F.A.Q
1. :devQuazzie: asked
What and when was your first professional gig?
My first professional gig was literally a week or so after high-school. I was called (in the middle of the night) by a company in Germany, ACONY Games to work as a concept artist on their upcoming FPS, Parebellum. It was incredibly stressful as I was not used to this type of work schedule/situation. But it was a good experience.
2. :devKommandant-Karlson asked
I just got a tablet last week. When I first started I was like WTF! I thought I could draw!!!!!! The results were something closely resembling kindergarten scribbles. What are some good tips of advice for someone that is good at drawing normally but is new to the tablet?
Oh god, when I first started I was beyond terrible. I could draw, sure, but the moment the pen touched the tablet...it was just one of the most irritating processes ever. I felt like giving up, I found myself not know how to choose colors or do anything. This was almost 7 years ago and I'm still getting the hang of it, it seems. Practice makes perfect, bust your ass and it'll show. Research also, there's tons of tutorials out there.
3. :devcachupa: asked
did you receive formal education?art college or something like that?
I don't really consider high-school art classes education, considering each level of them teaches you the same thing. But no, I never went to an art school. I'm self taught through catching up on amazing artist like Frank Frazetta and Ralph Macquarie and studying the hell out of anything that was drawn by a master.
4. :dev00MIK00: asked
reading the interview you did for DA the amount of drawing you do is amazing, do you ever get sick of drawing and how do you get over rough patch when you cant think of anything to draw?
Music. Music is everything to me. Of course I get in a patch where I just can't think of shit, but a few songs and/or movies really gets me out of there. I find my art comes from inspiration of other peoples art, if that makes any sense. But do I actually get sick of it? Never.
5. :devadastra57: asked
How big, in terms of pixels, do you usually work?
and how many layers do most of your pieces usually end up having?
I usually go at, pixel size: 4500x6500, which in 300 DPI usually equals around poster size. Layers..it all depends. I can go from as little as 20 layers to about 150 layers when I get sloppy. When I have more control over an image, the less layers there are, the more difficult; the more layers.
6. :devfastclickchic0413: asked
I have one, can you possibly answer all of these questions? XD ok seriously now: No, probably not :( But I'll try
what is something thing you learned/did in your earlier days (or even now) that really helped you to improve?
Art books. I buy tons and tons of art books and have them surround me. They say the best inspiration is to surround yourself in a white room, but I think that's bull. The art book doesn't even necessarily have to be open, it'll still inspire me. But a lot of research and long nights of browsing really pushed my mind, I'd say.
7. :devprivate-tee: asked
Do you use reference photos when drawing humans/whatever I don't seem to be able to draw worth a shit unless I copy a photo. Drawing from memory always comes out more cartoony.
Of course I use reference, I think that's one of the best things you can do. That's not to say I rely on it though, I'm usually pretty confident in gathering a concept, but at times, if I'm really stuck I'll look for some good reference. Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Alex Ross and Frazetta did it, might as well learn from the best.
8. :devNeo-Br: asked
I want to know the techniques you use to obtain skin textures, metal textures, cloth textures, glow effects etc...
I ask this because I fell my works sometimes looks too smooth, or too blur, and I think most of starter artists fell the same problem.
And you are a master on this, and your guidance would be fantastic
Alright, here it is for everyone.
www.cgtextures.com
Drag the texture on top of an image. Desaturate it. Set it to overlay. Ta-da!
9. :dev^gucken: asked
What got you starting doing art?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Nuff' said.
10. :devTheTortuga: asked
Why did you get such a desperate lust for pageviews that you had to fool uss into your journal with money? o.O
How do you get your inspiration for those kickass weapons in lms?
The money scheme worked, I made over 10 mill off you suckers.
As for the weapons...hmm. It's weird, I usually try to think "If some giant creature wanted to kill me, what would end him instantly?" Then you have to think, what separates this weapon from what has been done? What makes it unique? I feel if you have a bad ass weapon, it damn better have as much character as the beholder.
11: :devCorellonLarethian: asked
is there any dvds, books, tutorials etc. that you would say absolutely essential; I mean sources that you think everyone should certainly check no matter what, sources that affected your learning process and style immensely?
Thanks so much ;)
www.thegnomonworkshop.com Thats the best place for digital/books containing tutorials.
also, the Lord of the Rings: Extended Edition trilogy is probably one of the most inspiring DVD sets I've ever watched. And I mean the making of.
12: :dev=Floofeh-Kitteh: asked
I know someone asked this, but I'm adding on:
Mac or PC and WHY?
MAC. Seriously, I'm not one of those MAC OMG OMG OMG people. I do LOVE my new iMac, but that's not to say it's better then any of those top end PC's out there right now. It's all really personal preference. To me, I've gotten sick of Windows, I must have had bad luck with it. Constant crashes, viruses, pop ups, etc. I got my Mac and haven't had any problems since (until it got old and I got my new one). But that's just me.
13: :devANDREI08: asked
How do you manage to keep a relationship??
When you make the cheddar bills, the girls can't leave. Kidding. Just gotta be understanding, patient, and balance the two. Sadly, I consider myself to put work before everything else..but I guess I'll always be like that until I feel safe.
14. :dev~exStatic: asked
Hey Danny, thanks for this, great idea!
Huge fan of your art, here's a question;
-If you see another artist use a technique you like, do you then pick it up yourself, effectively improving your abilities? (I once heard an artist say "good artists barrow, great artists steal" referring to techniques.
Great question and great quote. I always see pieces where I go "Damn! I wish I came up with that." Or at times I might go "That looks sweet..but could look even more cool like this." It's just like a movie, who invented slow mo? Remember bullet time in the Matrix? Lens flares? Animated films?
It's all about how you use it, there is tons of knowledge I've gathered from other artists work. I don't think you can take a technique from another artist, as we're all different. It's really just how you apply yourself into it and step it up.
15. :dev~BnW-JACK: asked
how do you create those foreground particles in your paintings such as fire sparks dust or snow or w.e cus they always add a real cherry on the top to your paintings and ive always wanted to be able to do them?
:devrahll: don't kill me..
It's easy. New layer, set it to screen. Use a hard brush to make your spark, lets say you make it yellow. Then go to Layer options, outer glow. Make it a bright orange, mess with the settings. Done.
16. :devUtharas: asked
How/When did you start getting in to drawing and how did you progress?
I started drawing at 3-4. I progressed by becoming a loner all through out school and drawing every day. From drawing classmates as Star Wars characters, to drawing people being killed by Dinosaurs, to eventually creating my own characters.
17. :devstevic123:
Who are your favorite musicians, and does music play any role in how your art is made ?
Music is key to me, so heres what I usually have on blast.
Classical/Composers:
Mozart
Bach
Beethoven
Shostakovitch
John Williams
James Newton Howard
James Horner
Hans Zimmer
Thomas Newman
Randy Edelmen
Immediate Music
Two Steps from Hell
Alternative/Rock:
MUSE
Metellica
Rage Against the Machine
Coldplay
Killers
Arcade Fire
Electronic:
Daft Punk
Royksopp
Sharam
Hip-Hop:
Kanye West
Lupe Fiasco
Kid Cudi
Jay Z
MIA
Santogold
Common
88-Keys
And so many more..
18. :devDrewstroyer: asked
Art process, outline, base coat, block in everything, shade after that, or just go?
1. Thumbnail sketch
2. Boost up the resolution to print size and trace over it with clean line art
3. Delete sketch, and drop down colors under clean line art
4. Merge sections piece by piece and render out
5. Detail
6. Sign it
19. :devxxSharinganKakashixx: asked
Just where do you go and who do you contact to apply for jobs from places like DC? I wouldn't know where to start. XD
It's really simple. Want it enough and they'll come to you. It's all about how much you put in it.
20. :devAcemartin: asked
You're so sexy. right?
You're thinking of my cat, Gizmo. http://img6.imageshack.us/
21. :devStraxton:=
A friend of mine and I were talking about collaborating on a graphic novel together, and I immediately thought of LMS and of you.
What would be your advice to an artist or a small group of artists in this situation?
What are the big difficulties you felt in trying to get LMS published?
Great idea, but always be careful. Try to keep the group small, you never want too many cooks in the kitchen. The most challenging aspect of getting LMS published, was letting the publisher know this book had to be made. So love it, treat it as your baby, and it'll grow into something huge.
22. :devAnantraMgs: asked
How do you maintain momentum when working on a picture? I often lose interest when I'm half way through a pic. I feel like it's not turning out the way I want.
Because each new picture brings me closer to my overall goal of becoming better than the last day.
23. :devallgoodnamestooken: asked
whats the most important thing you learned about cg lighting, or what you consider the most important factor to lighting?
Setting lighting layers to screen and using soft brushes. Thats it. Screen OWNS for lighting.
24. :devDragonRider91: asked
What advice would you give to someone trying to break into the art industry?
On average how much do artist in your position get paid?
Would you ever consider shaving all of your's and gizmo's hair and cosplay as doctor evil?
1. Make your portfolio as amazing as you can possibly make it.
2. Depends. I don't like to list prices here, but in a nutshell I charge over 1k for what you see in my gallery.
3. Are you watching me?
25. :devhoko86: asked
How do you find your importance in art?
When you die, don't you want to be remembered for something? Well, art never dies.
26. :devBlue44: asked
what video game and movie do you find your biggest inspiration from? like Halo and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, for example.
Comic: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Batman
Movies: Star Wars, Matrix, Lord of the Rings, Saving Private Ryan
Videogame: Half Life, Halo (first one, only), Metal Gear Solid
27. :devLordSlayer: asked
what are the chances of a video tutorial of one of your works?
one of your lms chars for eg.
Just wait, planning something for L.M.S...
28. :devZayd: asked
How did/do you deal with frustration? More specifically the frustration that comes about when you are not noticing enough progress in your drawing/painting skills to believe you are improving? How do you commit to bettering yourself when you don't see progress as clearly as you'd like to?
Tough question, but I try to see it as this. You'll always be your hardest critic. Go to www.conceptart.org/forums and start up a sketchbook thread in their forum. Let them tear you apart until you feel like crying, and then let them build you back up into someone you never thought you could be. How do I do it? I just try to draw every day, and try to learn a new technique with it.
29. :devGuiltfeeder566: asked
Will LMS retain the same level of quality as the pieces in your gallery?
Are there a set number of issues, or is it open ended?
1. Covers, yes. Interiors? Still thinking on it, could take a year for each book.
2. Haven't decided yet. I think LMS works best as a volume-type book. 10, maybe..we'll see.
30. :devOh-Mrs-O: asked
Hmmm... Do you ever worry that by doing the thing you love for a living, you might one day start to not like it as much as you do now?
Never. I worry more about having arthritis. I could never leave art though, it's my only escape.
31. :devJuula: asked
What do you want people to think when they look at your art? What are you trying to express? Or are you more for "ars gratia artis?"
It's really difficult to explain that. But I try to take viewers to other worlds. I try to make my pieces cinematic, like a still image from an amazingly shot film. That's all, to just tell a story.
32. :devCoFeRoSa: asked
How to surpass your skill?
Have to be level 60+ and battle me with at least 15 of your guild members. I also rez myself.
33. :deviamjacksartist: asked
- Is it easier for you to finish a work in one sitting, or is it no big deal to have to go back to it several times over a few days? Any issues with second-guessing or inspiration if a piece takes more than one sitting?
Several times over a few days for sure. I could never finish one of my pictures in a day (I wish!). Music, seriously. That's my only patience tool. Other than that, just get lost in your work...it'll take over.
34. :devJaredGrammer: asked
Do you plan on making any tutorials? I'd like to see some on lighting and texturing.
Believe it or not, I love making tutorials. They just take a lot of time, since I have a ton of steps...so hopefully soon :(
35. :devMrCanavan: asked
Why do you like cats? Dogs are much better.
http://img6.imageshack.us/
36. :devRossipoo: asked
Hi! in your interview you said.. " dont waste your time with those anime trends and stuff... it wont get you anywhere" Is this truee?? Like im more into the realistic anime like final fantasy and character designs and stuff?
Question: What was your highschool life like? Did you draw everyday every hour or focused in school? When you were applying for colleges your senior year, did you make a portfolio? Did you go to community college the first 2 years? What art college did you attend?
I said that? Sounds pretty harsh if I did, so if I sound like a twat, I apologize. I don't think it won't get you anywhere, but lets say this:
You want to work on a movie, lets say...for example, Star Wars. If you show George Lucas a bunch of Naruto or Sailor Moon looking art, he might go "What..?"
But lets say you want to work on Naruto and show them a bunch of paintings, for example, like mine, They'll go "What?"
It all depends the field you want to go in, I say learn both sides.
As for art school, didn't attend any.
37. :devmintred: asked
Is it true that Gizmo does most of the work for 'your' drawings? :|
No, he's a liar. Don't believe his blog www. fuzzyfeet. cat
38: :devKing-Rastel: asked
How have you been networking? Do you use an agent at all? Where do you get your freelancing jobs from?
I had a manager, but now I just consider him one of my best-friends. He helps me with the right direction I need to go in. It always helps to have a guide/mentor. Just watch out for people who just try to use you for their own success.
39: :devctJemm: asked WILL YOU ANSWER THIS QUESTION.
40. :devSylanya: asked What are your favorite science fiction movies?
Star Wars: 4-6
Matrix
Blade Runner
Alien and Aliens
Children of Men
Terminator 2
41: :dev~SecondKin: asked
do you have a load of drawings you've kept from previous years down to when you were a kid? y'know, to compare progress n' stuff.
No, my mom and dad lost them. :( If you're reading this, yes I blame you both. I was young, stupid and forgetful, so I didn't control that stuff.
42: :devjoseme: asked When you begin a piece of art, is the end result a lot different from the beginning?
Of course, every single time. It's actually kinda funny because at the end of it I always click the first save I did of the image and think to myself "How did I get through this?"
43: :devescord: asked
I was wondering what is your main program u use .. and any others.
Photoshop CS4. That's all.
44: :deveijka: aked
how do you come up with these characters of yours ?
I just think to myself "What would you love to see?"
45. :devSlothboy3000: asked Love your LMS stuff the most.
How do you go about thinking of all those jazzy little details like Gabriel's skittles and the pictures on his guns? (they look like michaelangelo or something, I cant remember
THe tattoos aswell! How do you make them look like they're one with the surface of the character? For me, it's hard to get the hues and the lighting working with each other.
And one last question! Would you mind if I made a custom figure of one of the LMS characters? I wouldn't sell it on or anything (heck Id send it to you if you want
Seriously all it is, is giving life to your characters. Maybe Gabe loves skittles? Maybe Alice is a fan of Mario. Maybe Fish was once in the Navy. Thats all it is, as I mentioned above...those Lord of the Rings DVDs, Richard Taylor (head of WETA) showed how much detail and blood and sweat went into his props for the movie. And that really inspired me. It has to feel real, thar these characters might exist in some other world.
As for the figure, of course!
46: :devMayheam: asked is there a good money for such a talent you have?
Definitley.
47. :Devyoungtalent: asked How long does the average piece take for you?
3-4 days usually. Week most.
