Andrea Bertaccini is a talented TurboSquid artist whose catalog ranges from perky (especially in our new homepage image) to practical. As an artist, Andrea employs a wide range of tools to communicate his vision in the design studio and in his personal projects. In this Featured Artist Interview, Andrea talked to us about which tools in his arsenal are his favorites and how he turned his passion for art into a fulfilling job.
How long have you been interested in art and design?
I’ve been interested in it since I was a child. I was fascinated by paintings and comics, and I spent a lot of time drawing my favorite 70’s Manga.
How did you get your start as a 3D modeler?
I studied architecture at the University of Florence. In 1996, I was given a computer and fell in love— I was attracted by the possibility of giving life to everything that was in my imagination. That was my passage to the three-dimensional world.
After a little suffering and a lot of time spent on the computer, I finally found my passion for it, and I casually started collaborating with an architectural studio (Studio Lucchi & Biserni). That was when I figured out that my passion could also give me some economic satisfaction. In 2000, we brought TREDISTUDIO © to life. We work in architectural visualization, concept design, advertising, animation, and anywhere else we can use our creativity.
Sometimes I laugh when I’m called a “digital artist.” It’s just what I like to do, and luckily, my work is my passion. And when I get home and turn on the computer again… this is probably the most rewarding thing.
Your catalog is currently pretty varied, in terms of what kind of content you make. What are your favorite things to model?
Our library really is quite varied, and for the most part, they are models that I made for other projects, ranging from architecture, to nature, to vehicles. I love to model real-world objects with many details, and the more complicated they are, the more I enjoy finding my way through.
What do you think is your biggest priority when making 3D models?
In my opinion, the most important thing is certainly the model’s topology (Ngon free, etc.), and that it’s constructed in low poly. Although today’s computers can handle very complex models with many polygons, I still prefer to model in low poly, and it’s always easy…..if you modeled right.
The work on your website is incredible too. What other programs are you using to create your work?
I use 3dsMax 2016 right now (in production, but I loved the 2017 UV mapping enhancement). Max is the software I’ve been using since 1996 (3dsMax 1), so now it’s like a part of me.
For renders, I use Vray, though through the years, I’ve used lot of different engines (Mental Ray, Brazil). I’ve been using Vray for some years now, and it just feels really comfortable, and I love the speed and quality of the engine.
I also use Photoshop for post-processing; Illustrator for vector work; AutoCAD for base drawing 2D; and AfterEffects for post-animation (I was also a Combustion user, but unfortunately, Autodesk decided to kill it).
What else can you tell us about your artwork?
When work will allow me, I dedicate some time to personal projects. The best thing about creating digital art is giving life to something that you have in your mind, something that makes you feel some sort of emotion— I think it’s the same for painters or photographers.
I’m always initially motivated to create a high level project (though it doesn’t always happen), and then there’s the inspiration; for me, having a good idea is a big part of a project. I’ve never been fully satisfied with my final work. Sometimes, after my works are finished, I look at them and I realize that there’s still something I could have changed or added.
How long have you been with TurboSquid? Would you or have you recommended TurboSquid to others?
I’ve been with TurboSquid since 2003, first as a customer, then as a creator of models. It has always been my first choice when looking for models for my work, thanks to the variety and quality of the products, and now with CheckMate, I feel even more safe.
What has been your experience with CheckMate?
I think Check Mate is a great guarantee for people who purchase a 3D model. The first time I made a model for a CheckMate badge, it was a bit complicated, but by time time I got my second badge, I realized that the workflow TurboSquid teaches you is fantastic and intuitive. Right now, it is still an integral part of my work.
You can see more of Andrea’s work at Tredistudio and follow the design studio on Facebook.
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