Art comes in many different forms and is presented many different ways. Renderosity’s Artist of the Month for July, Holland’s Gerrit Wesseling, (Vechtdalcollege),  carries a very strong love of military equipment from which he draws inspiration. 

He was born in Assen, the Netherlands, in 1948, so as a child in a military family he had plenty of stories told to him that exposed him to recent military history.

“Everything that had to do with the army, interested me – military vehicles, tanks, armoured cars, figures and all of WWI and WWII. Part of my family was serving in the army, so I think this is what influenced me so much. I started reading books, saw many pictures, looked at the movies and went to the important battlefields of Europe,” he said.

He is retired now, but was an art teacher, after a seven year study at the Academy of Art in Groningen.

After all his years immersing himself in art history, it would be 48 years since his birth  before he found his outlet for expressing his interests in Europe’s war history.  

Renderosity: What were the first programs and tools you used to create your art and what have you graduated into now?

Vechtdalcollege: My interest in the computer came in 1996 when I got my first computer. After some time, I bought my first computer program, CorelDraw! version 4. With the Corel Photo Paint, I had the ability to manipulate my photographs…one of my hobbies. The real interest in 3D pictures came later when I was building plastic model kits and put these in dioramas. I’m still doing it with much pleasure, as you can see on my galleries. I was also very content with Daz3D. The other programs I use, are Photo Paint and an older program named Corel Dream.

Renderosity: What are your favorite topics that you get really immersed in?

Vechtdalcollege: Before there is a series of pictures, I build all the objects, paint them, weathering, make the scene and create the texture of the landscape. Then do the images and upload it on Renderosity.

Renderosity: Are there other artists that influence you and who has helped along the way?

Vechtdalcollege: There are a lot of people in this world, doing the same thing as I do but for me was Renderosity, a fine place to show my work to others. I often admire the work of my fellow artists on Rendo.

Renderosity: What does sitting down to create art mean to you?

Vechtdalcollege: I have now much time to make the objects that I like and that gives me satisfaction. I hope there is still much time left for me to create the diorama's I want to.

Renderosity: What tips do you have for those who are just getting started in 3D artwork?

Vechtdalcollege: To the beginning artists, I will recommend, start simple, concentrate on one thing at a time with a simple or no background. Later on, you can make it a bigger part with more details.

Renderosity: What do you most enjoy about positive feedback on your images?

Vechtdalcollege: Not many comments, but that doesn't matter; not much feedback, also not important. I am my own driving force. LOL

Renderosity: Is there’s anything else you’d like to communicate as an artist for the Rendo community?

Vechtdalcollege: I hope I can still do these things a long time with Gods will. I am very glad that I have Renderosity giving me the opportunity to do so and show my work to a great part of our world. I am very grateful for this.