Pleased To Meet You, Nehta

As you may have seen from last week’s Inside SCEE blog post, I’ve been getting to know some of my colleagues from different departments. It seemed like a good time to also get to know our loyal community through more than the comments so allow me to introduce ‘Pleased to Meet You’, where I interview PlayStation fans that have done something particularly cool.

Nehta first came to my attention when a colleague sent a link to her website featuring art inspired by PlayStation characters. She has asked me to point out that the site is currently on hold as she rebuilds it but you can check her blog which features some excellent comic strips, si tu parles français.

How long have you been practising art?

I started very young actually. A few years ago I discovered some drawings that I did when I was five, and I must admit that I really like them. One of my favourites is a drawing of a kind of rocket illustrated with a “BOOM” which could refer, in a premonitory way, to Crash Team Racing.

What do you see in the world that inspires you to create something from nothing?

The concept of motion and how to create it with lines. That’s why I’ve been interested in car design for a long time.

I’m very sensitive to feelings too, like anger, sadness, peace, happiness… and I really like to express these feelings in my characters’ eyes.

What is it particularly about games that inspires you?

I like imagination in a video game and the different dimensions that it offers. Clothes, colours and eyes are very important for me. For example, even if God of War is extremely violent, it really inspires me, but it’s not the only one; I could mention Final Fantasy and Uncharted too.

You’re work is very varied, with sketches, sculptures, cartoons and more. Is there a style or medium that you particularly love?

I really like the style and sense of motion in some American comics. I particularly enjoy Michael Turner’s Lara Croft drawings and I’ve copied them before developing my own style.

Video game sketches are also very interesting because, even when they are not finishes, they can already give you clues about the clothes, the time, the technology or even the psychology.

I’m really impressed by landscape representations: the person who is watching can imagine a lot of things such as temperature, wind… I should practice more on this specific topic, actually!

You seem to like drawing characters and I LOVE your ModNation Ezio! What makes a really strong game character?

Strong characters are created by past experiences.

The story of the hero can be sad or happy and each action has to match with the objectives fixed by this. That’s why I’m not a huge fan of secondary quests in games in general…

Have you ever thought of designing your own game characters?

Oh yes!

Where would you like to take your art? Do you pursue it for a career or just for pleasure?

That would be my dream! If I ever get the opportunity to do it, I will not hesitate, and would be even better in the videogame industry. Even if I don’t have any degrees related to video games, I’m very motivated. For the moment I’m just drawing for the pleasure, but it helps me to improve to be a professional later.

How does it feel sharing your work with the wider gaming community?

Sometimes I feel a little afraid, but I’m happy to offer my creations to a large audience. I really think that I’m still learning and I’m sure that there are a lot of other community members who can give me tips.

What makes you most happy?

The feeling that I’m improving from one drawing to another.