Q1.
Christa: Can you tell us a bit about yourself: Who are you and what do you do in your daily life?

Marco: First many thanks that you have picked me from the mass of many very good 3D Artists. I feel honored. I was born 34 years ago and live in a village in south Germany (nearby Heidelberg). I work as a Quality Manager for an automobile supplier. In addition I run together with my girlfriend a 3D company named "Graphics!". The company was founded in 1992 and offered business cards, websites, logos etc. In 2003 we made a radical change. We drove all previous performances back to specialize in the direction of the 3D, which are shown at our Black Graphics webpage. So my daily life consists in mainly of two things: my main job and my 3D company.

Q2.
Christa: When did you first notice you had artistic talent?

Marco: About 4 years ago I started playing around with different low cost 3D Programs and found it fun. Short time later I decided to buy the professional 3D program Cinema 4D. This was very easy to learn and therefore I was able to improve my knowledge and skills very fast. All in all my works are a mix of hard work, endless nights of experimenting, a great software, technical knowledge and at least some talent in building virtual realities.

Q3.
Christa: Do you have traditional art experience?

Marco: No, I don’t have any traditional art experience. But as I'm specialized in technical illustrations, items as for example construction details, shapes and product-knowledge are more important for my work than the traditional art. Due to my main job I have a lot of experience on the technical side, which is of great help for me.

Q4.
Christa: Which software packages do you use for your artwork?

Marco: My main 3D software package is Cinema 4D. Every work you see at our Black Graphics website is made with Cinema 4D, even the sketches. I started with this fantastic software at the end of 2003. And only a view months later I was able to create the first real looking 3D vehicles which I sold as highres image for commercial use. Thanks to Cinema 4D I'm able to build up all my ideas in 3D without any restrictions. And I always have a lot of fun with it!

BG Sport		R9 Power Racer

Q5.
Christa: Can you tell us a bit of the way you work on your art?

Marco: There isn't any typical workflow for the fantasy vehicles, such as the R9 Power Racer. I have the idea and the ready picture in my head and model it with Cinema 4D. Sometimes I have new ideas during work and something completely different comes out at the end as originally planned. Originally e.g. the R9 Power Racer should have become a crazy racing broom ;)

For real vehicles I first must be able to feel enthusiastic about a model. If the choice is made, I first search for photos in different views in the web and print magazines. In principle, I make my vehicles with point to point modeling and at first I try to use only very few polygons. I bring the exact shape of the individual components in form with weightings and the knife tool. The release 9 of Cinema 4D with its many expansions of the modeling and selection tools brings primarily unbelievable advantages to car modeling. The modeling workflow in the construction of the vehicle is always the same: I start with the bodywork at the front and then work forward to the rear. After this follows windows, lights, wheels, exhaust, outside mirror, windshield wiper and radiator grille. As next I model the sub-floor and the wheel casings. At the end I model, depending on the vehicle, a more or less detailed interior.

Q6.
Christa: What and/or who inspires you?

Marco: I'm inspired by car- and construction magazines and every thing I see in my daily life. Perhaps it sounds crazy but I'm usually already in thought at the model construction, if I see only a beautiful vehicle.

Q7.
Christa: Do you have a favorite piece of your own artwork and if so, why?

Marco: The R-Coupé was the first concept car I made, which was very liked by the public. This concept showed us that there is a market for real looking concept cars which are not licensed by one of the big car manufacturers. Meanwhile I sold this car several times and particularly I'm very proud to see it as the main illustration on the package of a CAD-Software in every large software warehouse in Germany.

R-coupé concept

Q8.
Christa: What is your goal as an artist?

Marco: Since my youth I am a totally car and technology fan. It is my passion to make cars and technical models in 3D after my own ideas. Every vehicle is a new challenge since a vehicle can seem only realistic if the model is made as clean and exact as possible. My target is go on developing my skills, to inspire people with my works and get one day the chance to build one of my vehicles in real life.

Q9.
Christa: Besides 3D Valley, which other CG sites do you visit regularly?

Marco: I visit regularly: Renderosity, Digital Artworks, 3D02.com and the German C4D community network c4dboard.com.

Q10.
Christa: Do you have any tips for the artists who admire your work?

Marco: Spend a lot of time with your 3d software and follow consistently your target. Don't get demotivated by setbacks, or by strong critics or ratings in communities and galleries, but see this as an incentive to carry on.

BG Classic	Chainsaw Dolmar V6

Christa: Thanks for the interview Marco!

Click here to visit Marco's Gallery album
Click here to visit Marco's website
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