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Let's face it, sex sells. Having worked on CGTalk and EXPOSE', we've seen that the most popular character work being produced has nothing to do with monsters, or robots, nope - it's digital women. What is it that drives artists to depict the voluptuous female form? Why bother creating a computer-generated chick, rather than go out and getting the real deal? CG Chicks? What's up with that?
We interviewed three digital artists who are well known for their works on the female form - Steven Stahlberg, Rob "Lunatique" Chang and Linda "Enayla" Bergkvist.
Steven Stahlberg
Stahlberg is possibly the most prolific digital artist whose subject matter involves CG women. In fact, his company's latest gig involved creating the digital beauties for the promotional material of the Need for Speed Underground game by Electronic Arts. Steven's work has been featured by many magazines, books and websites and consists of both 2D (digital illustrations) and 3D renders. Stahlberg currently resides in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
CGN: What is it about the female form that attracts artists?
Stahlberg: I guess most people would agree it's a sexual thing -- not surprising, humans being the most 'sexual' of all God's creatures. The details seem to be somewhat culturally biased - for instance, Americans often prefer bigger breasts, while Brazilians prefer bigger butts - well whatever cranks your engine. In this case I guess I'm more with the Brazilians... :)
CGN: Why do you, as an artist, prefer to depict females in your work?
Stahlberg: Well I'm obviously attracted to the subject. Some who complain about artists choosing it just don't get exactly how attractive it is.
CGN: Do you feel that CG imagery of voluptuous women is degrading to the gender? From your experience, how have females reacted to your artwork?
Stahlberg: I don't think a woman - or man - with exaggerated sexual traits is degrading to anyone. But then I'm from Sweden and that part of the world is well known for having a very different view of sex than say for instance the USA. But come on - is it degrading to flowers everywhere to paint a rose redder than a real one?
How they react, it all depends. I've known women artists who love to depict women just as sensualized and idealized as I do, perhaps even more so. I know other women who love to look at it. Then others, who just don't care, find it boring or maybe just a tiny bit silly, shrug and move on. A few are uncomfortable with it. Then I've met some from the 'opposite camp', getting all worked up; to tell the truth that bugs me. They seem to be perfectly fine with Michaelangelo's David. (He also depicted what he found beautiful, desirable, sexually attractive, in an idealised way.) Is that degrading to men? Please. I just wish I looked like David.
CGN: When you go about creating your imagery focused on the female form, what inspires you, and what are you trying to evoke or express?
Stahlberg: I'm usually simply trying to distil or capture what is beautiful to me. Other times I also try to evoke some other emotion, it depends on the image.
CGN: Where do you get references for your females?
Stahlberg: The internet..? :) Seriously, it's the cheapest, quickest and best way.
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