Bastian Kalkbrenner is an Illustrator and artist and drawing teacher, working on a Lunarpunk graphic novel as well as an art book on fantastic musical Instruments. Some also know him as a graphic designer and occasional web designer.
ABANDON was a pet-project of mine since 2011. It was where I funnel those creative energies that keep me awake at night. It used to borrow from Tsutomu Niheis BLAME!, but it has outgrown that phase.
Today (early December 2025), ABANDON is a Lunarpunk-Graphic Novel in the works. I’m actively drawing the first chapter, and I’m looking for an editor or co-autor for the script for the next chapters.
This projects challenge is to tell a story about the Power Of Life versus the Power Over Life. It seems to me that our reality is shaped by our beliefs to such an extent, that telling new (and ancient) narratives about such powers will also change reality.
Already since 2020 I’m drawing musical instruments for not only foreign, but also ficticious cultures inspired by the fantasy world of The Elder Scrolls. But I did not stop at concept art in my free time, but ventured forth on this path toward an illustrated art book.
With my background in Multimedia Design I started working as a freelancer in 2015. I usually design all kinds of print products and occasionally Websites for mostly artists, musicians, socio-cultural initiatives and small businesses.
At least once a month I will write a brief newsletter/blog post that deals with my artistic process and some of the thoughts that came to me as I went along.
(Und ich biete natürlich auch den Newsletter in Deutsch an.)
Kapitel I