Meet Greg Stewart! You’ve seen him around the drex files. He’s one of us! I mean one of the hopelessly afflicted! I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s genetic. But anything about getting “out there thataway” just fires all our circuits and sizzles our synapse!
So Greg! Hip us, daddy!
I was contacted by Doug, out of the blue, to submit an image for the calendar. He had seen a couple of my Star Trek images online and wondered if I would be interested. At first I was skeptical, but after I researched a little, I realized the opportunity was legit! This guy was the real Doug “freaking” Drexler!
The Ships of the Line calendar has had a place on my wall since I was a teenager. Every year I would look forward to a new and dazzling array of eye-candy that would light the fuse of my imagination. And to get a chance to create an image for that very calendar! Boy, what an honor and a thrill!
I cracked open the beautiful SOTL book for inspiration, and immediately knew my subject vessel. My all-time favorite Star Trek ship is the USS Defiant, and she’d been under-represented in the recent SOTL calendars. So I envisioned the Defiant doing what she does best…kickin’ some butt!
Working with 3d models by some awesome artists (Skye Dodds, Flat Eric, Rick Snider, Ebolii), I set out to depict a skirmish on the front lines of the Dominion War. And with Doug’s words of encouragement – “knock ‘em dead” – I was off and running.
I started with a rough layout to get a feel for the composition, then a quick render with rough effects and lighting for approval of the image. Doug had some suggestions, which I gladly took to heart!
Then the fun part began; lighting, effects, and lots of refining! The image was created with a mix of Lightwave 3d and Photoshop.
A big thanks to Doug for making this fan-boy’s dream come true! And kudos to my fellow SOTL artists…it’s an honor to be represented with such an amazingly talented group!
I’m thanking YOU, Greg!
Way to show some Defiant love Greg
Awesome work, Greg. And congratulations!
What an honor. And an exceptional piece of work there. This is the first year that I know of where there actually seems to be a marketing campaign on for the calander.
Maybe it is just me though.
lol
I am thrilled with what I have seen so far, and can’t wait to see the actual calander, and then anticipate next years offerings!
Wow, Greg! I understand the initial skepticism. It must have been quite the moment when you realized it was real…getting to actually have your art in something you’ve enjoyed all your life!! I can’t even imagine the thrill.
Defiant is one awesome ship…a little dog with a big dog attitude (and bite!). She’s always near the top of my list, and you’ve done a superb job of depicting her where Worf likes her best. In the middle of everything!
Congrats. You’ve earned it.
Hey hey, way to go Greg, and big congrats, eh!
Beautiful and imaginative image there, and can’t wait to have it hangin’ on my wall next year!
LLP,
deg
Congrats, Greg.
Congratulations, Greg. Thanks to the Internet, many of us fan atists are being plucked from obscurity for a chance at the big time. This is a great time to be a Trek fan.
Indeed it is. Thanks to such talented fans and the internet un-talented fans like me get to see some great artwork!
Wonderful work, Mr. Stewart, and congratulations on being tapped for your own personal brush with fame! *applause applause* I dunno what it is about Star Trek that inspires people to “make their own”, whether its by writing or drawing or creating art or making costumes or building props or whatever, but its great that the spirit is still around. Its also great that longtime Trek fans are paying it forward to the (sorry) next generation (I really wasn’t trying to be funny).
My feeling about what inspires us to “make our own”* is the wish that we could be a part of that world. I’m always amazed by the love and talent that Star Trek inspires.
*I’m currently “making my own” labels for bottles, helped by re-discovering some cargo label images in the DS9 tech manual (which I’d completely forgotten Doug was involved in)
Great job Greg! Thanks for sharing some behind the scenes…scenes.
Gotta love the Defiant and the Nebula class.
Nice job Greg!
Congratulations, Greg! *thumbs up*
I am SO getting this calendar.
I shotgun April 2011! Or maybe 2012 if I hit a snag…
Just out of curiosity, how do you go about setting up lighting for a space scene? Do you treat it any differently from lighting a more mundane indoor or outdoor scene?
Cause an outer space scene, the only light that you realistically have comes from the ships themselves, unless you’re near a planet or star or something. There’s not really any ambient light to speak of.
Of course, that would end up looking pretty boring. So, how do you get that sort of added lighting without it looking “unrealistic”?
CarlG, thanks for your interest in the lighting setup!
Each ship had its own particular lighting rig, but for the ambient space lighting I used one source of light for all the ships. That way the lighting was consistent for them all. I then added fill lights to each ship, however many it took just to make it look “right.”
Lighting in 3d is an art in itself, and I find that the more lights you use, the better. Just make sure they’re not at full blast, but layer them at low intensities.
Every artist is different…just find what works for you and go with it!
Thanks so much for your reply!
Yeah, I need all the help I can get with lighting; my modeling/texturing is decent, but I haven’t got a really knock-out render for my portfolio cause lighting is an evil @#!%& to get right.
One of these days though… it’s my ambition to make something, show it to Mr. Drexler, and have him say “not bad” (hey, I’m ambitious, but I’m not crazy
).
Congrats, Greg! This really is a fantastic image! Great action shot that really just grabs your eye and pays great respect to the tough as nails Defiant!
Awesome work Greg! Like I said on John Eaves’ site about Michael Jackson, talent knows no bounds!
Great work Gregg.
I eapecially appreciate the little touch of the Nebula combat in the background. A little extra something makes all the difference!
The DC
Hey everyone! Thanks so much for your comments! Yes, this was indeed a dream come true…
Again, I really cannot thank Doug enough for this wonderful opportunity. He’s the dream-maker folks!!
Hey Greg, gota website or online portfolio we can look at?
Yes, link please! I wouldn’t mind seeing more of your great work.
Here’s my portfolio site…I’ll warn you that it’s been a long time since it was updated. Hehe
http://www.experimation.com
With the new attention from SOTL maybe it’s a good time to update it
That’s great! I love the angle of the Defiant!
Congratulations!!!