Welcome to this week?s edition of ?Epic Gamer Artists,? where Epic Games showcases amazing work from artists in the community. Tim from the Team Epic Gamers here, to introduce to you a very special feature this week.
I sat down with Michael Locascio from New Jersey, a sculptor who had been working professionally for almost 14 years. Many of his projects have included figures for McFarlane Toys, Blizzard, Gentle Giant, and NECA. You may recognize some of the figures; in fact, the work he?s done ultimately became final proofs early in the Gears of War line of NECA figures.
Say hello to Michael!
A: Tell us about yourself and what you do.
M: I studied classical sculpture at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and the Newington Cropsey Foundation. Working with live models, skeletons, and annual cadaver dissections, I trained in anatomy and the bronze monument process there while studying at New York University. Since then I?ve worked as a fine artist in addition to building a prolific career sculpting action figures, toys, and collectible statues. I started with toys at the McFarlane Toys studio as an in house sculptor, and eventually went freelance working with other companies like NECA, DC Direct, Blizzard Entertainment, Diamond Select, Gentle Giant, and many others.
A: Are you a gamer? Do you play Gears of War?
M: I was a gamer for most of my life, growing up in the 80?s with arcades and the birth of console and computer games. Lately work and family has kept me from gaming, since it can really murder any free time I might have.
I played all the Warcraft incarnations since the early 90?s, but by the time I was sculpting action figures for them I had no time for playing. When I sculpted the Gears of War figures I played the game a bit to get the feel for the characters and the aesthetics of the game.
A: You?re a sculptor, and it?s pretty awesome to see what you come up with in your gallery. What materials do you usually work with?
M: Most of the toys I sculpt are in the 6?-12? range, with a few smaller and some larger. I learned how to sculpt with castilene wax at McFarlane and I?ve stuck with that material for the most part. Sometimes harder or softer clays are used, such as hazbro wax or chavant respectively. Also, for fabrication of mechanical pieces I use plastics like styrene.
A: Do you work as a professional artist?
M: Yes, I?ve been a professional artist for about 14 years.
A: Now I?ve noticed that you have some Locust designs in your gallery. They also look familiar? were they prototypes for NECA? Feel free to tell us a little bit about your creations.
M: All the Gears of War pieces in my gallery were prototypes for NECA action figures. I sculpted them twice the scale of the toys and they were pantographed down in production. The game designers provided excellent reference and turn-around art for the characters, and I did my best to get every detail faithful.
A: Do you also work in 2D, like drawing, or illustrating on paper?
M: When I started getting serious about art, I spent most of my time drawing and painting. But once sculpting really became a profession for me I have neglected other forms of art. Occasionally I have to sketch something out for a design, and I go to life drawing classes when I can.
Oddly enough, if I am drawing something from my head, I find it easier to grab some clay and rough it out, then look at the clay sculpt for reference in drawing.
A: Anything to say to your fellow Epic Gamers?
M: Video game characters are some of the most fun and rewarding projects I have worked on, and it?s awesome to hear appreciation from the people who love the games.
You can also check out Michael?s amazing work on Etsy, where you?ll find his sculptures, jewelry and more.
Aug 27, 2012 Last Updated Aug 27, 2012
Source: http://epicgames.com/community/2012/08/epic-gamer-artist-locascio-designs/
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