In the fall of 2008, I was contacted by a man, Doug Drexler, and asked if I would be interested in submitting an image for the 2010 Star Trek: Ships of the Line calendar. He had seen a couple of my Star Trek images online and thus expressed interest. At first I was skeptical, but after I researched a little, I realized the opportunity was legit! This guy was Doug Drexler, a man who has been creating or contributing to Star Trek productions and publications since the 1970s!
The Ships of the Line calendar has had a place on my wall since I was a teenager. Every year I would look forward to a new and dazzling array of eye-candy that would light the fuse of my imagination. And to get a chance to create an image for that very calendar! Boy, what an honor and a thrill!
As I began to think about my image, I immediately knew my subject vessel. My all-time favorite Star Trek ship is the USS Defiant, and she’d been under-represented in the recent calendar years. So I envisioned the Defiant doing what she does best…kickin’ some butt!
Working with 3D models by some awesome artists (Skye Dodds, Flat Eric, Rick Snider, Ebolii), I set out to depict a skirmish on the front lines of the Dominion War. And with Doug’s words of encouragement – “knock ‘em dead” – I was off and running.
I started with a rough layout to get a feel for the composition, then a quick render with rough effects and lighting for approval of the image. Doug had some suggestions, which I gladly took to heart!
Then the fun part began; lighting, effects, and lots of refining! The image was created with a mix of Lightwave 3D and Photoshop.
Buy your very own copy of the calendar here!
