The FAQerview

I respond to some frequenly asked questions...

FAQ: What is a 'digital artist'?
Dan Redding: My main tool is the computer itself. Unlike traditional art which is created in physical form and then may be digitally photographed or scanned, the digital copy is the first 'finished' version of the artwork. Physical copies may be produced later... or not.

FAQ: Are there different kinds of digital art?
Dan Redding: Many. My work falls mainly into two categories: 3D Rendering and Vector Illustration (which is a 2D art form using precise lines and curves to create an image instead of pixels.)

FAQ: What is 'rendering'?
Dan Redding: Starting with a blank virtual 'scene', complex 3D models are added and arranged to try and reproduce the image in my head. Light sources are added and the 'render camera' -- the computer's point of view of the 3D scene -- is adjusted to create a variety of images either realistic or fantastic... or anywhere in between.

FAQ: Where do the models come from?
Dan Redding: I do create some of them from scratch, taking a box or sphere and digitally poking and pulling it into the shape I want; but right now most of my models -- especially the human and animal ones -- are licensed from other content creators.

FAQ: Isn't that cheating?
Dan Redding: There are many 3D artists who mainly create their own models, but there are many more who use licensed content. Creating a model and creating a scene are two very different tasks. In my case, I focus on the scene and leave most of the modelling to those who excel at it.

FAQ: But then is it really 'your' art?
Dan Redding: A lot of people use the illustration that an artist who paints or sketches creates their work 'from scratch'; and therefore only digital artists who build all their own models are artists (and really, there are few who don't use SOME licensed stock content.)

But I think that it's more accurate to compare what I do to a photographer than a painter. Other than a few family photos, the photographer does not create his own models. Scenic vistas are not landscaped from bare soil to create beautiful outdoor photography, nor is the sun engineered specifically to light it. Look at the controls in a typical 3D software rendering package, you'll find them described in photography terms: Pan, Zoom, Roll, Focal Length and more. Shutter and aperature controls that would make a $900 camera owner drool.

FAQ: So you just add the models you want, and the software 'takes the picture'?
Dan Redding: That's two of the steps, but not the whole process. Each model is seperate and must be positioned in the scene (most things first load right in the middle, standing straight up.) Humans and animals also need to be posed: the bend and twist of each joint, facial expressions. Clothes (and hair!) are seperate models that must be added and conformed to the main figure. Lights and camera need to be adjusted -- here I have an advantage over the traditional photographer! I can put a light or camera anywhere. I can even place a light source between camera and subject without having a lamp visible in the scene. The quality of the render -- level of detail, depth of reflection, etc. -- can be adjusted to get just the right style.

And of course, you need to have the idea first. Imagination defines the artist, not the tools.

FAQ: What software do you use?
Dan Redding: My main scene rendering tool is a piece of software called Poser Pro. For modelling I generally use Lightwave or a free software program called Wings3D for 'quick' models. I also use PhotoShop for finishing, and a variety of fractal generation software for 'special effects'. For vector illustration, my main tool is Illustrator. That's not an exhaustive list; but it covers most of what I do.

FAQ: How would you describe your style?
Dan Redding: Do I have to pick just one? I like experimenting with different styles, always finding something new. I have a few reccuring themes of horror or sci-fi and of course, pretty women. I like to think humor plays at least a small part in all my work. Occasionally I'll get an idea for a series and restrain my experimenting within some set paramenters, like the Mathscape images or the first 12 Gynoid pieces. But more often than not I don't like creating "Yet Another..." work like one that I've already done.

FAQ: Do you do animations?
Dan Redding: No. Most of my ideas are about moments in time, not dramas. Maybe someday, but at the moment I'm having too much fun with the stills.

FAQ: What about the vector illustration?
Dan Redding: Most of my vector work so far is for the tee shirts and such, which don't lend themselves as well to a full 3D scene. It's also a great tool for logo design (like the 'dr' logo on this site.) Typography is also vector: most of the time I'll use a font 'out-of-the-box' like anyone else; but it can be interesting to tweak text design in Illustrator to achieve unique styles.

FAQ: Finally, what do you like best about your art?
Dan Redding: I like that I finally found the right tools for me. My attempts with pencil and brush were not horrible, but more "unintentionaly abstract" than I wanted. Digital lets me focus on the image more than the technique. It's also a little more forgiving of the creative process. Paint and ink don't come with 'Undo'. An unsatisfactory scene can be tweaked without having to start from scratch.

Most of all, I like that as I've shared my work with others, I like finding that I've created something other people can enjoy. When other people enjoy it, it becomes art.