Minevi is a digital artist that has a knack for creating and portraying characters in a variety of themes, from edgy to soft, and even in a pop inspired background. Taking a look through Minevi’s DeviantART gallery will inspire any aspiring artist to pick up a tablet and figure out how Minevi has been able to get such smooth looking pictures with so much detail. Make sure to look closely at a lot of Minevi’s works and you can see the intricate shades of a dress’ ruffles or the light hitting each strand of a character’s hair. It is absolutely a joy to look at each piece.

ToonariPost (TP): How and when did you first start practicing your art (are you traditionally trained or self-taught)?

Minevi (M): I don’t remember a starting point for drawing- I’ve always enjoyed doodling even as a kid! I didn’t really try to put effort into finished pieces until I was around 16 though, which was around the time I got my tablet. At the moment I’m still mostly self-taught, but hopefully will be able to take more art courses in the future.

TP:What mediums do you use for your art work?  Which is your favorite and why?

M: Most of my drawings are done entirely on the computer, but I like to go back to pencil and paper when trying to sketch up ideas. To be honest I don’t really have much experience with mediums other than digital, so at the moment it’s the only one I can call my favorite.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why?

M: My favorite piece would probably be “Cardboard City”. While there are improvements I feel I can make to this drawing now, at the time of its completion I really felt like I had done everything I could on it. The amount of satisfaction from putting your all into something and seeing it turn out well is immense!

TP: When you first started, did you ever hit any bumps in your art process? How did you overcome them?

M: Definitely! I’m constantly running into things I’ve never drawn before or have no idea how to draw. During times like these, I try to look up references to study from, whether on the internet or in real life. If possible, I also try to study how different artists interpret the subject I want to draw in their own drawings. Afterwards, I’ll spend some time trying to draw/sketch what I’ve studied repeatedly until I think I’ve gotten it right.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

M: There are too many to list! Cellar-FCP, Miwa Shirow, and Kishida Mel are among some of the many artists I admire. Idol-Artists aside, I also find great inspiration among artists on DeviantArt and pixiv, especially those whom I have been following over long spans of time- as you watch their improvement as an artist, you get to see them figure things out and fine tune their style, and from seeing that, you sometimes realize things about your own drawings as well!

TP: What artists would you consider working with to do a piece? Why, and what type of work do you think would come from this partnership?

M: I can’t really list anyone specific, but if I were to ever work with another artist on a piece, I see myself most likely working with someone I’m already familiar with. It’s hard to predict what would come of this kind of partnership though! I think not knowing what to expect is part of what makes collaborations between artists interesting.

TP: If there was any art medium that you wish you could master, what would it be and why?

M: I’d like to become good at oil painting- I really like the textures that oil paints can produce; it’s one of the many things that digital works can’t emulate. Looking at a painting on a flat screen isn’t quite the same as having an actual one in front of you in person!

TP: What are your goals in life?  Do you plan to continue art as a hobby, or make it a career?

M: While I’m not currently studying fine arts, I hope to continue working on drawing on the side so that maybe someday I’ll be able to turn it into a career. I really love creating and drawing new characters, so my dream job would probably be some type of character designer. It’s a long shot, but if you never try, you’ll never succeed!

TP: Do you feel that your culture has influenced you in some way that makes you different than other artists?

M: I think it has! I spent my childhood in Hong Kong, and comics and manga are a very prominent part of the culture there. There is a lot of content brought over from Japan, in particular, when it comes to entertainment, and it’s hard to grow up as a kid without being influenced by anime and manga. Growing up as such, I feel that my drawings are slightly more influenced by styles of East Asian comic artists compared to those of some of my friends.

TP: Can you tell me more about your background?  What experiences brought you to be the person you are today?

M: There aren’t really any defining experiences I can think of off the top of my head, but personality-wise, I’ve always enjoyed figuring out how things worked. I guess this sort of translated into my attitude towards drawing!

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About the author

Kala Istvanek
Presently, I am attending Carthage College in Kenosha, U.S.A. I will be graduating with a degree in Asian Studies, with a minor in English and Studio Art. I have been a bookworm ever since I could read and I can never turn down a book. Art is also one of my loves and discovering new artists is always a thrill for me.

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