1.What is special about this piece?What steps do you follow when you create a new artwork? Do you have a real plan or set up?
I think what makes this piece special,at least for me,is the fact that I got to imagine how a Mayan city would look like when the culture was at its very peak,instead of ancient ruins as we know them today.
I tried to add drama and emphasize the splendor of the scene by using magic hour lighting.
2.Did you choose, or were you chosen to create this artwork?
This was actually a commissioned piece.The client gave me a lot of freedom, but asked me to depict something about my country's historical background.I chose to represent the Mayan culture (which is only one of many Mesoamerican cultures that flourished in Mexico) because I find really fascinating.
3.Tell us about your techniques.
Sometimes I have a plan;sometimes I start with nothing in mind.Each piece is different,but generally, once I have an idea, I do a quick sketch in color or in black and white to establish the general composition and tonal structure.
I then proceed to gather visual references from books, photos, and so on.If the scene involves complicated perspective I sometimes build extremely simple 3D models in Sketchup to help me visualize things.From then on it's just a matter of refining the painting and making it look believable. The detailing stage takes the most time, and I honestly don't enjoy it so much as the brainstorming stage.
4.Where did you found your inspiration about this artwork?
I have seen many, many Mesoamerican pyramids and I have visited lots of museums throughout my life, so I'm quite familiar with the design language.However,I actually painted this piece while I was travelling in the Southeast of Mexico.I had just visited the gorgeous ruins of Chichén-Itzá, Tulum and Uxmal, which are ancient Mayan cities located in that region. That was really inspiring.
5.How do you feel about the feedback and the response you received? Do you care? Or do you like to figure it out all by yourself?
I always appreciate the feedback, both the positive comments and especially the constructive critique.It is always interesting to see the reaction that pieces create on the viewers, which is sometimes different to what I intended.
6.What is the strangest or funniest comment or question you've ever gotten about this artwork?Do you keep previous comments or critiques in mind for your future works or do you just go your own way?
I got some comments regarding the 2012 Mayan apocalypse when I showed this image exactly one year ago.I thought that was quite funny.I always take critique into account, because it is easier for other people to spot your own mistakes,but I don't let them completely dictate the way I work.
7.What are your biggest doubts (assuming you have any), about your artwork?
I love fantasy and sci-fi art, but I often wonder where I am going with it.It's not so much doubts as it is the realization that I still have incredibly much to learn about nature and the different schools and eras of painting.
8.Share with us 3 pieces of your gallery to admire.
The story behind the artwork.
We will try to show the story behind the artwork.
Many times all of us we are wondering how a piece of art was created.
Here is a good chance to learn some informations about techniques, the artist's feelings who is being interviewed and many more.
We will be picking one artwork,and the selected artist will have the chance to choose 3 of his own works to be featured.
If you want to be interviewed,send a note to /Litavis or /JurgenDoe . We will be happy to give you an interview about your work.
It is our honor to present the fifteenth artist of our article.
The chosen piece
1.What is special about this piece?What steps do you follow when you create a new artwork? Do you have a real plan or set up?
I think what makes this piece special,at least for me,is the fact that I got to imagine how a Mayan city would look like when the culture was at its very peak,instead of ancient ruins as we know them today.I tried to add drama and emphasize the splendor of the scene by using magic hour lighting.
2.Did you choose, or were you chosen to create this artwork?
This was actually a commissioned piece.The client gave me a lot of freedom, but asked me to depict something about my country's historical background.I chose to represent the Mayan culture (which is only one of many Mesoamerican cultures that flourished in Mexico) because I find really fascinating.3.Tell us about your techniques.
Sometimes I have a plan;sometimes I start with nothing in mind.Each piece is different,but generally, once I have an idea, I do a quick sketch in color or in black and white to establish the general composition and tonal structure.I then proceed to gather visual references from books, photos, and so on.If the scene involves complicated perspective I sometimes build extremely simple 3D models in Sketchup to help me visualize things.From then on it's just a matter of refining the painting and making it look believable. The detailing stage takes the most time, and I honestly don't enjoy it so much as the brainstorming stage.
4.Where did you found your inspiration about this artwork?
I have seen many, many Mesoamerican pyramids and I have visited lots of museums throughout my life, so I'm quite familiar with the design language.However,I actually painted this piece while I was travelling in the Southeast of Mexico.I had just visited the gorgeous ruins of Chichén-Itzá, Tulum and Uxmal, which are ancient Mayan cities located in that region. That was really inspiring.5.How do you feel about the feedback and the response you received? Do you care? Or do you like to figure it out all by yourself?
I always appreciate the feedback, both the positive comments and especially the constructive critique.It is always interesting to see the reaction that pieces create on the viewers, which is sometimes different to what I intended.6.What is the strangest or funniest comment or question you've ever gotten about this artwork?Do you keep previous comments or critiques in mind for your future works or do you just go your own way?
I got some comments regarding the 2012 Mayan apocalypse when I showed this image exactly one year ago.I thought that was quite funny.I always take critique into account, because it is easier for other people to spot your own mistakes,but I don't let them completely dictate the way I work.7.What are your biggest doubts (assuming you have any), about your artwork?
I love fantasy and sci-fi art, but I often wonder where I am going with it.It's not so much doubts as it is the realization that I still have incredibly much to learn about nature and the different schools and eras of painting.8.Share with us 3 pieces of your gallery to admire.