An Interview with 3D Character Artist Caleb Nefzen
Zbrushtuts.com recently took an interview with 3D Character Artist Caleb Nefzen. In this interview we tries to know more about him and his work process. Hope that interview will be inspiring for readers and aspirants.
Q 1: Hi Caleb Nefzen, thanks for talking to us, Can you please tell us something about yourself?
Caleb Nefzen: Hi, and thank you for having me here, I really appreciate it. And well, I’m from Colombia, I’m a simple guy really. I like to watch Movies and play Video Games a lot, I like to read, and obviously to sculpt. When I can, I meditate, but its getting harder with all the noise your head recieve nowdays. Some might say that I have an introvert personality, maybe a loner, but I’m very kind with people, and once I get on my conftort zone, I could be a little clown some times. I’m very strict with my work, Its hard for me to be satisfied with any piece I make. I just want to improve myself every day in all aspects.
Q 2: How has your career formed itself so far?
Caleb Nefzen: I was a Graphic Designer, worked for 5 years on advertising. Until one day I had enough of that, That’s when I discover the path of 3d, and I have never looked back, I must admit it was not easy, had to start a new life all over again, learn all the stuff alone. I worked hard, practice all night, covering the areas I was interested in regard character creation, from conception to sculpting texturing and rendering. And well, still more to learn more to do, as a friend of mine said, “We are students for life”. I have been working in several stuff, from 3d animated short films, to making props and replicas of movies, creating characters for video Games. But I think what I love the most, is working and sculpting collectibles. I really enjoy that.
Q 3: What are some of the most high-profile projects you’ve worked on? And Which One is most fun to do?
Caleb Nefzen: Well, sadly a couple of them I cant name at the moment, they are great pieces, but I would say that Frazetta´s Chess Set, is one I can mention, with the T800 Guardian, althou with him. I wish I had more time to finish him. The must fun to do, was my Viking Batman, Alien, D9 Christopher Johnson and Venal Anatomical, I dont know why, but I was a hell of a ride making them. 
Frazetta´s Chess Set
T800 Guardian – Terminator Genisys
VIKING BATMAN
D9 (Go Home)
Alien
Q 4: Tell something about “Frazetta´s Chess Set”?
Caleb Nefzen: Well, that project, was one of the hardest I had to work on. Was very demanding and stressful. I love Frazzetas work, as I know a great deal of people do. So I knew I had to make a good translation of the paintings. Do them justice. I took me a lot of time, besides, I had other projects to work on at the same time. So I slept very few hours a day. I’m still unsure if I did a good job, sometimes I feel I should had work it better, but time was upon me, so.. thats it.. Personally I wish I had more time, but thats the perfectionist side of me, so does not matter, what matter the most is to make people happy, and I see that with the final piece. So I’m really glad it turned well at the end.
Q 5: What kind of education do you need if one wants to get into the Industry you are in?
Caleb Nefzen: Well, You can go to the finest places on earth to learn, but if you dont have the love, the patience, the discipline and perseverance, you go nowhere. So for me, thats the kind of education you need. Love everything you do, have the patience to achive what you want, the discipline to maintain on course, and persevere no matter the dificulties you have. This applies to everything in life, just follow your heart, and that will be it. I think for me, thats all you need.
Q 6: What is the workflow that you follow while doing a Digital Sculpt?
Caleb Nefzen: I tend to go from big to small, just do the basic shapes, work from there, let your mind free, and then you can see how the strokes start to talk to you, so you can see your next move. Focus on one part, then go to the other one, but keeping them all on the same phase, with this I mean, phase of blocking, phase of basic shapes, phase of defining the shapes, and phase of details. And just enjoy it, but always remember to have your mind free.
Q 7: What software did you use and do you have any tips for using this software?
Caleb Nefzen: I use Zbrush almost all the time, and well, just play with it, feel how is like every brush, identify the ones you feel confort with. Identify your own workflow, and get strong with it. Practice all the time, and challenge yourself every day, never get on the confort zone. Seek people and pieces that inspire yourself to grow as an artist and as a person.
Q 8: Which artist inspired you the most? and Why?
Caleb Nefzen: Oh, this is the question I always try to avoid, there are so many artists that I get inspiration, that I dont like to leave anyone out, and so many that most of them I dont even know their names, But I is a must, the names that always resonate in me are the amazing ones like Mark Newman, Frank Tzeng, Eric Sosa, Robin Benes, Will Harbottle. Damn, their work is just too clean, too straight, too detailed. I love to look their píeces, they gave me the strenght I need to keep moving forward. But believe me, there is a ton of artist, just like them, that I got the same feeling.
Q 9: Which types of characters do you have the most fun creating?
Caleb Nefzen: I think I have fun doing anything, but I like the challenges, so if its a complex one, that I think will be the most fun to do. But sometimes, the most simple ones are the hardest, so you never know. LOL But yeah I love the ones that demand greater attention to details. yeah.
Q 10: In your opinion what are the main rules to achieve a great sculpt?
Caleb Nefzen: Well, I dont know really, I’m a self though artist. Dont know it all. But for me, starting with the obvious Anatomy, then work the asymetry, rhythm, dynamism, weight and gravity.
Q 11: What can we expect to see from you next?
Caleb Nefzen: Oh well, I dont know the future. I dont know. I’m doing at the moment cool stuff for diferent companies, great characters, and hopefully soon my Vikining Batman will become a reality. Other stuff I can’t share for now. But yes, I hope people can see more of my work in the near future.
Q 12: What would be some of your advice if someone wanted to become a 3D Artist and was to start from scratch?
Caleb Nefzen: Be true to your self, work hard, follow your heart, never give up, and remember that all the good things takes time to come. Dont rush it, and keep your self clear, of what is it what you really want, and work to get it.
Artstation: https://calebnefzen.artstation.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caleb.nefzen
Thanks Caleb Nefzen for giving us your time for this interview. Appreciated
Thanks
Team
Zbrushtuts.com
Photogrammetry set up
