Mr. Anggalasa Aranela: Genuine Talent and Impressive Experience
In his industry experience of 7 years, Mr. Anggalasa Aranela has done well in his craft. And when we say, well, we mean GOOD. REALLY GOOD. All it takes is a trip to his ArtStation account and you’ll get to see for yourself.
He has worked as a freelance 3D artist from 2014-2015. In 2016, he became a 3D modeler at the MSV Studio Yogyakarta and eventually became the company’s Lead 3D Modeler. On top of this, he has also worked as a Printmaker Woodcut Artist from 2007 to 2014.
Mr. Aranela was educated in the Indonesian Institute of the Arts in Yogyakarta and have since went on to win an award from the CG competition ASIAGRAPH inn Tokyo, Japan
Indeed, Mr. Aranela has a gone a long way. His journey is one that we could all learn about. So let us read this short feature by Xeno Creatives and get to know how he became the artist that he is today.
Xeno Creatives (XC): ZBrush technology brought a lot to the industry. What processes did you have to learn to be skilled in it?
Anggalasa Aranela (AA): ZBrush can seem overwhelming because everything seems to be scattered. So I resorted to starting off with manageable chunks. When I first decided to learn ZBrush, I first gathered a basic knowledge about the user interface. I also familiarized myself with the basic tools and keyboard shortcuts so I can quickly navigate quickly in ZBrush. I also gained my knowledge from the Internet which provides such a valuable resource in learning the program further and Joined 3D community, obviously because this is the place where artists gather and sharing amazing artwork.
XC: As a dedicated artist how did ZBrush help you further your art?
AA: What I love about ZBrush is its ability to make my idea and fantasy come alive instantly in an artistic way as with the traditional medium. It gives me a lot of opportunities to create detailed artwork using a simple combination of tools, The one bit of functionality ZBrush has that the other program lacks is the ability to very quickly block out a mesh using a sculpting tool. Some people prefer modelling to create basic shapes (organic & hard surface) as in Maya, Blender and 3Ds Max. In my case, however, I prefer ZBrush first for organic model and continue with another 3D software for retopologizing and vice versa particularly for hard surface models. So far exploring ZBrush has been satisfying and never boring for me. For me, this is the most important thing to consider to create better and better artworks!
XC: Was your craft really a passion to begin with, a hobby, or a mere job?
AA: I was born in an artistically-inclined family. I started my first 3D piece when I was in Junior High school. I then decided to pursue my passion in art by studying in the Fine Arts Department at the Indonesian Art Institute of Yogyakarta. I studied printmaking, painting and sculpting. Learning elementary design, anatomy, printmaking techniques, drawing and sculpting encouraged me to recreate personal 3D digital art again. Now, I am fortunate to have made it my full-time job.
XC: Given your experience in the industry, what do you think is your edge as a 3D artist?
AA: I am obsessed with producing my personal detailed 3D artworks. Typically, I am an observational person who is really keen from the smallest element to the overall shape. Based on my previous experience as a 2D Artist, I focus in finding and creating nice silhouette (Main Focus and Background), make the primary shape, secondary shape, and the final art touch by taking note of the basic element (form, line, shape, space, texture, color, and value) and combine it with the fundamental ideas and composite it with some Principles of Art, (Balance, emphasis, movement, proportion, rhythm, unity, and variety).
XC: Whom do you do you consider your influence(s)?
AA: I am really thankful for the artist who made me the person I am today, I would like to acknowledge and mention the classical artists who had indeed served as my primary influences, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Albrecht Dürer, Théodore Géricault, Jacques Louis David, and Eugène Delacroix. The modern artists whom I admire are Gustave Courbet, Édouard Manet, Kazimir Malevich, Umberto Boccioni, Piet Mondrian, Auguste Rodin, Edgar Degas, Paul Klee, and Marcel Duchamp along with 3D Industry Artists such as Zhelong Xu, Kris Costa, Daniel Bel, Rafael Grassetti, and Celeb Nefzen.
XC: So far, what were the challenges that you had encountered working in the 3D industry?
AA: Based on my 7-year experience in the visual arts, I had encountered my first set of challenges working in the 3D industry when I delved in the applied arts (3D industry). I felt it’s totally opposite with fine arts (drawing, painting, sculpture, fine printmaking, etc.). Both does strive to create visual compositions using a shared knowledge base, but the reasons for doing so are entirely different. Fine arts is considered to be created primarily for aesthetic value (“art for art’s sake”) rather than its functional value. In the 3D industry on the other hand, the skill is being used in a commercial or industrial way, mostly in my job I have to create a more recognizable or mainstream style.
XC: What is your most exciting project to date?
AA: I have to say the most exciting project I have to date is the new personal project I am currently handling which is “Halvar The Immortal Warrior”. I always create my own art project based on my idea. I explored a lot of stuff such as concept, shape, composition, and lighting in order to show the aura of the barbaric Halvar. I deem this to be my best artwork so far!
XC: Do you have any advice to aspiring artists?
AA: I always say keep re-inventing your own creative identity. Always explore new ideas, composition, technique, and experiment with the basic concept of Design Element to come up with the best artworks. Lastly, it is good to learn not just how to create, but how to feel as well!
