News
* 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 animation Has been updated. It's HD (720p) and 8.1MB 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
As a South-African animator living and working in the UK, I see a country that thrives on individualism and creativity, and does it in a way not found anywhere else in the world. I've chosen to stay here because it is here that you can really be creative and make a name for yourself even without a huge budget. The UK wedges itself nicely between the sometimes over-produced glamour of the US and the independent, sometimes experimental leanings of the European industry. It's a middle ground I feel most comfortable in.
I have worked as a 3D artist since before I graduated in 2006, doing freelancing for several companies including: 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 2008 - pdf
Contacting me
I live in Reading, so I am available for jobs in London as well as anywhere roughly within an hour-and-a-half drive from Reading itself. To get in contact with me for work, or if you have questions about my work or just want to challenge me to a friendly game of Unreal Tournament III, then just email me.