Exclusive Interview to :



Darren Chapman



Interview by Jerry Composano

Digital Artworks introduces Darren Chapman, a very talented graphics designer and modeler.

Digital
Artworks
Darren you mention on your site that you also posses skills in 2D design, evident by your image "King". What medium did you use before you went digital?

Chapman For about 10 years I have been using simple paper and pencil to do my sketches, I did have a brief dabble with water-colours but the process always seemed a little too slow for my style of work.


Digital
Artworks
Your Spitfire series... very impressive. Astounding work for Bryce modeling. I have noticed some Rhino work in a few of your other images. Why did you elect to construct such a complex model in Bryce if you do in fact have skills in the much more powerful modeller, Rhino?

Chapman The one thing I like about working with Bryce 4, as a modeller, is that the models you make are always "Live". What do I mean by that ?

With Rhino if you create an object using Boolean functions, you cannot independently adjust the placement of the objects you have just joined together at a later time in the construction of the model. With Bryce 4, you can always move the Boolean objects separately to make any final position adjustments regardless of how far you are into the final stages of construction. I am also still learning the finer point for Rhino, and still find it easier to make particular objects it Bryce 4.


Digital
Artworks
In your still life images, The Orb, Thy Sword, it is amazing how your presentation turns objects into art. After you place the objects into the images how much work is devoted to placement, light, and atmosphere to achieve the resulting look you give your images?

Chapman I have always felt that the key to any good scene, regardless of how simple the subject matter, is lighting. You can have a potentially great scene totally destroyed by the application of the wrong type of lighting. I, myself, spend at least 25 % of the total time it takes me to do a given piece of artwork, adjusting the light position and intensity, shadow intensity, material ambient level and the general overall light level. Sometimes this can add up to many hours just for this aspect of the artwork alone.

 

Digital
Artworks
My personal favourite is "Forgiveness". It's simplicity is beautiful. Sometimes less is more. Is that image from the heart or is it an accidental masterpiece?

Chapman I was trying to convey a very powerful message to the viewer, that they could interpret themselves, based upon the feeling the piece triggered in them.

I found that by having only one subject, the viewers attention was fully focused upon that message without distraction.


Digital
Artworks
Some of my favourite artists are Norman Rockwell and Peter Max . Are you influenced by any other artists?

Chapman There are two artist that have influenced my work and inspired my to strive to become a better artist, they are Graham McKenna http://www.grahamprismatic.free-online.co.uk/ and Willi Hammes http://www.3dluvr.com/themaxer/

Both show very good attention to detail, and product very realistic artwork. I would hope that one day my work could approach there standard.


Digital
Artworks
You see a lot of images inspired by movies or other media sources. Where do you find most of your inspiration?

Chapman In today's sophisticated world, where we are constantly bombarded with literally thousands of images per day via television and other mass media devices, it is almost impossible for me to say where I get my inspiration from. I may see something on the television, hear something on the radio and it may start off an idea that I use, that may, or may not end up as something later on. I try not too limit my self to one source.


Digital
Artworks
Now for some technical stuff.. Lets have the low-down on your system.

Chapman I currently use a computer custom built by me with the following components

Intel pentium III 600 MHz, Asus 440BX Flagship motherboard, 256Mb memory, Creative labs TNT2Ultra Display card, Diamond ultra 26Gb hard drive, 19in CTX monitor. Software Bryce 4, Poser 4, Rhino 1.1, Photoshop 5.0


Digital
Artworks
Have you any formal education in design and does your career involve design?

Chapman I have no qualification in design. I currently work for a medium size printing company, that specialise in producing

books for the academic and scientific research community. I work in the manufacturing department.


Digital
Artworks
If you had to choose an image by any other artist what would it be and why?

Chapman It would be "The thinker" by Graham McKenna http://www.grahamprismatic.free-online.co.uk/page16.htm

I just think technically it is amazing. As a work of art I think it is one of those images that make you go "WOW"

His use of lighting, texture and the model work are a real inspiration. His style manages to make the artwork look as if it is not been produce with a computer.


Digital
Artworks
What else do you do online?


Chapman Up until recently (about six month ago) I was really into the Quake 3, Unreal tournament scene, but now the computer art bug has really bitten, I hardly ever play online at all now. I still like to keep an eye on the latest computer technology though.


Digital
Artworks
Thank you.

Page TOP