As Consistent as a Patient Gardener: Mr. Mickael Lelièvre’s Fruitful Craft
Consistency is everything. Nobody knows this more than Mr. Mickael Lelièvre.
He is an artist who is voracious with learning. As cliche as it may sound, it is his truth: Mr. Lelièvre makes every second count.
We might smile at his answer toward the last part of this article but it is something that we we might want to ponder upon. When asked what he would be if he weren’t a 3D artist today, he answered maybe he’d be a gardener.
Funny, but resounding. Thought-provoking even. Maybe being in the arts IS the same as gardening–maybe even life in general. You count on your patience as you wait for the flowers to bloom; for the plants to bear fruit.
With this realization, Mr. Mickael Lelièvre had become better. Maybe we’re all just gardening: sowing the soil with our intentions and actions in the hopes of reaping the rewards. And with Mr. Lelièvre’s artworks, it is clear to see that he had reaped quite a handsome reward.
So let’s learn a thing or two from Mr. Mickael Lelièvre with this interview from Xeno Creatives!
Xeno Creatives (XC): ZBrush technology definitely changed the game for 3D artists. It allowed for greater creativity in the digital discipline. Is this true for you? If so, what processes did you have to learn to be skilled in it?
Mickael Lelièvre (ML): ZBrush definitely changed a lot of things in the 3D world. For me, I would say that it allowed me to go back to my sketching skills. I mean, I was able to sculpt freely more than just Edge Extrude and step-by-step 3D like in 3Dsmax.
With ZBrush you just have to open it and start directly trying out ideas and concepts. To be skilled in ZBrush there is actually no secret; it’s just about practice and observation. By looking at ZBrush Summit and watching tutorials, I was able to construct my own way to work with ZBrush and it is still evolving today.
XC: Did ZBrush help you further your art? In what sense?
ML: ZBrush is helping me take my creativity further. I can start with my polysphere and begin playing. There are so many tools and so many ways to use them. You can appropriate to what you want or need to do. The more you use it, the more you bring your soul into it. The possibilities are infinite; it’s like traditional sculpture, the only limit is your imagination.
XC: What made you decide to focus on ZBrush as a software for digital art creation? Are you still planning on getting your hands into other software?
ML: I’m on ZBrush every single day for personal creations. I need to sculpt, to release the ideas in my head and practice what I saw in a tutorial. ZBrush is a great tool in the industry but it’s also a great tool for personal projects. I am focusing on ZBrush because it’s worth it. Although I also need to learn Marvelous and Substance.
XC: Do you have to be good in human anatomy when working with ZBrush?
ML: Anatomy is one of the most important things in 3D, in painting or even in traditional sculpting. A good knowledge of anatomy allows you to bring life into your work. So yes, anatomy is very important and I have to say that even if you learn it, you still have to look at references to get the details right. So learning anatomy is a continuous process.
XC: Has working for the movie and television industry ever cross your mind?
ML: I’m currently working on a Movie for TAT Productions as a Character modeller. I’ve been working with them for the past 5 years or so. So I did work on their TV show and film.
XC: Was the digital arts really a passion to begin with or just a mere job?
ML: I think it was a passion. But it grew step-by-step in my mind. At school I learnt all basics of CG : Modeling, Animation, Rigging.etc
Modeling really became a passion even more as I learned ZBrush and sculpting. So yes, it’s been a passion since the beginning, and it keeps evolving day after day.
XC: Seeing your works online was a visual treat! Your creatures are extraordinary in that we have never seen anything quite like it. Your concepts are amazing and intricate in detail. And while they are all good, we gotta ask: do you have any favorite pieces? What are they and why?
ML: Wow!! Thank you very much; I really appreciate that. I do have favourite pieces but after I finish a piece, I start another one.
I try not to be too attached to my work but if I have to pick some favorite I would say, Protocol Robot From Nivanh Chanthara’s Design. I liked it because it was the first time I was happy with my hard surface sculpt. And I was even more happy because Nivanh liked it.
The second piece would be The Ninja Turtles because it was my idea and because of this creation I met a lot of people. With this piece I saw my progression. The first turtle was done 2 years ago and it took me 2 months. For the next three, it only took me 3 to 4 days each.
XC: Who do you consider your influences? What attracted you to them?
ML: Influences come every single day on Artstation. There are so many great artists. But if I have to name who are my influences I would say : Rafael Grassetti, Furio Tedeschi, Keos Masons, Cki Vang, Kim Jung Gi and Mean Goreng. But there are more. I love the works of those artists one, because of their talent of course and another because of their productivity and ideas. They make me want to do more and more and improve myself.
XC: What other pieces do you still want to create?
ML: A lot! I have a lot of things to do. I have some sculpt started and still have to finish. I think I would like to make a dragon and some warriors half human/half animal. I have to finish some robots and start other ones. As I said I have a lot of things in my head.
XC: Aside from your own amazing character concepts, do you also see yourself in Game Character Design?
ML: I’m currently preparing myself to do some freelancing in Character design. So yes! I would like to be part of concept design for Video Game or Movie.
XC: If you weren’t working as a 3D artist, what do you think you’d be specializing in instead? In what industry would you probably be in?
ML: Aside from 3D, I do gardening. So I think If I weren’t a 3D artist I would work in something near plant and garden. Or woodworking!
XC: What advice can you give individuals wanting to enter the industry?
ML: I think it’s important to be consistent; work every day and view your work like it’s something pleasurable thing. Being curious and even more patient, trying to do better day after day. It’s like gardening, patience is the most important.
Want to see more of Mr. Mickael Lelièvre? Click here!
