Q and A with our Featured Artist KEN NGUYEN

Q and A with Ken Nguyen.

Ken Nguyen is a very well known concept artist based in the USA. He is one of the most admired SketchUp users and you will know why by looking at his work. Though busy, were glad to be accommodated by Ken with this Q and A. Let as also use this opportunity to feature Ken Nguyen's work here at SketchUp Vray Resources. Thank you Ken Nguyen.

All images are courtesy of Ken Nguyen, and some of them were exclusively posted in this site.

 SVR: Tell us more about Ken Nguyen. 

KN: I was born in Vietnam but left the country when I was 4 years old. I grew up and lived in Paris, France, for 15 years before finally relocating in the USA. I studied Architecture and worked as an Architectural designer for about 5 years before quitting my job to follow my dreams of working for the game and movie industries. I moved to San Francisco to attend the Academy of Art University in 2003 and obtained a MFA in Games (Modeling, Texturing, and Animation). I have been working as a Concept Artist for the last 6 years. As a Concept Artist, I am responsible for conceptualizing in 2D and 3D a wide range of the game’s artwork, including props, characters and creatures, weapons and armors, environments and architecture. 

Concept design_Jail

HIgh Elf Architecture_interior Hall

Sci-Fi Vehicle

Mech Design

Moonshade Garden

SVR: How long have you been using Sketchup? 

KN: I started using Sketchup when it came out back in 2000. It was developed by @Last Software at the time, before Google acquired it in 2006. It was already used a lot by architects and it is now very popular with 2d and 3d artists in the entertainment industry. 

SVR: We know you use SketchUp intensively with your concept art and game modeling, can you please tell us more how you use it in your workflow. 

KN: I start sketching on paper then build the model in Sketchup by adding details and textures. After that, I do a render with Vray for Sketchup and post work with Photoshop. Other times, I print out the Sketchup model with black lines and white background, then overlay with a tracing paper to add details that would take longer to do in Sketchup. When the concepts are approved, I clean the Sketchup models (Mostly architectural buildings) and export them into Maya for use by the modelers on the Art team. 

SVR: Why did you choose it instead of other 3d software? 

KN: I have used Maya and Max, but SketchUp is still my program of choice for building quick models. I love SketchUp because it is so fast and intuitive. It is like thinking and drawing in 3D. It’s a perfect tool for visualizing architectural ideas as well as anything that crosses one’s mind. With all the great plugins that are available for free or at a really affordable cost, the sky is the limit.  

SVR: Do you have secret in managing your polygons in SketchUp? 

KN: I don’t really think too much about polygon count when I work on concepts. I try to focus on the design and making something really cool without the limitation of polygons. Having a powerful machine does help. Indeed, my home computer is an Alienware Aurora with i7-3930K CPU @ 3.20GHz with 1.25GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti and 16GB Quad Channel DDR3. However, if your machine is slow, here are a few suggestions to manage your polygon count as well as keep your file smaller: 

• Small details need to be modeled with less polygons.
• Model only things that you will see in your final render. If you won't show the interior or the back of a building, then don't make them. 
• Simply your circles with less segments. 
• Delete Inner Faces with the plugin of the same name.
• Purge components with the Purge plugin. 
• Clean up model by deleting Coplanar Edges and Lonely Edges   

 

SVR: What was your favorite project so far? Why? 

KN: I have to say the Starship for the EVE Online Contest. It took me 3 weeks working a few hours each night to complete it. The model is almost 1km in length and has over 2 millions polygons with a crazy amount of details. It is probably the most detailed model I ever did. I really learned a lot while building it by trying different plugins to boost the modeling process.  

 

SVR: Do you have any advice to our readers who want to pursue SkechUp as tool in concept art and games? 

KN:  Do what you love and focus on one area first before trying to do everything. Think quality, not quantity. It is better to have a few great models rather than tons of mediocre ones. Go to different forums to ask questions, see tutorials or get inspired my other artits’ works. (Sketchucation, Sketchupartists, CG society, CG talk, ChaosGroup, Cornucopia3D, itsartmag, 3dtotal, Evermotion, 3dm3, cgchannel, SVR). If you can afford, buy a 3D mouse from 3D Connexion. Look for plugins in the Sketchucation plugin forum. The 3D mouse and the plugins will certainly increase the modeling speed. As for rendering, learn any of the rendering engines for Sketchup (e.g. Vray, Podium, etc.), and of course Photoshop (or any other similar software) for post work. I believe that all renders look great only because of post work. It's rare to find a 100% raw render without post work that looks great. For concept artists focusing on environment and architecture specifically, you should learn the basic of design, color theory, composition and history of architecture and interior design. Again, do what you love and practice, practice and practice. Practice makes perfect.

SVR. Thank You Ken Nguyen!

Q and A: Federico Palomenque aka. "f render"

Featured Artist: Federico Palomenque

We would like to thank Federico for taking his time for this interview. Federico is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, one of the excellent visualizers we always wanted to feature in this site. We are very grateful for this opportunity of featuring Federico's work and wisdom in the field of using SketchUp and Vray SketchUp.

SVR: Please tell us more about yourself

FP: My name is Federico Palomeque. I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I’m 22 years old and I’m studying architecture in the University of Buenos Aires. I dedicate most part of the day to my studies, though I sometimes do works as a freelance renderist. I like a lot the 3D visualization field, mostly focused on architecture, because it allows an excellent perception of space, along with the possibility of playing with textures, models, lightning, etc.

SVR: Any special story how about SketchUp and Vray SketchUp

FP.  I started using SketchUp in 2009. I thought it was a really good designing tool, quick and easy to use, that helped me design my architectural projects for the University. Some time after that I started to render with SU Podium, obtaining good results. At the beginning of 2010, I started studying VRay. I thought it was amazing how this Plug- In, together with SketchUp, could obtain such life-like results. Since then, I love doing renders for practice to improve my technique.

SVR: We have seen your render with the barcelona Pavillion, any secret how you accomplished such an excellent render?

FP.  Haha! In fact it was the result of a lot of tests. My idea was to achieve a soft, twilight-looking lightining, so the shadows are soft and brighten the artificial lights. I tried to keep the textures unsaturated, to help create calmer surroundings. The scene’s lightning is based on a nocturne HDRI. In the interior, rectangular lights were placed to recreate the light effects of the pavilion.

SVR: Do you have any inspiration in the field of visualisation? Please tell us why?

FP.  I really like Zaha Hadid’s conceptual renders, because of her use of color, light, and the simplicity it portrays. I also like Alex Roman’s work; it’s amazing how he uses textures, the camera’s position, light effects, color, etc, making his scenes look 100% real.

SVR: Can you please tell us your workflow in visualisation?

FP. I start making the scene and doing lighting tests. When I’m happy with it, I begin to place the 3D components and give them texture. Then I make a couple of tests to fix details, and finally I launch the final render.Then I take the image to Photoshop, where I correct the color, contrast, the levels, and apply the filters and gradient maps. Thus, the image looks more like a photograph.

SVR: Hows Skethchup and vray sketchup in your country?


FP. SketchUp is used a lot by architects. It’s a really practical tool, easy to use. I know a lot of small architectural offices that use it together with VRay to make renders. The bigger offices use 3DMax, because they face more complex models, what makes SketchUp a tool with flaws.

SVR: Do you have any advise to our readers especially those who are new with sketchup? and vray SKetchUp?

FP. What I always say about SketchUp and VRay, is that a good render has to have an EXCELLENT lightning, a REALLY GOOD post-production, and GOOD textures. I believe that is the order to follow to get a great render.

For more information about Federico Palomenque visit his sites..

BLOG: http://thefrender.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/the.f.render

Q and A with Jonald Magistrado

SketchUp-Vray- Artists was founded on March 2, 2011 by Arch. Jonald Magistrado. For more details about the history of SVA click HERE.

We requested an interview with our founder and here is the the Q and A with him. enjoy and be inspired.

SVR: Can you please tell us more about yourself. Tell us what is in your mind when you decided to form the SVA FB Group.

JM:  The group really started to life when I got to answer a simple question on my FB message about SketchUp, then just got an idea why not try to make a group on Facebook concerning all of my Sketchup colleagues on CGP Forum who are active on Facebook. I guess is the fastest way of communicating and chatting. First it was just four of us members or shall I call twin brothers. Then I told them we can share and posts works here together while showing techniques and tips for the noobs; that was really the intention. Then came the idea to asks you, Nomeradona and other Sketchup Gurus to be the admins of the group and make it formal at least, because it just keep on growing that time with so many requests.

SVR: Did you expect that this group will grow and develop into a successful FB group? Please recall on what your initial feeling?
 
JM: Nope, I never ever thought that there were enormous people out there who would join the group. It's just we are already happy answering few questions and explaining with mini-tutorials while posting at the start.

SVR: How do you see this group in 10 years time? Any plans?
JM: I am no web designer/artist so I will leave the website to you Nomeradona. As far as it goes I'm already happy viewing posts of other members, seeing improvements of new members and of course, other artists posting such great renders and links. But sure I got plans of at least yearly EB's and other actvities but only if time permits.

SVR: What is your message to the new group members? to the old members? to the Admins?

JM. All I can say, for the newbies: thank you very for joining our group, just continue to see post, comments and practice. I know you'll love SketchUp even more. For the the oldies; I can tell that we have accomplished, learned, shared and laugh a lot. Though it is not in a material way that we are in touch with each other, I know we are all here because of our love for Sketchup and Vray; and I am happy for all of us.
Thank you  Nomeradona and SVA.

SVR: Well said Arch. Jonald Magistrado.. Thnak you also for your time!


View the MTM done by Arch. Jonald Magistrado HERE

Q & A : David Brufau aka. "DbRenders"

Featured Artist: David Brufau

Good day again to all of you. We have again another segment in featuring exemplary artists and visualizers. This time we want to feature David Brufau or better known in our community as "dbrenders". If you are follower of RonenBekerman you will realized that 3 out 4 of David's render where voted as winners in the 2011 Forum. We have a very high regards of David's passion to Visualization. His visual art background could be seen in his work instantly. In the past this emerging artist also shared to us some of his tutorials which we posted in this Blog (see this modeling tutorial HERE).

SVR: Tell us more about yourself?

DB: My name is David Brufau, I’m from Barcelona Spain. I started working as freelancer one year and 4months ago. As many of you know, I’m a SketchUp user - an addict might be the right word.

SVR: You started as visual artist, now you are doing visualization and design; can you tell us the connection.

DB: Yes, you are right, I think visual arts and visualization should not be branded as separate disciplines. For me they are one.  I have the notion of manipulating objects digitally and I was attracted with visualization. This passion led me to work in design office. Here is where I got exposed with visualization which is art in itself.

In the office, there are times clients need specific furniture or models that you can’t find in the internet. I have to learn advanced modeling in order to provide their needs. This year, I started my own collection of models in the 3DWarehouse site, which I’m very thankful of. In order to give back, I decided to put some of my new models here and share them with fellow SketchUp users.

Now did I forget Visual arts? No not all, for me its a continuum.

SVR: Interesting! Can you tell us how did you start with SketchUp and VraySketchUp?

DB: Sure! With SketchUp I started with Version 5 when I was working in a big office using other 3d software. One day while browsing other software, I found it and I realized how cool this program is; simple, easy, and fast. I realized that it is going to be a great tool for me in the future. With VRAY the story is shorter, I started just one year and few months ago when I started my own freelancing firm DB Renders. (You can visit our site at www.dbrenders.com. Initially it was very overwhelming for me, VRAY has too many parameters to deal with. Slowly, through many trials; reading and watching lots of tutorials (also video-tutorials), I started to be comfortable with it and understood how it works. As I said many times, thank you very much for this site(SketchUp Vray Resources, one of the main sites for learning and understanding SketchUp and VRAY SketchUp. I want to take this opportunity to thank Fernando Rentas, for his great video tutorials which are very precious resources.

SVR: Thank you for your kind words DB. Can you tell us about your assessment with SketchUp and VRAY SketchUp so far. What do you like, and what do you think needs to be added and addressed by the developers in the future.

DB: I like this question very much! First, I must admit that SketchUp is really a nice program to learn, as if you are just just playing. The capability to be a great and powerful software is there with some add-on and plugins of course. Its fast feedback during modeling, and seeing the changes you are doing in real time. I hope it will support 64 bit memory and address the high poly issue in the future. As for VRAY SketchUp, I will be happy to see the new features they added for VRAY Rhino - Vray proxy, for saving memory and doing tons of detail geometries like vegetation. VRAY RT would be perfect too for having more control and instant feedback of your settings. Lastly, Vray light manager and light map to bake light.

SVA. You have written a nice tutorial using "Artisan", tell us your experience with this script so far.

DB: I started with Artisan when I was doing a terrain model for a scene. I found some difficulties in modeling terrain with the sandbox tool. Then, I started searching for alternative plugin. Here where I found Artisan or Smooth and Subdivide 2. Dale Marten's Artisan is a stunning script. Organic modeling is so easy with. I love it so much, and it makes your work absolutely easier with it.

SVA: You have a lot of beautiful renders in your gallery, tell us some of your secret.

DB: Think, work; experiment, work; read, work; try, work; learn, work; search, work; try again, coffee time and work; publish your result, wait for advices, then work on it again! Well.. these are my secret. As for my work, the most important thing for me is not what I see, but what I feel.

SVA: You are really an artist DB. Ok, this is our final question.. Do you have any advise to the young proteges (newbies) when it comes with visualization.

DB: Patience... Results does not come in two days time. Start joining the SketchUp Vray Artist Facebook Group, it is great place to start visualization. There are lots of good, young and talented artists there who are willing to share their knowledge to you. Think critically, and of course have fun in doing what you like most.

SVA: Thank you David..

Visit more of David's work at www.dbrenders.com