Meet Dean Etheridge, better known as Renderosity artist Deane. Dean recently had the honor of having a selection of his artworks in the October 2006 issue of the UK publication ImagineFX.

Read on as Dean shares with us his accomplishments in this installment of the Renderosity Artist Accolades.

 

Tell us a little about yourself.

I live happily and mostly quietly, with my wife and daughter near London in England.

I'm a postgraduate, chartered engineer and specialise in the field of product design. My ideas can be found in many applications worldwide. Whenever you travel, and by whatever means, chances are you'll be close to my work.

My main interests are art and photography, and I'm inspired by a wide variety of artists and genres. My work however, tends to have a bias towards Science Fiction and my love of SE Asian cultural themes. I also have a passion for travel and have been fortunate to visit many wonderful places around the world and experience some incredible sights.

 

"Shimu"

 

How did you come to be featured in ImagineFX?

Mainly through submitting a sampler of my work for review into the monthly Readers FXPosé gallery. My family encouraged me to send my work, and I was amazed to find myself in print, less than three weeks later!

Have you been featured elsewhere? In other publications?

To my surprise, yes. I placed a work called 'Chiffon Tigress' in 'The Twelve Months of 3D' calendar printed by DAZ and DeviantArt in 2005. I've just been advised last week that I've also placed a work in a major digital art publication for December!

 

"Strike Force"

 

How long have you been working with computer graphics, and what are your main software apps?

I'm showing my age now - nearly 20 years. I was there in the early days of computer aided design (CAD) modelling software. Software and hardware development over this time however, has been phenomenal. I can render in hours today on a standard workstation, what previously used to take days on a mainframe! My computer art however, only really seriously developed over the past 5 years. The main software applications I use, are currently Poser, Bryce and Photoshop.

Do you still dabble in traditional media?

Yes. I still sketch out some of my ideas in pencil first, and sometimes block out a watercolour rough to get a feel for the lighting mood, before setting up a render.

I find however, that I'm now getting Poser to assist as well, by using it to exploring different camera angles and perspectives for characters in a scene.

 

"Tight Corner"

 

Do you have any tips or advice for other Artists?

I think it's important to develop your own style and add distinctiveness to your work.

Follow through as far as you can with modelling and rendering, but also don't be ashamed to carry out subsequent postwork. This can often add a distinctive quality to a work, which is not always present in a pure render.

There's also a wealth of tutorials available to study from, and pick up new ideas and techniques - I'm still learning even today! Just look around Renderosity. There's a great community spirit here and many artists are always willing to help.

 

 

It must have been a great thrill to be featured in ImagineFX! So, tell us truthfully...how many copies of the October issue do you now own?

Ah, the difficult ones for last! Yes, it was a thrill and honour to see my work on the pages of such a prestigious magazine. So in truth, I bought two copies - one for posterity and one to show around friends and family (blushes).

 

• Visit Dean's Renderosity Art Gallery!

 

• Visit the ImagineFX website!

Artist Accolades is now a regular monthly feature on the Front Page News, where Renderosity artists can share their accomplishments in the field. Have something to share? Contact Nick C. Sorbin with details.