About Me
My name is Emilio Dean Lopez,
I am a 3D artist with a comprehensive background spanning traditional art, digital media, and technology.
My passion for creating art is deep-rooted and has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. A milestone in my artistic journey was at the age of 15 when my grandfather and I constructed an intricate Christmas display featuring animatronic penguins, each busily involved in various activities set within a wintry landscape. Living on Christmas Tree Lane, I was determined to have the best-decorated house on the block.
One frosty December night, families strolled along our street, sipping hot chocolate and marveling at each beautifully lit home. When they came to ours, they'd pause, drawing closer to admire the detail and craftsmanship of our display. I blended into the crowd that night, anonymously absorbing their reactions. The sheer joy and surprise they expressed was life-altering for me - it proved I could create art that was impactful, art that told a story.
I furthered my artistic journey at San Jose State University, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Media. Over the years, I have honed my skills in creative software such as Blender, Substance, and Premiere while eagerly exploring new programs like Unreal Engine and Nuke. To further refine my expertise, I actively seek critical feedback and regularly participate in 3D render challenges.
In addition to my artistic background, I have professional experience working at Apple as a Genius, where I had the opportunity to engage in Early Failure Field Analysis and a Product Design Validation role. My hands-on experience in fabrication and prototyping has made me proficient in using various tools such as laser cutters, soldering irons, 3D printers, and more.
In my leisure time, I am an avid builder of mechanical keyboards and Legos - hobbies that, while undeniably costly, brings me immense joy. I unwind by immersing myself in the vibrant world of comic books, video games, or watching movies alongside my cherished girlfriend and dog. To keep in touch with friends residing afar, I take to the online world and play games like Fortnite and The Forest. To balance my sedentary hobbies, I ensure to stay active, making regular trips to the gym and occasionally testing my precision and patience on the golf course.
More than anything, I am a fan. A fan of movies, video games, music, philosophy, design, and great art. Nothing would bring me more joy than to reciprocate the rewarding emotional experiences other creators have bestowed upon me. I am eager to apply my skills, knowledge, and unique perspective to the 3D computer graphics industry, and continue to tell stories that resonate.
1979 Corvette
Original model and environment rendered in a series of photographs assembled as a gift to my Grandfather
Idea
My Grandpa’s black 1979 Corvette, affectionately named Evette, was the allure for a significant part of my childhood - I always wanted one of my own. My grandfather's unwavering support for my creative aspirations was instrumental in my growth, and this project is a tribute to him and our shared passion.
Challenges
While sourcing blueprints and references was relatively straightforward, balancing intricate details with optimal performance posed a significant challenge. I aimed to model both the exterior and interior of the car for a diverse range of shots. To achieve this, I created multiple texture resolutions, baked high-poly sculpts to normal maps, and employed camera culling for environmental optimization. The task felt like a constant tug of war between my computer's capabilities and desired visual quality.
Another hurdle was sourcing high-resolution graphics for components like the dashboard and gauge cluster. In the absence of available materials, I created all the necessary decals, text, and imprints in Photoshop.
Process
Looking Back
I am thrilled with the level of photorealism I was able to attain in this project. Even the aftermarket cassette player reflects the one my grandfather installed in his vehicle. If you look closely, you'll also discover my name and initials subtly tucked away throughout the car. This project was an invaluable exercise in hard surface modeling. In future projects, I aim to find an even better balance in my high-to-low poly workflow, particularly to preserve smooth edges more effectively.
War of the Worlds
Five second clip made in a month for a 3D render challenge, Endless Engines, hosted by Clinton Jones AKA @Pwnisher
Idea
Endless Engines was the sixth prompt in a series of 3D Render challenges hosted by Clinton Jones. The moment I saw the template file for Endless Engines, a particular idea came to mind almost instantly. As a longtime admirer of Steven Spielberg's work and a native of Southern California, Universal Studios had a significant influence on my childhood. One of the highlights of Universal Studios Hollywood is a tram ride that navigates through a set from the film, War of the Worlds. I revisited the movie and pinpointed a scene that I believed would seamlessly integrate with my submission, making it appear like a genuine clip from the film.
Challenges
Recognizing that the explosion would be a focal point, I started there. Using an add-on for Blender called RBD-Lab, I was able to simulate destruction on both the bridge and houses by fragmenting them. The first hurdle was making the simulation work - it was a struggle for both me and my computer.
Behind the Scenes
Looking Back
Striving for a high-quality submission was critical to me, rather than mirroring the movie. The majority of my time was invested in developing the scene with elements such as the explosion itself and the environment being affected around it. Although I would have liked more time to focus on character animation, I am happy with the outcome.
The car was meticulously detailed with efficient topology, and I successfully created a versatile modular system for the buildings. The animation effectively conveyed the car's weight and speed, and the reaction of the scene to the explosion was convincingly portrayed.
Karate Kid Fan
Five second clip made in a month for a 3D render challenge, Moving Meditations, hosted by Clinton Jones AKA @Pwnisher
Idea
While Tai Chi and Karate are distinctly different martial arts, I couldn’t help but be inspired by the show Cobra Kai, which I was binge-watching at the time of the challenge announcement. I envisioned a late '90s teenager who was a massive fan of the classic film, The Karate Kid.
Since the film's release in 1984, this hypothetical teen had been training relentlessly, aspiring to become a champion. Even a rainy day couldn't stop his indoor training. The story, although simple, resonates with the concept of embracing fandom to such an extent that it manifests as a personal pursuit. Maybe one day, I'll join a dojo, too.
Challenges
The challenge template file featured a Mixamo character rig with a preset animation. Unfortunately, applying the rig directly to my character caused unexpected movements and distortions. Even with the demo model the feet were not planted, it was pure mo-cap data.
To resolve this issue I used Rigify to re-target and hand animate the character myself. Another animation challenge was the ball suspended from a string tied to a ceiling fan's pull chain, which simulated a double pendulum.
Although I would have preferred more time for additional simulations, I ultimately reached a happy place that didn’t end in the tennis ball hitting his face.
Process
Looking Back
I am pleased with the final composition, particularly my animation of the character and the significant improvement in the double pendulum simulation. I filled the scene with nostalgic details, such as '90s board games I played as a child, Daniel Larusso’s bike from the movie near the staircase, and a classic city rug on the floor. The bed platform and the cozy desk create a sort of dream room, equally appealing in the '90s and today.
Since finishing this challenge, I now allocate more time for optimization and rendering, as I felt that the render quality in this project had to be compromised to meet the deadline.
Ah Puch
Five second clip made in a month for a 3D render challenge, Boss Fight, hosted by Clinton Jones AKA @Pwnisher
Idea
Intrigued by the rich tapestry of Mayan mythology and its diverse pantheon of death deities, I embarked on a creative journey centered around Ah Puch, the god of death and earthquakes according to the oral traditions of the Lacandon people. In my interpretation of Ah Puch, I endowed him with blood-red skin, a face only his mother can love, and a commanding presence that loomed ominously over the brave warrior who dared to confront him.
My Mayan warrior draws inspiration from the legendary Hero Twins, renowned for their triumphant conquest over the lords of Xibalba, including Ah Puch. The warrior is covered in a vibrant blue paint reminiscent of the ceremonial attire worn by human sacrifices and a symbol of the Hero Twins' cunning strategy to outwit the lords of Xibalba. The warrior emerges as a symbol of defiance.
In his hands, the warrior wields the infamous Macuahuitl, a weapon steeped in Mayan lore and history. My composition captures the dramatic moment when Ah Puch emerges from the Underworld, while the valiant warrior stands atop a sacrificial altar, poised and ready to challenge his own mortality. This 5-second clip encapsulates the essence of Mayan mythology, weaving together elements of fear, courage, and ancient legends.
Challenges
While many of my previous projects have involved working with existing intellectual properties, this particular endeavor allowed me to infuse my unique artistic vision into a mythology that has always fascinated me. Transforming ancient legends into stunning CGI representations. The initial stages of design and research proved to be more time-consuming than I had initially anticipated, along with the challenge of trying to remain respectful and true to source material.
Crafting the 'boss' character, Ah Puch, as my distinct creation was a labor-intensive process that spanned an entire week dedicated to sculpting, followed by another week for painting, accessorizing, and animating. In an effort to meet project deadlines, I opted to utilize a base mesh for the warrior character, customized by re-texturing it in Substance Painter. I meticulously crafted the clothing, hair, and weaponry from scratch to ensure they seamlessly blended with the overall aesthetic.
To further enhance the project's quality, I embraced a new animation program called Cascadeur, allowing me to achieve natural character movements that could be fine-tuned in Blender.
Process
Looking Back
In hindsight, there are several aspects of this project that I would approach differently if given the chance to restart. While I successfully realized the visual art style I envisioned, I recognize that the storytelling aspect driven by animation could have been more robust.
Upon reflection, it becomes evident that the composition I created could potentially serve the same purpose as a still image. The 5-second clip, while generating anticipation, lacks a satisfying payoff. Although I maintained the concept of the monster emerging from a sacred entrance of the Underworld, the portrayal of this setting feels somewhat shallow, leading to a lack of depth within the composition.
Nonetheless, certain elements of the project did shine brightly. The stark contrast between the Warrior and Ah Puch, the intricate detailing in the altars and clothing, and the palpable sense of impending doom all emerged as strong points. However, I acknowledge that crafting a narrative-driven animation remains a challenge for me, and I eagerly anticipate addressing this area of growth in my next project.
Peter's NYC Apartment
Work in progress of Peter Parker's NYC apartment featured in Spiderman 2 and 3
Progress
Whats Next?
I completed this much of the apartment as a submission for a weekly challenge. Next I plan to add Spiderman himself, along with more custom assets that contribute to the story. So far everything in ther first progress photo is original except for the milk carton, all the other assets came from Blender-Kit. I will include many more angles and an animation when the project is complete in the near future.
Disneyland Main St. USA
Inspired by Disneyland
LOPEZ
3D MODELING
SCULPTING
TEXTURE PAINTING
ANIMATION
COMPOSITION & LIGHTING
DESIGN
My goal is to collaborate in environments where versatility in 3D artistry is valued and applied to a wide range of media.
I’m looking for freelance opportunities, internships or a position at a studio.
