The Darker Side of Cyber-Noir with Artist Carlos Díaz

Today’s art studio chat is with Carlos Díaz, also known professionally as Kamyu Digital Artwork.

We met Carlos over email last year and have been working together ever since. He brings a distinctively gritty realism to our world. I think you’ll agree he has a knack for the darker, more unsettling side of Cyberpunk…good luck sleeping after meeting his Bozo gang. We talked about his background (not in art!) and longtime love of games. Enjoy the conversation.

—IM

Artwork by Carlos Díaz (source)

Irene, Night Crew Games: Give us a quick intro to you and your work as a freelance illustrator and concept artist. What types of work do you do and clients do you mainly work with?

My name is Carlos Díaz. I have worked mainly in the game industry for more than a decade now. My main job is as Hexxen1733 tabletop RPG lead artist for Ulisses Spiele, the German tabletop publisher. I create mostly illustrations and character art for professions and archetypes. 

“Kamyu” is an old nickname from ancient internet days, taken from an equally old manga. (My name/surname is a pretty common one in Spain.)

You don’t have formal art education, and instead you taught yourself to paint. What did you study in school? When and how did you know you wanted to be an artist?

My formal education is as a computer engineer in college. I always liked drawing, but it was just a hobby. In my early 30's, some personal issues made me take the decision to leave the decaying IT field in my country, and try to make a living from my pictures. 

My favorite setting is the one that some call “cyber-noir.” But in terms of personal preference, I also like any piece including strong female characters.

What draws you to darker worlds and genres like horror and fantasy?

I have no clear reason. But I find myself more comfortable in a fictional world, no matter how horrible it is, than inside the real one. 

Artwork by Carlos Díaz (source)

 

What do you find most interesting about Cyberpunk (either the RPG world, or cyberpunk as a broader genre)?

The Cyberpunk 2020 TTRPG was my favorite roleplaying game as a kid. And, my growing up in the 80's with a computer as soon as I was 4, made every piece of media with scifi elements really attractive for me. 

What has been your favorite part about working with Night Crew on the Cyberpunk Legends card game?

It gave me the chance to work with a beloved IP, and I most likely would never have tried clown gang members for myself [like the Bozo Gang]. That was fun.

"Brighella" by Carlos Díaz for Cyberpunk Legends / Night Crew Ganmes.

 

Do you have any favorite pieces we did together for Cyberpunk Legends? Can you talk a bit about your process for one or two of them? (Your initial concept, how it evolved or changed during the creative process, and the result?)

So far... Brighella and the Cyberpsycho. It's hard for me to be happy with my own finished pieces, but these were fun to paint and the result is something I can watch without mistakes popping into my eyes, and assaulting with imposter syndrome.

I didn't start straight away after reading the briefing. That's my big temptation, and I have to force myself into a long and boring reference search first. But being mindful and methodical at the start pays off later. Actual classic clown characters were included in the brief, so I looked for more. A single character could have 4-5 references: An anatomy or pose reference, for the kind of light I want, for the outfit, the weapons... 

"Brighella" art references and initial sketch by Carlos Díaz.

 

Once a doodle with a composition is approved, I don't stay too attached to my first idea. I like to play around while the artwork develops; happy accidents are better than my rational brain most of the time.

I paint everything by hand, trying to use the references as well as possible. Photo textures are a must, especially on backgrounds. I like to give as much realism as possible when working with pieces that should bring fear, or menace to the viewer. In my opinion, those feelings can turn childish and comic in less realistic or cartoony styles. As the piece reaches the final stages, a lot, and I mean a ton of adjustment layers are added, to correct colors, fix lights and shadows, put special effects like LED lights or gun shots, etc.

Any other upcoming or recent projects you want to mention?

Recently, I had the chance to make some pieces for Vampire: The Eternal Struggle card game. Like Cyberpunk Legends, that's another notch on the belt of my teenage self.