Introduction
Greetings, everyone. Today, we have the opportunity to converse with Eri Shioda, a professional in the Japanese game development scene. Specializing in concept art, Eri navigates between 2D and 3D tools to enhance efficiency.
Her commitment to self-taught mastery in 3D software for both professional and personal projects marks her as a notable figure in the field.
Japanese Zodiac
Eri, could you shed light on the rationale behind selecting the Zodiac Signs as the theme for your recent work? While we understand your usual inspiration draws from ballet, it would be interesting to explore why the cosmic motifs of the Zodiac captured your attention.
Interview
Please start with a simple self-introduction.
My name is Eri Shioda, I work as a professional at a Japanese game development company. I mainly draw concept art. I don’t rely only on 2D illustration, I also use 3D tools for improving my efficiency.
My main job is to draw 2D design images, but I have self-taught 3D software to improve quality. I do this for both work and personal projects.
Why did you choose the Zodiac Signs as your theme for this work?
Ballet dancers usually inspire my work. Having practiced ballet as a hobby, I incorporate the motif of ballet into my work.
In my work, I intend to reflect the excitement of movement and the beauty of the muscles and the body. I aim to create works that have both beauty and distortion.
Additionally, I created an image based on the Japanese zodiac this year. I chose the rabbit because 2023 is the “Year of the Rabbit.” It’s not meant to be an image for New Year’s greetings but a quality image meant to be presented to a general audience without the New Year’s context.
To create a noble, lady-like atmosphere, I expressed the elegance of the rabbit’s face, combined with a retro finger wave hairstyle and a slender body shape. I paid special attention to posing and lighting. Ultimately, I think it turned out to be like an advertisement image for “The World of Animal Heads.”
What software did you use for the “Rabbit” artwork?
I used Zbrush as the base. Additionally, I create textures and materials using Substance Painter. I did the final adjustments in Photoshop.
Where do you get inspiration from?
I sketch rough ideas while writing what I want to draw.
Who is your favorite artist?
His name is Piotr Jabłoński. I was amazed to discover such a world through his works and it became the trigger for me to become a concept artist. The depth of color and the worldview represented in his work is breathtaking.
Do you have any new goals or challenges for the future?
I have over 10 years of experience in my career now and hold a position in talent development. In the future, I plan to work hard to be able to perform globally and also focus on acquiring and developing new skills and technologies.
The Dancer
Eri shared with us another artwork called “The Dancer.” We can get a look behind her creative process because she shared her sketch with us.
This is what Eri told us about “The Dancer.”
This work was modeled based on the rough sketch above.
I aimed to portray the beauty of a ballet dancer and the beauty of a horse fused to create a distorted yet attractive shape.
The legs are always externally rotated, based on the arabesque pose of ballet dancers.
Learn how to use the muscles unique to ballet, the shape of pointe shoes, and the protruding instep.
Faithfully reproduced. For the horse part, we focused on the shape of the front legs and the flow of the tail.
The design is pleasing no matter where you look at it.
When rendering, I use almost monochromatic materials to create a beautiful sculptural feel.
Conclusion
Concluding our discussion with Eri Shioda, it becomes evident that her artistic exploration extends beyond conventional boundaries. The merger of balletic inspiration with the cosmic themes of the Zodiac Signs presents a unique perspective.
Eri’s incorporation of 3D tools into her workflow adds a layer of innovation to her approach. We look forward to witnessing further developments in her work, where the delicate balance between beauty and distortion continues to shape her artistic narrative.
Our appreciation goes to Eri for providing insights into her creative journey. Remember to visit her Artstation portfolio, where you will find more about her work.
Nyx, General Manager and Editor at Vertex Mode, is a seasoned 3D Artist in gaming and film, sharing insights on Digital Art and its creators.
