Daz Artist Interview Series: ForbiddenWhispers

Whether you’re new to Daz or have been with us for a while, you’ve most likely seen the incredible products Published Artist ForbiddenWhispers creates. They’ve been with us long enough to evolve with each figure generation and offer hundreds of quality products along the way. 

Need to jog your memory? Check out their artist store!

Ready now? Here’s a fun glimpse into the life and artistic process of ForbiddenWhispers.

The Interview

Let’s start from the very beginning. How did you learn about Daz 3D?

I learnt about it through Renderosity.

And when did you become a Daz Published Artist?

I think it was around 2010.

How did you pick your artist name?

I just wanted it to sound mysterious and slightly paranormal. So I tried to think of something ambiguous, without gender, so people wouldn’t know if I was a male or female. To be somewhat of an enigma.

How did you get into design, art, and/or 3D modeling? 

Through my ex-partner. I saw his paintings on Renderosity, and he was interested in 3D modeling. He taught me the basics, and I started to pursue it as a career.

And look at where it’s brought you! Where do you get your inspiration when designing a product?

I take inspiration from everything. I find people that have a naturally artistic disposition can be inspired by even the smallest detail. I take a lot of inspiration from architecture, and I find history very interesting, especially the Medieval period. 

Lots of us, including myself, take inspiration from TV/media/films/books too.

How would you describe your style?

I’d say it’s a mix between science fiction and historical with a tiny sliver of glamour. 

We think that’s spot-on! What does your artistic process look like?

I start by sketching/listing ideas down on a notepad in the evening when I’m about to go to sleep. I keep a pad and pen near my bed in case I have any inspiring thoughts/dreams so when I wake, I can write them down. Then once I’ve done that, I’ll try to pick the thoughts apart and turn them into product ideas. 

Is there an artist or style that inspires you?

I really enjoy art deco and art nouveau, and some of the artists that inspire me are Lorenzo Sperlonga and Luis Royo. 

What’s the most difficult aspect of designing products?

Some of the process can be monotonous and repetitive, especially saving out several material options, etc… I struggle with that the most.

On the flip side, what’s the product you had the most fun creating and why?

I loved working on the dystopian look for the Retro Camper Van Apocalypse Add-On, and layering the rundown paint was extremely fun. I enjoyed it because I learnt a lot of new skills when I was texturing it that would help improve my future products.

How has your work changed over time?

I think my texture work has evolved a lot over time. I add so much more detail than I did back when I first started to texture models. I definitely embrace the “grunge” style of texturing and love to layer details on top to add more depth. 

What should we expect from you in the future?

More of the same really… mainly products for the Daz legacy figures, environments, and props. 

What’s something we might not notice or don’t know about your products?

I sometimes like to hide images within the textures of a product as a form of cheeky signature. 

Now all of us will be going through your products to see what we can find! How do you know when a product is finished?

Sometimes I have to force myself to stop, especially when doing a set that is chock full of options. I have a tendency to go overboard and want sets to be as versatile as possible, so I try to limit myself to a number of material options and stick to it. This way, I know I’m done and don’t just keep adding lots of options unnecessarily. 

What challenges have you overcome as you developed as an artist?

My main challenge was going from Poser to Daz Studio. Learning something new is always very daunting for anybody, but having the discipline to persevere with learning a new skill is very important. 

As someone who’s been making products for Daz for many years, what advice would you give to someone who wants to become a PA? 

Be patient! Being a PA isn’t some sort of “get rich quick” scheme. The work hours are long, and, like most things in life, you’re only going to get out of it what you put into it. 

I started doing this part time, whilst working a real-world job. It takes years to build up skills and a trusting customer base. Once I reached a level where I knew I could live 100% on my PA income, I went full time.

If you want to be a PA, I suggest you look at it as you would if you’re about to go into higher education and get a diploma or degree. It’s a long learning curve, so expect a lot of skill-building before you can think about making a decent amount of money. 

It is also one of those jobs, similar to a vocation. It isn’t just about churning out products to make cash. You will always be learning new things as software becomes more innovative and advanced. If you don’t keep up-to-date on the latest technology, your products will start to look dated. Always be mindful to be proactive about learning new software/technology and stay ahead of the curve. Knowledge is power.

This is really great advice and gives all of us a glimpse of the effort you’ve put into your craft. Where else can we see your artwork, products, and other work? 

You can view my Daz Gallery here. 

Now, let’s talk about your personal life. What do you like to do when you’re not making awesome products or renders?

I enjoy photography, visiting historical places, walks on the beach, and hunting for fossils. 

What advice would you give your younger self?

To have more patience and slow down. Don’t rush things — stuff will happen when it’s supposed to. 

And speaking of when you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a midwife, but then I came to the sobering realization that I’m not as fond of people as I thought I was. 

Haha! I think many of us can relate to that. What are some fun facts the Daz community would be surprised to learn about you?

I really don’t know?? 

I had open heart surgery when I was six months old. 

And I worked on the first Coca Cola NFT in partnership with Daz 3D.

Wow! What would you say is your spirit animal?

A dog.

And last of all… You can choose one superpower — what is it and why?

Instead of being able to touch stuff and it turns to gold, I’d like to touch stuff and it turns into chocolate. Because… that would be awesome.

It really would be! ForbiddenWhispers, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Thank you for your dedication over the years, and we’re excited to see what you come up with next!