TurboSquid is battle ready with our new Featured Image by TS Artist roman3dd! As a husband and wife team, Roman and Alina Makarenko have both contributed stylish new models to the TurboSquid catalog. As CheckMate Pro artists, they have made a number of fans in the TS Offices (our VP of Product Development has even used their adorable cartoon sheep as a desktop background). We got a chance to chat with Roman and Alina about their work in this Featured Artist Interview!
How long have you been an artist?
[Roman Makarenko]: I’ve been passionate about drawing since I was a kid— I was always drawing and inventing something. I went on to study at the Faculty of Architecture, where I met and studied with Alina, my future wife. At the institute, we almost stopped drawing altogether, because we thought it wasn’t a serious enough hobby. Then, after so many long years of routine work as architects- which we didn’t quite like anyway- we knew we had to make an important decision. In 2012, we went in a different direction and studied to become 3D artists.
How did you get your start as a 3D modeler?
We actually did basic 3D modeling at the institute, but it was only for buildings and interiors.
Do you have advice for other 3D modelers? What is your main focus when working on a model?
I think the important thing is that the work is interesting to you. If you do what you want to do, when you want to do it, then the work will always be a pleasure. Always hunt for new tools and ways to help speed up your modeling and improve the quality.
We noticed you do a lot of really great sci-fi and steampunk work. What are your biggest influences as an artist?
[RM]: I really like those genres because they’re so atmospheric and mysterious. I love science fiction movies— watching them is like being inspired by the works of great artists. After I watch them, I always want to create something special.
What is the most challenging thing about doing a detailed image, like the one we’re featuring on the home page?
[RM]: I worked on this during a turning point in my life, when I decided to leave architecture. I had a lot of difficulties with this project at first, because of the huge number of characters that I wanted to develop, and then coming up with an image and a story. I thought a battle scene would be the most exciting.
Work-wise, illumination was probably the most difficult for me, because I couldn’t decide on the light, the rendering, or how many light sources to create. There are so many details that could have been easily lost [with the wrong lighting].
Alina, your work is very detailed too, and our CheckMate Inspectors are BIG fans of both your kittens and your cartoon sheep. As a character modeler, what influences you?
[Alina Makarenko]: Thank you! I’m very pleased that you like my work. I was very inspired by other CG artists for movies and video games. I like discussing and exchanging ideas with my husband, and just walking around outside helps to create great work too.
Can you tell us what sorts of models you’re working on now? And since you do painting, pyrography, and 3D modeling, what else would you like to try?
[AM]: Right now, I’m working on a cartoon girl, and I have ideas for lots of other characters… there are a lot of things I want to try. In the near future, I plan to work on some 2D digital art and sculpting. I want to be able to quickly capture a clear image of the characters I’ve been working on.
What has been your experience with CheckMate?
[RM]: The first time was difficult, it was a real challenge. I corrected my model so many times, even though to me, it seemed like there was nothing to fix. CheckMate disciplined my work. I began to pay more attention to the topology.
How long have you been with TurboSquid? Would you or have you recommended TurboSquid to others?
I started with TurboSquid not so long ago, in 2013. And yes, I definitely recommend TurboSquid to others— many artists that I know already work with TurboSquid.
Thanks for the interview, we’re very pleased to be noticed!
And thank you for chatting with us! We’re looking forward to seeing what else you both create in the future.
Want to see your CheckMate Pro Certified Model featured on the TurboSquid Home Page? We’re looking for cool, dynamic shots like roman3dd’s to put in the spotlight. What are you waiting for? SUBMIT YOUR MODEL!