please send me an e-mail with as much information as possible about the kind of illustration you'd like, including any and all information which may be useful (refs, character descriptions, etc). If you would prefer to give little information and allow me more freedom in making the commission, that is fine too.
As for commercial work, I do take these as well, but we would have to further negotiate the terms for this type of work. For more information about this type of work, send me an e-mail and we can see what we can work out. 
Step 2: Initial Sketching Phase: 
After the initial payment has been made, I will begin working on a first round of pencil sketches. I am initially comfortable with up to ten initial sketches. If you are still not entirely comfortable with the sketch, you are free to request changes in the following ways: up to two major revisions (such as different pose, different outfit), and any minor revisions (such as adjustment of hair length, different accessories, etc).
If the project entails more conceptual type work, I will submit no less than ten initial sketches.
Step 3: The Final Piece:
As soon as you are satisfied with the sketch, work begins immediately on the final piece. After receiving the final piece, you may request minor changes (adjustment of colors, minor tweaks), and when you are fully satisfied you will receive a large (printer-ready) version of the commissioned piece. Keep in mind that all of the commissions listed here are digital, which is why you receive a digital copy and not a physical one.
If you would like to work out a traditional piece such as a painting or charcoal render, we have to be able to meet face-to-face (see above for more information). 
Terminating the Commission:
IF, for any reason, you need to terminate the commission, you must pay for all of the artwork which has been made up to the point of termination, including rough sketches, linework, coloring, etc. This is an undesirable situation, for all parties involved, so please make sure that you are 100% ready for a commission when you request it and be committed to the process once you begin!
Examples of Work:

The following list shows the commission types available plus an example image. For more examples of my work, please visit my DeviantArt Gallery. If you'd like an illustration type which is not included in the list, please send a description of what you'd like to my e-mail address.
Sketches:


Rough line sketches without shading or colors. Can be digital or traditional.


Cleaner, more detailed line sketch, drawn in pencil. Will be shaded. Can be digital or traditional.



Rough. Digital painting drawn in Photoshop, fully colored but with a sketchy feel.

Digital Painting:


Grayscale painting. Fully-rendered but simply in black and white.


Fully rendered, full-color digital painting.

Thank you, and I look forward to working with you!
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Baldur's Gate - "FULL OST"
(if you've never played this game... PLAY IT NOW or, if you're really feeling awesome: !!!!)

I think from the very beginning of my gaming days... at least when I finally sat down and got serious about it, I think that I was drawn to being a video game artist. I can still remember sitting around with buddies playing old super nintendo games like Earthbound and Final Fantasy 3 / 6 and my (to this day still) second favorite game of all time: Chrono Trigger. I would think then that it's safe to say that I always wanted to do something in the video game industry.

My first real experience with video game art that I can honestly say drew me into the world of video game design was probably the cover art for Chrono Trigger:

Yeah, that's the same guy that works on Dragon Ball.

And also the character portraits:

  
 

You would've thought that in those days that my goals would have been clear.
My tastes have changed quite a bit since then, but it just goes to show you that things you do in your childhood really do influence you in the long run.

Initially I wanted to be an environment artist for the silly reasons that I didn't want to animate, that I thought environments would be simpler, there would be less competition for this type of work, etc. The reasons are insignificant, because it's much more important to A) have a clear goal up front, and B) to never compromise because "It's easier." As the saying goes, nothing good comes easy. And I whole-heartedly agree, because if it were easy, everyone would be doing it and it wouldn't be worth the time. This goes into a very different rant that I could go on and on about how a majority of the public looks down upon artists. But I'll save that rant for a different time.

Like I said, pay attention to yourself early on. I was interested in the character designs from the get-go, and I didn't listen to myself. Fast forward a tiny bit (not much) and you get closer to what I really wanted to do: character art. Baldur's Gate was probably my first real experience into what makes good character art.


(I still drool over these)

I have gotten into portraiture probably mostly in the past few months and I think this is an after-effect of my childhood gaming habits. I think I secretly always wanted to do this, I was just worried that I would never be good enough to get to this level.

I was talking to my fiancee the other day and I told her all about how I felt about being a character artist in the long run and I don't think I've gotten a look of "wow, you're really dumb if you don't go after what you love" like that before. I mean, sure the competition is stiff. There is a full gamut of artists with all different skillsets, but the point is that I have a clear goal and I am going to try shooting for it.

 
(my current goals probably lie somewhere between these two)

The whole point I'm trying to make is that everyone that starts art should have a very clear goal of where they're going in the long term. I've met a ton of artists (even some getting close to graduation) who look at me completely dumbfounded when I ask them: "So, when you get done, what's next? Where do you want to work?" And I know sometimes it just takes the pressure of being done with school, just relaxing and things, but sometimes I think it's ultimately important to do a little soul searching up front and really discover your passions. Your career and stress levels will thank you in the long run.

Try it... make a goal list. Look at where you see yourself in one year, five years, ten, etc. And see what kind of results you can get. It takes some real research to discover where you want to be. I'm still working on my first step to my goal-list, and keep in mind that it constantly changes. It's a step-by-step process. Think on micro-level first and work up to the macro.

If you're just starting out in art, for example, and you want to be a character artist... I suggest firstly to bone up on your anatomy. Then consider clothing, then weapons, and so on. Marc Brunet says it pretty well here.

If you ever need critique or anything, let me know. I'm usually up for giving advice and critiquing and things.

And just as a bonus... here's some progress if you just practice your ass off.

 
(2010)                                                                          (2013)
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