introducing Victor Antonov....

[PriNcE oF SpAcE]

ok...so this is nothig earth shattering, and I'm not quite sure where to put this, but I though I'd share anyways(because he's a damn cool artist).

anyways I was just looking through Valve's profiles...and stumbled over this guy and visited his personal website: www.vulkanbros.com

and I just found it funny how much the art direction in HL2 resembles this guy's personal interest/works. check out all the pictures....but specifically note "Vulkan junction", "Vulkan Panorama" and "Flanking rail transport"
the vulkan pics. reminds me alot of the combine tower and the rail pic reminds me of that HL2 concept art with the "train"(by the way, why aren't that under the concept art section of this site?)

he's definitly the one behind the two first conceptart pieces in the media section on this site, and I'm pretty sure he did the Blue-ish building concept aswell. just look at them and note the similaryties.

even the sounds he uses for his pictures reminds me of the music/sound from HL2...especially the strider vid, with the starnge noises the combine tower makes.

 

[marksmanHL2 :)]

I love this guys art. I seen the site before. Its so damn errie!!! and cool!!!


Freeks me out somewhat. It all seems dark and threatening to me. Very strange.....

 

[ferd]

Looks cool

 

[Lobster]

The stuff ive seen of hl2 really has a certain feel to it, like its coming from somones personal experiences , not just photo reference, it gives it a certain autenticity when the artist believes in what he is making, just somthing i like

 

[Orange]

Nice find. Its always neat putting together what made things the way they were, or what their influences were (from).

 

[DEATH eVADER]

I know what you mean about the combine tower/vulkan panorama

Plus have you noticed that in his art, he uses a lot of windmill objects, there is many windmills in HL2 as well (noticeably in traptown)
This also gives the impression that many resources have been depleted or have been disrupted by the invasion, so they require other means of energy

Are human bodies on the cables in the picture vulkan panorama

 

[PriNcE oF SpAcE]

I know what you mean about the combine tower/vulkan panorama

Plus have you noticed that in his art, he uses a lot of windmill objects, there is many windmills in HL2 as well (noticeably in traptown)
This also gives the impression that many resources have been depleted or have been disrupted by the invasion

Are human bodies on the cables in the picture vulkan panorama

yes...I did notice that just forgot to mention it...windmills and people hanging/climbing from ropes seems to be his passion

 

[mortiz]

cool site, I love the music almost as much as the art

 

[EVIL]

So that explaines the unique combine architecture like the combine citadel
Now I really want a book with all the hl2 concept art!

wicked stuff!

 

[Voodoo_Chile]

Man that site is cool.The art is brilliant and did you see the one entitled "Steam Spreader",maybe they should use it to promote Steam

 

[mortiz]

it's especially cool how when you click on the images it plays sound effects to go with them.

 

[Styloid]

love the music

 

[CrazyHarij]

Wicked, man.. Really Steampunk-ish.

 

[Snowknight26]

Wow, that is uber 'different' in a way. Errie(?) feeling to it which is why I like it.

 

[operative x]

Wowza's that music is scary!!! i love his work too and the sound effects with them.

 

[Joeyslucky22]

I like how he kind of.. made his own world with art

Every picture has something to question.. like "what is that? well whatever it is its cool looking! I'd like to know what that thing does... These sounds are making me even more curious"

Awsome artist! Valve's got talent (Valve? talent? hahah what am i talking about )

 

[EVIL]

reminds me alot of the combine tower and the rail pic reminds me of that HL2 concept art with the "train"(by the way, why aren't that under the concept art section of this site?)

I dont remember seeing them anywhere .. can you pm them? (incase hl2.net might get in trouble)