Xeno Creatives Artist Spotlight: Tiamo Pudding
While one to keep a positive outlook in his craft–one that pushes until he reaps good results, Tiamo Pudding is not one to trust the current AI explosion in the field of digital art creation. And this, to us, is not pessimism, but a manifestation of a clear dedication to the craft. This comes as a pleasant surprise from an artist who, at the beginning, was not entirely into the idea of being a digital artist.
Let’s get to know Tiamo Pudding in this short feature and find out what makes an artist like him tick and what his insights are about the digital art creation industry.
Xeno Creatives (XC): We understand that with just about any craft, passion takes precedence. In your case, how did it start becoming a passion? Would we be right in assuming that you consider it a “calling” as a lot of your contemporaries do?
Tiamo Pudding (TP): I didn’t really like this industry at first, and I didn’t even want to stick to this job. But strangely enough, I fell in love with it gradually.
XC: What was it that got you interested in 3D art? Did you ever plan on taking it seriously initially?
TP: As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t like this industry at first, maybe I just didn’t know what I like. Like most people, I was a confused young person after graduation. I just decided to carry on with this this job.
XC: Now that you’re an active part of the industry, would you say you have figured your place in it?
TP: Yes. It wasn’t until after working for many years that I realized that this was something I was good at, and I was able to use it to make things I liked.
XC: What does your pipeline usually look like in a typical production? What are the common challenges a 3D artist like you encounters in a project?
TP: My daily job is to create game characters, but I have always pursued visual effects (like the ones produced for movies). The real-time rendering effect of game engines is difficult to achieve with offline rendering. Balancing the relationship between graphics and performance is actually a difficult task.
XC: What would you consider your biggest or most exciting project to date? Could you tell us a little bit about it?
TP: In addition to my personal work, I am currently working on a game called, “Honor of Kings,” which is a game with tens of millions of DAU. I know that every character I create will be seen by many and therefore receive a lot of praise and criticism. To me, it actually feels like taking an exam.
XC: Your works over at ArtStation are impressive pieces of almost hyper-realistic portraits. We really like your art style. Which among your works are you most proud of and why?
TP: I really like Blizzard games. I am a huge fan of Diablo. When I saw Diablo 4CG, I decided to recreate the Lilith in my heart. That’s what I expected.
XC: If you were to market yourself, what would you highlight as your edge?
TP：I have worked in game art and CG art, and these experiences are very valuable.
XC: How do you think digital art-generating AI technology will impact digital artists and the 3D art industry in the long run? Is it a helpful tool or an insidious threat to the future of your craft?
TP: I may be branded as a pessimist with what I am about to say. I believe that AI can replace all the work we have done at present in the future. There is nothing that AI cannot create, including the simulation of creativity. However, we cannot wait for that day and do nothing. Just like life is a journey to death, everyone knows one day they will die. With what’s happening right now, it’s like we’re just busy enjoying the journey to death.
XC: What is your message for your fellow digital artists and those aspiring to be a part of the industry in these challenging times?
TP: I think it is a good suggestion to pursue what you like and achieve it to the extreme.
Tiamo Pudding graduated from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. He has been working in the CG industry for 10 years and is currently employed at Tencent Game.
Want to see more of Tiamo Pudding’s amazing works? Visit his ArtStation account!
