Who is 'linkinpark'? First of all I would like to
thank all those who voted for me, who comment on my pictures, who
give me suggestions and advice on how to improve my work and simply
all members of this awesome community. Also, congratulations to all
the other Nominees, this was a pretty tough one, so I'm really
surprised and honoured that I won...Just want to let you all know
that it is a big honour for me. Thank you very much again! Well, my
name is Martin Kolator, I'm 17 years old and I live in my beloved
city, in Prague, in Czech Republic. I have always loved CG art and
always admired especiallybeautiful 2D drawings. My hobbies are 3D
graphics, sports, TV, computer games, chess and so on. At present
I'm in the second grade of the business academy. How long have
you have you been rendering/doing computer graphics? I have
been doing computer graphics for 5 years, I think; I started when I
was 11 or 12 when I got my first 3D software - Bryce 2. I had been
playing with it for hours. I was really surprised what can be done
with a program like that. From the beginning I was using it only
for killing time, but then I fell in love with it. Then I was
trying to improve myself, I read tutorials on various Bryce
techniques and I was (veeerrry slowly) getting better. Do you
have traditional art experience? No I don't, I never got an
idea I could do any type of art, neither 2D nor 3D. I draw
occasionally, but results are never good. Nonetheless I like to
draw, but of course I'd rather do a 3D job, because it is much
easier than 2D drawing. Maybe that is why my 3D pictures are better
than 2D :) What are you currently working on? In last time
I'm trying to create (again) some image with a chess theme. I don't
know why, but I always have chess on my mind in creating images. In
my opinion the simple things (even primitive cubes or spheres [some
people in Bryce gallery may remember my "sphere" renders]) are the
best themes for the 3D works. It wants just interesting lighting,
some "exotic" materials and an unusual point of view. So now I'm
trying to do some image where you could see mainly artistic
appearance than some original idea. In this way I must say that I
don't have many original ideas for images in my mind :( I have
always wanted, instead of creating something new, never seen,
taking some usual, ordinary things and showing them in an unusual
light. What software do you use and why? Most of my 3D stuff
was made in Cinema 4D, with which I have been working for 8 months,
I think. Before Cinema I used Bryce 5, but I wasn't interested in
making landscapes, forest and meadows anymore. And I also wanted to
move on in my graphic way, and I wanted to switch to some high-end
application. And I chose Cinema 4D. I work in Cinema 4D especially
because of its simplicity but effectiveness. Cinema 4D provides
amazing modelling tools, extremely fast and quality rendering,
easy-to-use interface and post effects I have always wanted to use
in my images (like DOF, Highlights, Glow and so on). Mostly, I'm
not satisfied with pure C4D renders, so for some colour corrections
or for adding some 2D elements into the image I use Adobe Photoshop
7. Another application I couldn't do my 3D images without. ;)
What do you think your best piece of work is and why? Well,
this is quite a hard question, because I always want to do better
and better images, and I think I'm not satisfied with any of my
images; I always see some mistakes, some features I could fix, but
instead of making an "update" of an old image, I'd rather do a new
image, where I try not to do the same mistakes like in the old one.
But if I should choose one, I think my best piece of work is
"Lonely
king" then. But I have other images I really like. And why??
Well, in this image I have reached the point I wanted -- show such
an ordinary thing like chess in unusual and artistic point of view.
So It means (at least for me) an interesting position of camera,
something reflective, for example metal shaders (love to work with
materials like glass, metal, ice and so on) and strong lighting
coming from only one source. And another point I wanted to reach
was photorealism (mostly I try to do photorealistic images, but in
99% with no success :)), but I think in this image I have done it!
Despite thinking this is my best work, you could see some mistakes
in it. And I hope I will not do them again in my next image. In my
case it is interesting that about 70% of my images arise by an
accident. Simply I want to do image with some theme, with one
definite goal. But during making that image, some other, better
idea comes to my mind and I start to create quite another image.
I'm weird I think :D Why do you like to work with 3D
software? Hmm, there are lots of reasons. Mainly it is real
fun, it makes me calm and thanks to it I can express my thoughts,
my feelings and my moods. Because it is much easier than any other
tool, and because 3D software does it all "automatic"...unlike 2D
art. In 2D you have to exactly draw, for example, shadows and you
have to pay attention if the shadows exactly match the direction of
lights. You don't need to draw reflective effects for hours and
some transparent colours. 3D does all this automatic, perhaps that
is why I admire 2D artists, because 2D art is much harder than 3D.
But the biggest reason why I use 3D software is probably the
"development". I mean the "evolution" of the image. In my opinion
it is the most beautiful thing when you see how your image is
growing up, how it is getting some concrete shapes, how it is
getting colours and lights and so on. Simply, it is amazing when
you start with a primitive cube or sphere, and you finish with some
awesome, complex scene. I couldn't live without 3D world anymore.
Who / what inspires you? Great question, I must say that in
last time I suffer from lack of inspiration. But if I do have
inspiration, usually I have it from everywhere, from everything! My
inspiration is greatly affected by my mood. Anything can inspire
you -- nature, ordinary things in your room, movies and so on. For
example I'm usually inspired by photographs. Photos are a great
inspiration for 3D artists, IMO. But what inspires me most are
other 3D artists, of course; when I see here such masterpieces by
artists like alvinaylaya, racin-jason, Carles_P, ToxicAngel, Rochr,
hobbit, gallimel and so on (though most of them work in other
software), I always say to myself: "Do you see it? So improve
yourself to be able to do such an amazing image one day." :) So, I
must say my biggest inspiration is other 3D artists from
Renderosity. How has this online community (Renderosity)
enhanced your work, relationships, and learning? This community
helped me really much. When I discovered Renderosity a year ago, I
thought it will be another site where I will post my images and to
see other artists' images. But I never thought how much will
Renderosity change my "3D life". IMO I got better in the first
months as a member; other artists and great friends gave me a lot
of suggestions and advice on how to improve my images. I was on the
Renderosity site each day since. This community doesn't provide
only a place where you can display your images, where you can
download some free stuff. But it also gives you new friends, and a
nice feeling that you are a part of something great. The
relationships in Renderosity are simply awesome, I have never been
in a friendlier online community. All members I've met are very
friendly and helpful, always willing to give you advice. And I
think when you see so many wonderful artists making such amazing
images, you MUST get better even if you don't want to. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR BEING SO FRIENDLY, SO KIND AND SUCH WONDERFUL
FRIENDS!! P.S. And thanks to Renderosity I have improved my English
much! :D Parting Comments / Advice to other Artists? I don't
know if I'm competent enough to give advice, but: 1) Do anything
you want, in the 3D world your only limit is your imagination. That
is why 3D (2D) art is so wonderful. 2) Try to get better; read
tutorials; follow other, more experienced artists' advice, because
they know very well what are they talking about. Trust me that when
you see your images, how they get better and better, you will get
an indescribably satisfied feeling. 3) The best way how to improve
your images is to learn how the real world works. Go outside in the
sunset and just watch how the shadows and lights "work" together...
4) Be patient...We learn all our lives. It is a matter of time, but
it will pay off, because it will be making you happy!! I wish you
all the best, and good luck in your journey in the world of art.
Thank you very much again, have a wonderful time! Best regards,
Marty "linkinpark" Kolator ;)
Be sure to visit
linkinpark's gallery! Click on 'AOM 2003' on
the sidebar to learn more about Artist of the Month and to view our
past winners.
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