News
* I have a newly updated animation Showreel on youtube.
* There is a movie now of the more refined movement of the Steam Trike.
* The trike is now on a thread in the 3D Stills gallery on CGTalk.
* Also, a movie of the trike moving.
* The first images of the series is available now, the work in progress pictures of the steam trike.
* I am working on a new short. It will tie in with my series idea and hopefully be part of a series of origin stories. I will upload some pictures as they get finished.
* My new image is just for rendering practice. It is of a pocket watch in 'macro'.
* I've put a car animation demo on YouTube. I needed to get that under my belt.
* I've entered the August 11 Second Club competition as part of my animation showreel preparations.
* I put together a couple more animations for a job I applied for. They are not the usual quicktime files. They asked for .avi's so I made a divX avi. These will probably also end up on my new showreel.
* I'm busy putting together an animation only showreel, so since Arron is mostly finished now, I'm using him to do most of the animation. The first and second animations have been updated. They're HD (720p) so please be patient.
* Arron is busy getting blend shapes. I have finally figured out how to drive several different normal maps with my blend shapes so that I can add a lot of wrinkle details that I don't have the geometry for. This was difficult.
* I've just uploaded my Rigging Reel, based on the newly rigged Arron model.
* Tio has been renamed Arron.
* Welcome to the new and improved Aserash.com website. I've made many changes, but all the bits and pieces are still here.
* I have finished the episode descriptions for my series bible. Now it's on with the concept art and 3D demos.
* I've started the first main character, Tio (Arron). He is coming along nicely.
* The Sub has also gotten a little attention, It's still far from finished, but at least it's getting there.
* Boril has stagnated for the moment. Some day when I have a spurt of motivation I'll finish him off. I still want to rig him and everything.
* My image Chrissy in 3D has been accepted into the Showcase Gallery at CGTalk! This is the first time I've been able to pull that off.
* I've just uploaded my newest Showreel. It's not much changed from last year's, it even uses the same music, but there were just a few things I had to add to it.
About Me
I am originally from South-Africa, but have been in the UK since 2003 and I have now finally gained my British citizenship.
I have worked as a 3D artist since before I graduated in 2006, doing freelancing for several companies including: Pipe Dreams 3D, Sweet CGI, Tangerine Films, Partizan Labs, Artem Digital, Zone Vision, Payne-Halt Productions and Angry Fingers, I also went back to my university to teach part-time for a while. Some of my animations have been broadcast on UK satelite TV channel Zone Horror. I'm currently working on a TV series idea (it consumes my time like I never thought could be possible). With any luck - and a bucketload of blood sweat and tears - I'll start pitching my ideas to producers within this year.
When I'm not doing something CG-related, I'm usually writing; both on the series and my fantasy novel. When that becomes impossible (usually due to being brain-dead) I enjoy PC games, Dungeons and Dragons, anime or any other highly geeky procrastination aids I can get my hands on. I also love making music, but haven't had time for that in the last few years so I'm really rusty. When I finally get out of doors, I play cricket, run or poi.
CV
CV for JD van der Merwe 2011 - pdf
Contacting me
I live in Reading, so I am available for jobs in London and teh surrounding area. I will consider any good offers for work world-wide. To get in contact with me for work, or if you have questions about my work, then just email me.