S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope - Zulu Official Key Art

Official key art created for the promotional campaign of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope.
This piece is the second part of the key art campaign for the expansion, featuring Zulu, one of the central characters representing the opposing factions at the heart of the DLC. Zulu represents Duty, standing in opposition to Mavka and the Freedom faction.
For Zulu’s key art, I wanted to emphasize the strength, discipline, and uncompromising nature of Duty, creating a visual contrast with Mavka’s more hopeful and life-affirming imagery.
The project also includes two key arts for Duty/Freedom promotional campaign.
My contribution:
- Key Art concepts
- Composition
- Rendering characters
- Final paintover and polishing
- Graphic design
Art director - Nikolay Gatilov
3D Artists behind both 3D models of Mavka and Zulu:
Roman Shirin - https://www.artstation.com/artwork/BkR2VD
Olga Gvozdenovich - https://www.artstation.com/olimadhuri
Oleksandr Bezprozvanyi - https://www.artstation.com/alexnb
Aleksei Zhivotiagin - https://www.artstation.com/twobrothers
Serhii Vursta - https://www.artstation.com/slipkor
Yurii Kolontai - https://www.artstation.com/yuriikolontai
Artem Fanailov - https://www.artstation.com/hit_48
Iaroslav Grygorash - https://www.artstation.com/erigo
Dima Zhezhela - https://www.artstation.com/zhezhela