Section:

Kevin Beckers: 3D artist interview

Experienced 3D artist Kevin Beckers currently works and lives in Amsterdam, splitting his time between professional work and personal works based on 2D concepts. Find out more...

Experienced 3D artist Kevin Beckers currently works and lives in Amsterdam, splitting his time between professional work and personal works based on 2D concepts. Find out more...

3dtotal: Tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you, what do you do, and where are you located?
Kevin Beckers: My name is Kevin Beckers and I have been creating 3D art for about 16 years (about 9 years professionally). I have worked for INDG for most of those, and currently work at th3rd/Human alloy in Amsterdam, where I also live.

3dt: Where did you find the inspiration for your latest gallery entry? What's the story behind its creation?
KB: Well, I have a folder on my computer in which I save images I happen to come across online that just click for me: it can be anything and everything, so when I want to work from concepts, I usually go through that folder.

In the case of Rock D's, the concept art was made by the artist Rock D, who makes amazing concepts. Since I like anthropomorphized dangerous animals, and I really wanted a project to use Substance Painter on, it seemed like a great fit.

I found this quick little sketch from Danny Williams and used it for a speed sculpt session

I found this quick little sketch from Danny Williams and used it for a speed sculpt session

3dt: What software and plug-ins did you use to create this image? Did you face any difficulties, and how did you overcome them?

KB: For this project I used ZBrush, Substance Painter, and 3ds Max with V-Ray for rendering. The difficulty of this project was learning Substance Painter. I purchased a license and had dabbled a bit in it, but I hadn't really properly used it, so figuring out the new software was the greatest challenge. Luckily there's a great community at Allegorithmic and Google is always helpful.

3dt: Do you normally use this software in your workflow? What other software and plug-ins do you favor?
KB: Yeah my workflow is usually ZBrush, 3ds Max and Photoshop. I got to learn Marvelous Designer at my previous job for Adidas, so I use that when I can. Also After Effects and Photoshop for compositing and video, and some other plugins like phoenixFD for volumetrics and so on. I also use hairfarm a lot –i use it for my day job.

3dt: Are there any particular techniques that you use often? Or do you like to experiment?
KB: Well, nothing that other people don't also do I think. I do tend to use zremesher combined with projection instead of dynamesh in ZBrush, because zremesher tends to stick surfaces together when they are too close together. I use transpose master a lot for reshaping big shapes and volumes. I do tend to try out new software when possible (like Substance Painter) to see if it adds something useful.

3dt: What are your artistic ambitions?
KB: Well, trying to learn 2D drawing, because I really enjoy working from concept art, and want to make them myself. Other than that, if I could land a job in which I got to create great characters like the ones from Creaturebox, Disney or Ilion in Spain, I would be a happy man.

3dt: What software would you like to learn in the future to expand your portfolio and skillset, and why?
KB: Currently I am re-learning Maya. It seems like all the cool kids work with Maya, or at least, all the cool studios, so it can't hurt being able to use Maya too. Other than that, I don't have anything particular I feel I need right now. But I am willing to learn any software package if I find I have a use for it.

3dt: How do you keep your portfolio up-to-date? Any tips?
KB: I spend a lot of time doing 3D, usually juggling between 2 to (maximum) 4 projects at a time, so I can jump between them when I get bored with one. Eventually they get done – I may leave it on the shelf a little longer so I can look at it with fresh eyes and adjust whatever I don't like, and then post.

Based on a Creaturebox design, from the videogame Ratchet and Clank

Based on a Creaturebox design, from the videogame Ratchet and Clank

3dt: Who are your favorite artists, traditional or digital, and can you explain why?

KB: There are too many to mention really for all types of reasons. Dan Roarty for his realism. Andrea Femerstrand for the quality and emotions in her work. The guys and girls from Creaturebox, everybody at Naughty Dog, really – everybody – yes, even the coffee lady! Just have a look at the 3dtotal gallery or Art Station front page and cringe at the insane amount of talent there is nowadays, how could you choose?

3dt: What can we expect to see from you next?
KB: I've been working on a scene with 3 little girls robbing an ice cream van for a while, and hope to finish that this year. A totally cliché robotic samurai alien thing, and a portrait based on the "Valley of a 1000 hills” documentary... those are currently in the pipeline.

Related links

Head over to Kevin's site
Check out Rock D's Cat in the gallery
Grab a copy of ZBrush Characters & Creatures

Fetching comments...

Post a comment