Each month the Renderosity community votes on the Renderosity Artist Of The Month [AOM] ... February's AOM is jif3d!
We congratulate jif3d for an outstanding collection of works in the 3ds Max and LightWave Galleries!

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Tell us a bit about yourself. Who is 'jif3d' ?

Sometimes I'm called Jeff...LOL, and I live on the Gold Coast, Eastern Australia, sharing a 3 acre property with my Mother (blondeblurr - Photography @ Renderosity). I like surfing and I play rhythm and lead guitar, and the odd spot of vocals. In the past few years I have been in several small Rock'n'Roll/Blues bands, but these days my spare time is filled with all things 3D.

 

 

How long have you been creating art?

If I really think about it, I would say ever since I could pick up a pencil or pen, not that I thought my early scrawls were any good. In High School, I started to draw Peanuts characters, copied from my Charlie Brown books, when I was supposed to be studying, LOL! But, my 3D journey started when I got an Amiga 500 and a copy of deluxe Paint 3; and I've been at it as a hobby ever since, with the odd freelance job, here and there.

 

 

Do you have any formal art education?

Arts Course at Randwick Technical College in Sydney, which included Life drawing, Painting, Photography and Sculpture. I then won a scholarship at Silicon Studios Brisbane, Queensland in 3D Animation.
Certificate 4 in Digital Arts and Media, at Kingscliff T.A.F.E in New South Wales, and currently I'm 3/4 of the way through my distance Diploma in Digital and Interactive Games.

What are you currently working on?

Diploma wise, I'm doing Unit 9...the Unreal UDK Coding...EEEK! Personally, I'm making a bank robbery scene with the characters, clothing and props set up in Poser Pro 2012. And now I've just exported the Poser scene into Lightwave 11.5 for re-texturing, lighting, FX and final render.

 

 

Who, or what, inspires you?

First of all, the classic sci-fi and fantasy artists, like Boris Vallejo, Frank Frazetta, Rodney Matthews, H.R. Giger, Roger Dean and heaps of others. Things I see around me and on the internet (ZBrush Central and Renderosity!), computer games, T.V., movies, and reading lots of magazines and books...whew, are you still with me? LOL

As your gallery contains works created with 3ds Max, Lightwave, Vue, ZBrush and Poser, as well as your photography, what other programs might we find in your digital toolset?

I also use Photoshop, Mudbox, Maya, Roadkill, Mandelbulb 3D, dDox64, Adobe After Effects, Sound Forge and Sony vegas Pro.

 

 

Do you have any tips you would be willing to share on the software you use?

The best tip I have is to work on your lighting and atmosphere in any 3D software you use, as it really makes or breaks a 3D image, whether compositing, animating or doing stills, instead of worrying about super fine details. I use Google searches to find video and text tutorials on the subjects I need help with. Reading your software manuals!!! - sounds boring, but I've found many of the answers I needed there. If you are going to get into animation, the best tip I have is to carefully observe the world around you, how things move and interact, how the light and atmosphere can change the mood.

 

 

What do you think your best piece of work is and why?

That's a tricky one. I always like to think I'm improving and using all the new things I have learned, so the latest render would always be it, but I have a few favs for different reasons and it's really hard to pick just one.

How has this online community (Renderosity) enhanced your work, relationships, and learning?

I have seen some really outstanding 3D artists and art here at Rendo, which has inspired me to do better and be creative in different ways. I've befriended a few, who are now like old friends. Plus, using some of the tutorials and the great Art Contests you run here, have all helped me on my 3D journey.

 

 

Do you have any parting comments, or advice for other artists?

It's good to keep an open mind for learning new techniques and skills. Try to see the artistic angles in every day life situations... Oh yeah, and don't forget, constructive criticism is a valuable lesson. And last, but not least - remember to do it with a sense of humour, because a smile is free   :o)

Cheers, jif3d

We invite you to have a further look at jif3d's Renderosity Gallery!

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Be sure to visit:

• jif3d's Renderosity Homepage
• jif3d's Renderosity Gallery

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Artist of the Month is highlighting a talented Renderosity artist that has been nominated by mods and admins, and voted by the community. Recognition is given to this member for their collection of works for that year.

Since we only select one AOM per month, it is not about their works for that particular month. Instead, it is about highlighting a talented artist's works for that year, and they are recognized during that month.

To learn more about Renderosity's Artist Of The Month [AOM] award, and to view our past AOM's, please visit the AOM page.

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