Nicolas Swijngedau is an exceptional 3D artist. He is mainly focused on monsters and creatures. In the interview, he talks about his passion and shares insights into 3D brushes creation, modeling and much more.
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Hi Nicolas, would you please tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m originally from Brussels, Belgium. Ten years ago I moved to Tokyo to study 3D modeling and have been living and working here since. I worked at various studios for six years and I am now freelancing as well as creating my own content and products for various online marketplaces.
How did you get into 3D modeling?
I started my journey back in Belgium after taking an introduction course at a local college. It was a short course, but it made me realize that a career in the videogame industry was possible. I have always drawn a lot and after getting my first PC, I started playing games, which led me to game design.
NS Vegetation mushrooms bended
You specialize in 3D creatures. What intrigues you about them?
Creatures and monsters have always been my favorite subject. Especially dragons. I loved drawing them as a child and I love modeling them the most.
In comparison to humans or existing animals, I find creating creatures much more freeing and fun. I can let my imagination and style drive my creative process without worrying too much about likeness. Good anatomy is what makes most art believable, but there is more room for interpretation and originality when making monsters.
While each of your creatures is completely unique, they all seem to belong to the same fantasy world. How would you describe it?
I am inspired by many different things, from Lord of the Rings to Warhammer 40k with some touch of World of Warcraft. I would say my art is rather grim with a lot of medieval/middle ages themes.
What is important for you when creating a new brush?
First of all, quality is the number one thing I aim for. Some brushes are more useful than others and some are more niche, but all of them should be held to high standards of quality.
When it comes to making something to sell or share with others, you should look for usability and convenience. Packaging your brushes nicely, making sure there are no issues when using different settings, proper naming and nice thumbnails are also very important.
With creature brushes you can go all in and do something unique. It’s a way to stand out from the crowd and make things people can not find elsewhere.
Where do you find inspiration for the various shapes and textures?
Pinterest and Artstation are probably my number one sites for reference and inspiration.
I then create a mood board with PureRef and go from there.
Do you have any projects planned for the future?
Tons and tons of personal projects and brushes, although my time is limited. Of course, more creature brushes, but I also want to make more models and kitbash kits.
Do you have any recommendations for starting 3D artists?
Posting personal works online can be quite daunting at first, but it’s a great way to get feedback from professionals in order to quickly identify mistakes. Asking artists for advice or simply trying to connect with people in your industry will give you much more insight than most school courses.
There are many ways to be successful in the 3D industry. You just need to find what fits your workstyle and your goals. Some may prefer working in a big studio, some prefer indie, freelance or even creating their own business. There is no one path better or worse. It's only a matter of preference. I would suggest identifying what you want early on and work hard for it.
Dream big, but don’t forget to improve your skills to back it up.
If you want to support Nicolas's work be sure to buy Full plan subscription.
