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Running Like Clockwork: Steampunk Art to Inspire You

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The Steampunk style has been a part of fantasy and science fiction artwork and literature for a few years now. Some proponents insist on keeping it entirely science-based, while others like to throw in healthy doses of fantasy. The question they all seem to be asking, though, is "what if X ran on steam?" X can be anything from computers to cars to personal jetpacks. Working prototypes of steampunk-esque machines have even been made (and used). It's an entire subculture, defined by a propensity toward Victorian aesthetics, practicality, and steam-powered anything. Below are 80 fantastic steampunk artworks to get your gears turning and start you on your way to designing your own steampunk creations.


Steampunk by PReilly


Steampunk by Sumerky


Steampunk Dragon by Kerembeyit


SteamPunk Octopus by Raybender


Steampunk Concept by Lebbeus


Steampunk Thumbelina by Hakubaikou


Steampunk Airship Pilot by Homarusrex


Oriental Steampunk by Superspacemonkey


Steampunk Mech I by likaspapaya


A Steampunk Fairytale Detail by Frankhong


Steampunk Fairytale by AkaiSoul


Escape This Steampunk City by Ftourini


Steampunk Santa by CyborgNecromancer


Steampunk Fairytale by Daniel-Velez


Steampunk Odysseus N' Cyclops by Chrislazzer


Steampunk Lincoln by Herrenmedia


Steampunk Concept by Justaman78


Steampunk Darth Vader by Simjoy


Steampunk Penguin Professor by Einen


2091, Rome: Steampunk Day by Leox92


Steampunk Mad Hatter by Crashingwave


Steampunk Ship: Brassheart by Industrial-Fores


Steampunk Airship by KMiklas


Steampunk Paddle Duck by Ivy00


Steampunk Bot Design by Ahbiasaaja


Steampunk Fairytale Goldylocks by Lavah


The Kid's Last Heist by imaginism


Steampunk Robot Concept 2 by Emze


Steampunk Mandalorian by Vinom11


Little Red Steampunk Hood by Leevitron


Steampunk City by Activateru


Steampunk Nicolai and Viktor by YoshiyukiKatana


IDotW089 - Steampunk Explorer by Legato895


Big Sir - Steampunk Robot by Herrenmedia


Steampunk Japan Hi Rez by Phishy


HiddenYume Steampunk by Rickbw1


Steampunk Oil Rig by ZackF


Steampunk Challenge: Sirens by Arenyth


Bounty Hunter by Nibilondiel


Steampunk Bike by VOLT-reborn


Steampunk Professor Penguin by Mirana


Steampunk Professor Penguin by Bendragonx


Steampunk Private Investigator by DevBurmak


Steampunk Guitarist by Dreamstone


Steampunk Character WIP 3 by Craig-bruyn


Steampunk Monster by Glaaarg


Steampunk Diner-Fin by Krad-Eelav


Gunslinger by Nibilondiel


Steampunk Melissa by TehTortle


Noah's Ark by Loboto


Steampunk Chef Wilgam by Lycorisu


Steampunk Motorcycle by Klortho


Steampunk Airship by TheOneWithout-a-Gun


Hammer Time by Yigitkoroglu


Steamy Robot Love by Ekuneshiel


P.N.Caster - Airship Provisioner by Ghostfire


Gunner by Hunterkiller


Storm Slayer - Steam Golem by Zeo-x


Control Room WIP by Malaveldt


Locomotive by Likaspapaya


LuftFlotte by Remton


Mechanoid de Nuevo by Dian3


Alice in Steampunkland by Strayedclimaca


The Smugglers by Ultra0kelvin


Steampunk Teatime by CyborgNecromancer


Harbour by JohnMalcolm1970


Vol Hivernal by Remton


SteamPunk Dalek Coloring by Mulddyr


Armada by Remton


30th by Voxmortem


Strange Island by Raybender


And You Are? by Xpsam


Hero Canal, London by Fitzhywel


Burn it to the Ground by BlueRogueVyse


Airship Pilot by Hakubaikou


Steampunk City by 0800


Sybera by Remton


City in the Clouds by ApneicMonkey


Steampunk City by Kekel


A Novel Not Yet Written by Vermin-Star


Steampunk Tutorials

Here are a handful of tutorials for creating your own steampunk-esque artworks.

Make A Steampunk Gear Using Photoshop Patterns and Effects - A tutorial that covers how to create realistic-looking gears in Photoshop by combining patterns with effects like Bevel and Emboss and Drop Shadows.

How to Create a Steampunk Style Illustration in Photoshop - A tutorial for creating a steampunk-esque photomanipulation.

Create a Dark Steampunk Digital Painting - A fantastic digital painting tutorial from ForCG.

20 Steps to Create a Steampunk Cyborg in Photoshop - Another photomanipulation tutorial.

Create a Steam Powered Typography Treatment - A Psdtuts+ tutorial for creating steampunk-inspired type.

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