On Working Hard and Making It: The Art of Mr. David Vercher
We completely understand why Mr. David Vercher said, “For me, 3D is life. I’m not good at anything else.” we realized that it’s not that he’s got a one-track mind or that he does not have any other good graces, it’s just that he is really good at what he does.
For him to do something else is unimaginable. And when you get a chance to look at his works, you’ll understand why.
Being where he is now is something that he worked hard on. And being given the chance to be a part of one of this year’s MCU’s hits, “Thor: Ragnarok” is indeed a handsome payoff.
With his works and impressive portfolio, we can’t help but look up to Mr. David Vercher.
Through this interview let’s get to know Mr. David Vercher and how he was able to master ZBrush to turn mere concepts into digital masterpieces.
Xeno Creatives (XC): ZBrush brought a lot to the industry. What was it like using the software for the first time? What processes did you have to learn to be skilled in it?
David Vercher (DV): Well, ZBrush is the best tool for working with millions of polygons to get the most natural feeling when you are digitally sculpting in digital. It’s easy to forget that you are working with a computer.
The sculpting workflow was easy to learn. However, at the beginning, ZBrush interface looks a bit weird, if you get to work a couple of weeks with it, you will be able to learn it completely.
XC: Does ZBrush help you progress further in your craft?
DV: Sure! For me, it helped me go further with my characters and everything. It changed the standard workflow in companies as well.
Another point is the speed. Nowadays you can do high quality characters in half the time than before.
XC: When did you know that you’ll be using ZBrush to create 3D art? Would you want to expand to other media or do you want to just focus on it? What were there other media that you explored?
DV: Well, it was simple. My mind changed when I saw other artists making great art. I realized that I wanted to obtain the same quality.
I would expand to other media, maybe connecting reality with 3D, mixing different experiences like VR and 3D print.
XC: How is the knowledge in human anatomy important when working with ZBrush?
DV: Super important to work doing organic. When you’re working as a character modeler, with a cartoon or realistic style, you need to know proportions, silhouette, how muscles stretch…. a lot of things. And then, you’d be able to use this knowledge with your tools.
XC: Do you see yourself working in the movie and television industry?
DV: Yes, I’m working on it. I worked in a few movies, commercials, and television animated series. Last summer, I worked on “Thor: Ragnarok”. I will start working at the beginning of 2018 in a new cartoon movie as character artist. You can see my reels at my website www.davidvercher.es
XC: Was delving into the craft really a passion to begin with or a mere necessity?
DV: It was a passion, I fought to become a good artist. Today it is still my passion and luckily my job.
XC: Your works over at ArtStation are AMAZING. They’re a mixture of styles, indicating your versatility. It was hard to pick favorites. Do you have favorite pieces? What are they and why?
DV: Thanks a lot!
Maybe the Maddie’s monsters scene, the one with a cartoonish style. On this project, you can see all my potential skills, from sculpting, retopology, to painting, shading and grooming work, it’s not finished 100%, but you can see most of work and time lapses where I show how I created everything.
With the realistic style, I’m still trying to improve. I love both the realistic and cartoonish styles, but I think that I can grow further on realistic style.
For now, I don’t have any favorites yet. However, I have some of them on WIP stage and they may well be cool works.
XC: What other pieces do you want to create?
Well, my intention is to finish my WIP characters. Afterwards, I’m thinking about a big personal project, maybe I will need a couple of years to finish it. I can’t say anything about it. Aheheheh
XC: Whom do you consider your influences? What attracted you to them?
DV: My influences, when I entered the 3D world, was Steven Stahlberg, Pedro Conti or Antropus. There are lot of good people out there. In the fine arts, Corradini is an impressive sculptor, Sorolla a lighting magician, and Velazquez a genius in realism.
XC: Do you also see yourself in Game Character Design?
DV: Yes! In a few years we will see how cinema and video games will be created with the same rendering tools. Nowadays, I prefer to do my characters with no limitations but the limitations will disappear.
XC: If you weren’t a 3D artist today, what do you think you’d be specializing in?
DV: I don’t know. I started with 3D tools when I was 14. For me, 3D is life. I’m not good at anything else Hahaha.
XC: What advice or message can you give young aspirants wanting to enter the craft/industry?
DV: Don’t lose your motivation. The road is hard, but don’t give up. Also, avoid toxic people.
Mr. David Vercher, we are truly impressed by your handiwork. May you experience nothing but success in your future endeavors!
Want to see more of his works? Click here!
