Je suis DrPixel, je suis ce que j'appelle un Poxel Artist car je fais du Pixel et du Voxel.
Avouez que c'est bien trouvé !

I am DrPixel, I am what I call a Poxel Artist because I do Pixel and Voxel.
Admit that it is well found!

How did you find MagicaVoxel?

Quite by chance, I was inspired to try pixel art after playing the game 198X, a love letter to childhood games (because I'm 37), which takes us through a blessed era of video games. I had a furious desire to get into pixel art. I've been an illustrator off and on, meaning there were gaps in my life between when I would practice and when I wouldn't, but the limitations of pixel art made it easier to get started and keep working.
I don't believe that I'm super talented, but I am diligent!
I hadn't been working with 3D for very long, so I watched videos and tutorials by creators often.
Finally, I came across a video of a guy making 3D art with little cubes and fell in love because it was - for me - the link with pixel art.

Were you into graphics and CG before finding MagicaVoxel?

Yes. I went to school in Paris, ESAM (school of modern arts), then to Montpellier where I did three years in an excellent school called ArtFX.
She won several prizes in Los Angeles it seems to me, but I have nothing to do with it - after my three years I returned to Paris and worked at McDonalds, Game, Zara, and finished as a waiter in a Japanese restaurant. Go figure...
I think I suffered a lack of interest during my years of study, but I have kept friends who are in prestigious video game companies.
That said, one thing has never left me: Photoshop.
I learned on my own, very young, and for a rather shameful reason.
Should I tell you? Well okay...
It was to undress one of the heroines of Battlechaser. (When you're a kid, you're a bit stupid - haha!)

When did you become a digital artist and what sort of work did you do?

I don't necessarily call myself an artist, but I started more seriously when I came back to Montpellier (in the south of France) one year ago.
The problem is that I get tired quickly and lack personal confidence.
The Impostor Syndrome.
Suddenly, I was rarely finishing what I started because I didn't believe in it. However, at the moment the statistics of my social networks are climbing very quickly and that motivates me. It probably won't prevent me from stopping everything at some point, but I've got a good dynamic now. .
So, as to what I've done in the past: compositions with Photoshop that have aged very badly to be honest, drawing, photography, 3D, pixel art and voxel art, but nothing that really led to any big opportunities. I don't know how to sell myself and the paperwork bothers me.

What sort of projects inspired you to make the kind of designs we've seen you post?

I sincerely think the answer is obvious, MadMaraca, I think her work is incredible.
I first found her designs early in my 3D efforts and asked myself, “Can we really do this kind of stuff? How is it possible?".
It just knocked me out. I could also cite Christophe Tritz or Lucas Rgznsk, John Kearney and Hifoo for example.
I still see some voxel works and wonder if it really was only made with MagicaVoxel alone!

Have you done any professional design work for a company or studio?

I want to say "never", but that's not entirely true. I made something for a YouTube videographer that I adore by the name of Arthur Meurant, a video game critic from Belgium. He has a very recognizable style and is super pleasant.
Apart from that and some emotes, Twitch notifications for a friend, nothing at all.
As I said earlier, I don't know how to sell myself and lacked the confidence to really advertise any services.
Once I actually get an order or commission, I find myself with a blank page and uncontrollable pressure... So that makes things quite complicated!

When and how did you find the MVC?

I think it was LouBagel, if I remember correctly, who gave me a link for a Discord server that led me there and to another that I'm still a part of today. I'm loving it because it's very motivational to see many artists of all skill levels help and teach each other; it's truly pleasant. I enjoy helping people knowing that good advice is very important when starting anything new, so I help those who need it and thank them for trusting me.
I'm willing to help folks with advice I may have, but certainly don't claim to be a MagicaVoxel master!

How did you learn to use MagicaVoxel?

In several ways. At first, a bit like everyone else I think, thanks to YouTube.
Later, I was led to Discord, which helped me a lot; many kind people with great advice.
Then I learned new techniques and produced a lot of tutorials for shaders to simplify research for people on Discord (pre-MVC).
Hifoo was a great help, I learned to use patterns with his voxel kitbashing packs, which are incredible.
I see that I still have a lot to learn when seeing the progress of other great artists!

What sort of movies, shows, and games do you like? Are they influences on your art?

I love all kinds of movies and games, from Lord of the Rings to Dexter and so on.
For games, it's the same. I like big AAA's and indies, but prefer single-player games because I lack strong nerves lose patience very quickly.
(Sea of ​​Thieves, I LOVE YOU AND I HATE YOU!!)
After all, we're all influenced by movies and games these days - even if we don't admit it!

Do you have any advice for aspiring voxel artists?

I would simply say it's necessary to understand that everyone starts equally.
What makes the difference between those who do amazing things and those who don't?
There are those give it their all and those who just give up.
You must not give up, even when it seems like you'll never reach the level of those you admire!
I see some art that's so impressive I get a headache considering how it was done... but if I stop today, how could I reach their level?
That is the key.

What are your plans for the future? Are you where you want to be or do you have a highly ambitious life goal?

Ideally, I would like to be able to make a living from my creations and am working on that right now, be they physical or digital.
I know NFTs are a little annoying right now because it's so ubiquitous, but that level of success (ideally) is what I covet, but we have to be honest;
we are still drowned in a torrent of really awful creations and just because you think you're doing a good job doesn't mean it will work.
I'm pretty sure it won't work for me, that's why I'm also turning to something physical like impressions and things like that.
But, to be honest, I don't know where to start or even where I'm really going.
... BUT, we have to stay optimistic, right?!