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Insomniac5871 is our July Artist of the Month. Based in the UK, this artist was interested in art at an early age even learning to paint before starting to read. Insomniac5871 continues to create powerful and bold images/scenes for commissions, CD covers and concept art. Surrealism is a strong influence and a bold color pallette is always present in this artist's works.
Insomniac5871's gallery is filled with a fascinating variety of portraits and scenes from modern day rock concert to fantasy-inspired battle scenes. Check out our short interview with Insomniac5871 below along with a video gallery which features 10 items from this talented artist's Renderosity gallery.
Interview with Insomniac5871
Renderosity: You have a style that's full of energy and color. How did you develop this style? Who were your influences?
Insomniac5871: The colour in my work has been mentioned before. Several years ago, when I was really getting into digital artwork, I developed cataracts in both eyes to the extent that I nearly lost all sight in one eye. I think in hindsight that use of vivid color was a reaction to that. Although all is fine now it seems that it is now normal for me to create colorful images! I always try to tell a story in some way and any energy I think comes from that. As for influences - Boris Vallejo, Drew Struzan and Mark Wilkinson were big influences growing up, but I'm also a huge fan of surrealism - Dali is an obvious influence, but more recently the works of Tomasz Strza?kowski, Zdzis?aw Beksi?ski and Simon Stålenhag.
What is the typical workflow on a project?
Insomniac5871: Slow! I tend to be a perfectionist and takes me ages to get started on a new piece. I'll sketch an idea out on paper or in Photoshop first and then go seek the relevant items for the 3d part of the work. By the time I get to using Daz or Poser I'll have a fair idea of what I want to achieve, and find that 3d software such as these are invaluable at getting the lighting and perspective right. I'll then usually spend the majority of time on postwork in Photoshop.
How did you become a professional artist?
Insomniac5871: I didn't realise I had! Accidentally I guess... I still have a day job as a psychotherapist but try to spend as much of my spare time creating images as I can. I recall painitng as a toddler before I could write, so art has always been a big part of my life, but I'm completely self taught. Luckily people seem to like what I do so I've been fortunate to work on some interesting projects in the past and also sell pieces as prints of commissions.
How has Renderosity made a difference in your work as an artist? -Anything you'd like to add?
Insomniac5871: Renderosity is an invaluable resource to me with a constant flow of inspirational 3d models and artists. It can be great for anything from finding models to suit a project, or simply to browse through and get ideas if I am stuck. Poser is my preferred 3d package so I am excited to see where Renderosity will take the development of this software.
Finally - a big thanks to everyone who voted for me and takes the time to comment on my artwork. it really does mean a lot!