Gintas Galvanauskas - Senior Artist
Gintas Galvanauskas is a senior concept artist working with Goodname for a while now, let’s find out more about him.
-What can you tell us about your journey as an artist?
I come from a family of engineers, so I was kind of conditioned to become one. I have always loved searching for how things work, mechanical, cars… so I ended up with a bachelor’s degree in mass media. While looking for a job, an offer as “texture artist” captured my attention. I had no idea what it meant! I got an interview with the studio, where they explained I could have the position if learned to use Photoshop and understanding what a “texture artist” is in three months. I got the job, worked there several years, where little by little I made a transition to digital painting.
-Do you also use traditional media?
In my childhood, I didn’t have a real passion for art. Sometimes I used to draw on paper with a pencil, but it didn’t go further. When I developed my interest in painting, I was already using Photoshop, so I work mostly digitally. I would like to be able to draw on canvas as well as I do on the computer, but changing the medium implies several things. Traditional media don’t have keyboard shortcuts, so you need to take some time before every brush stroke. You slow down, you anticipate more, it can be a good exercise I want to experiment.
-We can see in your portfolio that your characters have amazing stories behind them, where does your inspiration come from?
I used to spend all my summers in the countryside without TV. I read tones of books and drawing characters helped me picture the story more easily. I think it made me much more imaginative. Nowadays, this question usually comes out: what is better, the book or the film? I guess words allow people to develop their own version of a story whereas on the screen, you will see one possible vision. Having this in mind, I like reading the book first, watching the movie after, and then compare the results. Putting on paper images that are in my mind allow me to use twice as much imagination.
-Have you always been interested in characters? What motivates you to paint in detail?
I love observing people, their captivating faces, their clothes, their behavior… Drawing them requires a lot of knowledge, you must practice again and again. It is challenging and that’s what I like about character art. Sometimes I visualize quickly in my mind what the character will look like, otherwise I can only have a feeling or a story. From there I search for the right facial expression or pose and build the character around these elements. My work is in a constant evolution because I have the chance to learn something new in every painting, it is fascinating!
© Gintas Galvanauskas 2016, Merchant