Linkinpark ~ July's Artist Of The Month

Jul 01, 2003 at 11:44 am by MonkeyLek


Graphic1012.jpgWho 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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