Q: Do you start your artwork with photos?
A: No, I do not start my artwork with photos. I do occasionally google images for reference, to see how the light might shine off a particular texture, or how it might fall at a certain time of day. I use Daz Studio as my primary art tool; Studio is a 3D rendering application that allows me to take models, customize their size, shape and appearance, assemble props, scenes, etc., and then create a rendered image based on the scene I've set up. It's a bit like photography, but I never have to race the light, and my models never get tired. I do use PhotoShop or The Gimp to adjust my renders in postwork, or paint in elements to finish out the scene. Digital tools provide a very rich medium, and allow for immense possibilities.

Q: How much do you charge to do an illustration?
A: It really depends on the purpose of the illustration, as well as the size and quality needed. Please feel free to click on the "Contact" tab above, and send me a request for rates.

Q: Where do you get your ideas from?
A: Wow, that's not such an easy thing to answer. My inspirations come from all over; the Net, TV, people on the street, my family and friends - just whatever catches my eye or imagination.

The Runner - 'Secret Agent' CGChallenge

Best Animation Award winner Richard Spriggs shows his work from the CGChallenge XXIV 'Secret Agent'.

Fallout teaser trailer

Behold the latest Fallout teaser trailer from Bethsoft hitting it big on the web.

Annie Awards

A very mixed bag of winners at the Annie Awards. 'Up' wins Best Feature and Best Director.

Open Letter to Cameron

Lee Stranahan writes an Open Letter To James Cameron: Fairness For Visual Effects Artists.

AVATAR video

Light Entertainment's Jon Landau talks about Autodesk's part on the creation of AVATAR.

FELIX

Stack! Studios introduce FELIX, a Cloud-computing based rendering solution.

Turbosquid story on CNN

Turbosquid's New Orleans success story on CNN, showing CG alive and well in NOLA.

Lady and the Reaper

Academy Award nominee Kandor Moon shows 'Lady and the Reaper' short film.

VOLKER ENGEL

Volker Engel turned his obsession with visual effects into a career and a business.

SIGGRAPH Keynote 2010

ACM SIGGRAPH has revealed Don Marinelli as one of the keynote speakers for the late July Conference in LA.

Daz Studio - this little freebie app brought me back to art after a long absence. The folks at Daz also bring us Bryce, Carrara and Hexagon, as well as a multitude of affordably-priced models for personal and professional use.

ImagineFX Magazine - this is a great magazine for the digital artist. Full of information and tutorials, as well as inspiring artwork. Great peer community on the website, very helpful in critiques, etc.