[Jeff Simutis]

Michael –

 

I’d be very interested, and think it’s a great way to expose people to the diversity of styles and ways to use your/other 3D software.  Have you posted this with ASAI or NYSR yet? 

[Jeff Simutis]

Mark – The view is a matter of what you’re trying to show, and it looks like there’s a need to see beyond the green screen and show the actual memorial.  Assuming that’s the case, the same rules apply (perspective or elevation).  You’ll need a good value scale, and a reliable method for using it.  If you’ve got Photoshop, there are some great brushes you can play around with to get the look you’re after for the foliage – I rarely use Photoshop any more for illustrations, so if you’d like the brushes, the ABR file may be small enough to email to you.  I thought I’d try a shot at it for your reference.  My version takes the view at an angle, but if you’ve got any questions or would like help, just shoot me an email.  Good luck –

[Jeff Simutis]

Brandon – Great questions…I’ll try to be concise in some answers.

Biggest influences in the field: Hugh Ferris, Kirby Lockard, Michael Doyle, Earnest Watson, Helmut Jacoby, Richard Baehr, Thomas Schaller, Frank Costantino, Syd Mead, Steve Oles…the list can go on and on. While I haven’t had a mentor, it’s not hard to find great work to study and learn from. All the techniques and media vary but the fundamentals are the same – composition, value, etc.

I’ve always liked the work of concept artits and matte painters and if you get a chance, check out gnomonworkshop.com. There’s a ton of info, tutorials, DVDs from some of the best in the industry and it’s a great resource for picking up new (and old) methods. It’s also a great place to see what the special effects industry is doing – they are usually the first to push the digital envelop.

Rick is right – stay with the search, there are a lot of disciplines to learn from and you never know where it’ll take you.

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