Nico Bellic

Monday, June 16, 2008

Niko Bellic of Grand Theft Auto IV
[click to enlarge]

Here is an image I did for Official Playstation Magazine UK which is in their latest issue. I had a hard time getting it to look exactly like the game model because I started out with an illustration that I realized later was a bit different than the game. So after the fact, I started messing with it to try to get him closer to the game model.

This image involved a lot more illustration on my part than the other ones too since I was changing the lighting compared to my source image.

Anyway, enjoy!

* UPDATE * ugh,.... you'd think after all this time I would have spelled Niko right. thanks Brian.

119 comments:

Unknown said...

Thats very rad

Anonymous said...

Sweet. By the way, your posts don't show up correctly in your RSS feed.

Anonymous said...

Love your art, but the hand is a little bit too small in my opinion - or is this due to the original hand?

pitchblack said...

@patte: maybe you should try to click on the image ;-)

Anonymous said...

fantastic job!

Plasma2002 said...

Love it! :)

(btw, its Niko, not Nico)

Anonymous said...

Nice job !

(looks like him: http://www.gulf4cars.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=10712)

Luke said...

@2nd comment:

For me the RSS works perfectly. And this is blogger...so you'd think it would, no?

Nice work btw...although for some reason, the fact that its a lifelike character makes it seem slightly less "real" than the others - there's just something about the the lighting that doesnt look quite right...

Anonymous said...

Amazing!!!! You're very talented man. Congrats!!!!
Carlos

Anonymous said...

The lighting seems off for some strange reason, but it still looks excellent great work as always...
By the way, i'm posting a link to your blogspot on neoseeker... That will give you more hits!!!!

PlutoISaPlanet said...

The lips & chin are off-center. Move them to the left, please.

Anonymous said...

Wow, amazing. I love the detail.

Anonymous said...

the hand is too small

Anonymous said...

id really like to see some dragonball Z untoons, if thats even possible, but great job man, everything is awesome

Anonymous said...

what?! only five fingers? there's a sixth one hiding in there somewhere right? :) jk, awesome job on the pic bro.

Driscle said...

awesome job man!

Though I think this is the most unrealistic one you've done. Probably because it was to realistic to begin with =p nah it look sweet, but really, i agree something is a lil off, not sure what =) Keep it up man i love your work!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I think this is one of your best work!
Just 2 criticisms:
1- he's a bit cross eyed - don't know if it's intentional
2- his frown mark is not accentuated enough, you know, the 2 vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.

Other than that this really is incredible - the hair, the beard, the skin the lighting, the changes in focus - absolutely stunning!

Unknown said...

Christ, everyone's a critic.

Anonymous said...

Good work fella.

You're very talented.

adamczar said...

This is amazing, I'm not sure what kind of person gets on here and just points out the negatives. Jealous ones, I bet, who don't have anything published in any magazines.

Loner Gamer said...

Very nice!

Anonymous said...

I know this man! He lives in Bournemouth, UK and is an Albanian. Nice chap too

Anonymous said...

This is amazing, can you do solid snake--oh what a picture that would be

Anonymous said...

can u change the age limit of toons....like Yoda from starwars can u make him younger

Anonymous said...

it looks like officer bellic of prison break :P just an anotation..

Unknown said...

i agree with CHeeky Chap. This is immense. A solid snake one would be orgasmic ;)

Anonymous said...

I would also like to place a vote for solid snake.

Gary Numash said...

In order to help this fantastic image get some publicity even more I have mentioned it on my deviant art account ||| www.deviantart.com/nutronic

Anonymous said...

Finance

Unknown said...

WOW!!!

David said...

It would be cool to see Iron Maiden's mascot, Eddie.
Great work!

Anonymous said...

I love your work, man !
It could be awesome with South Park characters, don't you think ?!?

Unknown said...

Agreed, Solid Snake definitely needs some real-life recognition.
However, if you're into Nintendo, I think Link would be an awesome addition as well.

Anonymous said...

Idk, the un-tooned doesn't work very well for me. It's a nice bit of artwork, I suppose, but that's just kind of what he looks like in the game..

Anonymous said...

Boa , mas a do mataleone tá melhor!

http://mataleonerj.deviantart.com/art/Niko-Bellic-real-89228810

Anonymous said...

Amazing!!!

Cleki said...

Is so sexy!!! (LL)
I love he! ^^

Anonymous said...

This is awesome, even if it is right in the middle of the uncanny valley...

Anonymous said...

Dude, seriously, amazing work. Don't listen to all these people saying what they don't like about it - everyone has an opinion and most of the time their opinions suck. You're very talented so keep it up!

Aaaaand Solid Snake WOULD be pretty sweet, but I'd LOVE to see Sonic or Mega Man.

Anonymous said...

Man all this is grate...please oh please please do snake...im gona check your blog daily ...bravo

Unknown said...

Very cool.

Anonymous said...

Man, that is awesome. I play the game daily and that puts a real face to him. I always knew Niko was a bad ass but this look just confirms it.

Anonymous said...

Jean...Mataleone fez um muito bom, mas não acho melhor que esse. Também nào acho esse abusurdamente bom. Mas a luz e os volumes e proporções estão melhores do que o do Matelaone. Eu acabei de postar no Blog do Nataleone todos os detalhes do porquê o dele está excelente, mas acho esse melhor no geral. Não estou falando por falar, mas especifiquei o que poderia melhorar, se ele liberar o post lá, vc irá concordar comigo. :)
Sorry to put these Words in english.
It's just because i am talking to JEAN, who posted a NIKO BELLIC manipulation (untooned version), too, on its site.
As i said to Mataleone (The guy who made the other version), Pixeloo version looks more "real" and not too photoshoped. But Mataleone Version is pretty good tool, but has some cofusion on light direction, some strange volumes on the face, and strange giant wrinkles on the fronthead. But i like that his version is very tied to a raw reality/photos and very tied to the character itself. Your, is like a little modified and more photoreal character...

Anonymous said...

THAT IS EXCELLENT

Anonymous said...

nice but mataleone is faster than you!
http://mataleonebr.blogspot.com/
DO BROLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Nice work! I've got it posted on my blog to generate publicity for it, my blog is a GTA news blog.

By the way, to let GTA fans know, I'm giving out GTA IV posters. To enter into the contest, just go over to my blog and post a comment in my latest GTA IV update. When there are enough people entered into the contest, I will anounce the results!

Once again though, nice work! Although Niko looks a little wierd, I think the lines near the cheeks are too dark.

Unknown said...

Dude, that's amaaaaazing. You're insane. I could never do that.

Anonymous said...

Это круто

Anonymous said...

http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/resources/2007/03/gta4russiandude.jpg

Anonymous said...

Nice work with Niko! Now all we need is the real Solid/Old Snake. 8P

Anonymous said...

He looks like Eli Manning..... not bad though :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome job!

Anonymous said...

Hola yo tambien creo PAPIELS te dejo mi blog para que les eches un vistazo

http://curi222.blogspot.com/

DDanny said...

muy realista

Unknown said...

Hello, I would like know how are you make to write Niko with the same writing to GTA?

I'm a French graphist, and I like GTA IV. So i want write to the same writing.

Thank you for your help

fabrice53200@gmail.fr

Anonymous said...

I'm a girl so I have no idea what's going on here.

Anonymous said...

perfect...... we would like to see Metal Gear Solid virson.

PLEASE :$

Anonymous said...

omg yur such a great artist

i bet u could so sonic da hedgehog VERY EASILY

DO IT PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ

THANK U SO MUCH IF U DO IT

IF U DONT ITS OK KEEP DRAWING

HOPE U BECOME A FAMOUS GRAPHIC ARTIST

Anonymous said...

I Think its Awesome!Striking too.Have you thought about doing some renders of The actual Transformers Generation one characters as we didnt get them in the movie. I would love to see a Starscream or an Optimus Prime.Nice work mate keep at it.

haze said...

AAAWWWWEEEESOOOOMMMEEEEEE

Like seriously.

Awesome.

Can't say it enough.

Anonymous said...

This is a really fantastic rendition of Niko. You've got the details down right down to the pores in his face, something most artists (myself included) would never have the patience to do! My only major gripe is that the proportions are off in his hand. His whole hand should be just a little bit bigger and his middle finger is a bit short in comparison to his index finger, even if the fingers are bent. (I apologize if you noticed that already, I blame my anatomy studies for making me so anal about that sort of thing!) Other than that though, I love it!

Brian Huang said...

great work!

Anonymous said...

Hi!

Here in Brazil, a Guy does a pic more cool... If you look for on Google, maybe you find. The image is more perfect e his hand is in a correct place!

But, his image isn't so bad. Congrats.

Anonymous said...

Brazilian is better: http://fc06.deviantart.com/fs30/f/2008/172/3/a/Niko_Bellic_real_by_mataleoneRJ.jpg

Anonymous said...

wow all you guys do is complain complain about little details.. how about all you guys try and do this

Anonymous said...

Great work!

Anonymous said...

Bro. Your latest untoonings have been so horrible. They pale in comparison to homer or mario. Doesn't look nearly as horrifically real. They still look like cartoons even after you untoon them.

Anonymous said...

Awesome, awesome awesome! What a great job!

Morey said...

There is so much awesomeness in you, it's baffling. Fantastic job, once again.

Anonymous said...

wow man tht looks soo good
he looks like a real serb!
and im srb aswell
u r soo good at making things look realistic

Anonymous said...

fantastic work!

Anonymous said...

oh man! that are a really great.

Anonymous said...

good work.
look this
dungeon master real by mataleone

http://bp1.blogger.com/_78t1Wo43KMk/SHe_GN4wC3I/AAAAAAAAAnk/hs1kCyFq0gw/s400/mestre-dos-magos-medio.jpg

Anonymous said...

to the girl who posted earlier, wtf ar you doin here anyway? btw. your work is awesome man.i also agree w/ the solid snake proposition. keep it up!!!!

Ammaar Reshi said...

Amazing work man, Brilliant

Anonymous said...

Amazing work!

Jiggamane said...

Wow, this is an amazing work I can't stop starring at it! It will be cool if you make Marcus Fenix from GoW :D

Anonymous said...

That is kind of creepy after playing that game a lot. cause you made him look like a real dude.


- T

www.MostEmailedNews.com

Anonymous said...

Now you've gotta do one of Little Jacob. Please make the one with sunglasses. I've seen him without and it's terrifing.

Unknown said...

Awesome job :) Can't wait for the next one. Maybe Dr. Zoidberg from Futurama?

Heverton said...

Man if you do a photorealistic super sayajin from Dragon Ball, you will be my god!!!


Hugs!

Black Sheep said...

Man!!!!!!!!!!!
Make a real Sonic!!!

*-* ²³²²³²

Anonymous said...

ii LOVE WHAT YOU DID ii PLAii THiiS GAME ALL THE TiiME iiT LOOKS JUST LiiKE HiiM!!PROPS!!

Anonymous said...

It looks really good. In the game Niko looks very ugly. But in your picture he's beautfiul but still looks like the game-version.

Great work!

Anonymous said...

that is kid of creepy but not as bad as Mario, it sends shivers down my spine

Anonymous said...

I still think you should do "real" versions of the celshaded San andreas splash screens.

Unknown said...

whats up with his fingers?

Nezi Nikolova Photography said...

I am amazed by your work.

nezi nikolova

Anonymous said...

i guess this will be your most famous work.
congrats on the great job.

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much for it!

Anonymous said...

MY COUSIN!

Anonymous said...

Was one of your references Jason Statham?

Anonymous said...

Dude you are one talented mother F-er. I would love to see you do Esmeralda from the hunchback of Notre Dame. 2nd hottest Disney character next to Jessica Rabbit.

Anonymous said...

unbelievable!!!
great work!

Jamys said...

That's quite scary....
But not as creepy as real Mario.
I think he's living under my bed.....

Anonymous said...

wonderful !!!

Anonymous said...

Does anyone love the zipper on the jacket? I do! Dang that is awesome detail!

Anonymous said...

Hey you wanna see the real Nico Bellic..he have also the clothes in the movie..try the bad sniper guy in the first Behind enemy lines..it's freak how is simlar..and he is from East!

Anonymous said...

I'm bad at english,but i'll try...
How you making skin on all characters???Manually?Or you took the texture?

Anonymous said...

Nice word man dude! keep it up!

Anonymous said...

Well, at least it looks a lot less creepy than, say Homer or Stewie. Niko is already meant to have human proportions so this just looks like an actor in his actual role.

Anonymous said...

HEY
U REALLY GOT A GOOD NACK AT DIS
UR REAL TALENTED
I HAVE A SUGGESTION
HOW ABOUT CJ FROM GRAND THEFT AUTO SAN ANDREAS

CWOLF-18 said...

EPIC skills man i had to have a look at these masterpieces after seeing them in a ps3 mag, please do a solid snake one as that would be awesome

Leo said...

excellent work !
keep going this way.
we want others characters :)

Peace

Anonymous said...

can you please do a metal gear solid solid snake please

Sam said...

Like Grand Thefts of the past, the game play centres on violent crime, taking the role of Nico Bellic, recently emigrated from Eastern Europe where he fought as a teenager in the Bosnian War.

Unknown said...

Impressive work, I really like this one.

Anonymous said...

Boo I thought this was Gordan Freeman for a second!

Crystaldream said...

Freaking awesome, you have a cool untooning technique i wish i can make something like this

Anonymous said...

This drawing is amazing!Keep up the good work!You should try to make one of Gordon Freeman (Half-Life 2)or of Link

watzabatza said...

when you look at it on far.. the pic is like real pic...

Natalia said...

A M A Z I N G .

I really really love your art.

Congratulations!

Sarv007 | TechPaparazzi said...

I am taking this image for a post on my blog Techpaparazzi.com for a post "Celebrity look alike Niko Bellic" -http://techpaparazzi.com/celebrity-look…ke-niko-bellic/

Anonymous said...

You should totally try Final Fantasy characters. Their CG work has gotten very realistic lately, but obviously not half as much as the work you do. FFXII anyone?

This is amazing stuff for me. Keep up the great work!

Anonymous said...

He has a bigger nose in the game.

Anonymous said...

Really good ! I love GTA but I prefer Johnny Klebitz, do you know him ? It could be nice to do him, like you did with Niko Bellic^^

Anonymous said...

Whoa! In a live action his character could be played by jason stathan easily... Impressive Work...

J Hass Group said...

Really good...nice one..I love the post..thanks for posting..