Illustrator and animator Hannah Ayoubi combines her quirky style with her passion for character design, her adorable dog, and her favorite veggies in each of her works. Take a deeper look into her world by visiting her blog and perusing her illustrations and award winning animations.

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

Hannah Ayoubi (HA): I can’t remember a time I wasn’t drawing. Ever since I could hold a crayon I was spending hours and hours in front of the TV watching cartoons and tearing through stacks of copy paper with drawings. I copied a LOT of stuff: cartoons, illustrations from books, comic books, advertisements in magazines…I also took lessons in an art school when I was a kid, which was great for learning how to handle different tools and mediums properly and learning things like proportion and value. When I was a teenager I took a class that taught Photoshop, which was REALLY valuable.

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

HA: I love the aesthetic of watercolor, it’s definitely my favorite…but I actually don’t use it that much! I think it’s just because these days I’m just too lazy to get out paints and bother with cleaning them up and stuff, so I just use Photoshop and have some brushes and techniques to make drawings look like watercolor. I wish I used real watercolor and Prismacolor pencils and markers though…nothing ever beats the real thing! Most of the time these days I sketch in moleskins with whatever black pen I have on hand. Now that I think about it, I haven’t drawn with a pencil in a long time!

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why? Which one are you most proud of why?

HA: I don’t know if it’s my favorite or not, but I really enjoyed drawing the “Chicken Farmers” I designed. I love farmers, I love families, and I love chickens!

What I’m most proud of is the animation I made at my second year at CalArts, “Vampire Gastelbrau“. It was super, super fun to make, because I was really attached and excited about the world and its characters. Everything about it was inspired by a trip I had the summer before to Romania–it was a 10 day missionary trip with my church. I absolutely fell in love with the atmosphere and the people. Gabi (the little girl) is inspired by a real little girl I met there with that cute haircut.

And Gerta (the grandma) was inspired by the MILLIONS of adorable old babushka women that were everywhere you went. I wanted to feature a vampire because Dracula is from Romania, and my mom came up with the name “Gastelbrau” (she was talking about our last name, Ayoubi: “I don’t understand why people can’t pronounce it! It’s not like….uh….Gastelbrau or something!”) and I loved it.

I also had the best tasting tomatoes of my life in Romania. So I just kind of combined all of these inspirational ingredients in a pot and made this short. The animation itself is pretty sloppy and full of cheating (not my strong suit!) but I’m pretty pleased with how it came out.

TP: When you first started did you ever hit any bumps in your art process? What were they and how did you overcome them?

HA: Oh, yeah. When I was in elementary school and junior high, especially. I remember getting really frustrated a lot when drawing, like it was so hard to translate what was in my head on paper, and nothing ever came out right. Like, I’d try to draw a character and I’d end up drawing the foot over and over and over a thousand times and never get it how I wanted it, things like that.

The only way to get past that blockage is just to push through and keep drawing. Also, copying is important! Draw everything. It’s how you study and grow. The more you draw things you see and observe the more you’re building your artistic arsenal, if that makes sense.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

HA: As far as other artists’ work I really love Jill Thompson‘s work, especially “Scary Godmother” and “Magic Trixie“. Her pen work is really fun and her full watercolor comics are so gorgeous, on top of the fact all of her characters are just super lovable. I adore Milt Kahl‘s animation, also all the old UPA cartoons. I love John Bauer‘s illustrations, too. There are tons of artists that inspire me all the time, I wish I could list ‘em off more easily! Oh, and Sailor Moon was definitely my first huge inspiration–need you ask why? She is awesome.

TP: Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work? How did this art theft make you feel?

HA: Someone once took one of my drawings and was trying to sell it on a t-shirt on ebay. I was flattered that someone thought my work was good enough to make money, but also annoyed that they didn’t ask my permission or anything like that.

TP: You do graphic novels and animations in addition to your other art works. Is there one of these formats that you prefer over the others?

HA: I think graphic novel is my favorite. I love animation, but the actual process of animating is a struggle for me. I prefer capturing moments in a single story-telling drawing. It’d be a dream for me to make a living doing graphic novels and illustrated books. I need more practice though; it’s very time consuming!

TP: Can you tell me a little more about the work and process that goes into making your animations?

HA: The first thing that happens is a whole lot of thinking. Lots of thinking, lots of brainstorming, then sketching ideas out into little vignettes. Then writing out a really rough script, if you even want to call it that, just to organize sequences of a story to tell. Then storyboard, try to get it reviewed by teachers and classmates and make adjustments to shoots and ways scenes can be made funnier or more effective.

Then pop it into after effects and time it out to make an animatic…then animate! I use a combination of flash, after effects and Photoshop to animate.The way I animate is really weird and not practical or professional at all (seriously, like I said, not my strong suit) so I won’t even get into that!

TP: Outside of a class assignments, would you consider drawing your own comics? What ideas do you have for them?

HA: Yes!!! Like I said before, I really love making sequential art. Honestly, I’d love to continue the “Gastelbrau” story through comic form. I have a lot of ideas for those characters, including more vampires, some of Gerta’s back story, and even a werewolf (of course!). I actually have a lot of ideas floating around in my head to make comics out of…I also have an idea about a family of kappa (Japanese water spirits) but we’ll see if that ever gets anywhere.

The article Artist Spotlight: Illustrator and Animator Hannah Ayoubi, Part 1 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Stephanie Cox, an artist of a variety of mediums, has always been a very inquisitive person. She has also spent a great deal of time by herself because she was a fearfully anxious kid.

During this time alone, she started to internalize and think about the human condition, as well as to record the reactions and experiences of her life in journals. Art became her best outlet, so she focused on merging it with her thought process. The end result was an interesting mixture of reaction art, art for stress relief, studies from life, experiments, and problem-solving illustrations.

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

Stephanie Cox (SC): I loved doing all kinds of creative things when I was young. Back then, I loved writing more than anything, and I wanted to be able to draw pictures for my stories, just in like my favorite books and cartoons. I pursued art (and writing to a lesser extent) all through high school and was lucky enough to pursue illustration through university.

I still write, but now I have much more fun doing drawings. School was great in giving me a more structured environment to learn from and helping me meet other talented artists, and I continue to try and learn everything I can now that I’m out of school. So a little of both!

TP: What are your main resources for learning more about your art now that you are out of school?

SC: I keep tabs on a lot of different communities via RSS feeds. I follow hundreds of artists’ blogs, illustration communities, and design blogs, so I have a steady flow of inspirational sources.

When I see something I really like, I’ll research it in depth and try to learn the technique or the idea behind it. I’m always eager to learn about other people’s processes and about new ideas in the art world. I also hang out a lot lately on Tumblr, where it’s really easy for people to share resources, and in my spare time, I add to my growing collection of art books.

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

SC: I use pens, watercolor, markers, ink, and acrylic for traditional work, and I use Photoshop and Illustrator for digital work. Watercolor is my true favorite, though.

It produces this great soft and ethereal feeling that I can’t replicate any other way. It’s also great to experiment with because there is this great unpredictable quality that helps preserve that spontaneous feeling that you only get from a fresh sketch. I often enjoy sketches and rough experiments more than my finished work.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why?  Which one are you most proud of?

SC: I really don’t have a favorite piece. Every time I finish a piece, I’ll enjoy it until I want to do better, so it’s very short lived. The piece I’m proudest of right now, however, would have to be my “House Pattern”. I was really excited when I finished it because it was a new process for me, and I loved how it came out. Plus everyone else seems to really like it!

TP: How was the process for “House Pattern” different from your others pieces?

SC: Most of my work is very free-form and defined by mark making, focusing on emotion and color, so this piece was the complete opposite of how I usually work. It involved meticulous planning to make sure everything lined up correctly, and the end result is something very clean and well thought out. It’s more of a design-oriented piece, instead of an illustrative vignette.

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

SC: I’m always running into bumps! My biggest and most present hurdle is that I’m never truly satisfied with my work. The whole artist process is very tumultuous, or at least, it is for me. If I get too overwhelmed, I usually take a break and do something else to take my mind off it, or take a nap. It’s an exciting cycle of learning, failing, trying again, and succeeding, and it’s ultimately hard work that will get you out of a rut, always. Recharging is important, but so is putting in hours.

TP: Have you ever gotten any kind of negative feedback on your art? If so, how did you deal with it?

SC: I’ve gotten a couple of responses to the tune of “start this over” or “wow, this isn’t what I was expecting at all.” I know I can be sensitive, so I try extra hard to view everything objectively. Most of the time, it works out fine because they just care about the work. The work is what is important, not personal feelings. And I am always ready to hear if my work needs improvement, even if it’s personal work.

The article Artist Spotlight: Stephanie Cox Interview, Part 1 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Claudia van Rooijen is a 19 year old artist from the Netherlands. She is currently a student and does art mainly as a hobby. Photoshop is her medium of choice. Aside from making colorful textures that lighten the mood of viewers, she also loves to create collages that incorporate her favorite singers.

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

Claudia van Rooijen (CR): I first started when I was about 12 years old. I am 19 now so I have been doing this for about 7 years. There have been times where I would just take a break, but I always came back to it. I am mostly self-taught. I learned the basics from my brother, but after that I just kind of tried new things on my own.

TP: What mediums do you use for your art work?

CR: For my artwork I only use Adobe Photoshop CS5. I guess it’s pretty much all I need for what I am doing at the moment.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why?  Which one are you most proud of?

CR: This is a really tough question for me to answer because I don’t see my work as art, to be honest. It’s just something that I really enjoy doing and I am still surprised that there are people out there who enjoy it as much as they do. My favorite piece of work I think is this one. It’s not my most popular one, but I just love how it turned out, I think the colors are pretty.

The piece I am most proud of is even harder to pick, but I am leaning towards this one because I tried something a little different for this one and people loved it. I believe it is my most favorited so far on DeviantART, so I guess that is enough reason for me to be proud of it.

TP: What makes your pieces unique?

CR: What makes my pieces unique is that I try to be as original as I possibly can while I am making them. Sure, you might pick up some ideas from other people, but in the end you always have to make it your own. Add your own style to it so people know that it’s you who made it. I think I have an eye for what will work in a piece and what will not work and having that is a big plus; knowing when something has to go or when there is something missing.

TP: How would you describe your artistic style?

CR: If there was one word I had to use to describe my artistic style it would be colorful. In most of my pieces I use a lot of different colors, but it is what I prefer. If my pieces were dark/black all the time I think that would be kind of depressing. At least for me, there are a lot of darker pieces out there that are absolutely stunning, but it’s just not who I am as an artist. I might try it sometime just to get out of my comfort zone and show some variety.

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

CR: Yes, I did. Like I mentioned in an earlier question I took a lot of breaks from Photoshop. Sometimes I would just feel like I had no clue what I wanted to do in the first place and it just ended up looking terrible. I am the type of person that is never quite satisfied with what I come up with, there is always room for improvement but at some point you just have to say to yourself, “Good is good enough” and just move on.

I think taking a break every now and then keeps things fresh. In the meantime I would check out other people’s work for inspiration and after a while I would just try again with a clear head. I don’t force myself do make anything, because this is just a hobby and I am only doing this because it’s fun and relaxing for me.

TP: If your artwork is just a hobby what are you doing now to support yourself (such as going to school or working part-time)?

CR: At the moment I am in school and I actually have exams in about a week, so I have to focus on that right now. It’s not that hard so I think I will do just fine, but I’m the type of person who isn’t satisfied with getting a C. I want to do the best I can but I’m not too worried about it. After that I am planning on getting a job, but it’s not that easy since I don’t have any experience, so we’ll see how that plays out.

I guess, if I really had to, I could do something with this and turn it into some kind of a job but I would rather just keep it as a hobby. Then again, don’t they say that it’s the best thing if you can turn your hobby into an actual living? I still live at home with my mother so it’s not like I have many expenses.

The article Artist Spotlight: Claudia van Rooijen Interview, Part 1 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Michelle Ku may only be a 16 year old high school student, but she has already nurtured her artistic talents in everything from painting shoes to taking nature photographs to creating environmentally friendly pieces out of recycled materials. She also grew up with a family quite different than those of her friends.

Her family supported her choice to go into the art field by making sure she started art lessons at the early age of 5 and also letting Michelle become a part of the International Baccalaureate Program for art. Michelle feels incredibly lucky to have such help from her family to allow her to do what she loves and wishes that other individuals with a love for art had the same support and freedom in their career choice.

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

Michelle Ku (MK): I drew a stick man upside down when I was three and I’ve been drawing ever since! But I started art classes at around age 5, with lessons outside of school. I took a 3 year break from lessons, then started with another teacher when I was around 14. Right now I’m 16 and in high school. I’m in the International Baccalaureate program for Art, where you keep an investigative sketchbook and finish a piece every two weeks.

As for self-taught, last year, I taught myself how to paint on canvas shoes and started a shoe painting business, Tokushu Shoes! I also bought a Canon Rebel T3 and started teaching myself photography. This year I am working hard on learning Photoshop and it is so challenging.Coffee helps!

Here are some recent photos I’ve taken. I love photographing wildlife the most.

TP: What sort of things were you learning while taking art lessons outside of school at such a young age?

MK: Each week our art teacher would go through how to do one drawing. Then, our homework would be to use the same sort of theme/idea but to make up our own picture. I remember one time we drew a snowman in class, and when I went home I drew a bunch of mice, some on helicopters and ladders, building a snowman together.

TP: How did you decide to become a part of the International Baccalaureate program for Art?

MK: I heard about Art IB in junior high, and I wanted to apply because it sounded super fun. There’s so much freedom because they basically let you do anything you want. You choose a theme, which can be changed throughout the year, and base your art around that. Right now, my theme is based on observations about the environment (how we interact with nature, making art from recycled/natural materials, and why we should be conserving the earth). Some examples of what I’ve done are: a recycled water bottle light fixture, a pop art painting of extinct animals, and a book sculpture.

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

MK: I can go through a pack of pencils a month, hehe. I absolutely love using acrylics, almost all my clothes are stained with paint at one point or another. I like acrylics because they are easy to use and very versatile.

Recently, I’ve fallen in love with digital painting in Photoshop and Sai as well. I also think that watercolor is a beautiful medium, and so fun to paint with. I’d say my favorite is traditional painting in general though, with any medium.

TP: Some of your artwork uses shoes for canvas. What made you decide to use shoes instead of another article of clothing for your work? What about this medium makes it difficult to use?

MK: It started when I saw a white, plain pair of shoes at the mall a long time ago, and was like “WANT TO DOODLE!”. So I’ve had this thought in my head ever since, and then I finally bought a cheap pair and experimented with them. Most of the challenge comes from getting the paint to last and stay on. But more experimenting and googling has helped fixed this problem.

I’ve never really been the type of girl to have a million pairs of shoes. I usually just have one or two pairs I wear everyday. That’s why I chose to paint on shoes instead of, for example, hats or shirts. Shoes are worn everyday (I believe most people do not go to school or work barefoot, haha) and a unique pair can express who you are.

The article Artist Spotlight: Michelle Ku Interview, Part 1 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Sionra is both an artist and bank employee who works in asset management along with a mathematics and psychology education. At one point in her life, Sionra wanted to become a cartoonist, but passed up the opportunity and has not regretted her decision because she cannot imagine drawing something she does not like for money.

Plus, if she had become a cartoonist the works she has now created would never have been thought of. This would have been a tremendous loss to the art community. Sionra is quite happy with how her life has turned out thus far and credits her family and close friends with making her the person she is today.

ToonariPost (TP): When and how did you first decide to commit yourself to art-related work?

Sionra (S): I will not be original in my answer that I draw from childhood like most people. It’s my main hobby, which allows me to express my thoughts and ideas on paper. Unfortunately, I don’t have any special art education, so I try my best to improve by myself.

TP: How would you describe your artistic style?

S: I think my main works belong to a mix of anime/cartoon style, sometimes I use a semi-realistic style for my works. I wish to grow in several directions.

TP: Can you tell me about the tools you use to create your pieces and the process behind them?

S: Sure. I’m still not brave enough to make fully digital works, so my main drawings always have a traditional beginning. I start from a rough sketch with my beloved red pencil; after correcting mistakes I make clear line art with mechanical pencil. I work a lot to make my lines smoother than they were before. After, I scan my drawing and color it in Photoshop or Paint tool SAI. I always work at standard resolution 300dpi because I do not need more to print it out later. I also use a Wacom tablet.

TP: When you get frustrated with a piece you are creating, how do you overcome this obstacle?

S: I was frustrated with my piece or process mostly in the past. Also, I was really annoyed by making very time-consuming works. I couldn’t spend more than 5 hours on one drawing, so I started to learn how to concentrate on a single work for more time and how to work on a few pieces at the same time. Now, I very rarely feel frustrated, even if I see mistakes in the finished work.

TP: I usually ask artists how they deal with art theft if it has happened to them, but I noticed that you have posted a journal that already addresses this issue. I have to say, your view on how to deal with it is a complete curve ball from some of the responses I have seen. What has made you take this particular stance on art theft?

S: I don’t support real “art thieves”, but I saw many times how people started bullying other people, harass them and saying cruel things. I’m old enough to see the big difference between a young artist who uses my work as a reference and a big print-shop that tries to sell my works without my permission. The first case is much more innocent than the second one. I understand that it’s much harder to try to resolve a situation peaceably than it is to start drama. Really, it’s harder. You need to be very calm and polite, but in the end you have resolved the situation without the drama. Double profit, as I say!

TP: I see that Japanese ball jointed dolls (BJD) are a hobby of yours. What made you decide to make them a hobby?

S: Oh, well, BJD is a really amazing hobby for people who want to create their characters in real life. For me, it’s an opportunity to make their designs and practice my photo-skills. It allows you to give your character a face.

TP: You say that you admire those who are able to catch the personality of the dolls in a photograph. What is it that makes these dolls’ personalities so elusive?

S: The love of the owner first of all. Joke. I think good makeup and outfits make your doll look pretty, but even a pretty doll could be photographed not very well. That’s why good photography adds more personality to a doll. You could do portraits or a big photo-story that allows the dolls’ personalities to show more clearly.

TP: Can you tell me more about the inspiration behind your comics (“Once Upon a Time”)?

S: I have been drawing comics since childhood and have many stories on my shelves. But in 2008 I started role-playing (RP) with my best friend Kimir-ra, we shared our worlds and our characters, and created a new story with them. RP is the biggest inspiration for our stories. Since it contains many thousand of pages of text we try to put the most interesting part of it in the comics. “Once Upon a Time” is a comic about our characters Sif and Yaroslav, a fantasy, romance and adventure story.

TP: Out of all the characters you have designed, which one is your favorite?

S: My oldest one, Eva Lambert. I think she was created in 1996. She is my biggest treasure. I think that’s the reason why I draw her rarely.

TP: If your characters were transported to modern day life, how do you think they would survive? What would their new roles be?

S: My characters are immortal or long-livers in 99% of cases. For now, my story takes place in 2024 and after. For the most part my characters conduct business or political activities. For example, Ms. Lambert owns an antique store.

TP:  Do you have any other comic or character ideas for the future?

S: Yes, too many to list them. I want to share my story with people who like it. I will work on the illustrations and comics about it. After finishing Chapter 1 of “Once Upon a Time” I plan to start working on the second chapter.

TP: Who are some of the artists and/or authors that have driven you to continue to grow in your artistic talents?

S: Alphonse Mucha, Charlie Bowater, Virginie Leonard and one singer named Sting.

The article Artist Spotlight: Sionra Interview appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Jenny Lehmann is a 21 year old German artist with a knack for digital painting. Ms. Lehmann practices her art strictly as hobby, although her enticing paintings of enchanting women as well as other figures are worthy of the professional art scene. Take a look at her paintings in her DeviantART gallery or if you are looking for more details about each piece you can read her discussions on her blog.

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

Jenny Lehmann (JL): I was always doing sketches and scribbles, even when I was a little child, but I started drawing and painting seriously at the age of 19, when I discovered the beauty of digital painting. I am completely self-taught, as most of the other artists I know. I guess it is more a calling to be artistically minded, so most artists teach themselves, because they don’t need a teacher!

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

JL: I’m a completely digital artist by now. The most important working tools for a digital artist are the tablet (I’m using a Wacom Intuos 3) and his/her painting programs; I use programs such as Adobe Photoshop CS2, SAI Paint Tool and Corel Painter for my artwork, usually working with all of them in parallel, because they all have their specific advantages.

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

JL: I don’t have a favorite artwork because, to be honest, for me the result is not the most important thing about doing art. It’s more or less the complete painting process. I’m happy while I’m painting, not when the artwork is finished. I do have lots of fragrant memories of little things that happened during a painting process, such as a wonderful stone structure I made or doing a really wonderful face. I don’t think I have one favorite artwork because all of them contain lots of little things that are more important for me than the whole painting itself!

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

JL: For being a good painter I think you need to be patient and full of eagerness. If there are any bricks or obstacles you need to find a way to get around it. I personally take my time to create artwork. If there’s anything about a painting I don’t like, I will wait for a few days and then go over it again, until it is what I expected it to be. The biggest problem I still have is my anime influence; I still have lots of problems with real proportions and faces. I used to draw manga and anime a lot when I was younger but I personally don’t like the style anymore; it does not fit to my recent understanding of art.

All in all, I‘d say most of the problems you might have you can solve when you practice a lot and think about what you are doing very carefully. I have seen many – especially young – artists who didn’t think about what they actually wanted to draw or paint like and this caused them to become disoriented. I think a really good painter has to know about the direction he/ she wants to go for.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

JL: I have lots of inspirations, such as other artists I admire. I personally really like Marta Dahlig, she was one of the first digital artists I ever saw and I fell in love with her art. I also like Melanie Delon and a newcomer called Jennifer Healy, but there are many other artists I really like, too, and watching them helps me to improve myself, of course! But the greatest inspiration I have is the world around me! There are so many things outside that are worth having a look at and all of it inspires me to work harder, to learn more and to become better and even more dedicated!

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

JL: I’m doing lots of collaborations with other artists already, and I love it! The wonderful thing about working together on one piece is that you can learn from each other, you get new expressions and a different view on your own work! The result is usually a really good artwork  containing only the positive things of both artists.

At the moment I’m doing a collaboration with the really talented Ulyana Regener and I have learn a lot of new things already because the way she works is completely different! Of course, I’d also love to do a piece with one of my other favorite artists, maybe with Jennifer Healy!

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

JL: To be honest I don’t know yet! I’d personally prefer to stay a hobby artist because if painting becomes your profession there might be a risk that you won’t have much fun doing it anymore, but otherwise I’d like to improve myself and to earn money with my talent. The first thing I will do is to finish University, and then… Well, we’ll see what future brings!

TP: You said that you would like to finish university and that you art would be better as a hobby. What are you currently studying at your university and why did you choose that field?

JL: I’m currently studying M+I in Offenburg, that’s a mix of Media Technologies and IT combined with Film Design and business administration. This is quite different from my hobby, but I didn’t want to study arts because I prefer people being down-to-earth, which is not a typical trait of artists, in general, and one of the main reasons why I still have problems calling myself an artist; I’d prefer to be called a painter or an artisan.

I really enjoy my studies, because it is very eclectic and I like to know about the technical aspects of the tools I’m working with in my free time.

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

JL: Everything has influenced me, that is what makes every artist different from the each other. We all have our personal, special style, our individual mind and of course our culture, our social lives, and our experiences that make us unique! If people want to understand why I’m unique, they just have to look at my work and they will understand. I don’t think I need to explain this feeling, because it’s not necessary!

The article Artist Spotlight: Jenny Lehmann Interview appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Zara Alfonso is a Canadian artist with a passion for the environment, who will be attending college to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts in September 2012. Aside from the adorable illustrations in Zara’s DeviantART gallery, she has also started to work with another artist on Memoir du Lune, a role-playing game that is still a work in progress.

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

Zara Alfonso (ZA): I’ve been drawing and doing other artistic things for as long as I can remember. I probably started when I was around two or three years old. I’m mostly self-taught, but have taken various art classes throughout my life and am going to be getting my bachelors in fine arts.

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

ZA: I generally draw and paint digitally with Paint Tool Sai and Adobe Photoshop, and do my concept work and sketches with pencil. I never limit myself to one medium though, I love to paint with watercolors and acrylics, use pencil crayons, sculpt with clay and wood, and pretty much make artwork with anything I can get my hands on.

That being said, my favorite medium is pencils. The concept, the initial sketches and all the ideas that go into a finished piece of artwork are, for me, all done with pencil, and are my favorite part, and so I’ve come to love pencils equally as much!

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why?  Which one are you most proud of?

ZA: I’m always falling in love with my newest pieces of artwork and the ones that are still in progress. Right now I’m most proud of a piece that I finished a few days ago titled “Unless”.   I’m proud that I was able to spread awareness and information about little everyday things people can do to help take better care of the planet.

I’m also really proud that I inspired four other artists to draw pieces and share the information as well. I’m also very happy with how the piece itself turned out! My favorite piece of mine at the moment is “Hello There Little One”.  Even though it’s doesn’t have any color, I fell in love with the contrast and composition of it.

TP: When you first started did you ever hit any bumps in your art process.  What were they and how did you overcome them?

ZA: About two years ago is when I decided I wanted to become serious about my artwork, to improve as much as I could and possibly follow it as a career path. So after making that decision I’d say my art process was nothing but bumps. I don’t think I’d be able to go through that process of artistic growth again, so I’d say the enthusiasm of youth helped me overcome it! I’m much more confident now, but I’m always trying out new techniques and improving, it’s still a very big work in progress for me.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

ZA: I get inspired by so many different things that have powerful messages; music, books, movies, friends, family, other artists and especially nature. I’d say that Yenqing Yan‘s artwork and messages, and Peter Tennant, who is a very good friend of mine, are my two biggest inspirations right now. I get inspired by so many different things that I always have hundreds of times the amount of ideas that I could ever use.

TP: Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work?  What did you do to resolve it?  How did this art theft make you feel?

ZA: Unfortunately, this has happened on a pretty regular basis for me. For more minor things like a person uploading my art to or on a site, I can usually ask them or the site to take it down. I have had a few occasions where I’ve had to contact companies and commercial sites, but luckily nothing too big has happened. Whenever somebody takes credit for something I’ve done, or tries to make a profit from my work, it makes me feel pretty sad.

TP: What is your favorite subject to draw and why?

ZA: I love to design new characters, creatures and environments and I’m especially fond of the fantasy genre at the moment. I also really love to draw things with strong concepts, especially ones involving environmental issues.

TP: What has sparked your interest in environmental issues?  Any ones in particular that you feel strongly for?

ZA: Peter Tennant is my biggest inspiration; he’s a local musician, hobby photographer, environmentalist and also my half-sister’s father. He’s always trying to make the world a better place, and he never gets discouraged, even when people don’t share his views. When I was little, he always encouraged my love for art, and as I’ve gotten older he’s been my inspiration to try to make positive changes through my artwork. As for the environmental issues that I feel strongly for, deforestation and ocean pollution are the two that I am particularly passionate about.

Image Courtesy of   Hirukio

The article Artist Spotlight: Zara Alfonso Interview Part 1 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Luigi Lucarelli is a 26-year-old illustrator and character designer from the United States. His work includes original characters that would be the darling of any kid’s book and pleasingly colorful work that brings memories of childhood nostalgia. A leisurely browse through his art work will bring back those imaginative times of made up friends and joyful memories of any viewer.

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

Luigi Lucarelli (LL): I know I was really young when I started drawing, but  I’m not sure exactly what age I started. I liked drawing video game characters and cartoon characters. I’m mostly self taught, I tried school for a bit but it wasn’t for me.

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

LL: I do most of my art digitally now, I only really sketch traditionally. I’d like to get back into doing more traditional stuff though. I think digital art programs are getting really good at mimicking traditional mediums…and you can undo. So digital wins for me!

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why? Which one are you most proud of?

LL: My favorite piece so far is “Ice Cream Tree”. It was a lot of fun to draw all those characters I’m proud of all of my work because I always learn something from everything I draw!

TP: When you first started did you ever hit any bumps in your art process. What were they and how did you overcome them?

LL: Yes, the artist’s path can be bumpy, but I usually have a positive outlook on things. If I’m ever stuck I do other things that I’m interested in and come back to the work only after having some fun!

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

LL: Norman Rockwell, Stephen Silver, Chris Ayers, Tony Fucile, and Doug Tennapel. Their artwork is wonderfully inspiring.

TP:Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work?

LL: Surprisingly, I haven’t had many situations where my art was stolen.

TP: What is your favorite subject to draw and why?

LL: I tend to draw happy, fun, cute stuff for some reason…I don’t think I’m ever going to grow up, haha. But most of my time is spent on character design of all kinds!! People, creatures, animals, robots etc!!

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

LL: Painting would be awesome to master!

TP: Outside of art what is your life like? Tell me anything about yourself that you would like.

LL: I play video games all the time! I like to go outside and find inspiration, too, though.

TP: Do you plan to continue art as a hobby or make it a career?

LL: Yes, I plan on continuing my art career as a character designer and illustrator. Yay!

Image Courtesy of   Luigi Lucarelli

The article Artist Spotlight: Luigi Lucarelli Interview appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Crystal Jayme is the talented author and creative genius behind Freakshow, Technicolor London, and soon to be published Nigh Heaven & Hell.

Although she is always at work on her next manga volume she was able to give Toonari Post some of her precious time to do an interview and let readers delve into her inspiration for Freakshow and find out what it means to be both an artist and a writer.

Toonari Post (TP): When and why did you decide that you wanted to write and illustrate your own manga?

Crystal Jayme (CJ): The basic premise for the story stemmed from a sketch I had drawn while I was a sophomore in high school. At the time I was already working on another comic (that I’m re-doing right now), so Freakshow was actually my third comic. I had roughly laid out the series while I was in school, and finally decided to draw Volume 1 after I had graduated. My main goal was to get it done for a local convention.

TP: Initially, did you have any trouble getting your ideas down on paper?

CJ: I’d have to say, the hardest part about working on Freakshow was having to learn how to use comic paper and tone my pages digitally. I was so used to working on printer paper and using markers to “tone” my pages for my first comic so it was a nice change of pace working with new materials and having a functioning computer with Photoshop!

TP: Initially, were there any downfalls to doing both the writing and illustrations? Is there one process you enjoy more than the other?

CJ: At the time, I didn’t think there were any downfalls to doing both. But looking back on volume 1, the biggest downfall for me was being young, inexperienced and not yet knowing how to really flesh out my story to its best potential. It takes time and a lot of trial and error to hone your skills for both writing and illustrating.

So it’s something I’ve been really trying to improve on for volume 2. As for my favorite process, it USED to be toning pages, but now I’ve gotta say my favorite process is inking. These past few months I’ve been experimenting with different nibs for dip pens and have fallen in love with the Hunt 102!

TP: What sorts of processes do you have to go through to turn your writing into picture format?

CJ: My first process is usually doing a very basic timeline of the beginning, the middle, and ending of the entire series. From there I start writing out the scenes in more detailed terms of what happens, and recently I’ve been doing scripting as part of this so I know exactly what happens dialogue wise. And last, I storyboard and make sure I like the overall flow and pacing of the story visually.

TP: What was the inspiration for your manga, Freakshow?  How did you first hear about freak shows and what made you decide to use it as the basis for your manga?

CJ: The inspiration first came from watching Taboo on National Geographic. They talked about more modern day freak shows, which was how the series was originally going to be! But after I drew chapter 1 I wasn’t entirely satisfied, so I decided to do some research on the origin of freak shows and ultimately decided to have it set in the 1920′s.

I really liked the idea of misunderstood characters with the backdrop of a freak show. Plus, by setting it in the 1920′s, there’s so much material to work with and it felt very fitting. At the time I didn’t think it’d be too hard to find resources on the time period, but it was a lot harder than I thought! Thankfully I recently found a lot of great resources so volume 2 will be more accurate.

TP: Can you tell me more about the process you go through in creating your work and getting it published? Was it difficult to find a company to publish and sell your work?

CJ: Before P2 Manga, I was self publishing Freakshow and getting it printed at a local print shop. My friend, Jorge Santiago (the creator of Goodnight Mrs. Goose!), is the one who showed me how to set up my book for printing. A little after a year of completing Freakshow Volume 1, I started posting it online as a web comic, it was from there that P2 Manga actually contacted me if I would be interested in publishing Freakshow through their company.

As for my overall process, I always roughly sketch each chapter and then go back and ink the panels and speech bubbles (I HAVE to do it in this order, it bothers me when I don’t for some reason). And from there I jump around and finish a panel here and there. I can never seem to finish a whole page in one sitting.

TP: Do plan on writing more manga?

CJ: Actually I’m currently juggling Freakshow Volume 2 and re-doing my first series Nigh Heaven & Hell. It’s being uploaded on MangaMagazine.net and volume 1 should be out by this fall. And after that I’ll be working on volume 3 of my other series Technicolor London. Hopefully by winter, I’ll have my first compilation book full of short stories I’ve done since last year. For the most part, this year is gonna be a busy year!

TP: Has there been any negative feedback on you manga?  How do you deal with it?

CJ: I’ve had a few instances of negative feedback, but mostly positive as well as useful critiques on how I can improve my work. When it comes to the negative feedback, there’s nothing you can really do except take it as a learning experience and try to improve your work, and I always make sure to thank them for giving my series a try.

TP: What are your favorite manga titles and/or artists?

CJ: I gotta say, my favorite artists are Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist), Chica Umino (Honey & Clover), Natsume Ono (Ristorante Paradiso), Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Evangelion manga) and Shimura Takako (Wandering Son). These artists in particular are my biggest inspirations; their art is simple, effortless and the contrast of black and white with tones blows my mind. And it’s something I’m striving to achieve in my work now.

TP: What experiences brought you to be the person you are today?

CJ: My first experiences with comics started in middle school. I had about five different attempts at this one series (Nigh Heaven & Hell) and it wasn’t until high school that I was finally able to finish a volume of work. After graduating high school, like a lot of people, I wanted to attend an art school.

I even visited the Academy of Art in San Francisco, but I decided to take a leap of faith and not go to college and instead do this all on my own. It’s been an emotional roller coaster trying to learn how to do this for a living.

The article Crystal Jayme Interview: Ticket to the “Freakshow” appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Johnson Ting, a digital concept artist from Malaysia, had a knack for all that is mecha and video game related. In this portion of his interview, he gives readers insights into his college life, inspirations, and his future goals in the art world.

Toonari Post (TP): If you could make the perfect piece of artwork what would it look like?  What medium would it be in? How would you achieve “perfection”?

Johnson Ting (JT): I don’t think I can achieve ‘perfection’. To me, one of the best moments in creating a work is the process of trying to make it ‘perfect’, but you can never achieve it. It’s the ‘trying to make it perfect’ part that is the part where you gain a lot of knowledge. We’re all students of art, no matter our age and our qualifications, we’re always learning. If we ever stopped learning, the purpose of creating better art is lost. The art could end up being soulless. A painting without the artist’s effort and passion is just.. dead.

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

JT: It would be the digital medium. It’s one of my most frequently used mediums and my favorite. I love it a lot, so if i could be given a wish to master it, then why not?

TP: What is your college life like at One Academy of Communication Design? Did your classes help your skills and give you inspiration for the future?

JT: To be honest it was rather unexpected, not how I imagined an art school to be like. The college focuses more on fundamentals and technical skills. In my opinion, it helps a lot, building a strong foundation for future purposes. What I like most about the college are the lecturers, not just the stuff they teach, but the part when they share their opinions about art and what their life as an artist is like.

To me, that is something you can’t buy, it is just priceless. The people I met during my college years are some of my proudest moments. Being able to meet great people and masters helps a lot in boosting one’s dedication towards art.

TP: You will be graduating soon, how does it feel to be finishing your degree? Any worries about what comes after graduation?

JT: Not really. Worrying doesn’t help, action does! I’m already a concept artist in a game studio a few months ago before I graduate. I’m switching to a full time concept artist afterwards. There are some worries, but if you’re sure on what you’re going to do and where you’re going to be, then there’s not much to worry about actually. Believe in yourself and fight for the best.

TP: Outside of art what is your life like? Tell me anything about yourself that you would like.

JT: Enjoying being alive! I’m grateful of the life I have been given and I often go out to a quiet place with a pen and a sketchbook. Seeing people interacting with each other, enjoying the view, and the breeze in your hair, it’s just amazing to be able to do so. I usually catch movies with friends and join as many outdoor activities as i can, hiking or cycling especially.

Interacting with mother nature is just relaxing and you can also gain a lot of inspirations from it. If I had the time I would just go around driving, enjoying the drive and the music, just great.  Oh, and games!

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

JT: My goal in life is to be a part of a team creating a successful game title, like Assassin’s Creed, Call of Duty, Gears of War, etc. Being a part of a team creating something epic is always something I have aspired to do and it’ll always be my main goal in life. Opening a studio with a bunch of fun people is also one of my goals! And yes, it’ll be my lifelong career and I’m really grateful that I’m fortunate enough in being able to achieve these goals.

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

JT: Yes, I do. It’s something you don’t really know or notice. We all come from different backgrounds and cultures, everything we do affects our art. How we grow up, what we like to eat, where we lived, what we like to play, who we know, it’s all connected. It subconsciously changes the way we draw and it’s what makes us all unique. Everyone is special, everyone is unique, that is what makes us all one of a kind.

Image Courtesy of   rhinoting

The article Artist Spotlight: Johnson Ting, Interview Part 2 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Johnson Ting is a digital concept artist from Malaysia. Soon to be a graduate of the One Academy of Communication Design, Johnson is striving more and more to master the digital art medium. Taking a look through his gallery, shows that he is definitely on his way to achieving this goal.

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

Johnson Ting (JT): I started practicing art when I was really young. I didn’t like homework so I used to doodle a lot on textbooks and exercise books. I usually ended up being punished by both my parents and my teachers. I only started to practice seriously when I was 16, when I first got my tablet from my father.

It was the first time I started making digital art and everything  was really new and fresh to me. The potential of using it to create amazing stuff was just limitless. This was when I decided to really become what I’ve always wanted to be, an artist. And then I got into an art college when I was 19.

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

JT: I’ve tried different mediums, but not all; color pencils, gouache, acrylics, oils, charcoal, etc. But the one I frequently use and is also my favorite is the digital medium, Photoshop mostly. To me, digital art has endless possibilities. There are so many different ways to create art, and there are times where you need to come up with paintings/sketches quickly under a rather tight timeline, so doing it digitally could save some time and the errors can be corrected more conveniently.

But still, no matter how convenient it is, the importance of a strong foundation is always a top priority and we should always practice traditionally as well. A pen and a sketchbook are one of my best friends around.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why? Which one are you most proud of why?

JT: ‘First in, Last out‘: I’m quite a fan of science fiction films and games, mainly because of Star Wars. I started watching them when I was young and I liked the genre because of the many things you can come up with, gadgets, story, characters, basically anything. So when I did this piece it was also my first time trying to actually produce a fully painted sci-fi mecha. It was fresh and I’m quite satisfied with the outcome.

‘Binds‘: Modern contemporary artists are one of my favorites. I get inspired by a lot from them, like James Jean, Audrey Kawasaki, Eric Fortune, Jon Foster, etc. Their works have always been a source of inspiration to me. So I tried to tackle something I’ve never tried before. The technique and idea was quite new to me, so it was a great experience and I kinda like how the painting turned out. I had a lot of fun doing it.

TP: When you first started did you ever hit any bumps in your art process. What were they and how did you overcome them?

JT: Yeah, a lot. There are always some hard times when you think of an idea, but you just don’t have the skills and techniques to execute them. Often, the art piece comes out nothing like you first wanted it to be like (in a bad way). This was always my main concern. Being able to think of an idea, but not being able to execute it is just torture.

It brings out a lot of frustrations. Then, through time and guidance by friends and masters, I have managed to balance the two things, technical skills and ideas. It really works well for me, not to push the balance on these two things, and always enjoy your work and the process of creating it.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

JT: My main inspirations are from games and movies. As a concept artist myself working on games and films, it’s important to explore and gain more knowledge from them. Artists like Danny Luvisi, Jeff Simpson, Dave Rapoza, Andree Wallin, etc, are also some of my inspirations. I just can’t stop being amazed by their works, especially my favorite sci-fi environment paintings.

TP: Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work? If so, what did you do to resolve it? How did this art theft make you feel?

JT: Yes, a few times, but there’s one that was really ridiculous. A teenager stole a few of my works and sold them as prints and he also sold them to a t-shirt company, which is when I was informed that my works were on the t-shirt website as an advertisement. I was quite shocked and immediately contacted the company.

They said someone had sold them the rights to print them as t-shirts and they thought that I was the art thief instead of the teenager. After some clarification and proof that I was the original artist, they took down the prints and settled the problem with the teenager himself.

TP: What is your favorite subject to sculpt/paint/draw and why?

JT: Mechanical stuff usually, mostly armor. Incorporating armor designs on a human body is quite interesting to me. The process of coming up with it is just really enjoyable. When I get to think how thing works, how the joints connect, how the gadget functions and the uses for its bearer, it’s always the most exciting subject for me to paint. Oh, and I do a lot of environment paintings as well. Creating a world from scratch is just too satisfying!

TP: You sculpt as well as do digital works, do you prefer one over the other?

JT: During my free time yes. I don’t sculpt a lot, but being able to turn a painting into a 3D physical sculpture is really an advantage. I can’t say I prefer one over the other, but I definitely love both of them. Being able to hold and touch your own character is just great. One of my colleagues is an amazing sculptor and his determination is definitely my inspiration.

Image Courtesy of   rhinoting

The article Artist Spotlight: Johnson Ting, Interview Part 1 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Sofie Skein, the creator of Bonjour Poupettes, continues to branch out into new art forms. Her new website shows her creative diversity as well as a glimpse into her everyday life. In this portion of her interview, Sofie gives readers a chance to delve deeper into the mind behind the artist.

ToonariPost: When you first started did you ever hit any bumps in your art process. What were they and how did you overcome them?

Sofie Skein: In the beginning, with the Poupettes, I had very little money to invest in materials. Fortunately, polymer is affordable and my pieces were small. At that time, I was more interested in form than color and all of my figurines were monochrome, about half the size that they are now (4-5″), and I made them in my hands, without tools of any kind.

I kept getting requests for pet portraits and larger figurines, which I was game to make, but they were particularly time consuming and sometimes impossible to make without tools. I reached a point where I had to decide whether or not I was going to invest in this project or move on.

I have never regretted the purchase of a single tool, and every one I’ve acquired has improved my work considerably. The tools I speak of are mostly hand tools for modeling as well as a pasta machine for conditioning and blending the polymer compound. They completely transformed the way that I worked.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

SS: I’m inspired by the creatures, ideas and things that I love – and what I love tends to be both vulnerable and brave. These are qualities associated with the human soul, but I recognize them in poetry and music, plants and animals, special places and objects as well. Also, the logic of dreams and fairy tales has always been close to my heart.

A world where animals stand up and walk around on two legs, wear clothes and have conversations in human languages makes sense to me in a way that the everyday world does not.

TP: Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work?

SS: Fortunately, I’ve never had to deal with a situation like this. My style of figurine is pretty unique and it has evolved over time in ways that I could have never planned for. Not only do I custom blend most of the polymer I use, I also use particular techniques and tools to achieve each piece.

TP: What is your favorite subject to design and why? You design a lot of animals, does any one in particular have special meaning to you?

SS: I’ve always loved to study faces. To me, animal faces are as expressive and revealing as human faces if you pay close enough attention. I do enjoy creating animal people and pet portraits because it’s an excuse to study their faces and discover what qualities really differentiate, for example, a fox from a wolf – and decipher what qualities are essential to maintain our recognition of a type of animal.

For me, this is an ongoing, evolving process of discovery. I have a personal story to tell about almost every creature I make. For example, when I was a child, a small circus came to my village and set up in the empty lot behind my house for a week. We were free to wander about and I spent most of that week watching the elephants and even got to ride on their backs.

I realize it sounds like something that happened in the nineteenth century, not rural Oregon in the 1980′s, but it did happen and those elephants have been a part of my imagination ever since.

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

SS: This past year I have been exploring an ancient technique of portraiture using encaustic wax medium and a torch using a four-color palette of naturally occurring pigments. It is exceptionally difficult but the results can be astonishing. It would be an amazing achievement to master this technique!

TP: How did you hear about encaustic portraits and what made you decide to take on this new medium?

SS: I’ve actually been painting with encaustic for a lot longer than I’ve been making poupettes. The pieces that I’ve shown publicly have been exclusively encaustic landscapes.

The portraiture technique I mentioned is based on a four color palette that the ancient Greeks developed. I was inspired to learn about this technique after studying a book (‘The Mysterious Fayum Portraits, Faces from Ancient Egypt’ by Euphrosyne Doxiadis) about the Greek funerary paintings entombed in Egypt. It’s something that I would absolutely love to study in depth.

TP: You have also mentioned that your partner is an artist?  Can you tell me a little about his creative process?

SS: Nicolas describes himself as ‘a maker of things’. Currently he’s making miniatures, digital artwork, and Egyptian votive sculptures. We are both passionate about our work and share a studio, however, our creative processes couldn’t be more different. My creative process is rather orderly and structured, whereas his is much more organic and flowing.

My approach toward my work tends to be painstaking – working from a big picture idea and whittling it down to the detail; his ideas seem to spring out of nowhere, fully formed. We are both very appreciative of each other’s approach and instead of our differences creating conflict, we get to share our unique perspectives, which I think enriches our work as well as our relationship.

TP: What are your goals in life?

SS: I’ve reached a point in my life where I’ve finally achieved two long-term goals: supporting myself with my creative work and making a home on the coast. For now, I’m content with continuing this path; however, I do feel called to share more of my writing, in the hope of encouraging and inspiring others who are trying to find their way to a life that truly supports who they are.

Five years ago, I couldn’t have imagined achieving the goals that I had dreamed of, and I strongly feel that if I could do so, it’s possible for anyone who is willing to commit to their plans.

TP: Do you feel that your culture or background has influenced you in some ways that make you different than other artists?

SS: I never planned to make animal figurines and would have been nonplussed if you had told me even just five years ago that I would be doing this full-time. However, it seems kind of inevitable to me now. I grew up next door to a veterinary clinic, both of my parents were passionate vets and horse-people. Animals were such an intrinsic part of my world and considered a part of the family.

I’m in my thirties, so I might not have enough perspective on this – but the older I get, the more impressed I am at the profound influence of both landscape (especially the physical landscape of our childhood) and history (personal history as well as family history) on who you are and how you view the world.

It seems that many of us spend the first half of our lives trying to escape those forces, and the second half trying to find a way home to them. If you are an artist, your work is likely to reflect this cycle of departure and return.

The article Artist Spotlight: Sofie Skein, Interview Part 2 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Namiren is a female artist from Hungary with an addiction to art. Her main tool of the trade is watercolor and the emotions she can provoke from her paintings with this medium is astounding. Whether she is working on emotional pieces such as “Stress” or “Empty Game” or one of her many commissioned pieces, her work is always a joy to browse through.

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

Namiren (N): I have been drawing ever since I knew my mind, but I started to be interested in manga style about the eighth year of elementary school. I’ve studied graphics, but of course it has nothing to do with my manga drawings, so I’m mostly self-taught.

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

N: I’ve tried many and I would still love to try out new ones, but currently I mostly use watercolors and black pen. I also love oil paints, pens, and my Wacom tablet.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why? Which one are you most proud of?

N: Hmm…my favorite is “New Room.” It’s not the my most favorited picture on DeviantART, but I like to look at it and remember of those feelings what I felt when I painted it <3. The one I’m most proud of is “Happy Birthday Hungary.”

TP: When you first started did you ever hit any bumps in your art process. What were they and how did you overcome them?

N: Yes, of course and I am still faced with many problems, but my love of creating always drives me past them. I usually have tons of ideas at the same time, my main problem is the need for sleep and lack of free time.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

N: Who…hmm.. good question. Lately I’m not into anyone’s art style that much. I barely have time to surf on the Internet, but maybe: Katsura Hoshino (the latest D. Gray-Man chapters are epic <3), Junji Ito (I just finished reading Uzumaki) and from DeviantART, Deino3330 (I love his music videos).

I have other idols, too, like kidchan, sachsen, but my main inspiration is my life.  The events of my life, the places in my life, and the people, objects, and nature around me.

TP: Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work? If so, what did you do to resolve it? How did this art theft make you feel?

N: Luckily I haven’t had to deal with art thieves, only copy cats. I didn’t know how to react to her annoying acts and I still don’t know I how should. That’s why it’s not bad to be unpopular on DeviantART. Personally, I really hate tracing/copying and art thievery. It really pisses me off, more than it should. So, I usually try to ignore it instead of making drama.

TP: What is your favorite subject to draw and why?

N: Mostly humans, but not only in manga or realism because I think the main theme of my drawings is me (my feelings). I also love backgrounds, biiiiiiig detailed backgrounds. I’m that type who can be easily bond emotionally to places. That’s why I always love drawing them.

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

N: Hm…well…I think I’m on the way to learning my own style in water-coloring (even if i still have many thing to learn), so I would choose computer related graphic design. I love the creative designs of websites, posters, ads, and logos you can create with it.

TP: Outside of art what is your life like? Tell me anything about yourself that you would like.

N: Well…quite simply, the number one thing in my life is art, so after work I don’t have time for too many things. I only have a few hobbies, like ball jointed dolls, horror movies, and friends. I’m a very social person. I never miss a chance to be with the people I love.

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

N: I don’t really know yet. The number one love in my life will always be manga art, but,of course, you can’t live from drawing manga here in Hungary. Of course, I would like to work with some kind of art related stuff in the future, but what I don’t know, yet.

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

N: I think I must be influenced by our culture (I love folk art and places in Hungary), but I’ve never thought I was different than other fellow artists. Maybe just my topics and expression tools are a bit different.

The article Artist Spotlight: Namiren, Interview appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Cynthia L. is an illustrator of the fantastical based out of Toronto, Canada. If you need another world to transport yourself to for while, just take a look through her gallery. The colors, the characters, and atmosphere created in each image is at once nostalgic of imaginary childhood make-believe friends and thought up places of retreat.

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

Cynthia L (CL): I started drawing in high school after taking art, where the teacher was a stellar artist and a big motivational factor to keep practicing. Generally, I am self-taught because high school was mainly art history and I pursued science in university.

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

CL: I use mixed media, but a large percentage of that is watercolour paint. I adore watercolours because they are prone to imperfections and irregularities, and the results can often be unpredictable. It’s really the reason why I love traditional mediums.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why? Which one are you most proud of?

CL: To be honest, I don’t remember the pictures too clearly after they are done. I think this one is a favorite at the moment because it is simple, but still has some mood to it. I’m proud of this one because it took so long that it threatened to jump into the abandoned paper pile but didn’t.

TP: When you first started did you ever hit any bumps in your art process. What were they and how did you overcome them?

CL: There were and still are countless bumps in the road. The first couple were probably drawing proportions and colours. I overcame or learned to live with them by trying to allocate some time to draw every day.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

CL: When I first started drawing, it was actually all fashion designs. Alexander McQueen was such a huge inspiration with his ornately beautiful and eccentrically morbid works. Later on, when I became more interested in the picture book illustration style, Tove Jansson was a HUGE influence. Her stylistic works are full of imaginative creatures and scenery, and that fantastical other-worldliness is something I strive to create day.

TP: Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work? If so, what did you do to resolve it?  How did this art theft make you feel?

CL: Art theft doesn’t really bother me anymore if the person is not using it for monetary gain. It used to upset me because of the time and effort put into a piece, and I’d still contact people if they are blatantly announcing that the picture is their own. But then I realized that the person will never get anywhere by works taken from others, and all the while I continue to make new things beyond the few stolen pictures.

TP: What is your favorite subject to draw and why?

CL: My favorite theme would be children in an imaginary world, partially because I’d like to illustrate children’s books one day, and also because I hope to capture the magic of the world seen through a child’s eye where anything can be, and is possible.

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

CL: I’d love for more than anything to master water color. It is my main medium of use, but I’m far from using it to its full potential.

TP: Outside of art what is your life like?

CL: I have a loving family, a handful of very close friends, and fantastic coworkers. On my off days I like to attend art events or explore downtown. When I work, it is in an art store. So I guess art is my life right now, haha.

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

CL: Actually, I had a complete life direction change recently. I’d gotten into teacher’s college and was going to pursue teaching science. It wasn’t a direction that was driven with the right intentions, I think, because I was quite unhappy. It took me a while to finally let go of that, so now I am going to pursue graphic design and hopefully make creative output into a career.

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

CL: I don’t think it makes me different, but there is quite a bit of Asian influence in my art because of the cultures I was exposed to as a child. Since I was raised in China and Japan, I think maybe some of the values and feelings in the pictures are slightly different.

Image Courtesy of   http://deathofrats.deviantart.com/gallery/

The article Artist Spotlight: Cynthia L. appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Kenshjn Park is a 20-year-old artist from Vietnam with an eye for detail.  Although he likes to experiment with shading, his linearts are exquisite; take a look at his gallery to see for yourself. Even though Kenshjn’s first language is not English he tried his best to relate his life to me and below are the results.

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

Kenshjn Park (KP): I’ve liked drawing since I was a child. Watching anime and reading manga and comics allowed me to focus more on my skills because I just love drawing my favorite characters as well as creating some of my own.

TP: What mediums do you use for your artwork?

KP: I usually do my artwork with pencil and pen. First I do a lineart with pen, and then do the shading with pencil. I also started practicing digital color recently, however, I have a lot more to learn.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why? Which one are you most proud of?

KP: My favorite artwork is “DOTA Allstar – Stand of the Heroines“. DOTA Allstar is my favorite game and I love all the heroines in it. They’re so beautiful and have amazing skill with various elements. But the artwork that makes me proud is “The Fairy Sisters.” I’m happy to know that many people love it, and since it got a Daily Deviation on DeviantART, more and more people know about my art. So I am really proud of it because at first I didn’t think it was outstanding compared to my other artworks.

TP: When you first started did you ever hit any bumps in your art process. What were they and how did you overcome them?

KP: I don’t really have any trouble creating my pieces. The inspiration comes and I draw. The only times I find that I have trouble is when it comes to commissions because the inspiration and ideas is not my own, but that of those who want me to make the artwork. If I run into any difficulties I usually surf the internet looking for images that I feel are similar to what the commissioner is asking for. This helps me to get even more ideas for their artwork requests.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

KP: DOTA Allstar is my first inspiration because I love the heroes and their background stories.  That’s why most of my beginning artworks are about DOTA.

TP: Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work? If so, what did you do to resolve it? How did this art theft make you feel?

KP: I haven’t had to think about it yet because my art is not as incredible as other digital artworks are. And if some one likes it and uses it I would be kind of happy because it would mean that some people love my art enough to claim it as their own. But if my art improves, I will only upload a small image and add a watermark if necessary, like other artists do.

TP: What is your favorite subject to draw and why?

KP: Game concept, fantasy creatures and character in a variety emotional faces and poses. I love fantasy games and the fantasy world.

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

KP: I would love to master digital color because I think digital artworks are so incredible and game concepts are usually drawn with digital color.

TP: Outside of art what is your life like?

KP: I’m a lazy boy, bored of school and like to travel in my own fantasy world. I would make a story of my own imagination if I had the time.

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

KP: I’d love to be a game artist. Right now I can make money from my art and there’s no reason that you wouldn’t like to take a job that’s also your hobby.

TP: Do you feel that your culture has influenced you in some way that makes you different than other artists?
I’m kind of affected by the Japanese manga, although I am Vietnamese, but most of the books that Vietnamese read are manga, you know.

The article Artist Spotlight: Kenshjn Park Interview appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

This is the second part of the interview with more of questions Andrea answered to let her fans get a better knowledge of the artist behind the mask.

Toonari Post (TP): Who or what are your inspirations and why?

Andrea Masse-Tognetti (AMT): I majored in archeology and minored in anthropological studies in college. I always was fascinated by the importance of masks and the role they play in different cultures. It’s a universal item in every culture almost. Masks have power.  The fact that they mold to the human face makes them the most culturally interactive form of art that I can think of.

You give your “self” to truly complete the art of the mask, because your own eyes become the soul of the piece. In that way, everyone who wears a mask is a creator, an artist. I collaborate with every person who has ever worn one of my creations, because they are incomplete until someone wears them.

My Dad (an award winning graphic designer, Jean Charles Masse) guided me, but never influenced my art; he let me find my own way. He was encouraging and critiqued me as I developed, but never tried to steer me. He provided me with art materials & schooled me in art history, especially in Asian art motifs, which he loved. As I grew as an artist, he admitted to me once that I had a stronger sense of design than he did; heady compliment, coming from him.

I think that popular influences, for me, include people like Hokusai (for his clean Asian motifs), Jim Henson (for his innovative materials and techniques), and Brian Froud (for his beautiful and sometimes grotesque fantasy art that draws on nature for inspiration).

TP: Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work? If so, what did you do to resolve it? How did this art theft make you feel?

AMT: Oh, yes, and it is infuriating! I don’t handle art theft well, emotionally. I worked hard and made a ton of expensive mistakes to perfect my technique and my designs over a period of two decades. Plagiarism is such a blatant, cowardly way to quickly reap the benefits of someone else’s talent that it makes my blood boil.

I fight it when I catch it, and it’s egregious. Copyright, thanks to public sites and date/time stamped images and hard drives, has never been so easy to claim. Even though in some ways, the modern digital picture (and sharing it on public sites) would seem to make things easy to steal (just click and download and it’s “yours”), but from a legal standpoint I find it easy to defend and protect my work. But it still pisses me off!

TP: What is your favorite subject to draw and why?

AMT: Dragons! I love dragons. No one has ever seen one, so there’s no wrong way to depict a dragon. I find my dragons fall right between a “Western” and “Eastern” dragon, usually. Thinner, graceful, probably benevolent, but also something that deserves respect!

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

AMT: Glass! Oh, wow… I would love to learn how to make borosilicate glass art. It’s my favorite thing ever. Dale Chihuly is one of my favorite contemporary artists. I love everything he makes. All of my favorite artisans are glass artisans.

TP:  Outside of art, what is your life like?

AMT: Haha… I’m pretty basic. I am totally driven to do my work, so I find it almost too easy to spend 12 hours a day just “makin’ stuff”, as I like to say.

I have a tiny, little life, really. Sometimes I get to do glamorous things, but mostly I enjoy being a stay-at-home mom, getting to work out of my studio and be here for my family and my dog.

I relax with plenty of hobbies, like kayaking which I LOVE, and you can find me out on the Niagara River every day during the warmer months.  I just stop whatever I’m doing, load the ‘yak on the car, and go. I also ride my bike on long trails, and I take my pretty husky, Kiba, out for hikes in the winter when I can’t cycle or paddle.

My daughter is in college now… It’s been different, getting used to the quiet. I’m re-learning how to be selfish with my time, the way I was in my twenties when I had no children or obligations. In some ways, I’m sadder, but in some ways I’m much more liberated and creative, so it balances out.

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

AMT: Art is more than my career; it’s who I am. If I have to describe myself, I call myself an artist first, before even “woman” or “wife” or any other title.

My goal is what it has always been; to improve as an artist and be the best in my chosen field. I don’t want to be the richest mask maker, or the most famous… I just want to be the best. That’s all I have control over, and really, that’s all I want.

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

AMT: No, not really. I guess I’m fortunate to be alive in the time I’m alive in, living in a country like the United States, where it’s okay (maybe now more than ever) to be a strong, independent, self-representing artist AND a woman at that. With a bit of talent, a working knowledge of social media, and a good digital camera, there’s nothing an artist can’t do for herself these days. I think that’s awesome.

Image Courtesy of    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Merimask/103347893037722

The article Artist Spotlight: Andrea Masse-Tognetti Interview, Part 2 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Andrea Masse-Tognetti is the talented enchantress behind Merimask Designs. This New York native has been making elaborate and beautiful masks with leather for over twenty years and her masks have been used throughout the world, even by Cirque Du Soleil.

Toonari Post (TP): How and when did you first start practicing your art?

Andrea Masse-Tognetti (AMT): I started carving leather as a hobby over twenty years ago and eventually became quite good at just that aspect, but it was your normal run-of-the-mill leather carving technique that anyone can easily teach themselves with the right tools. The masks happened by accident; I discovered one night that wet leather can be shaped, and if you dry it with heat it retains that shape. I’ve always loved sculpting… this is a very clean medium (leather) that not a lot of people use (I like it because it’s so unique).

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

AMT: Initially, I loved painting with watercolors because it’s very exacting, and you need a good working knowledge of how the paper will react to the water and how your paint will behave, and I like that. I like media that tests your artisan skills as well as your artistic ability. I’m a throwback, that way. I like leather for the same reason; it’s tactile and cantankerous and requires you to experiment and develop a way of handling it that, incidentally, nurtures your own unique “technique.”

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why? Which one are you most proud of?

AMT: My favorite piece ever is “Fighting Bettas“. I came up with the design while sketching (doodling really), waiting for a flight out of Narita, Japan. It’s obviously influenced by all the beautiful art I saw while on my trip; it has a compact economy of design similar to Japanese Mon, but also a swirly grace.

I’m always most proud of whatever I did most recently. Right now, I’m very pleased with my new “Industrial Anubis” design. It came out of my head and onto the leather with no trouble, exactly as I envisioned, and that’s a very satisfying feeling when a design is “easy” like that.

TP: Your masks are quite elaborate, how long on average does it take you to complete one from start to finish?

AMT: Oh, it depends if I’m starting from scratch or modifying a design I already have (like a new version of a wolf or a lion, where I can base the design off something I’ve already worked out). I’d say that a really elaborate mask like “Medusa” can take 6 to 8 hours, but that’s because I already know what I’m doing, and I’ve had practice.

TP: I noticed that some of your masks have been used by Cirque Du Soleil, a production of Magicarade in Japan, and have even been featured in window displays such as Ralph Lauren. Can you tell me more about these experiences? What is it like to have your masks recognized on an international level?

AMT: Seeing my work being used in visual media or the performing arts is always a big thrill, but the opportunities that led me to see my masks featured as the centerpiece of a stage show in Japan were definitely the highlight of my career so far. When the performers first came out on stage wearing my masks (over fifty unique designs), I actually cried.

The attention, though, can be a little daunting. I do get these glamorous opportunities, but in real life I’m pretty shy, and so these occasional thrusts into the spotlight are wonderful and terrifying at the same time. Being on TV scares the heck out of me (though I do manage to rise to the occasion when that happens, because I know it’s important for my art that I “get it together”). But I’m no celebrity; I think of myself more as an anachronistic tinkerer.

TP: When you first started, did you ever hit any bumps in your art process? What were they, and how did you overcome them?

AMT: Oh, goodness, yes. The worst part about being an artist that uses leather as her sculpting medium is that people hear the word “leather” and always, always assume the wrong thing. I had to fight against stereotypes that leather is “utilitarian” or “craft”, constantly.

I was excluded from a few major art festivals (and not a few galleries!) because once the jury saw the word “leather”, it was assumed I was a “crafter”, and I was out. I often lied/generalized and called my work “fiber art” just to get past the gauntlet of people who could not wrap their heads around the concept of leather as art.

Getting online changed that, pretty quickly. Online media is all visual…100%. So, as long as my images were stunning, the materials I used became entirely secondary. Now, I always list my materials when I showcase a new design and I –still– am constantly asked, “What did you use to make this?” because no one even bothers to read the details; they just get blown away by the visuals.

Check out the rest of Andrea’s interview here.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Merimask/103347893037722

The article Artist Spotlight: Andrea Masse-Tognetti Interview, Part 1 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Megan is a 21 year-old Dutch photographer who absolutely adores ladybugs; so much so that her Deviantart username is the Dutch word for ladybug (Lieveheersbeestje). The name is the first thing that caught my attention, but then I saw her darling photos and could not resist asking her for an interview to which she eagerly agreed to.

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

Megan (M): My interest in photography started a few years ago when I saw all the amazing photographs here on Deviantart. I did some research on the different cameras, and decided I wanted a Canon EOS 500D. After saving up the money I bought the camera and started practicing! I am mainly self-taught, with some help of photography tutorials.

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

M: Macro (close-up photography) is my favorite medium. I just like the details of an insect or an object that you can’t see that well with your eye, but can be enormous with a lens. I think that’s an amazing thing that you can achieve with photography.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why? Which one are you most proud of?

M: I think “Way Up” is my favorite and also the one I’m the most proud of because it was one of my first macro shots of ladybugs and I had just bought my first camera. It has a lot of meanings to me.

TP: When you first started did you ever hit any bumps in your art process. What were they and how did you overcome them?

M: A few actually. I am a bit of a perfectionist so it can be really difficult, especially when you just started making photographs, and you see all the great photos on Deviantart. It can be a bit discouraging, but it also made me want to practice even more.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

M: All the amazing photographs here on Deviantart are a big inspiration for me. I also get my ideas looking at magazines and other photography websites.

TP: Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work? If so, what did you do to resolve it? How did this art theft make you feel?

M: I saw my photographs on a few different websites without a credit to me. It only makes me angry when the person says she/he made it. But on a lot of websites there isn’t an option to report the deviation/deviant as there is on Deviantart. So there isn’t really anything that I can do besides leave a comment.

TP: What is your favorite subject to photograph and why?

M: In the beginning I loved to photograph ladybugs, that is why I have so many ladybug pictures in my gallery. But now because there aren’t so many ladybugs in the winter, I try to work with small, cute items (jars, clocks, necklaces, etc.). And now I really love using those in my photographs too.

TP: How do you get the perfect shot to work when working with such a small subject or when photographing a moving subject like the one in “Splash”?

M: I always take many shots of one subject, so then when I upload them to my computer there just has to be at least one perfect shot. And sometimes I’m just lucky I think…

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

M: I want to learn how to take landscape photographs. I see so many beautiful landscape photos with a magical atmosphere around me, I really want to try this too.

TP: Outside of art what is your life like?

M: Photography is definitely my biggest hobby, but I also love to draw! Before photography I made a lot of drawings. And whenever I don’t feel like photographing, I draw. And I really love animals, I have had a lot of pets. My newest pet is my guinea pig, she is so sweet and I just love to cuddle her!

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

M: I am not sure yet if I want to make photography my profession. But if not I’m sure I’ll never stop taking photographs.

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

M: Well I don’t really think I’m am very different than other artists, I just try to keep my work unique and try to do other things.

Image Courtesy of    http://lieveheersbeestje.deviantart.com/

The article Artist Spotlight: Megan “The Dutch Ladybug” Interview appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Victoria “xXMioXx” Aubry is a 21-year-old French artist who has had a fondness for art since she was a child, but began taking it seriously when she was 12. Her first inspirations were visual stories with shocking images. She wanted to be able to make others feel this way with her art and started to experiment. Until two years ago, she was self taught. Since then, she has attended a Japanese-media oriented art school.

The following is an interview with this talented artist.

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

xXMioXx (M): I like to try a bit of everything! After years of using both digital and traditional media, that last one still stays my favorite. There’s a physical dimension in it that remains unequaled and asks for the artist’s hands to struggle with in order to achieve a piece. One is never too old for finger-painting! Digital has that interesting capacity in evolving quickly; we don’t really know how it is going to be in the future, and we could be greatly surprised.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why? Which one are you most proud of?

M: This one is my favorite. I spent quite some time on it, working with strong and saturated colors, but it left me unsatisfied. One
day I just got rid of all the colors on it, instead of trying to refine them, and took a fresh start! It was a great relief to finish it that way. (Here you can see how it evolved ). The one I’m the most proud of is this two years old illustration. It comes with a 10 page story that I would like to re-work soon.

TP: Who or what are your inspirations and why?

M: My main and general inspiration comes from Japanese manga artists. It’s still the case, but lots of internet artists are just as inspirational! My all times favorites are still the Japanese game-designers Shigenori Soejima (Persona 3 and 4…) and Akihiko Yoshida (Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre), amongst others.

TP: Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work? If so, what did you do to resolve it? How did this art theft make you feel?

M: No, I happily have not had to face any major case of art theft! Most of the time it’s just un-credited use of artworks. But real art-thief can make you fell pretty helpless, especially when you try to discuss with the art or idea thief and you only face a wall.

TP: What is your favorite subject to draw and why?

M: I love to draw characters that are heavily influenced by all the recent Japanese anime and manga cultures. The manga style is something I’ve loved for years, and as I still see many of the young artists I met during my teenage years “growing out of it”, I’m trying to  hold onto that style, in particular.

This is not something people should be ashamed to do because it does not mean being a copy-cat or “not evolving”, it’s a style that stands by itself, as valuable as western comics, classical art, or any other imaginable style. With the actual way art is shared throughout the world with the internet, styles are not bound anymore to specific countries and I’m always glad to see an artist from outside of Japan that successfully assimilated the manga style, took liberties with it and made it his own to convey ideas.

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

M: Oil painting would be the medium I would like the most to master one day. Classical paintings fascinate me with their soft and unique texture that is created using particular kinds of paints. Still, it is a bit too expensive for me to use now! Maybe in a few years I’ll be able to afford it.

TP: Outside of Deviantart, what is your life like?

M: Sometimes I’m a student and somtimes I’m a hobby artist. I love to see as much visual material as my brain can absorb, and visiting museums. Collecting things is also my other passion! My room is my own little museum full of not-really-valuable toys, books, dolls, video games, and art prints.

TP: What is it like to be able to be part of a community (Deviantart) that allows you to share your artwork with artists from all over the globe?

M: The community part is the best thing it has to offer! I can’t count how many nice (and talented!) artists I’ve met there that led to some great art collaborations. Also, they are from locations I probably would not have been able to reach through, for example, a blog, or a forum, that are often made around a single language and country.

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

M: I would really like to make a living from art! I’ve tried some other disciplines like Art-History and Language, but I can’t focus on them completely; art is always in the way in my mind. So I’ll try in the near future to work it more and more and I hope things will come out as nice as possible.

If you would like to see any of xXMioXx’s artwork, check out her Deviantart page.

Image Courtesy of   http://xxmioxx.deviantart.com/gallery/

The article Artist Spotlight: Victoria “xXMioXx” Aubry Interview appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Urukins is an artist from Portugal that has been drawing ever since she was little, but started to do it seriously around the age of 12 or 13.  Before then, she did not put much effort into her art, as it was just for entertainment.  She taught herself how to draw by looking carefully at cartoons as well as other people’s artwork to understand how the anatomy worked, how the artist used color, and other methods.

Urukins was happy to answer the following questions in an interview.  ‘TP’ will stand for Toonari Post and ‘U’ for Urukins.

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

U: Traditionally, I use different kinds of inks, markers, pens, coloring pencils, acrylics, watercolors, and coffee.  Digitally, I just use Paint Tool Sai and Photoshop CS 5 along with my tablet, an Intuos 4. Out of all of these, the ones that take my heart are coffee and a black ballpoint BIC pen.

I pretty much spend hours doodling with these.  I think the ballpoint pen is a great tool. It gives me flowing lines, and it kind of keeps down every single line that I did to build a drawing.  People can see the effort I put into it. And then coffee, I love coffee, I think it has a pretty nice color.  I shade a lot of my sketches with coffee. It’s great to drink and also has a great smell and color!

TP:  What piece of your work is your favorite and why?  Which one are you most proud of?

U: On every moleskin sketchbook that I buy, I draw a special deer.  There will be one page dedicated to a single deer where I will put effort and a lot of myself into.  These pieces have somewhat of a special meaning to me, so I can say that they are the works that I am the proudest of.

TP: When you first started, did you ever hit any bumps in your art process?  What were they, and how did you overcome them?

U: I think my first bumps were anatomy and coloring.  I had a lot of difficulty with anatomy. I couldn’t figure out what joints were meant to fit and where.   All of the animals, people, or mythical creatures that I drew during this phase had a logic challenging structure. I cringe at looking at my old work. It’s comical how I tried to make their bodies reasonable.

I also colored like a five-year-old!  It took a while to understand how a colored pencil worked, and when I finally figured it out, I ran into another bump–light source. One cannot simply cast random lights and shades on a piece. It makes it look a bit dumb, in my opinion.  When I realized that the shading I did made no sense, I started observing my surroundings and then tried to copy what I saw onto paper.  Eventually, I got the hang of it.

TP: Who, or what, are your inspirations and why?

U: Disney, Dreamworks , cartoons, my grandfather, and my mother are my main inspirations.  They were the ones who pushed me to start drawing.  As I grew, I got other sources, of course.  If we go classical, I can point out Dali and Leonardo DaVinci. On a more modern look, there is Banksy, some Deviantart artists (such as Lunacylore, Kaziczek-wolf,and JNCarvalho), and a few Japanese artists, such as Yana Toboso and  Katagiri Ikumi.

All of these people have styles that just fill me up with a need to draw.  I want to be as good as them; I want to look at my artwork the same way that I look at theirs, to think ‘my own artwork makes me want to draw’.   Youtube videos also inspire me.  I can honestly say that watching a three-minute video of a kitten playing with a feather makes me want to draw.

TP: What is your favorite subject to draw and why?

U: Birds, canines, deer, and old people. I love animals. I think they are cute, pretty, and interesting, and I adore drawing canines because of their expressions and their behavior; they can be pretty entertaining.  Birds and deer have this beautiful, mysterious thing about them, like crows and owls.

Having one of these birds in a picture can add so much to it.  The whole environment can change just because of their presence.  We build a stereotypical image of them; we connect crows to death, owls to secrecy or silence, and so on.  Deer, as stupid as they are, are amazing animals just for their looks.

Again, we can get a certain aura and feeling with a picture of a deer that maybe a duck can’t get.  It’s hard to explain.  And old people, yeah, I love the expressions old people make, especially old men with mustaches!

TP: Outside of deviantart, what is your life like?

U: I am a regular teenager, I suppose.  I spend a good part of my day in school. Sometimes, I spend an afternoon with school friends at coffee shops.  Friday and Saturday nights are for my closer friends, games, and just overall being silly, and spending as much time as I can with my boyfriend, drawing, gaming, or reading when I should be studying!

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

U:  I don’t know. I’m in my last year of high school, so I have to decide.  I would like to pursue something related to art, but I don’t see many art related opportunities within my country.  The most likely thing to happen is for art and work to become two different worlds in my life. Art would be a hobby, and I would pursue something else professionally.

Image Courtesy of   http://urukins.deviantart.com/

The article Artist Spotlight: Urukins Interview appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Maygikal is 21-year-old artist from Australia who did not pay much attention to art until she was about 13 years of age.  From that day forth, she took standard art classes in high school and taught herself the rest of the techniques you can see applied on her  Deviantart page.

Maygikal graciously agreed to be interviewed.  In the following interview, ‘TP’ will stand for Toonari Post, the interviewer, and ‘M’ will stand for Maygikal.

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

M: I mainly use digital mediums. Adobe Photoshop is my favorite program to work with! It is an incredibly versatile program, and after so many years of using it, it’s almost intuitive to me.

However, I also like the fact that since Adobe is so complex and has so many features, there is always something new to learn, which means there’s always something new you can bring to the table for your art!  I have also worked with traditional mediums, such as marker when I have the chance, but other than that, I don’t do much traditional work.

TP: What piece of your work is your favorite and why?  Which one are you most proud of?

M: I am most proud of this piece because I deviated a little from my normal technique/process of work and liked the result!

TP: When you first started, did you ever hit any bumps in your art process?  What were they, and how did you overcome them?

M: Yes, of course! And as an artist, I still continually run into bumps – I don’t think you ever stop running into obstacles, as there is just so much to learn as an artist. My main obstacle, at the moment, is trying to get a good grasp on color, light, and shade, as I feel coloring is one of the hardest concepts to learn!

The most difficult part about starting out is trying to get a good representation of the image you have in your mind – that’s obviously difficult to do when you first start off, not having a lot of practice or a good foundational set of technique!

I honestly think that to overcome any obstacle, you just practice. You just draw and draw and draw until it’s no longer an obstacle to you!

TP: Who, or what, are your inspirations and why?

M: I have an incredible number of inspirations! I decided only to pull a few that I feel have a direct, conscious influence on my own work: ~Blue-Fox ~nujito *FatPandaLynn *KeshiMeg ~Potetoe ~msh ~skullcaps, Julia, ~cheepers

I watch (on Deviantart) and follow (on Tumblr) an incredible amount of immensely talented and varied artists. I am also incredibly gifted to have the support of many fantastic artists who are my friends; it’s a fantastic resource to have a network of peers that can offer you advice and share your own art woes with.

I feel I have a really broad taste in the kind of art that I like, which keeps my own art fresh as I can draw inspiration from so many different sources without relying on just one person.

I picked the people above, however, because they encapsulate the kinds of aesthetic that I would like in my own art. Each of them have a very unique style with an incredible energy. I feel that all of them also have an impressive repertoire of foundational techniques which they use to every advantage.

TP: Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work?  If so, what did you do to resolve it?  How did this art theft make you feel?

M: Yes, many times! Often (if it is on Deviantart or on a site with the necessary functions), I’ll just report the image as a violation. In some cases I might approach the person in question and ask that they take the image down. I never like having my work stolen – so it doesn’t necessarily make me feel good! – but I’m past the point of getting unnecessarily angry or upset over it.

Many people who upload work or take credit for work that isn’t entirely their own tend to be little kids who don’t really know any better.

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

M: Oh goodness, so many! I would say painting, though. I’ve never really gotten the opportunity to paint ever (except digitally, but I haven’t mastered that yet either), so I think mastery of it would be pretty handy.

TP: Outside of Deviantart, what is your life like?

M: Outside of Deviantart, I’m a recent university graduate that has a bachelor degree in arts, majoring in History & Psychology! I’m returning to another institution this year to study a course in Animal Studies, though, as I have a real passion for animals.

TP: What is it like to be able to be part of a community (Deviantart) that allows you to share your artwork with artists from all over the globe?

M: I think it’s amazing, as Deviantart can be a great platform to get exposure for your work. It can really help you connect with all kinds of artists, and it’s an incredible tool useful for networking.

TP: Why did you decide to join Deviantart?

M: I joined Deviantart so long ago that I’ve forgotten! I think I joined solely because I wanted a place to store my art, and also because so many artists I admired were on Deviantart that it made it easier to keep track of their uploads and art.

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

M: I actually hope to become a veterinary nurse, so art will always be a hobby to me – although one that I enjoy immensely and put a lot of effort into.

Image Courtesy of   http://maygikal.deviantart.com/

The article Artist Spotlight: Maygikal Interview appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

I first stumbled across oOKeitaOo’s art while browsing  deviantart.com.  He is one of thousands of artists that use this site as a community to view other artists’ work and promote their own.  oOKeitaOo graciously agreed to do an interview, so I could show others the workings of the individual behind the art.

oOKeitaOo is a student in Russia finishing up his last year of high school and has been drawing ever since he could hold a pencil.  When he was in his early teens, he was exposed to an anime show by one of his friends called ‘Naruto’.  It inspired him to draw anime characters, and he eventually moved to digital drawing, which he has been working on for the past two to three years.  It is hard to imagine that he went from just sketching in his notebooks to such detailed linearts, which are the works of which he is most proud.

In the dialogue that follows, ‘Toonari Post’ will be abbrevieated TP, and oOKeitaOo will be K.

TP: I see that you do a lot of linearts and allow others to color them and trace your images as long as they credit you.   Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone else took credit for your work?  If so, what did you do to resolve it?  How did this art theft make you feel?

K:  It has never happened with me, but if it ever did happen, I wouldn’t do anything.  If a person stole my art and said it was his, he would never learn to draw well on his own, so I would have less competition.

TP:  What is your favorite subject to draw and why?

K:  I think it would be clothes or something that has lots of details.

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

K: This has often happened to me.  Usually, I just save it or set it aside. I don’t ever throw it out because, one day, these works may help me.  I just correct it, and it will become good art.

TP: Why did you decide to join deviantart? What is it like to be able to be part of a community that allows you to share your artwork with artists from all over the globe?

K: I joined deviantart because I wanted to show what I can do and see what other people think about it.  Its amazing to be a part of this type of community because I can see what foreign artists think about my art and have them critique it.

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

K:  I’m going to become an advertising designer.  I hope to go to the University of Technology and Design of Saint Petersburg (in Russia).

If you would like to check out any of oOKeitaOo’s artwork, go to his deviantart page.

Image Courtesy of   http://ookeitaoo.deviantart.com/

The article Artist Highlight: oOKeitaOo Interview appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.