This year, almost to the month actually, I celebrate 20 years in the make up effects industry….hurrah!! I'm not fishing for congratulations here, though I'd thank you kindly if you did so wish to send them, but rather it sets the scene for a point I wish to make, read on, it WILL become clear I assure you.

I was recently shown the wonders of ZBrush and got all excited about the possibilities it offered, despite having one or two reservations about it. For me the problem was that a lot of 3D art I've seen has a 'look', instantly recognizable and often cold and seemingly without soul (in my opinion anyway).

"I'll give it a try," I said "but I have to be convinced that my work will be uniquely mine"

All that day I kept thinking about what I had said and thinking about my work and came to the conclusion that after 20 years (see! I told you it would become relevant) of working as a commercial artist, 20 years of designing children's TV characters and brain sucking aliens, of building demons and cute fluffy fur balls, sculpting animals and film stars, recreating medical procedures and violent physical trauma's, of working for film companies, advertising agencies, police departments, TV stations and the Ministry of Defense. That after 20 years of trying to deliver exactly what the client wants I really had no idea at all what MY work looked like. Who exactly was I as an artist? What was it I was trying to achieve; apart that is from merely earning a living?

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my job and wouldn't swap it for any other. But I do wonder what become of that Young Turk artist of so long ago; He was so angry and energetic, so ready to sermonize and soap box his views and opinions on any poor soul who was foolish enough to cross him. He had clarity of vision, knew what he wanted and where he was going…funny…I can't quite remember when I stopped being him and started to be me…or even if I regret it.

I wonder if other commercial artists out there think and feel the same way?

(….Oh yeah….ZBrush! I gave it a try and have just posted my first effort…I had to buy a new computer to run it, and then the program itself, and a new Wacom tablet, and a new Photoshop…I'm into this 3D modeling lark to the tune of £3000+ so artistic integrity can go hang and I better make damn sure I stay excited by it!)