Featured Artist of the Month January

Jan 10, 2001 at 12:00 am by tammymc


Who is hobbit? My name is Andy Simmons currently living and working in England. My current, not preferred, profession is an electronics engineer. I am passionate about all things creative. I like to write music for guitar and keyboards and to spend long hours in front of the pc creating digital images. My ambition is to work fulltime as an artist. How long have you have you been rendering? I first got rendering when the Bryce 3d demo was featured on a magazine cover disc in 98. I saved like crazy for months until I could afford the full version. Have not put it down since. What are you currently working on? I've had some requests for background type images for a RPG D&D style game, so over the next few months I will probably be concentrating on Tolkien'esk style landscapes, more trees and waterfalls and maidens on horseback I expect, lol. I also want to try and develop my modeling skills. I've still got a lot to learn there. What software do you use and why? Bryce, Poser and Photoshop are my main software packages. Bryce still remains the heart of all my creations. Of all the 3d packages I've tried, Bryce still is the easiest to use and has the shortest learning curve for me (except for the deep texture editor, lol). Poser I find easy to use too, it's ideal for getting poses quickly and easily out into Bryce. I use Photoshop more and more since I recently bought a wacom graphic tablet. Post work for me is the most important part for completing the image, I like to make subtle changes in light, hue and focus and recently have added a lot of detailed 2d brushwork to blend in. Why do you like 3D art? I've been a fan of 3d art ever since Pixar produced that animation with the two desk lamps, I remember playing around with retracing on my old amiga computer and have been hooked ever since. It's only now with the current software and pc capabilities that anything your imagination can dream up you can almost do. The main thing for me now, with 3d art, is the speed at which ideas can be created. Unlike traditionally painting where I would sketch ideas and play with oils for days, weeks, on end. I can have an idea take and it into Bryce while it's still fresh and complete it within hours (sometimes). Most of my work in the galleries took no more than 1 or 2 evenings to complete; I like to work fast while the ideas are flowing. I'd like to do more on the animation side though, I just wish Poser and Bryce could be integrated; the big software packages like Lightwave and max are way out of my budget. What inspires you? I get a lot of inspiration from other artists, traditional and digital. Also from films such as Disney's 'Dinosaur' and the BBC documentary 'Walking with Dinosaurs' the former has pushed the boundaries even further. I'm also looking forward to the release of 'The Lord of the Rings'; there is a lot of 2d/3d work going into that. How has this online community (Renderosity) enhanced your work, relationships, and learning? I think without Renderosity I would not be where I am now. I have had such a positive and professional response from my image posts, which has helped me develop my own style. It's been and still is a great learning experience here. I'm hoping to give something back by writing a few tutorials in the future. There are so many talented artists residing here. I'm honored to have been chosen for this spot. Thank you to everybody at Renderosity for your help, support and especially your vote. Back to Bryce now, Hobbit To view other AOM (click here)
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