This week I had the opportunity to pick the brain of a very talented 3D artist named Timothy Adry Emmanuel, also known as Adry 53 Customs. I am sure you have seen some of his work at some point floating around the internet. The work he does brings every crazy possible combination of parts and car together to create automotive masterpieces. If you have ever wondered what a 6x6 hummer would look like, he has you covered. If you have ever wondered what a Cadillac would look like in Baja trim, he has you covered. Whatever type, or style of car you are into, he has probably done a piece of art with it. If you would like to check out his work, his social media, or any other people featured in the article, they are linked throughout the article and at the very end. After reading, leave a comment on what design is your favorite, and one thing you learned. Don’t forget to comment, like, and share with a friend. Also, it just happens to be Adry’s big day today so don’t forget to give him a congrats!

1.) I saw on your profile that you have been doing 3D art since 2011. Who or what got you into doing 3D art, and more specifically automotive visualizations?

My Uncle taught me how to use 3D software in 2009, at the time I was very much a beginner. As the years passed, I decided to join Automo.com in 2011. The website is a virtual tuning community, which is mainly focused on modding cars using computer editing software.

2.) Is there a minimum "system/setup" requirement you suggest people have for 3D art? Adding to that, what is your current system/setup?

I don’t know exactly what the minimum requirements for 3D rendering is. However, I use an Asus ROG GL553VD. It is just a pretty low-end gaming laptop that has 8gb ram, core i7, and a Nvidia GTX 1050.

3.) What software do you use for your work? And what software would you recommend to a beginner to use?

My uncle taught me to use 3ds max, but I recommend people use Blender instead because it’s free.

4.) What is the best way to learn the skills and techniques needed for this type of art? YouTube, school, blogs, etc.

YouTube is the best source to learn. You can start from basic modelling, to texturing, to lightning, and so on.

Now that is how to texture and light a car!

5.) What is your design/work process going from your initial idea to the released visual?

First it is just an idea, then I sketch it onto a piece of paper or sometimes I do it in photoshop. Then I start looking for a 3D car model then I start to add bits and customize the parts the way I like. Once all that is done all that’s left is rendering the image.

Trust the process

6.) Where do you pull inspiration for your art?

I get inspiration from many things such as other artists, hot wheels, concept cars, car history, car videos, and so on.

7.) Along the lines of the question before, I noticed a lot of your work is based on older American cars. Being from Indonesia, what drew your attention to older American cars?

I grew up playing with Hot wheels and watching the Hot wheels movies. Hot-rods and muscle cars with big engines and lots of chrome have always caught my attention the most. Videos games like Test Drive 5, Driver 2, and GTA San Andreas have also immersed me in American cars. Unfortunately, seeing an American muscle car in Indonesia is the equivalent of 1:100000000. Just to hear a good American v8 rumbling on the street is probably a once in a lifetime moment and that’s an experience I will never forget.

8.) What is your favorite piece of artwork you have done, versus the one that maybe has gotten the most attention?

My favorite piece I have done for now is my Glory Challenger 1000 Concept and Glory Prototype. They are probably the ones where I spent the most attention on the details. And then the one that got the most attention is my Widebody 150 57’ Chevy. Classic Culture shared it and it reached almost 300k likes, it is just mind boggling.

9.) What is one thing you wish you knew from the start that you know now about designing and 3D art?

The thing I wish I knew from the start about designing and 3D art is that people are willing to pay for your design work, and many people outside Indonesia will appreciate that kind of work.

10.) What is one common miscommunication about automotive visualizations? Maybe it is harder than it looks, easier than it looks, the amount of time required, etc.

It is definitely harder than it looks, it may seem easy once you got the hang of it. But when you first start, sometimes the result will not match with your desired goal. You just need a lot of practice, consistent learning, and getting used to the software and tools.

11.) I know for myself I always have a podcast or some type of music going while editing my photography. Do you have any music, show or anything else on while you work? If so, what is your current go to or favorite?

I usually listen to game soundtracks, or I will immerse myself in the theme that I am going for. Which usually consists of watching car shows, reading the history of muscle cars, or videos just about travelling across US or even gospel music.

12.) If someone wants to get into automotive visualizations, is there a certain skill or aspect you would tell them to focus on at the start?

Get used to designing cars with perspective first. Start from a clean sheet of paper and understand how car lines work. When you get excited about drawing cars, you will enjoy the process of making them in a 3D software.

13.) What has been your favorite aspect of being in the 3D art and automotive visualization community?

Throwing out crazy ideas and getting feedback from the community.

14.) Any cool, interesting, or even sad stories from your journey in this community?

There is an interesting story so back in 2011 when I first joined autemo.com people like Yasid Design, Jonsibal, Jakusa, Glacious Design, Typerulez, were all already on top of the game. They were all like top artists and I was just a complete beginner at that point. I was thinking there is no way for me to compete with them with my skill. My work was still miles behind theirs. As I consistently kept learning and sharpening my skills over the years, I slowly began leveling up my work. Then on July 2nd, 2020, I was finally able to collaborate with one of them, Typerulez. It is the craziest moment I have ever had in my life.

15.) What is your favorite step of the design process? Body kit, combining two styles of cars, colors, etc.

The widebody body kit is definitely my favorite part on all of them. Aside from that I like making blowers on a V8.

16.) What are some of the things you like or don’t like about the 3D art and automotive visualization world?

I like every bit of the process; I don’t even know what I don’t like about 3D art and automotive visualization world haha.

17.) If you could bring one of your designs to life, which one would it be? If someone has already brought one of your designs to life what was it?

Obviously, the Glory Challenger 1000, it’s my top goal to make it real. And to the second part of the question, yes, someone is already on their way on making their car based on my render, shout out to Cavan Cameron with his trans am, and Clint Tannehil with his Buick riviera.

18.) How would you recommend other artists get their work out there and bring new clients in?

Just keep making artwork and people will come and ask.

19.) If someone wanted to get a render done from you, how should they contact you? What would that process look like?

You can send me a DM or email if you’re interested. I will then of course send you my rate card and you can pick which package suits your needs best. I will then send you every step of progress from when the work starts as a sketch to the high-resolution final renderings.

20.) Is it possible to make 3D art and automotive visualizations a full-time job?

I believe it’s possible, if there’s a market for it, it can be done.

21.) I see you have done a lot of time-lapse videos of your work on your YouTube channel. Do you have any plans of doing more in-depth tutorials and how to's?

I will probably make one video that will have an in-depth explanation on how I usually do my work. I just am not sure when I will be able to film and upload it.

22.) Do you have any other hobbies or passions outside of 3D art?

Outside of making cars, I also design characters and make stories for future animation.

23.) I wouldn't be allowed to be a car based website without asking what you drive, or just what are some of your favorite cars?

Honestly, I didn’t even have cars haha, where I live doesn't allow me to have a car. I live in a very tight space where a car wouldn’t fit in. so, big bummer indeed. I do have a favorite car, but it’s outright unobtainable, so I’ll just go with my dream car, it’s a Dodge Challenger 392 Scatpack widebody.

24.) I’m sure some of the readers would be interested to hear what the car community is like in Indonesia. Can you describe it?

It’s not interesting to me in the least. Indonesia is littered with cheap MPVs, Japanese 3–4-cylinder underpowered front wheel drive family cars, 7-seater cars with 4 lugs wheels. And brand-new cars with 14-inch wheels and 145 tires, that don’t even have any LCD screens. Even crazier that we Indonesians can’t afford those cheap cars, so Indonesian roads are full of bikes and scooters so there’s more of a bike community here instead of cars. The unique thing is, there’s a community of car enthusiasts that like JDM or Euro cars, but they cost twice as much as you could find in the US market. The people in the community who own these cars usually live in a mansion.

25.) My final question is what do you have envisioned for yourself and your work in the next few years?

I am looking forward to working with brands or group, preferably US products, and make my 3D work my main career.

Some eye candy to end on, enjoy!

Thank you for reading! And a huge thank you Adry for taking the time to talk to me, it is truly appreciated. Enjoy your big day!

Link Dump

Follow Adry On

Instagram: @adry53customs

Facebook: Adry53 Customs

YouTube: Adry53

Twitter: Adry_53

Artstation: Adry53

DeviantArt: Adry53

Other Individuals Mentioned in the Article

Instagram: Yasid Design

Instagram: Jonsibal

Instagram: Jakusa

Facebook: Glacious Design

Instagram: Typerulez

Instagram: Cavan Cameron

Instagram: Classic Culture

Links to software mentioned

3ds Max: 3ds Max Website

Blender: Blender Website

Links to items mentioned in the Article:

Asus ROG: Asus Store

Test Drive: Test Drive PS2

Driver 2: Driver 2 Playstation

GTA San Andreas: GTA San Andreas Xbox 360

Hot Wheels: Hot Wheels Store

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.