Daniele, what was the inspiration behind this piece?

If I were to sum it up: human relationships. I love progress, technology and everything it has afforded us, but ultimately I can't deny that it makes me a little scared for the future. I think that eventually machines will rule mankind; there's no doubt that we're already losing control of ourselves. Only a few people will still be autonomous or saved in this scenario. I mean, this could be within 20-30 years.

I'll admit it is a bit pessimistic and somewhat Masonic vision, but I think we should do something about it by restoring human relationships. In my mind, Cyberpunk kit is a futuristic vision where progress and ruin can coexist in a bizarrely charming way that I love. 

Please take us through a step by step as to how you completed this piece from the ideation phase to the final render.

Here are the first steps, from a hand-drawn draft to the final render. I came across some obstacles while I was deciding about global illumination, there was always an area in too much shade, but ultimately I had a clear idea of what I wanted to achieve and how to achieve it.

Once my scene is set up in 3D I begin to experiment with camera angles and lighting.

I used Cinema4D R19 with Octane as my render engine. I have one GTX 1080 TI, but killed it, maybe a little bit slow on rendering but the final results are amazing.

I spent most of my time in post-production using Photoshop with the help of the Alien Skin plugin.

How long have you been an artist? What is your “origin story”? 

As a child I liked to design cars with my father, he taught me how to draw and he directed me into the art world.

When I was 18, I started to work as a graphic designer for bands and musicians, mainly focusing on the artwork for album covers. I loved Myspace, and cool first-to-market social networks like that. Then I started to study web design and 3d design. I have been doing this job for 12 years, and I love it every day.

And finally, what does art mean to you in both a personal context and the larger societal context.

Art means knowing what you are doing and you need to know how to recognize it. It’s freedom. There are many artists who don’t have the right spotlight in companies, but I think that by studying hard you can get your own results that you can decide on how to measure. 

Daniele Gasparini is an Italian freelance artist who loves art, graphism, and the web. He created The Skie Graphic Studio project in Rome in 2007. Graduated in graphic design from a school in Rome, he is currently working as a webmaster and graphic designer in Adobe Authorized Training Center (AATC). His influences are large: video games, films, art, books, 90’s and also apocalyptic and retro vibes.

Daniele recently placed 3rd in the concept art category of our most recent Cyberpunk #KB3DCONTEST.

Skie Graphics Studio's Website.

Daniele Gasparini: Instagram