<DAZ_Rhyno> Hi Everyone, time to start
<DAZ_Rhyno> Thanks for coming by today, our guest is John Van Fleet. Best known for his comics, book covers and also video work as well
<DAZ_Rhyno> We'll start with a short intro from John, and at the end of the chat, we'll once again have some freebies :)
<DAZ_Rhyno> (Coolest ones yet I think)
<theAntFarm> First I'd like to welcome everyone
<theAntFarm> A lot of familiar names have signed on
<theAntFarm> I produce product for DAZ as the AntFarm
<theAntFarm> for those of you who didn't know
<theAntFarm> but I make my living as a martial artist
<theAntFarm> lol jk
<theAntFarm> a *commerical artist
<theAntFarm> which means I have a paint belt not a black belt :)
<theAntFarm> For the past twenty years I've done comic books for DC, Marvel, and Darkhorse.
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<theAntFarm> I guess that kind of shows my age
<theAntFarm> Just recently I've starting incorporating more 3d aspects as you can see in the above image
<mors_d> How do you find yourself using 3D, as a template you can then work over in another medium or as the actual medium itself?
<theAntFarm> Good question. Both....
<theAntFarm> at times I will use DAZ Products and 3D elements to generate my reference
<theAntFarm> but as you see in the Batgirl piece, that's V3, and I painted on or into the image
<TheAlex> Which programs do you use most ?
<theAntFarm> Everything goes through Photoshop at some point
<theAntFarm> I use mostly hexagon for modeling
<theAntFarm> and of course Poser and DAZ Studio for posing and rendering
<theAntFarm> the products I put on the AntFarm I texture them with bodypaint
<theAntFarm> With some of the art I will make an image using all of these programs...
<theAntFarm> print out the image and paint on top of that.
<theAntFarm> Then rescan the image...
<theAntFarm> and adjust it in Photoshop.
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<theAntFarm> For those who know Stonemason's work, they will notice a section of that wall from the DAZ Store.
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<theAntFarm> Storm is actually V3 as well.
<theAntFarm> For that matter Gambit was Michael...
<theAntFarm> no one seems to talk about Michael much lol
<Kittylitter> How common is this workflow among your peers?
<theAntFarm> I'm more of a freak amongst my peers...
<theAntFarm> most of my friends are comic artists that use traditional means...
<theAntFarm> meaning 2D to make their art
<theAntFarm> Although they call me every time they have a unique need for a model...
<theAntFarm> I won't elaborate lol
<Valandar> Do you prefer working for smaller companies, like Dark Horse, or larger ones like DC and Marvel?
<theAntFarm> DC pays on time lol...
<theAntFarm> Darkhorse pays much less and Marvel wants to pay you in trinkets and beads upon completion of the work...
<theAntFarm> lol
<theAntFarm> I like DC's method best...
<theAntFarm> go figure
<theAntFarm> There are companies that don't pay at all...
<theAntFarm> except through royalities of the sale of the comic
<theAntFarm> for institance IDW and Image Comics is another...
<theAntFarm> they essenitally are packagers
<theAntFarm> If you had a comic which was completed...
<theAntFarm> and the art and writing are complete...
<theAntFarm> those are the companies you want to approach
<theAntFarm> if you are interested in getting the story published
<theAntFarm> Online publishing of comics has become very popular...
<theAntFarm> again there is no money in it.
<theAntFarm> Not that I do it for the money HA HA
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<theAntFarm> The real money though, is in advertising...
<theAntFarm> this was done for Pontiac
<moonrancher> What type of paint do you like most (oil, w/c, acrylic, etc.?)
<theAntFarm> I work in acrylic
<theAntFarm> the cheaper the better...
<theAntFarm> stuff from Michael's or a craft store
<theAntFarm> Not that I'm cheap!
<theAntFarm> I just don't see any real difference from the more expensive paints
<theAntFarm> I do splurge though on a product called Liquid Acrylic Ink
<theAntFarm> by F.W.
<Kittylitter> coming from a 2D background and working in an industry still deeply steeped into working in 2d how did you find your way into doing 3d?
<theAntFarm> I've done a lot of horror stuff...much to my mother's regret...
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<theAntFarm> Muhahahaha
<theAntFarm> That image was for Wizards of the Coast
<theAntFarm> I did a lot of work for a company called White Wolf
<theAntFarm> and at the time I hadn't done much 3D stuff
<theAntFarm> but I wish I had
<theAntFarm> I think I just saw other people doing something that looked really fun...
<theAntFarm> so I jumped in not knowing any better lol
<theAntFarm> I like a challenge
<theAntFarm> I went to school for Graphic Design...
<theAntFarm> you can't get more 2D than that
<theAntFarm> When I graduated from Art School...
<theAntFarm> was when computers were just starting to emerge
<theAntFarm> and I knew everything I had learned was basically out the window
<AestheticDemon> Some comercial artists wont even touch a brush or pen etc, unless there is a paycheck involved, do you find yourself not making images unless it's 'work' these days?
<theAntFarm> That's what the AntFarm is for...
<theAntFarm> doing stuff I like doing on the side
<theAntFarm> I do a lot of work that's just for fun...
<theAntFarm> that I don't get paid for
<theAntFarm> Comics pay terrible, I think they may be the worst paying job in the industry lol
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<theAntFarm> This image was just for fun
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<theAntFarm> Here's an example of when a computer can really save your bacon...
<theAntFarm> working smarter not harder
<theAntFarm> the bottom line, if it wasn't fun I wouldn't do it..
<theAntFarm> I'm sure I could make an equal or better living doing something else...
<theAntFarm> for example I'm in my pajamas right now lol
<rubbermonk> What was your favorite illustration project?
<theAntFarm> The most interesting one to date I just finished...
<theAntFarm> which was for Cheetos
<theAntFarm> and I used a lot of familar products...
<theAntFarm> I used a lot of DAZ products in those commericals
<theAntFarm> I've been doing a lot of set designs for video games...
<theAntFarm> and that's always interesting
<theAntFarm> They send my work to Korea where a team of underpaid 3d modelers...
<theAntFarm> transform it into a game
<theAntFarm> that's pretty mind blowing
<rubbermonk> Do you find work yourself or do you use an agent?
<theAntFarm> Both. I do have an agent...
<theAntFarm> who happily takes a percentage of my money to get me work
<theAntFarm> but I also drum up my own work too...
<theAntFarm> through the website and direct mailing
<theAntFarm> not to mention ArtZone :)
<DAZ_KrylonKitty> For a student interested in getting education in the arts, would you suggest a regular college or an actual school for the arts?
<theAntFarm> I don't know if you can teach art
<theAntFarm> I think you can teach someone techniques, but I don't know if you can infuse someone with the desire to make art
<theAntFarm> midterms in art school are a breeze
<theAntFarm> :)
<AlmightyQUEST> How did you get your start in the comic book industry?
<theAntFarm> I got started during a big boom in comics
<theAntFarm> and they couldn't get enough artists
<theAntFarm> at that time
<theAntFarm> so I was very lucky to be one of the people to get a job during that time
<theAntFarm> This was the late 80s
<theAntFarm> Since then, it has gotten considerably harder to break into...
<theAntFarm> but self-publishing has gotten a lot cheaper so there is hope.
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<theAntFarm> This is what most of the editors want from me...
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<theAntFarm> they either want a really sexy woman or a really creepy monster
<theAntFarm> So has you can see, I have a real hard job
<Dixie Rose> What is your inspiration?
<theAntFarm> My mortgage lol
<theAntFarm> Just about anything can inspire you...
<theAntFarm> digital art and products like we have here
<theAntFarm> make it that much easier to experiment with ideas...
<theAntFarm> without the loss of a whole lot of time or paint
<Kittylitter> given unlimited funding and no deadline what would be the one project you would like to realise? And in which medium?
<theAntFarm> I probably would do something along the lines of what Pixar is doing if money were no object
<theAntFarm> My problem is I have a ton of ideas...
<theAntFarm> but i only have 24 hours a day and I'm just one guy
<theAntFarm> If i had unlimited funds I'd hire everyone on this chat to work for me with their 3D art
<theAntFarm> I have been really genuinely impressed with all of the art I have seen here at the ArtZone...
<theAntFarm> and in the DAZ Forums
<theAntFarm> In my opinion, you should all have my job (or could at least do my job)
<theAntFarm> it's really being in the right place at the right time...
<theAntFarm> that makes the biggest difference
<DAZ_Rhyno> OK, just about time to wrap up
<DAZ_Rhyno> Thanks so much John :) You've been great to chat with
<theAntFarm> Thank you for having me here...
<DAZ_Rhyno> For everyone: John's decided to put his DAZ 3D store on sale. - "But don't leave yet!"
<DAZ_Rhyno> http://www.daz3d.com/shop.php?op=artistlist&artist=183342
<DAZ_Rhyno> He also has a freebie for Glich for you all to download - "But wait, there's even MORE"
<DAZ_Rhyno> http://artzone.daz3d.com/chatlogs/images/j_vanfleet/GlitchProp.zip
<DAZ_Rhyno> Lastly, 4 lucky people will receive John's book
<DAZ_Rhyno> The Art of John Van Fleet (Hardcover)
<DAZ_Rhyno> (signed)
<DAZ_mattw> It's very cool. I'm jealous.
<DAZ_Rhyno> You can check out John's book here:
<DAZ_Rhyno> http://www.amazon.com/Art-John-Van-Fleet/dp/1556345593/sr=8-1/qid=1158255123/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1443866-8902267?ie=UTF8&s=books
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<DAZ_Rhyno> and John's personal site is here: http://www.johnvanfleet.com/
<DAZ_Rhyno> The winners are: (Drumroll)
<DAZ_Rhyno> splurt
<DAZ_Rhyno> stonemason
<DAZ_Rhyno> Elliandra
<DAZ_Rhyno> Dolphins-Dreams
<DAZ_Rhyno> Congrats!
<DAZ_Rhyno> Please send your mail address to ryan@daz3d.com
<DAZ_Rhyno> and we'll mail those out
<DAZ_Rhyno> Thanks everyone
<DAZ_Rhyno> you are now free to move about the cabin (John is switching computers, he'll be back in a sec)
<Kittylitter> 
<ImmortalImaging> Thanks for taking the time to chat with us John
<Dream_Catcher_Designs> thank you so much! great chat :)
<AlmightyQUEST> Thank you for your time John
<kokuryu> thanks for everything and congrats to the winners!
<wawadave 1> thx for comeing!!!
<rhidragon> Thanks John for an interesting chat
<skyewolf_images> thatnks for the chat John :)
<Dixie Rose> Thanks...great chat
<Dolphins-Dreams> Wow.. i won !
<DAZ_Kevin> *E* * DAZ_Kevin wanted to win the book...
<ghost_13> lol kittylitter and thanks john hard to believe the time is up
<Elliandra> Thanks for chatting with us John and OMG I actually won something *looks flabbergasted and grins* Thanks again
<LeChatDesigns> Thank you so much! I'm ready to work with John any time! ;)
<brady228> Great chat, thanks
<mattymanx> Thanks John!
<AestheticDemon> wb john
<fullquiver> Thanks for your time, this was very interesting.
<ringbearer> Thank you John, enjoyed the chat!
<Dolphins-Dreams> LOL Kevin I collect art books
<Dolphins-Dreams> so this is a HUGE threat for me
<Dolphins-Dreams> treat
<Dolphins-Dreams> dang butterfingahs!
<Dolphins-Dreams> ;)
<Stonemason> bounce!..good stuff :-)
<rubbermonk> Thanks John... your art made inspired me to got to design and Illustration school
<PickersAngel> lol....
<PickersAngel> thanks, john
<moonrancher> Thanks John!
<rmash1948> Thanks, John! I truly enjoyed the chat!I've a slipper full of images I should UL at some point.
<Fringewood> I must say that it a very enjoyable chat
<DAZ_Rhyno> we've got some more images of his if you want to see them
<maars_girl> Thanks John...Learned a lot from you.
<rmash1948> w00t! Images! You bet!
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<LeChatDesigns> Awsome!
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<Nester751> Bravo!!
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<DAZ_Rhyno> 
<skyewolf_images> gotta say I think the batgirl image fromthe beginning of chat is my fav
<Nester751> Thank you for the chat, John
<mattymanx> cool images. Love the Mara Jade image!
<Nester751> Awesome work!
<wyrdwing> nice :-) yeah i liked the batgirl too
<Elliandra> hehe I prefer Storm *wink*
<rubbermonk> I just ordered Johns book from Amazon... HAVE TO HAVE IT
<Nester751> Hello wyrdwing!
<wyrdwing> and who doesn't like gambit :-)
<LeChatDesigns> Wow, thanks so much for sharing those with us! Amazing!
<Elliandra> Gambit - Yummy Cajun *nods*
<wyrdwing> hi nester
<rubbermonk> Like the batman images... John has the Dark Knight all figured out
<AestheticDemon> I like the Emperor Palpatine pic...
<Nester751> Very cool artwork
<LeChatDesigns> It's such a treat to meet someone like John who mixes traditional 2D with 3D in comic design.
* DAZ_KrylonKitty listening to a song called Rose of Sharyn
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