?? Unlocking Sentient Art's Creative Secrets: A Glimpse into Realistic Rendering Mastery with Grégoire Fontanelli

Let’s delve into the challenges of exciting projects, recommended tools, and how Sentient Art ensures each render in the portfolio is a visual masterpiece.

From discussing his journey at the studio to revealing the secrets behind crafting realistic 3D assets, Grégoire Fontanelli takes us on a journey through his creative process.

What is your background, and what is your specific role at Sentient Art?

After completing my high school diploma in science, I pursued studies in biology and spent four years in commerce, focusing on client negotiation. Following that, driven by my best friend's encouragement, I ventured into video game design, and became instantly hooked.

Two years after attending school, Anthony gave me the opportunity with an internship at Sentient Art . The rest, as they say, is history: filled with nothing but joy! ??

Do you have advice for aspiring artists looking to excel in presenting realistic assets? Are there specific resources or learning paths you recommend?

Your curiosity and self-reflection are your best teachers! Dive into artworks that captivate you and seem technically impressive or challenging, questioning yourself: "Why do I like this piece? How was it composed?".

Through introspection, online research and time, you'll be able to identify and reproduce what suits your artistic sensibility.

Don't hesitate to seek advice from artists you admire; most of them will be happy to respond (count me in on that). In essence, hone your critical thinking skills. As for the technical aspect, proficiency will come with time, stay consistent and patient.

Regarding the presentation of assets, it's essential to recognize the importance of showcasing them beyond a "simple" screenshot. When those evaluating your work look at your artworks, their first impression is based on the overall appearance.

By prioritizing the presentation of your work, you'll find it much easier to convince others of the quality and professionalism embedded in your creations.

This approach ensures that others, in my opinion, will genuinely appreciate and recognize the seriousness and dedication you bring to your work.

You've realized your artistic vision and collaborated on numerous exciting projects. Which one presented the most significant challenge for you, and why?

Currently, the most complex project I've worked on hasn't been announced yet, so I can't discuss it. However, we can talk about the Lowbie's rendering.

On one hand, it's the largest vehicle I've worked on, with numerous details. On the other hand, simultaneous production of the cinematic required a significant amount of effort and time, without losing sight of our deadlines.

I'm grateful for the team's support, and their collaboration played a crucial role in bringing the Lowbie to life.

Your experience has guided you to explore various tools. What resources do you recommend (or not recommend)?

One source I found interesting is books on lighting in cinema. The standout among the books I've read is "Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter" by James Gurney, providing a solid foundation on color.

When it comes to lighting itself, observation is key. Look around, ask yourself, "How does light work?" and watch movies with photographs that speak to you.

Richard Yot's book, "Light for Visual Artists," played a pivotal role in teaching me these principles.

As a key artist at Sentient Art, creating a visually stunning and realistic studio portfolio is essential. How do you approach the challenge of making the studio’s renders both realistic and appealing?

We select works based on artistic criteria with the team's input.

I strive to showcase the studio's diverse skills while maintaining visual coherence, which also means foregoing the presentation of certain assets.

As for execution, one of the most significant keys to this job is referencing.

I use software called Pure Ref for each artwork rendering project, creating a new "Pure Ref" project for each, with some exceeding 2000 reference images that I consult throughout the day to immerse my mind in them.

References aren't just about other artists' work but also include images from childhood, surroundings, or anything that might spark something interesting.