Current post: Introducing: René Ceuleers, Art Director
I’m the type of guy that judges his own work harshly. At Blue Falcon, however, there are enough people I can prod for feedback; level my expectations with theirs in a healthy and professional manner.
“I’m a self-taught artist who’s always aspired to become better at digital art. Despite getting my diploma as Game Artist as of 2015, I’ve struggled settling in the industry due to domestic problems… until I unceremoniously bumped into Logan, that is. Other than that, my passion for role-playing and writing has always been high and prominent in my life, since my teen years, ever since I stumbled upon role-play themed platforms, like forums. Since then I’ve role-played in dynamic environments such as World of Warcraft and Second Life to get my jollies going.”
How did you come to work on ‘The Coalition’?
That dates back more than two years now; Logan and I met on an unrelated platform called Second Life on a sim (a digital space where avatars can meet and chat up) where we found out — to both our amazement — that we lived only a few kilometers away from one another, so we instantly set up a date to meet up. Afterwards, I was completely sold on his idea regarding ‘The Coalition’ and managed to work for him as an intern, to start off, for I was still a college student back then. Ever since we’ve been working not only on ‘The Coalition’ but on products for Second Life as well.
What’s it like working at Blue Falcon?
First thing coming to mind is, “relaxing.” There’s a general understanding towards each other’s need as individuals; there’s little we can’t say or discuss amongst one another, and that brings a lot of mental space to unknot. While we’re all a bunch of mavericks in our own silly way, we somehow manage to make it work really well in the office.
As of current, it’s somewhat difficult; while I should be managing a group of artists, I’m currently at my lonesome. When we started off with the founders I had two people working underneath me, so the general pace was higher, and ideas could be bounced off one another’s designs and experience as an artist. Now that I’m alone, however, this is seldom the case, so it can be rather tricky to maintain motivation and creativity at times.
From what you can discuss what is the craziest thing you got to work on so far? And what’s your favorite?
Craziest? Definitely the Visha, one of the subspecies of the Grenn. While the Huarangi are quite monstrous to behold, the Visha are biological copycats that wear cloned bodysuits of someone they’re impersonating. That on its own doesn’t necessarily sound freaky from a visual perspective, but once I got to draw the process of them shedding that skin, that’s outright horror fuel right there.
My favorite must be the Aikalaymeh. I’ve always enjoyed the aesthetics of lizardfolk ever since I was a child — Dr. Curt Connors from Spider-Man and Cell from Dragonball Z coming to mind. While you could argue that Cell might be more insectoid (which I would agree), something about his design struck me as very lizard-like back in the day, especially his first form, and it’s been one of those design choices that’s stuck with me even to this day.
What are you most excited about working on in the future?
Without revealing too much, I’m really excited to be illustrating that huge world Logan has teeming in his head for the upcoming RPG book, and getting to work with a growing team of like-minded individuals. That, and getting a workspace with the required equipment to streamline our work more efficiently.
What unique challenges and rewards does your position provide you?
It’s been a great gateway to expand on my skill set as an artist and team player within a working environment. As far as challenges are concerned; I’m the type of guy that judges his own work harshly. At Blue Falcon, however, there are enough people I can prod for feedback; level my expectations with theirs in a healthy and professional manner.
What kind of art do you get to make for ‘The Coalition’?
As of now my main focus lies on the different species that’ll be filling up ‘The Coalition’. This means I get to translate Logan’s vision (as well as the team’s) onto paper regarding the different playable races that’ll be launched as part of the upcoming RPG book. It’s been an interesting experience so far, to say the least; I get a visual description of said race as well as their biological makeup, which I have to conceptualize for the team to pick from. This usually happens at least once a week where feedback rolls in and I get to either solidify an idea or adapt to their expectations to come to a conclusion everyone gets to be happy with. This doesn’t mean that will be the only thing for upcoming weeks, but it has been the main focus for a while, and it’s close to concluding, which I’m really happy about.