Enjoy the whole Interview!
3dCreative INTERVIEW:
Ruben Alvarez
Mastering concept design
Ruben is a pro at merging 3D and 2D to
bring concepts to life. We learn more about his inspirations, workflow and
education.
Ruben Álvarez is a freelance concept artist
working for the entertainment industry, he’s been freelancing in the Netherlands
for the past two years and is involved now in projects for mobile games and the
film industry.
3dc: Hello, Ruben! Please could you tell us a
little about yourself: who you are, where you are, and what you do?
Ruben Alvarez:
Hi, My Name is Ruben Alvarez, as a concept
artist my job is to generate visual ideas helping art directors and vfx supervisors
to visualize certain aspects of the creation of a game, movie or entertainment product.
This goes from pre-production to production itself and includes character and
creature concept design, environment or props design and key frame illustration
among other things.
3dc: What inspired you to get into 3D, and what
inspires you today?
Ruben Alvarez:
In my opinion, 3d is nowadays in my opinion
on of the best ways to quickly generate accurate and fast ideas during the
concept design pipeline. I think 3D is a key skill to learn in the
entertainment industry. Strong foundations and 3D helps you to add this extra
quality to your work.
I am in love with what the 3d Software companies
are developing. It’s impossible not to fall in love with Zbrush, Modo, Keyshot,
Sketchup…
Artist Inspire me. The art community is full
of really talented artist and I feel small when I see the quality of work that this
people is able to create. This makes me push myself to keep learning and designing
original content. Family, friends, movies, music…you can always find
inspiration in the things and people that surround you.
3dc: Could you tell us about your education at Gnomon
School of Visual
Effects, and what you learned in your time there?
Ruben Alvarez:
I wish I could have spent more time at
Gnomon School back in 2008. It was my first time ever overseas! I was there for
one term and I have to say that it was the best summer I had in my life. Not
because the beach or the California weather, which was amazing, but the time I
spent in front of a computer listening and learning from amazing and skilled
teachers. At that time I didn’t know you could make concept art a professional career,
and Gnomon School showed me the path. I attended six classes at the school in
total, all of them related to concept art: production design, environment
design, imaginative landscapes, and so on.
I remember feeling my jaw drop looking
Jerad Marantz just making a silhouette! This was the moment I knew what I
wanted to do the rest of my life. Can five minutes change your life? The answer
is YES!
At the end of the term I won the Best of Term contest and most
importantly, I decided to become a concept artist.
3dc: Tell us more about your specialisms and
favourite subjects to create.
Ruben Alvarez:
I don’t consider myself specialist on one
certain concept art subject. I like variety and I feel curious about different
process and techniques. I like using Zbrush for creature concept art but I
don’t want to forget MODO or Sketchup when I design environments, vehicles or
props.
Keeping the mind active with a variety of
subjects help me to stay focused and be creative. I think the specialty of a
concept artist is to be creative, no matter the subject, no matter the tool.
I really enjoy Sci fi mainly because it’s a
difficult matter. Nobody knows how the future or unknown civilizations (buildings, creatures,
transportation…) are going to be. This is pure joy for a concept artist´s
brain!
3dc: What software and tools do you use for
your artwork? Any useful tips, plug-ins or underrated programs that you’d
recommend?
Ruben Alvarez:
The programs I use are Photoshop, Zbrush, MODO
and Keyshot. They offer me the main range of tools that I need for each
specific task. I work with a cintiq 21UX.
Photoshop is the program for the beginning
of every project as it allows me to generate sketches; I also use it to add different
effects at the end of the project (color correction, composition, final
presentation).
MODO and Zbrush are the programs I use for
fine-tuning the sketches. This is a very useful way to communicate ideas to
your art director or supervisor. Maybe you spend a bit more time sculpting a
creature sketch or blocking a vehicle in 3D, but at the end of the process this
is a huge advantage. Making changes in 3D is a lot faster for me. Imagine if
your art director asked you for another pose of your character; 3D allows you
to quickly solve this kind of thing.
I have recently introduced Keyshot on my pipeline
simply because this programs is really powerful for rendering difficult
materials in 3D like glass, metal and gold. Saving time is one of the most
important things you learn when you are a concept artist. It is difficult and
time-consuming to render chrome materials in Photoshop!
I would also recommend Marvellous Designer
as a complementary software to learn.
3dc: Could you describe your general 3D
workflow for us?
Ruben Alvarez:
First I begin with quick silhouettes and
sketches. I feel more comfortable working with volumes and shapes rather than
line drawings. If the silhouette is recognizable you have a lot of the design
work done and you just need to polish the design.
I usually add some grayscale interior
shapes and quick details to the silhouette and then I jump into 3D.
I work progressively on details in 3D, adjusting
the design all the time, to the point I am happy with the balance and shapes of
it.
Sometimes I quickly render the 3D in grayscale
and photo bash or paint over it. Other times I will render in Keyshot to add
materials, and just add effects in Photoshop.
3dc: For a 3D artist, what are the benefits
of being able to work on concepts in 2D?
Ruben Alvarez:
I think 2D is the route map for 3D. Having
a 2D design before modelling saves you time and helps you to avoid getting
lost.
Sometimes it’s okay to go crazy and try new
things directly in 3D and there are programs out there that are really good as
sketch tools. There are clients that prefer to push the sketch further with
more detail while and others ask to jump directly into 3D for a better
visualization.
It really depends on your workflow and
style. A bit of pre-production is always needed and I think 2D helps with that.
3dc: What do you think makes a successful
concept design?
Ruben Alvarez:
Difficult question… I wish I knew the
answer!
I think a successful design is the design
that fits the needs of the project and the client and at the same time is original,
doable and lasts over time.
Today, a successful concept design is not a
matter of just concept artists. It needs the talent of a lot of people: 3D artist,
animators, supervisors, technical directors, lighting artists, previs guys… all
nder the direction of experience art directors and VFX supervisors.
I would say that with all this elements
together, the design will be 20-percent successful.
The other 80-percent is what audience think
about the design. We create to entertain people who will evaluate our work,
going to the cinema or buying games. Surprising people with something new and
fresh is really difficult and that’s also what makes a successful concept
design so difficult.
3dc: What is one key piece of advice that you’d
pass on to other artists
Ruben Alvarez:
After Gnomon I spent one year working on my
portfolio. At a certain point, I sent my work to an art director and his feedback
was something like: “A four-year-old kid can draw better than you”. Some could say
that the guy was rude or that’s not the answer you should give to an aspiring
concept artist (I wouldn´t say that to anybody!). I was very sad reading that, but
instead of giving up I deleted my whole portfolio and began again. A few months
later I got my first job in the industry, so maybe I have to thank him for this
words!
If you have a goal and you dream it, work
hard, never give up and be passionate about it, make the dream happen!
3dc: Finally, and most importantly: if you were stranded
on a desert island with only one of your belongings, which item would it be?
Ruben Alvarez:
A pair of running shoes. Running helps me
to clear my mind. I am not sure if they would save my live on an island, but if
there were dangerous animals around, they could certainly help!
Thank you very much for speaking to
3dcreative today!
