<henningsen> Hello!
<DAZ_Rhyno> Ok everyone, we're about to start.
<DAZ_Rhyno> If you would like to ask Henning a question, please click on @QuestionBot in the right column of the chat.
<DAZ_Rhyno> We'd like to welcome Henning Ludvigsen.
<DAZ_Rhyno> ning is a Norwegian digital artist, working as Art Director for a computer game developer in Greece, and working with freelance and personal projects. He has got several awards, and has been featured many of the top digital art books on the market. He is also a columnist and expert panel artist for the sci-fi and fantasy magazine Imagine-FX from Future Publishing. He is living with fellow digital fantasy artist Natascha Roeoesli.
<DAZ_Rhyno> Something interesting, Henning is the first featured chat guest who was found by our staff right here on ArtZone. We're excited to feature more of our users in the future as well. Keep making great art all of you! :)
<henningsen> Thank you... :) Good to be here!
<DAZ_Rhyno> Henning why don't you start with something interesting about yourself.
<henningsen> ok...
<henningsen> well, interesting things about myself... :)
<DAZ_Rhyno> And I'll have QuestionBot start combing the questions
<henningsen> I started out working for several small agencies for about 10 years
<henningsen> after that I got burned out and decided to change my profession to something completely different
<henningsen> that was scary
<henningsen> I switched to computer developement
<henningsen> in ad agencies, it's crazy...
<henningsen> you hvae to be creative all the time, lots of pressure, not like doing my own artwork
<henningsen> I've been living in Greece for like 4 years, it wasa not supposed to be that long...
<henningsen> with ad agencies, you have like 2-3 deadlines each day, it's so crazy, because you have to be thinking ahead all the time
<henningsen> on top of the agency work, I was freelancing, but I couldn't do as much as I wanted
<henningsen> I think that freelance was what I really loved, and it's nice to finally be in a position to do what I love, which is creating my own art
<henningsen> the good thing is that I met my girlfriend at another on-line art community
<henningsen> it was great
<henningsen> she moved to Greece with me, and it has been really great working together with her
<henningsen> because we give each other tips and suggestions
<henningsen> My girlfriend is even a bigger geek than I am (in a good way)
<henningsen> and it's awesome, because I feel like I have total freedom to just go crazy with everything I do
<rmash1948> Welcome to ArtZone, Henning, and thank you for being here! My question is, how difficult is it to learn how to use a Wacom and what would you suggest for someone just starting out with one in the way of tutorials and the like?
<henningsen> wacom...
<henningsen> in the beginning, it's really tricky
<henningsen> you're used to working with a pen, and the first thing is to be looking at the monitor while you just 'feel' your hand
<henningsen> no shortcuts to do this
<henningsen> but once it becomes natural, it's awesome!
<henningsen> It's also not simply spedning the time to get used to it
<henningsen> but also doing the tutorials, taking your time, and trying different things
<henningsen> I think that you should do at least paint for 5-30 minutes a day
<henningsen> you should never go a day without painting
<Peshkwe> How do you begin a piece? Straight to the tablet or by traditional paper and pencil first?
<henningsen> yeah... :)
<henningsen> Since I quit art school, 13 years ago... Christ, it's been that long?!
<henningsen> I have barely touched a pen
<henningsen> I start everything digitally
<henningsen> I might use brushes that emulate traditional pencils
<henningsen> but it's all digital, ironically
<henningsen> I try to make things look traditional through a digital medium
<TheAlex> How do you know what an art work is done ?
<henningsen> hmmm...
<henningsen> that's a tricky one
<henningsen> :)
<henningsen> I always make big plans for my paintings
<henningsen> I always have big plans and I end up getting really focused (almost obsessed) until I'm done
<henningsen> I don't really control it, I just work until I put my name on it
<henningsen> then I'll never touch it again
<henningsen> Sometimes I get really annoyed looking back, and want to go back
<henningsen> but once my name is on it, I do NOT go back... ever.
<henningsen> It's just one of those things where I don't want different versions floating around
<henningsen> and I want to get on with the net piece
<henningsen> so to answer your question
<henningsen> it's done once my name is on it. :)
<skyewolf_images> How long does it usually take you to finish a given project, start to finish?
<henningsen> it depends (surprise)
<henningsen> on average, it takes about (for a promo piece) about 3 evenings
<henningsen> Maximum 7 evenings
<henningsen> maybe for a commissioned piece or something more complex
<henningsen> If I have to do womething for an author
<henningsen> or for a client
<henningsen> commissions always take more time
<henningsen> because I
<henningsen> have to paint what's on THEIR mind
<henningsen> not just mine
<henningsen> Here's a 3-Day example...
<DAZ_SSS> 
<henningsen> vs a 7-day example
<henningsen> this one's (coming up in a minute) called equilibrium...
<henningsen> any questions about the 3-day example above?
<vitachick> everything U do is freehand then?
<DAZ_SSS> 
<henningsen> yes, everything
<henningsen> I'm a big fan of making everything from scratch
<henningsen> I know lots of different artists use reference, etc
<henningsen> but I'm hesitant to even make textured brushes
<henningsen> I use phot reference of course, but I just look at them
<henningsen> I don't use them digital to create with
<henningsen> *digitally
<rmash1948> *no questions, just the sound of a jaw hitting the floor*
<henningsen> *E*
* henningsen dips fingers in cold water... getting hot from typing so much
<manikus> When doing card art forA Game of Thrones, did you work on descriptions from the books, or from an art director?
<henningsen> they have an art director
<henningsen> each card has a description of the characters
<henningsen> which also helps get more info
<henningsen> personally I don't read much at all
<henningsen> so I need lots of help ;) lol
<henningsen> I've gotten quite a few comments about hair color being wrong or something...
<henningsen> because I don't always know the characters from the book
<henningsen> some of them can be quite nasty
<henningsen> but if I get hair color wrong, I just bounce it to the Art Director
<henningsen> mwahahaha!
<henningsen> I have a lot of fun doing what I do which is most important
<profotograf> So no 3D programs like Poser, DazStudio, C4D, 3DSMax, or any of those things to help you along? you build from 0 up?
<henningsen> I use 3DS MAx at work as a game developer
<henningsen> but not for my own paintings
<henningsen> I'm a bit old-school in that I don't combine 3d and 2d
<Faerie Fanatic> How did you find your way to the Artzone?
<henningsen> I was invited to join by Jarrod Phillips (DAZ_Biggie)
<henningsen> I get a lot of invitations from different communities
<henningsen> but I think ArtZone has so many cool features and is such a good community that I was intrigued from the start
<henningsen> Jarrod later told me that LiquidMonkeyBrains suggested that he contact me
<Ducksy> Which piece is your favourite of all time/ are most proud of?
<henningsen> of my own? lol
<henningsen> I'm really never satisfied with my own work
<henningsen> which is a good thing because it keeps me working hard
<henningsen> If I look back at a piece that 6 months old...
<henningsen> I sometimes get embarrassed
<henningsen> which is good
<henningsen> because it makes me want to do better
<henningsen> I think Equilibrium is probably the one I'm most satisfied with currently
<Ducksy> Artist - wise, who has had the most influence over you?
<henningsen> I have to say...
<henningsen> Boris Vallejo
<henningsen> and Julie Bell
<henningsen> (they're married)
<henningsen> I have loved his work since I was 14
<henningsen> 
<henningsen> This is typical "boris-esque" art I created
<henningsen> lots of skin...
<henningsen> I love the way he paints
<henningsen> it's very stong in personality
<henningsen> and it's cool
<henningsen> it's really cheesy... and I like shallow pieces
<henningsen> I just paint a chick on a dragon because I think it's cool :)
<henningsen> I don't look for deep stories behind my work
<profotograf> Not Frank Frazetta or the Brothers Hildebrandt?
<henningsen> I create art for art's sake, because it's what I love to do
<henningsen> um... I like some of their stuff, but I was never "influenced" by them
<henningsen> at all
<henningsen> I never really studied their work...
<henningsen> 'studied' I should say...
<Shoshanna> Who do you think Imagine FX is really targeted at? Seems a bit all over the digital place to me
<henningsen> well...
<henningsen> I think it's targeted at beginners
<henningsen> or mid-range digital artists
<henningsen> when we write for them, we target those people
<henningsen> I still think a professional can get good results, there are a lot of really cool things there
<DAZ_Rhyno> Some questions are going to the wrong place
<DAZ_Rhyno> If you would like to ask Henning a question, please click on @QuestionBot in the right column of the chat.
<c1onehead> what is the name of the "computer game developer" company?
<henningsen> Aventurine
<henningsen> I'm working on an MMORPG called Darkfall
<henningsen> I'm the art director for the company
<henningsen> I'm in charge of art, animation, and the look of the game overall
<henningsen> I sold everything 4 years ago and moved to Greece
<henningsen> and haven't looked back :)
<henningsen> well, ok, I have a little...
<PCGaijin> Do you work with other artist?
<henningsen> very little
<henningsen> At work I am working with my team a lot
<henningsen> but with personal projects
<henningsen> the only one I've worked with is my girlfriend
<henningsen> paintings, etc...
<henningsen> when I have a personal project, I have an idea of what I want it to be like
<henningsen> and I guess I'm more of loaner when it comes to that
<Gflady> each one of your pieces is amazing in its own right, where do you find your inspiration? Music? movies? or just pure imagination?
<henningsen> that's my bottleneck
<henningsen> finding ideas
<henningsen> My urge to paint is often stronger than my ideas
<henningsen> I wish I could swap a bit more
<henningsen> with people
<henningsen> that have lots of ideas but no way to realize them
<henningsen> I think I get a lot of inspiration from music and from lying in bed before sleep
<henningsen> I think a lot before I sleep, and that's when my ideas pop up
<henningsen> sometimes I'll spend hours just thinking before I fall asleep
<henningsen> (I have trouble falling asleep) :)
<henningsen> I'm sure I'm not alone in this? :)
<henningsen> never anything deep, shallow pieces, which I like
<henningsen> now for a few images
<henningsen> 
<henningsen> this is a book conver
<henningsen> for an american fantasy author
<henningsen> Joe Dawson
<henningsen> I like working with him, because he always has really good character descriptions
<henningsen> so I always have a lot to work with
<henningsen> *book cover
<henningsen> 
<henningsen> this is the box cover for a tabletop game expansion
<henningsen> call of Cthulu
<henningsen> *Call
<henningsen> My girlfriend did the concept sketches for this
<henningsen> and then I took it from there
<henningsen> it was really nice, because it was during Christmas
<henningsen> my girlfriend went home to Switzerland
<henningsen> and I went back to Norway with my laptop
<henningsen> I was sitting in my childhood room painting this
<henningsen> and it was like I went back in time 20 years...
<henningsen> it was kind of interesting
<henningsen> sitting in my room, painting
<henningsen> It was kind of intimidating...
<henningsen> making this art for this game
<henningsen> because the artist on the original game was Michael Komarck
<henningsen> who I've always admired
<henningsen> he has amazing work
<henningsen> and his are big shoes to fill...
<henningsen> it was really nice of fantasy flight games
<henningsen> to bring me on for that cover
<cgntoonartist> Do you mostly use PHOTOSHOP or do you also use PAINTER on the computer?
<henningsen> I only use PS
<henningsen> I think Painter is an amazing piece of software, but I just can't get around the interface
<henningsen> but I've been working on PS for 13 years
<henningsen> so I may just be used to that
<henningsen> maybe it's the old "old dog, new tricks" thing... lol
<DAZ_Rhyno> OK, last question guys :) sorry . . .
<BussWild> I am an upstart artist and was wondering what advice you would give to assist me in the transition from hobbyist to pro
<henningsen> ok...
<henningsen> uh
<henningsen> the question becomes... what makes an artist a pro...?
<henningsen> I guess it just comes down to the day you can offer your services for money
<henningsen> it's all about being patient, working every day, practicing...
<henningsen> at some point things will start rolling and happening automatically, but you really have to bhe out there
<henningsen> and you really need to know if you can handle commissions
<henningsen> and deliver on a deadline
<henningsen> but being an artist means you have to be confident
<henningsen> you have to promote yourself
<henningsen> you can't give up
<henningsen> you must paint every day
<henningsen> I learned all my skills from other artist
<henningsen> *artists
<henningsen> ArtZone or other communities are great places to be active
<henningsen> and to learn from professionals
<DAZ_Rhyno> Thanks so much for chatting with us Henning, it was great to have you!
<DAZ_Rhyno> You can check out Henning's website here: http://www.henningludvigsen.com/
<henningsen> Thanks for having me!
<henningsen> Thank you all for your time, and much thanks to DAZ for inviting me. It means a lot!
<henningsen> Check out my profile here on ArtZone... :)
<DAZ_Rhyno> And thanks to everyone here today!
<DAZ_Rhyno> We'd like to give a prize to 5 lucky participants here. :)
<DAZ_Rhyno> We have a $25 voucher to the DAZ store for:
<DAZ_Rhyno> Kuanbyr, chars, DigitalMetal, rmash1948 and Peshkwe. Congratulations!
<DAZ_Rhyno> We'll have that in your account shortly. :)
<DAZ_Rhyno> Thansk again all, you are now free to roam about the cabin
<Vanish> Thanks, Henning! Awesome work you do! :D
<Kuanbyr> Thank You Henning Ludvigsen for taking the time to talk to us all today!
<manikus> Thanks, Henning. The chat was very informative.
<Ducksy> The pleasure was all ours, thank *you* ;)
<Gflady> Thanks Henningsen!!
<vitachick> My first time and I really enjoyed it
<Elliandra> Thank you Henning for sharing with us *smiles*
<abbymorgan> Congratulations to the winners!
<skyewolf_images> thanks henning, great chat :D
<Liquid Monkey Brain> Thanks for coming Henning, I love your work!
<Popote62> Thanks Henning
<brady_mac> Wow! Impressive work!
<Spiritfoxy> thank you!
<Pendraia> Thanks Henningsen
<Cris Palomino> henning, that was wonderful....thanks for the chat
<maartenvs> night to all, going to bed now it is late
<Axe Swipe> Cabin? don't you mean asylum? :p
<smithsdawg> Thank you Henning. :)
<rhidragon> Thanks Henningsen
<Shoshanna> Thank you for an interesting chat Henning
<EugeniaAnn> thank you,
<ImmortalImaging> Henning, thank you for taking the time to chat with us!
<katibabi> Thanks HEnning!
<brokenangel9> thank you Henning for the chat, and congrats to the winners. And now this german is off to sleeeeeeeeeeeep
<Faerie Fanatic> Thank you Henning
<FlyByNight> Thank you!
<Nester751> Thank you Henningsen!
<AutumnFantasy> *E*
* AutumnFantasy hugs Hubby
<skyewolf_images> I've been following your stuff for a while over at DA :)
<ringbearer> Thank you Henning.
<rhidragon> Congrats to the winners
<ghost_13> glad you came Henning, can never have too much info / imput
<Eva1> Thanks Hennig:)
<manikus> Your website has some great artwork on it.
<BluesLady> Thank you Henningsen
<Flak> thanks henning interesting stuff
<katibabi> *E* * katibabi off to do a 3 hr drive...at 7pm...ughhhhh
<Axe Swipe> Thanks Henningsen
<BrotherHades> Thanks Henning for the great chat! It was very informative.
<Glasswren> Thank you very much. Unfortunately I too need to sleep right now. Good night.
<katibabi> night all
<rmash1948> Thank you very much for coming, Henning. I've enjoyed what you've shared with us today. *grins, hugs*
<chars> great chat thanks
<PCGaijin> Bye
<taterbug> Yeah.. I caught a little lol
<Ducksy> *Ducksy leaves on the quest to learn more of Anoles* ;)
<Btara Ktahn> *E* * Btara Ktahn watches everyone bail out of the room on her again
<taterbug> oops
<Va1erie> congrats winners. Have fun shopping.
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