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Interview With Freelance CGI Artist From Paris Benoit Patterlini

Posted on 17. Jul, 2009 by Olson in Interviews

Hello Patterlini, thanks for taking time away to chat with us. Can you briefly give us a little insight into your background as an artist, and how it all started for you?

Thanks for giving me this opportunity, I am a self-taught artist who began drawing at the age of seven. The American comic strip has always inspired my work. I went into architecture, as it was a good compromise between my professional and creative sides.

It also allows me to continue utilizing my passion for drawing. And best of all, I still create comics. During my second year of studying Architecture at Marseille-Luminy, I had the chance to meet Philippe Caza, which was a great learning opportunity for me, and he still gives me advice on my work.

I have been in Paris since 2001 and I have two main activities. The first is working as a freelance 3D graphic designer for prominent architects in Paris, such as Renzo Piano and Jean Nouvel . The second activity is creating digital art projects which are focused on science fiction.

Where do all your ideas and inspirations come from? And why do you love creating them?

The whole of my ideas comes from my dreams when I dream something very interesting, I write on a paper the dream  and one day it can become a subject. I love creating them because they give me a reason to get up each single day. They are like my children growing up with me, each of them remember me a part of my life or a special moment when I have created them.

What areas of your work do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy the most melt artwork like melting 3d stuff with pencil stuff. I like exploring uncanny universes and creating them for the other who see my work on Internet.

What has been your greatest artistic achievement in your life so far?

I don’t know, because I try to progress and learn something each single day, then I can’t really answer to this question. In the point of view professional, when I won the architectural contest within  jean nouvel’s 3d team it was a big exciting moment in my life…Or when one of my artwork are published in magazines or 3d books, I feel good and I know why I do what I do.

What software programs do you use for your CG and why?

I model with lightwave, 3dsmax and rhino, it depends on the project, i render with maxwell render for still images and fprime plugin for animation in ligthwave. I composite my artwork with photoshop. Whatever your softs, I really think photoshop is the most important soft in my workflow. It is very easy to create a story with photoshop. It offers good compositing options and higher end editing tools than 3d programs. When I work with psd’s, I feel like a DJ mixing a set. I sample light effects,depth of field and reflection effects all thanks to layers.

You are a self-taught artist, there’s a well known debate in the design community regarding the role of education in a designer’s work versus no design education,what do you think about this?

I learnt to draw in an architectural school, but I never learn 3d softs at school. At Jean Nouvel company, some of 3d team are self-taught artists and they really work as good as the other. The main aptitude for this job is your artistic vibration and your personal feeling . The technical tools can be learnt at each moment, but the feeling is inside you and drives you to the good artistic choices.

Of all of your artwork, which piece is your personal favorite and why?

Yes, I think “corridor” is my favorite  3d piece, because, it is the most achieved artwork i ever made. I wanted to create a spectacular sc-fi scene with architecture. On this project I used lightwave 3d for modeling. Lightwave is really good to design amazing and organic shapes. First I modeled the whole shape such as the glass structure on the right and the metal structure all around it.

The old-warrior is my favorite image, can you tell us little more about on how you went to create this image?

I am very glad, because this is my personal comic project. The action takes place in Russia during napoleon’s campagn in 1812. The story will be a blend between History and fantastic story. First, I have drawn on a paper, I scanned and  colorized it with photoshop.

Where do you plan to take your designing career in the future? And what do you hope to accomplish in the next couple of years?

My goal is to share with other artists and beginners the knowledge and develop a new artstyle which will be well-known all around the world. I would like to be exposed in art galleries as a classical artist and not such as an only “3d artist”. Our 3d artist community is not still well-known, I hope it will change… I would like to teatch in an art school, find out artists and help them to develop their style … i would be pround of that.

How would your life change if you were no longer allowed to create art?

I will kill myself….No, I am joking, I think I will engage myself in ecology to act and protect the nature.

Do you have a good piece of advice for anyone wanting to start a carrier in the graphic industry?

You have to be able to draw anything at any time and know how perspective works. If you are a student,walk in the streets with a sketch book and draw what you see: you have to develop accurate sight for architecture and art. I suggest visiting museums and galleries to see great architecture first hand and gain aspiration as there is no substitute for first-hand observation. I also advise developing an interest in contemporary design and ensuring you keep track of architecture news and current trends,best found online. Each week, I have a look at the best 3d artsits on the internet via websites…

Besides design, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I practice a lot of sport such as swimming (for my back) and bicycle (mountain bike). I read comic books and literature (I am found of Bret Easton Ellis and George Orwell).

And for the last question, Red Bull, coffee, or something else?

heu…This is illegal I can’t tell you, because of fucking big brother..

Well its been a great pleasure and thanks for taking the time out to talk with us.

Great for me and I thank you too …
Take care and keep on creating for ever….

For more info visit: Benoit Blog

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