INTERVIEW WITH 
LEON TUKKER
April 25, 2015
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Leon Tukker is a freelance concept artist living in Utrecht, Netherlands. He is currently working for Prague based Wube Software on a real-time strategy and survival game called Factorio, as well as a visual storytelling game for his graduation project.   

Now twenty-two years old, Leon has been creating 3D graphics and digital paintings since he was nineteen. His early studies focused on TV commercials and graphic design, which he didn’t like at all. Instead, he found himself drawn to concept art—painting and modeling all kinds of spaceships and buildings—and decided to follow that path in art school. After a few courses in Environmental Design, Leon decided to dedicate his time to painting cities, vehicles, and environments and continues to do so to this day. He is currently in his fourth and final year of art school.  

As an artist, what inspires you to create science fiction?
I am inspired by architecture, movies, and everything that looks alien here on earth. Take the coral reefs, for example. I’m also fond of big structures and cities.  

What sci fi books, movies, or artists have made a lasting impression on you?
Star Wars, John Carter, Guardians of the Galaxy, and books such as Dune and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy are very inspiring. There are also a few games that I often look at for inspiration. Like Dontnod’s Remember Me and ThatGameCompany's Journey.

Other than art and science fiction, what are you most passionate about?
I’m very passionate about sports—track and field athletics, particularly the high jump event. High jumping gives this feeling of flying for a very short time, and the competitions are a great thrill! It’s what I used to do before starting my painting career.  

When it comes to the future, what’s your outlook for humanity—Utopian or Dystopian?
Hmm… I’m not sure. With all the trouble currently happening in the world, I’m kind of afraid for the near future, and I think the rest of the future depends on those events. I see Internet and social media taking over, and overpopulation will probably be an issue! But I try not to think about that too often.

If you could turn one future technology from concept to reality, which would it be?
It would probably be commercial space travel and personal flying devices, like jetpacks or hover boards! That would be amazing! But I’m sure someone is already working on those things.  

With regards to intelligent life—not fauna in general—which statement do you think is most likely to be true?  A.) There is an abundance of intelligent life in the universe;  B.) The universe is a big place, but intelligent life is scarce; or  C.) Other than mankind and our creations, there is no intelligent life to be found in this universe.
I have to go with the middle option [B]. The universe is so infinitely big that there must be a planet somewhere with the exact climate and temperature for intelligent lifeforms to live on.  
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Alien Invasion
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Concept art for CD cover
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Dustbowl Racers
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Concept art for KeokeN Interactive's game "Deliver Us The Moon"
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The Old Observatory
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Vikings in Space
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Royal Airship
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The Poor District
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Space Pirate Hideout