Interview with Rishi Raj

By Marina

My most of the inspiration comes from the movies. I always like to model my own concepts, and whenever I create my own characters I try to put some story behind the character. I enjoy that process where I get freedom to use my imagination.

Thanks for agreeing to do this interview! Let’s start out with a bit of general background: tell us a few words about yourself( where you are from, your age, etc)

I am 28 years old and I was born in a small town in India. Comics, video games, cartoons and fantasy movies caught my undivided attention during my childhood. I followed them religiously and passionately. They completely enthralled me.
As I grew, I became interested in visualizing stories, fantasy stories to be precise, and that developed into a strong desire to do short trailers that could materialize into powerful scripts if given proper guidance.
Subsequently I have worked in some companies too and have 3.5 years of experience, which includes working in a production set-up as well as gaming set-up.
Right now to brush up and get more skill, I have taken up a 1 year course in a college called Think Tank in Vancouver.

I think it will be interesting to our readers to know how it all began. How did you take your first artistic steps? When did you start doing CG? What was the reason of choosing this occupation?

As a kid I had a great interest in Video games, comics and movies. I had a huge collection of Indian comics. It all started 5 years back and the reason am here is because of my Dad. So whatever good am doing right now it’s because of my Dad. I was not good at studies, and I was spending most of my time watching movies and reading comics. After i finished my college my parents started a small business for me which involved editing videos, I got interested in that and slowly i began to think about animation too. I started to learn some animation on my own, and branched out into modeling and texturing too. That’s how i started my journey into this field.

Where do you get the ideas for such amazing works? Do you have your favorite topics or characters in your work?

My most of the inspiration comes from the movies. I always like to model my own concepts, and whenever i create my own characters i try to put some story behind the character. I enjoy that process where i get freedom to use my imagination.

I think it will be interesting to our readers to learn about your work “Robin Hood”. Where did you get inspiration to create this artwork? What stage was the most difficult for you? How long did you work on it?

As I said my inspiration comes from a movie, I was watching this movie and by the time I was half way through, I decided that i would try to make Robin Hood in 3d.
The most difficult part was his beard, I spent 2 days in researching the method of sculpting his beard. The whole process took 30 days to finish.

What do you think is the best work you’ve ever produced? Are you a perfectionist? Does it take you long to achieve that final perfect image you are happy with

I think my model “Natasha The Thief” is the best for me till now. I try to be perfect every time but i am always left unsatisfied in the end….there is always something that could have been better i feel…because, “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”

What work do you enjoy more: personal or commercial projects? What kind of work are you doing now?

I enjoy personal work more, so whenever i get time i do some personal stuff. Presently am concentrating more on my studies, and learning new ways of doing things.

Have you any tricks and your own “know-hows” which you gained with experience during your work?

From my experience i have learned that there is always a better way of doing things, we just have to be patient, innovative and should be experimental. Always make sure u take lots of reference from real life or films or any footage u can get hold of.

Are there any skills and techniques you’d like to acquire?

There are lots of things that i am unaware of. This industry is so big and filled with great artists. You can spend your entire life learning new stuff every single day as long as u have the thirst for knowledge. One Life is too short to learn everything in this industry.

How do you manage to combine your personal life and work? Do you have any hobbies? Is it easy for you to find the time for your family, friends?

I am very passionate about my creations, i enjoy creating them. My personal life is my family and friends who know all about my passion for this field and support me always. My hobbies turned into my passion as i grew. I am making it a point to give my family more time once i finish with my studies.

Do you have any dream as an artist? How would you like to see your career evolve in the next few years

My dream is to create a full length animated movie with an awesome concept for which I have been working for some time now, and along the way, i also would love to guide many young ambitious artists in this field to achieve their goal