Discipline and True Artistry: Why We Are In Awe of the Art of Ms. Natalia P. Gutiérrez:

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by Joshua Diokno   December 12, 2016    1

In this day and age where magic seems to have taken quite a strong blow from the science and discipline of filmmaking through the digital arts, we still can’t help but be in awe upon the chance of seeing works of art that aficionados of pop culture can produce. However, not everyone could be great; or noticed at the very least. But amongst the multitudes of talent that can elicit true marvel, Ms. Natalia P. Gutiérrez stands out.

Xeno Creatives have had the pleasure to have been given the chance to get the skinny on Ms. Gutierrez’s experience and the path she treaded to be adept in the Zbrush medium.

Yes, we used the term “adept”, and once you see her works, you’d understand why.

Xeno Creatives (XC): We understand that being an artist such as yourself, you start with the very basic of tools for honing your craft. As such, what processes did you have to learn, given the technical know-how needed for Zbrush, to be well-versed in your discipline?

Natalia P. Gutiérrez (NPG): I’ve had a general interest for drawing, sculpting, and anything that involves creativity since always, but one thing is to be interested on something and another thing is to actually know about the subject! I was interested in videogames and character creation for them but I didn’t know much about the process to make a game-ready asset or even about anatomy. So I started with the basics, learning how to sculpt, first as a hobby and learning at my own pace and then more seriously, paying attention to important subjects such as anatomy or studying reality as my main reference. Once you are truly intrigued by the process, which for me started doing simple sculpts, you start searching for information and tutorials about proper workflows. If you’re passionate enough you’ll eventually find all the info you need! Then it’s about following those tutorials, experimenting, improving little by little and learning something new with each project completed.

XC: When did you realize that you wanted to pursue Zbrush as a medium? Did it start off as a want or a necessity?

NPG: It started some years ago (about 5) as both a desire and a necessity. Pretty much every 3D artist used it on their pipelines, so I was sure from the beginning it was the software I needed to learn. I also just wanted to learn because it seemed fun. It was very direct, opening the program, making a sphere and just start sculpting. It was like clay, but digital; so on my summer holidays that year I decided to start making little speedsculpts for fun (You don’t want to see those). Those were good practice which also increased my interest for the program.

XC: We have had the opportunity to see your portfolio online and we must say, to describe it as impressive is an understatement. Do you have favorite pieces? What are they and why?

NPG: Thanks! I’m still learning though, long way to go! I like some models more than others, for example my Jedis since I love Star Wars! I also like my latest project, the spider-lady, as I see some improvements on it compared to my other pieces. Another favourite of mine is the Manticore, because I love mythological beasts and it was done for a contest I had so much fun with. (It was like the perfect contest for me, one in which we had to design a sensitive creature)

XC: In your spare time, what pieces do you create?

NPG: I do models based on favourite books and movies of mine, mainly. Like Star Wars. Right now I’m doing an Orc Warg Rider based on the LOTR trilogy.

XC: Have you tried your hands on other media? If so, what was it?

NPG: I did a bit of traditional art back when I was at a videogame school. We did watercolor, acrylics, charcoal sketches, clay sculpts, a bit of everything. I enjoyed it all but haven’t dedicated much time to traditional art ever since. I’d definitely like to, though. It’s just that I tend to be busy with digital projects.

XC: If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what do you think you’d be specializing in?

NPG: If I wasn’t a 3D artist I’d still be something related to the cinema/videogame industry, probably. If we take art out of the frame I guess I’d probably be something related to animals. Some kind of animal carer. But not a veterinarian, because I hate needles.

XC: What piece of advice or message can you give young aspirants wanting to enter the industry?

NPG: Something that I knew but have started to realize how important it is lately – Watch closely your environment and use it as reference. It doesn’t matter what style you’re working in. The best, and richer references are those you can find in real life. Watch how the light interacts with objects and materials, the different colors in nature, the explanation of why stuff looks as it does – it may sound silly, but you can obtain valuable information from the smallest things. My other advice would be something they’ve heard for sure. Practice a lot and be passionate about what you do!

To Pop Culture geeks like us, Ms. Natalia P. Gutiérrez is one whom we can easily relate with. But that does not mean her art is something to be taken lightly. Her body of work is not a mere expression of her fondness of Pop mythologies; Ms. Gutiérrez’s works are a testament of true talent and uncompromising discipline.

To see more of her works, you can visit: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/qPQxD