Who is 'hobbit'? Hobbit is Andy Simmons, living and working
in the UK. My daytime occupation is in the electronics industry,
working in a research and development group. How long have you
been rendering/doing computer graphics? This is my 4th year of
serious computer graphics work. I started in 1997, using my first
copy of Bryce, with the intention of creating fantasy landscapes to
transfer onto canvas as oil paintings. I ended up getting so
absorbed for 3 years that I bought a wacom and Photoshop and
started to blend 3d with 2d painting techniques. I haven't painted
upon a canvas since. Do you have traditional art experience?
Yes. I am self-taught from 1993 and I have studied landscape and
seascape painting in oils, plus pastel portraits of animals and
children. This essential part of my learning process helped me to
make the transition so much easier from the traditional painting
techniques to working in digital. What are you currently working
on? I have recently finished a tutorial for a new book called
'Digital Sci-Fi Art' which is due out in the spring of 2004. I'm
currently re-designing my website and working with a printing
company to get my work onto canvas. This last month I have been
designing 3D models and presentation layouts for electronic
components, hence my gallery has been lacking in updates. I hope to
be back on track soon and re-fuelling my gallery. What
software/equipment do you use and why? I'm still faithfully
using Bryce 5, Poser 5, and Amapi 7 for 3d work. I like all of
these programs because of their simple learning curves and
intuitive interfaces. I have several other 3d packages, like
Terragon and Vue, all of which I like, but find myself spending too
many hours trying to get what I need and time is important to me as
I have none. Photoshop 7 is still my main tool for postwork and 2d
painting, although I'm tempted to move to Painter 8 soon for 2d
painting, when my budget allows. I tried the demo and like the
natural brushes feel over Photoshop. As for hardware, I use a 19"
monitor, Athlon XP1800 with a gig of ram and, of course, my trusty
wacom 5x4 (yep, that's the smallest one), the Wacom Cintiq 18SX or
A3 tablet which is still on my wish list. What do you think your
best piece of work is and why? Of my current work I would say
'Stormy Seas.' which took only a couple of hours to paint, after
rendering the Victory model in midair with no other objects, in
Bryce. I set myself the challenge of painting the atmosphere and
waves and was pleased with the result. Because I just love the sea
because it evokes so many different moods and emotions and is a
great challenge to paint, I just enjoyed this one immensely. Other
favourites would be 'Abborlon' and 'Isle of Oric' as milestones for
me pushing Bryce and 'Edgewich' for complete 2d painting. Why do
you like to work with 3D software? I find it an invaluable tool
for creativity, and the way it seemlessly blends into todays media
makes it hard to see where reality stops and fiction begins. I'd
like more time too explore 3D's full potential. Who/what
inspires you? I draw inspiration from almost anything, but more
so from my son and the landscape. When I first started in digital,
I always made a few stops at Clay Hagebusch's and Martin Murphy's
sites for Bryce, and for 2d work, of course, the great Craig
Mullins, who is always a good source of digital inspiration. How
has this online community (Renderosity) enhanced your work,
relationships, and learning? Renderosity has been with me since
I started digital art and I, like many others, have sought
knowledge through the many talented artists who reside here. It has
always been a buzzing community full of great people and I'm glad
to be a part of it. Parting Comments / Advice to other
Artists? If asked to sum up my development and success over the
years, I wouldn't necessarily credit the latest software or tools,
since I am generally using the same ones now as when I started. I
would, rather, put my growth and achievements down to practice,
study and a little patience. So, my advice is to not stop creating
and painting!! Lastly, thank you to everyone who voted me into this
spot and to all the comments and support over the years. See you in
the galleries. Andy
Be sure to check out hobbit's
gallery! Click on 'AOM 2004' on
the sidebar to learn more about Artist of the Month and to view our
past winners.
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