5/12/2015 11:07:00 AM by
Community Manager
(Edited: 6/6/2015 1:03:59 AM)
Views: 822
Artist Name:
Belzaph
Artist Gallery:
http://www.renderotica.com/artists/Belzaph/Gallery.aspx
1) what brought you into 3D?
I cannot remember how I found out about poser but I started with poser 4 and was hooked. Although my primary love was drawing and painting, I found a medium which was a fantastic, fast, fun tool although not as great as maybe a painting could be at the time. In those days it was great for my paintings as you could set up a similar scene to be able to see how shadows would fall. A truly amazing mannequin.
2) How did you choose your nickname?
I made it up. I wanted something a bit demonic to hide the big softy I really am.
3) How long have you been creating your artwork?
I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. I still have some of my art dating back to 1983 including a shark eating a scuba diver! What a nice child I was ;-)
4) Where do you draw your inspirations from?
Life experience plays a big part plus films and paintings.
5) what are the specs of your render machine?
A water cooled FX 8350 8 core processor. 16 gig of memory and a R9 200 series gpu with 4 gig ram.
6) what is your favorite work you’ve created?
I do not have a favourite. I guess maybe Roman Slave Market is technically my best and I am proud of it. I often find, whether it’s a painting or render, if I am really pleased with my own work it does not seem to go down well or does not get that many views. The Druid: Orgy of Violence is a good example. I was really pleased with the result but it did not really get that many views. The flip side is some of my images which I don’t think are very good are big hits. It’s never really bothered me, it’s more intriguing and just leaves me scratching my head asking myself what am I not seeing?
7) Out of all the various art mediums why 3D?
3D is in a great place at this current time. Computers are so good now that we can produce high quality work and the pc does not break a sweat. I did have a long break because my pc could not cope well with the quality of v4 and m4 characters and achieve what I wanted.
I also rather suck at biased lighting. My brain does not work that way but with unbiased lighting I can now visualize what I want and can achieve it.
I like painting and traditional art but I am out of practise and don’t currently have the spare hours available to devote to those mediums. The skills I have from digital painting have come in handy for post work and texturing for 3d.
8) What are your plans for the future?
My hope is to be able to make a small living doing art so that I can be a stay at home dad. I want to be remembered by my children and help prepare them for this world while doing something I love.
9) who are your favorite artists other than yourself?
So, so many. Brom and Rodney Mathews have both been a big influence on me through the years. KristinF and Rov are my faves on Renderotica but there are many great artists here.
10) If someone reading this wants to start creating their own artwork what words of advice would you give them?
Do not look at what’s popular, do what you want to see. Enjoy your art and the rest will follow and if you are not very good at it at least you are having fun. The only other bit of advice is to accept that you are no Michelangelo even if you are, and listen to other people’s suggestions, no matter who it is. You cannot improve yourself if you already believe that you are awesome ;-)
11) Any hints on what your next project is going to include?
I am very excited about my project. It is a work of love rather than a way of making money. The theme is about control of others and is based in the ancient city of Ephesus during the days between Marcus Crassus and Julius Caesar. It’s a story about a young, intelligent women who buys some gladiators to indulge her own fantasies of being controlled and the lanista, a man whose own needs are for the control and suffering of others. Caught between them are multitude of characters.
Another project, The She-Wolf of Ephesus will be linked with main story to give people an idea of what I am doing. Whether it’s deemed pretentious or misplaced time will tell. It’s a big project and will take as long as it takes to be finished. It is a journey into the unknown for me. I have no idea how it will be received but, successful or not, it will have been worth it.
Because of my colour-blindness KristenF has been a fantastic friend checking some of my work for reds and greens which should not be there.
I am also working on a side project with the character Jessica
12) Do you have a job outside of 3D or do you consider this your full time occupation?
Yes, I have a full time job and a child to look after when I get home. My wife works in the evenings so I get the week nights to do art and spend the weekend evenings together with my family. I render my images overnight and while I am away at work.
13) With all the recent advancements in 3D technology what excites you the most? What do you dread the most?
For me I feel the tech has been there for quite a while, for my needs at least. It was the computers which needed to catch up and be able to push the limits and beyond.
14) Speech time! any final words you have for your, fans and fellow 3D community?
Thank you for the kind support from fellow artists and being asked to do this.
