Artist Spotlight! – Takumi Hasegawa

Welcome to today’s Artist Spotlight.

Volume 1 – Episode 01

Creating in 3D is a highly creative, fascinating, and inspiring form of art. With powerful tools at our disposal, it can be used for various visual effects that bring artwork to life. If you want to get inspired by some incredible 3D artists, you’ll want to check out this interview with a unique 3D artist specializing in creatures such as insects and animals.

Takumi Hasegawa has been creating stunning pieces, and today we are excited to give him the spotlight as he shares his journey into the world of 3D artistry and gives us an idea of his creative process.

Here is our interview with Mr. Hasegawa.

Interview

With your permission, could you please start with a simple self-introduction?

Takumi Hasegawa: In my work, I do both character modeling and background modeling. In my private time, I enjoy creating artwork that features insects.

Why did you choose the zodiac sign for your work this time?

TH: I chose the zodiac sign because it is rooted in Japanese traditional culture, and I make works of it every year. Usually, I create zodiac-related artwork so that I can post the work at the beginning of the year.

Always trying to use techniques that I haven’t tried before. I usually start one month before the year changes.

What was enjoyable or challenging about doing the work this time?

TH: I enjoy making it while learning new techniques and feel a sense of accomplishment. It is an indescribable feeling when the scene I imagine or what I want to create comes to life. That is what I always strive for.

The joy of acquiring new technology is unbeatable.

Where do you get inspiration from?

TH: It depends on the work, but I love all kinds of creatures, including insects and ecosystems, so I mainly get inspiration from nature.

Who is your favorite artist?

TH: To be honest, I don’t have a specific, respected artist. But I love National Geographic and other similar things. I think it’s best to see beautiful scenes and the power of living things in nature through photographs and incorporate them into my works.

What is your future outlook, and what would you like to challenge?

TH: There are many things, but generally speaking, I would like to make the creatures and worldview I imagine into real things. In today’s world, where digital space and daily life coexist in a real way, like the metaverse, I think it would be interesting to create a similar space on earth where living things can exist on a digital platform just as they do in reality.

I am currently learning more about living things in order to achieve this. In the end, I would like to gather all the works I’ve created in my life and make a biological encyclopedia.

What software did you use this time?

TH: Basically, the final output was done using Blender. However, the features used vary depending on the work.

For the snail, the model was sculpted in Blender, and the texturing was done using Substance Painter. The goal was to finish the texture more systematically than by hand. Substance Painter was also used to express the uneven surface and different feel.

As much as possible, hand-drawn parts were kept to a minimum.

The tiger was drawn using Blender’s grease pencil to use 3D tools for painting.

The goal was to finish it like a painting and give it a look similar to an ink-wash painting.

Regarding the rabbit this year, the goal was to faithfully and firmly reproduce the posing and muscle movements, so the texture of the fur was expressed as realistically as possible using Blender’s particle hair..

The rabbit’s model was first made, then fur was added, and finally, lighting was applied. The rabbit was posed to look like it was playing in the snow.

VM: Mr. Hasegawa, thank you for your valuable time today.

Conclusion

Mr. Hasegawa’s art has made quite an impression here at Vertex Mode. He is truly gifted and his portfolio demonstrates incredible versatility when it comes to art and style.

His 3D art created with Blender is especially eye-catching; he uses the 3D software very skillfully to craft visuals that astonish viewers. We are certain that Mr. Hasegawa will be a valuable asset for many art projects, both big and small, in the future.

Read also: Blender vs. Maya (3D Software)

Mr. Hasegawa is a highly talented 3D artist, and we are very grateful for his willingness to have a chat with us at Vertex Mode. We hope you found the conversation as interesting as we did. Make sure to follow him on Artstation for more of his incredible work.