There are talented artists all around the globe, each influenced by their own surroundings, friends, colleagues and life experiences.  While some of us picked up art only recently, others have been working with it all their lives.  Some people have had a dream since birth to work in the digital art field, and Jose Paulo Amorim Reis is one of them.

In this interview, Jose will share some of his inspirational work, influences and advice.  Enjoy.

• Your Name: José Paulo Amorim Reis
• Your Age: 32
• Location (City or Country): Oporto (Portugal)
• Your website or portfolio: www.zepaulocreation.blogspot.com
• Software you use: Photoshop (95 %) Illustrator or freehand (5%)

Thanks for taking the time to interview with us. First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a digital artist with 4 years of experience.  I’m passionate about fashion photography, creativity, advertising, photomanipulation and digital art. I’m working currently as a digital artist in Lalaland Studios (fashion photography).  I love fashion and beauty photography and everything related with digital art.  I’m devoted to Photoshop, and everyday I’m trying to improve my skills.

How did you get started with digital art?

I’ve always loved digital art. The manipulated images have always fascinated me. When I was young I had a dream that one day I would be able to do what I want with any image I choose and work with full freedom to modify and create truly inspirational images. I think that actually my work is the mirror of my dream.

The Lost Planet

What are your major influences? Any artists in particular who influenced you a lot, or other media such as music and movies?

My main source of inspiration is the work of some amazing artists that I had the pleasure come across with in the web.  Some names like Michaelo, Zach Bush, Peter Jaworowski, Jerico Santander, Pete Harrison, Javier Alvarado and some other amazing artists in the world.  These artists gave me the light I needed to explore my world and to create my own images.

From a creative standpoint, is it easier to work on personal work or client work?

No doubt it’s much better to do personal work.  Here there are no limitations!  The only limits are the ones that I impose, because the freedom of my ideas are the inspiration for a job well done. When I’m working for a client, it is much harder because I have to limit myself to his/her ideas, when many times could change the work quite a different way and better, but I can not do because it is the customer who decides.

Does your heritage, ethnicity or current residency location affect your art? If so, how?

I don’t think so. Today the influence comes from many great artists worldwide.  The Internet gives us the possibility to see other great works with which we identify ourselves and allows us to realize the inspiration for new works

How would you describe your style, in a sentence or two?

I have very different styles. I explore many techniques as I can. Photomanipulations and digital painting mixed in one gives the result I need.  I explore when I need a realistic style and often surreal images almost always converge with nature and feminine beauty.

Just Appreciate

Can you describe your typical workflow when you’re working on a project, whether it be personal or for a client?

When I work for a client, they gave me the briefing and the elements (sketches) I need to build the image. After that I develop the image with all orientations.  When I am developing a personal work usually do not draw, but I will build the image I have in my mind. It’s a long process that includes insertion and removal of manyelements to reach the final image.

Do you have a favorite work that you’ve done, or something you’re especially proud of? Why that work especially?

I do not have one that I like more.  Most of the work I do for me are those that make me proud. Of course there are some which have more critical acclaim from the general public of which I can highlight one:

The Last World

This piece was a personal project in order to draw attention to global warming of our planet. This is a warning to the planet we live and we should protect it against this very real threat. The planet is sinking and so it is vital to save it!

What draws you to the style of art that you make?

My style reflects to me the most realistic way to expose my work to a real or surreal world!  Do something different in an image or picture that often is impossible for most people ever see this image into reality.

What program do you do the majority of your work in, and why?

Photoshop is the key! Illustrator and freehand are complements that I use if necessary.

Do you use any external hardware such as a drawing tablet? How do you use it in your workflow?

Yes… I use a draw tablet. From the moment I start to use my tablet my work improve a lot. I can’t work this time without my tablet.

Island Paradise

Do you have any advice for beginning artists out there?

Never give up your dreams to achieve your goals.  Hard work and dedication are the secret words to anyone who wants to be a digital artist.

Where do you see yourself in the future, and how do you feel that you will be growing as an artist?

My goal for the future will always improve the quality of my work. While I was inPortugal or elsewhere. The important thing is to do what I like, I can now consider myself a lucky person because that’s what I do. Currently working on a fantasticphotographic studio in Porto (Lalaland Studios) with a fashion photographer of themost reputable in Portugal called Frederico Martins (www.fredericomartins.net). Has published work in fashion magazines such as Vogue, GQ, Maxima, ELLE. In this studio you presently intend to explore and improve my work every day. I give workshops on advanced Photoshop and here I can tell my students that Photoshop is a fantastic program that allows us to expose all our imagination into a work of art.

Inspiration is Nothing

Anything else you’d like to say? Any projects you’re working on that you want to draw attention to, or closing thoughts for the readers?

I’m working everyday in new projects! At this moment we are developing some fashion and Advertisement work at the Studio, but If I have any available time at night I try to explore my mind and my imagination in a new digital art work.

Thanks to all who appreciate my work, because those are people who every day give me the strength to continue to improve my work!

In this week’s interview, we sat down with Howard “Dyst” Winterson, a graphic designer from Virginia and Intrinsic Nature member.  With an interesting and colorful abstract style, Howard has been experimenting with digital art for around 8 years, and has developed unique techniques for his art.

Enjoy the interview!

• Your Name: Howard “Dyst” Winterson
• Your Age: 19
• Location (City or Country): USA, Virginia
• Your website or portfolio: www.strangeprogram.deviantart.com
• Software you use: Photoshop CS3

Thanks for taking the time to interview with us. First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Thanks for the interview! My name is Howard, some may know me as “Dyst”. I’m currently a student attending college and have a fairly fulfilling life.  I enjoy doing digital artwork and traditional artwork. I also enjoy teaching. I’d like to make a career out of combining the two, but I am still looking at other options.

Love

How did you get started with digital art?

I got started with digital art at least seven or eight years ago, when I first got a copy of photoshop. I was completely clueless when I first got it and didn’t have any idea how to use any of the tools and didn’t return to it for some time. It wasn’t till about four years ago that I returned to it and started trying to take a more serious approach to learning the program to make artwork.

What are your major influences? Any artists in particular who influenced you a lot, or other media such as music and movies?

My major influence is how I am feeling. I like to use certain textures and colors to represent how I am feeling when I’m making the work. It’s a very emotion-driven engine and also acts as my main source of inspiration. I think a lot and to draw from that cascade is to tap into who I am and express who I am. The people in my life also inspire me a lot based on who they are and how I look at them.  I’ve drawn inspiration from many different artists online and in the traditional world. M. C. Escher’s surreal work and warped perspectives are a great inspiration to me.

Natural

From a creative standpoint, is it easier to work on personal work or client work?

It’s definitely easier for me to work on personal work for the reasons I mentioned above. It feels much easier to explore boundaries and play off of what you’re feeling and experiment when you’re working on something personal to you. I enjoy making client work too and working on someone elses vision, but do find that you are forced to limit your creativity a bit and submit to what the person in charge of the work truly wants, which can be, but doesn’t have to be, a fairly suppressive task at times.

How would you describe your style, in a sentence or two?

Very reliant on the colors and the atmosphere of my work. It is easy to look at a lot of my work and just see colorful spheres, but the pieces are all my expressions. I try my best to introduce new elements in the same way new elements are introduced into my life. I always concern myself with the contrast of the shades and tints, and the colors of my work, because those are my greatest tools in expression. Lately I’ve been trying less abstract approaches to expression and been exploring technique in some of my upcoming pieces of work.

Gray Matter

Can you describe your typical workflow when you’re working on a project, whether it be personal or for a client?

When I’m drawing, or I’m opening photoshop, or whatever, I always have a certain mood in mind. I always have a sturdy emotion or thought that I’m clinging onto from the beginning of my project to the end. Sometimes the way I’m feeling can change and I’ll decide to take a new approach with what I’m working with. In any event as far as how it goes pragmatically, I like to have an idea of where my objects are going to be, and what else I’m going to include in the mix to make things more appealing to the viewer. I may generally draw out a very sketchy composition and work from there, or just have it in my mind where things are going to be from the start if the composition is simple enough to offer itself like that to me. If I feel like at a time during the work I am unable to express myself, and I am having poor luck exploring techniques, I’ll using just take a break from the work and resume at another time. My main objective in making artwork is to make the workflow come as naturally as possible and never try to apply force to my work, only glide it parralel to how I’m feeling – I think this kind of mindframe is the most healthy if you want a true representation of you.

Do you have a favorite work that you’ve done, or something you’re especially proud of? Why that work especially?

Afraid of the Dark

I’m particularly proud of this work because I think I really did get the surreal atmosphere I was aiming for while keeping it at the same time colorful. I had an idea with what this work was to me and I think of how I was feeling every time I look at it. The entire process of making it just felt very natural and most importantly, I just had a really good time making it and developing it.

What program do you do the majority of your work in, and why?

The vast vast majority of my work comes from Adobe Photoshop. I’ve played with 3d modelling programs and adobe illustrator, and enjoyed working in these programs, but of all the software I’ve tried I’ve found that Photoshop speaks with me the best as far as a piece of software allowing me to try whatever I want to try to get my idea across. Photoshop has a rather expansive set of tools and, in a simpler light, it’s just what I’ve been using for most of my graphics design life and so I have developed a few techniques using the photoshop tools.

Do you have any advice for beginning artists out there?

Yes. Being an artist and being a designer is a grand matter of principle and purpose. There is always a purpose behind what you’re making, and that purpose is going to always be the essence of your work. If your purpose for doing art is to express yourself and say something, you will find ways to say things depending on how compassionate you are about the things you’re saying. If you don’t have a purpose, you are more likely to be hurt by your own devices and restrict yourself from continuining to, naturally, develop as an artist. It is important to have some passion behind what you do if you are designing, even if your passion is just for designing in and of itself.

We are Forever

Using your analytical side is important too, which brings me to principle. It is important to have a purpose behind what you are doing, but it is also important to have an understanding of your tools and become accustomed to them. A comfort zone and a working brain can really help you resonate with your emotion and find the best ways to employ it. The understanding of these two forces together to me is a valuable possession for any
designer or artist of any variant.

Anything else you’d like to say? Any projects you’re working on that you want to draw attention to, or closing thoughts for the readers?

Just a thank you for the opportunity to give this interview. A thank you to any friends or family reading this. Thank you for your support. I encourage any reader who has any other questions to contact me personally, I love to talk about this.

The web is full of talented graphic designers, each with a unique story, heritage, influences and design style.  While some prefer to work with 3D manipulations, others enjoy illustration, while still others use digital painting techniques to build their artworks.   The truly masterful artists learn to combine each of their individual skills and techniques to create artistic masterpieces.

In this week’s interview, we talked with Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen, also known as ouwEnz, to talk to him about his graphic design background and his works.

Enjoy.

• Your Name: Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen
• Your Age: 28
• Location (City or Country): Helsinki, Finland
• Your website or portfolio: http://ouwenz.deviantart.com/
• Software you use: Photoshop

Thanks for taking the time to interview with us. First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a self-taught 28 years old digital artist & illustrator from Helsinki, Finland.  I just started working as a full-time graphic designer in a creative agency called Valve after working as a freelancer for quite a long time.

How did you get started with digital art?

I used to draw a lot when I was young but it took me quite many years to realize this could be something I can do for living. It was 2004 when I first got introduced to Photoshop because of my studies. I got interested in the possibility to use digital canvas instead of traditional paper & pen combination. I started doing some tutorials and small banners/signatures on some forums and the rest is history.

It’s Time

What are your major influences? Any artists in particular who influenced you a lot, or other media such as music and movies?

Hard question. I really don’t have any particular artist who has influenced me but if I gotta name one, even though it’s bit of a cliche, Salvador Dali. I love doing surreal works and like we all know, he was tremendous in surreal art.

From a creative standpoint, is it easier to work on personal work or client work?

Hmm usually I would say personal work but sometimes some clients might give you a very detailed brief of what they need and want from the final design. This means they already have the idea in mind and you just need to execute it. So sometimes when this happens it’s easier.

How would you describe your style, in a sentence or two?

I don’t really feel I have certain style. Well most of my works are photomanipulations but I do a lot of experimental works as well.  Maybe I could say colourful, semi-realistic scenes with lots of details to look at.

Unique

Can you describe your typical workflow when you’re working on a project, whether it be personal or for a client?

Depends on the projects but here’s how it usually goes with illustrations. Sometimes it starts with sketching, sometimes not. Anyways I have an idea either on paper or in my head and I’ll start by finding nice bunch of stock photography which fits for the concept.

Then I build the composition with the main elements and once I’m satisfied with them I’ll start building things around them. At the end I focus on details and minor fixes here and there aswell as color adjustments and so on.

Bulls on Parade

Do you have a favorite work that you’ve done, or something you’re especially proud of? Why that work especially?

I think my favourite work is still ‘Guardians of Revolution‘, eventho it was made almost 3 years ago. It was my first work for Evokeone and I put quite many hours to it and I’m quite happy how it turned out.

Guardians of Revolution

What draws you to the style of art that you make?

Hmm, maybe it’s because I like the idea of making people see something which looks real but can’t really be that. So that the viewer sees familiar objects etc. but in unordinary contexts.  But nowadays I’m experimenting more and more with illustrative style and mixing it with the photorealistic style.

What program do you do the majority of your work in, and why?

Majority of my works are done in Photoshop. Simply because there are no better program for my needs. But I also use Illustrator, InDesign and Cinema4D.

Expressions

Do you use any external hardware such as a drawing tablet?

Yeah. I couldn’t live without my Wacom Intuos 4 Medium. When it comes to use of Photoshop I basically use it for everything else than perfecting pixels in web layouts.

Do you have any advice for beginning artists out there?

Keep practising, keep experimenting and you’ll do fine.

Do Not Cross This Line

Where do you see yourself in the future, and how do you feel that you will be growing as an artist?

I see myself working in an agency or as a freelancer. Either way I see myself producing high-quality graphics for high-profile clients and thru the experience, having much better eye for a good design than current me :)

Anything else you’d like to say? Any projects you’re working on that you want to draw attention to, or closing thoughts for the readers?

Couple cool illustration projects on the works which I can’t really tell more but be sure to stay tuned and you won’t miss them! Take care everyone and I hope you very creative year 2011!

One of the great qualities of the online graphic design community is the willingness of its members to share tips, tricks and support to the community.  It’s one of the principles on which CreativeFan is founded, and it leads to the overall enrichment of the community.

Over the past few years, perhaps no one has been more prolific in contributing to the design community than Nik Ainley.  Between writing for Advanced Photoshop, ComputerArts, PSDTUTS and others, Nik not only offers an inspirational model of graphic design and digital art experimentation, he also shares his expertise and experimental results.  So, in this interview, Nik will share some of his insights, workflows and inspiration with you.

• Your Name: Nik Ainley
• Your Age: 28
• Location (City or Country): UK
• Your website or portfolio: www.shinybinary.com
• Software you use: Photoshop, Illustrator, 3DS Max

Thanks for taking the time to interview with us. First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a freelance digital illustrator and have been for almost 4 years now. I mostly do commissioned work for advertising or editorial clients, but still spend a lot of time experimenting with personal work. I’m always trying to learn new techniques and software as a large amount of my work comes from experiments with techniques I don’t really understand.

101 Ideas

How did you get started with digital art?

I first started when I got hold of a copy of Photoshop at university and was addicted right from the start. I spent several years just playing around with it in my spare time, slowly learning about it and digital art in general. I think the first copy I had was version 5.5, so there was also a lot of time spent trying out the new features of each new release.  Nowadays Photoshop is a much more rounded package so there is less difference between new versions.

Are you a member of any art groups? If so, why did you join, and why those groups in particular?

I’m a member of Depthcore. They were the first and only art group I joined, and I’ve been there for over six years now. I was invited when I was just starting to put my work online for other people to see for the
first time. It was a massive surprise and honour to be asked and I jumped at the chance. Depthcore has been around for almost 10 years now which I think is astonishing considering how quickly things move in the digital
art scene. I think the group’s longevity says a lot of about the commitment of the members and the perception that Depthcore is a leader, not a follower.

Why Not

From a creative standpoint, is it easier to work on personal work or client work?

That’s a tricky one to answer as there are plus points to both. With client work I will generally have a good brief to follow so I know what I’m trying to achieve from the start. I’ll normally get regular feedback to steer me in the right direction, and since the decision of when I a picture is done or not is the client’s I don’t have to worry about that.

Instant

Personal work is generally a lot more fun though. I can do whatever I want, just follow my own instincts and the only person who has to like what I do is me. At the same time I often don’t really know where I want a picture to go and have a lot of trouble deciding when to finish. You can never be quite sure that there isn’t something you can add or change that will improve a picture.

Do you have a favourite work that you’ve done, or something you’re especially proud of? Why that work especially?

I produced two personal images earlier this, Julia and Origins, which are probably the first I’ve done that are not mostly based on Photoshop work.  Julia is probably 50% 3D and Origins 85%. Considering I only really started looking at 3D properly at the start of this year they represent a big step forward for me. Previously I have used 3D software for very simple purposes, mostly extruding text to make it 3D, but nothing close to these before.

Julia

Origins

What program do you do the majority of your work in, and why?

For the vast majority of my career I have done most of my work in Photoshop. It is the Swiss army knife or graphics software, and can produce a huge range of styles. You can create graphics in it from scratch, or use it to composite photos into photo realistic manipulations. Every image I do will be finished off in Photoshop, no matter where I started it.

Mystic

Recently I have been moving into 3D work more using 3DS Max as I find the possibilities it provides very exciting. I’m still a relative beginner, but as a lot of my work comes out of experimentation I see a lot of possibilities in it already. I know Photoshop almost too well for that any more.

Where do you see yourself in the future, and how do you feel that you will be growing as an artist?

I’m really quite open towards future possibilities. All I know is that I want to continue trying new things and learning. I don’t want to stand still or just get better at what I already do. 3D and motion are both exciting prospects to me, as well as the possibility of working as part of a team again some day. I see advances in technology providing the power to produce more and more exciting imagery that will make current say work look primitive in comparison. I envy those just starting out for what they will see become possible in coming years.

Lush

Anything else you’d like to say? Any projects you’re working on that you want to draw attention to, or closing thoughts for the readers?

Hope you enjoyed reading it and expect new work to come out soon!

Earlier this week on CreativeFan, we showcased some of the incredible artworks from SlashThree’s new exhibition titled Paradigm Shift.  In this week’s graphic design interview, we sat down with one of SlashThree’s members, Wojciech Magierski, to talk to him about his graphic design work, influences and inspiration.

Wojciech has also contributed a tutorial here on Design.CreativeFan, Create a Natural Flowery Peace and Harmony Composition

Hope the interview inspires you!

• Your Name: Wojciech Magierski
• Your Age: 26
• Location (City or Country): Cracow
• Your website or portfolio: www.magierski.pl
• Software you use: Adobe Photoshop CS5

Thanks for taking the time to interview with us.  First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Hi everyone! My name is Wojciech Magierski a.k.a m4gik, I work as art director in advertising agency in Cracow.  Graphic design has been my passion since I can remember, I like different styles, photomanipulation, collages or hand drawn illustrations.

Balance of Life

How did you get started with digital art?

I loved to draw or paint when I was little younger, I felt this is what I want to do in the future.  Then, I found Photoshop and I was going to use it. :)  Since the time I started using my computer for design, I went to graphic school and now today I am working in this trade.

Destiny

Are there any artists you look up to?

Of course, as a graphic designer I know many great artists from all over the world. But, here in Poland we have a really strong designers, for example Krzysztof Domaradzi or his brother Grzegorz, these guys are crazy.  Nicknames like werke, o5am, crislabno, noeeko, digimental, rarr, and many more, just from Poland.

I love Russ Mills’ style, he has great illustrations.  Also, Bechira Sorin and Tomin Vladimi, creative directors from slashTHREE.  There are lots of great artists I didn’t mention, cheers for them as well.

Divine

From a creative standpoint, is it easier to work on personal work or client work?

I think it is much easier when I work on presonal project, because I have no specific guidelines from a client.  The project is only my vision and nobody else’s, but it doesn’t mean that work with client is bad.  It is just different.

Escape

How would you describe your style, in a sentence or two?

I like a somewhat dirty style, but balanced.  I feel it. I have my own brush pack and I use it in my projects, but sometimes I like to create a photomaniuplatition, clean composition made from couple of stocks.

Living Paints

Can you describe your typical workflow when you’re working on a project, whether it be personal or for a client?

First of all I am thinking about a composition.  I draw some drafts, and I choose the best composition.  Next, I start to create a project in high resolution.  I search for the materials which I want to use, such as textures or stocks. It is always better to work with a plan of action.

Do you have a favorite work that you’ve done, or something you’re especially proud of?  Why that work especially?

It is hard to say, I don’t have one favorite project.  I am always trying do my best.

But from my latest projects I am very happy with slashTHREE illustrations, there was a nice theme and the results were great.

Voices

From my commecrial works, my favorite is a Mercedes4x4 ad.  The client was open for my ideas, so the cooperation was really great.

Mercedes 1

Mercedes 2

What program do you do the majority of your work in, and why?

Most of my work I do in PS CS5, but I use Illustrator and Cinema 4D  as well.

MM Fighter

Do you use any external hardware such as a drawing tablet?

Yep! I have a Wacom intuos3 A5, it is very comfortable and precise.  I can’t imagine working without tablet, having it is very important.

Temptation

Do you have any advice for beginning artists out there?

Think positive!  Don’t give up and work hard.  If you are determined you get what you want.

Where do you see yourself in the future, and how do you feel that you will be growing as an artist?

I am not thinking about it, we will see what life brings.

Brainstorm

Anything else you’d like to say?  Any projects you’re working on that you want to draw attention to, or closing thoughts for the readers?

I wish you all the best and thanks for interview. :)

3D is a powerful addition to other techniques in graphic design such as photomanipulation, vector and hand-drawn elements.  3D elements add depth, create a sense of space as well as movement, and can be both the star of the piece as well as just interesting additions to the composition.

Today, we sat down with digital artist Luca Genovese to talk with him about his digital art, influences and inspiration that he draws from music, as well his workflow for using 3D in his digital art.

Hope you are inspired!

• Your Name: Luca Genovese
• Your Age: 19
• Location (City or Country): Bologna, Italy
• Your website or portfolio: http://www.behance.net/LucaGenovese
• Software you use: Photoshop CS4; Maya 3D

Thanks for taking the time to interview with us. First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m 19 years old and I study graphic design at high school, in Bologna where I have lived for 5 years.  I come from South Italy, from Calabria.  Now I’m a freelancer working with graphic design and I’m a phrenetic creative that wants to experiment till to find own way to express the same, through the art, professionally.  I love the music, I listen a lot of music everyday of my life, it is a basic element of my days. I’m that smiling guy that you meet on the bus, with the headphones overhead and the foot that follows the beat.

Woah

How did you get started with digital art?

I started 4 years ago, it was just for fun on internet forums.  I started with sign making and I learned quickly, widening my horizons about the culture of the image and digital arts and discovered that this is what I want to make.   After that, I started to make larger pieces, using Photoshop and Illustrator. 2 years ago, I did a professional training course of modelling and animation with Autodesk Maya.

Evoke

What are your major influences? Any artists in particular who influenced you a lot, or other media such as music and movies?

My major influences are tons of music flavors from every video and image that I see every day.  I really like the motion design on MTV, it probably inspired me at unconscious level.

How would you describe your style, in a sentence or two?

Something that fluctuates and that softly opens the mind, free to change, like music.

Desaturate

Can you describe your typical workflow when you’re working on a project, whether it be personal or for a client?

My typical workflow is simple.  Everything starts from my headphones and a long walk, between people, for Bologna and above all between my thoughts.  When I have to work for a client I carefully study their requirements as well as the customer.

Music and junk food help me a lot on the execution in a typical creative day.

Do you have a favorite work that you’ve done, or something you’re especially proud of? Why that work especially?

Fantazia

I love this one because I worked with a mix of tools and arts that stimulated me.  Photography, search of elements of wood and a wonderful anti stress ball were all used, postwork in Photoshop and 3D dedicated entire to a single idea.

This mix is that I preview of what I’ll be making in the future, although still more professionally since have met some contacts that helped me realize some important artistic directions, that they rotate around the fusion of the arts, this what it attracts to me mainly.  I want to free an idea and leave it to fluctuate between the limbs.

What program do you do the majority of your work in, and why?

I often use Photoshop and Maya 3D, I like to integrate and to modify the 3D elements in my compositions.

Black Block

Do you have any advice for beginning artists out there?

Follow your passion, it seems obviously but this is the point. Everything must revolve around this, you must run with the passion and grow with her, under every point of view.  Take your time to do a lot of practice with the software to find the right combination between idea and technique.

Where do you see yourself in the future, and how do you feel that you will be growing as an artist?

I want to do art direction of projects that includes many artistic styles and components, and work with the motion graphic and 3D animation. It’s important for me to enter into the world of the audio/video.

Hybrid Lump

Favourite kind of music?

Music.

Recent favorite track?

There are a lot of tracks, but I think that it’s better to suggest some positive vibes, I’ve just eaten the “melanzana ripiena” so..Wayne Smith – Ain’t No Me Without You

Sweet Sweet Way

Anything else you’d like to say? Any projects you’re working on that you want to draw attention to, or closing thoughts for the readers?

I’m working hard for the upcoming pack of Evoke and Intrinsic Nature so stay tuned.  Oh, personal projects in 2011 will be seriously fresh, for sure, I’ll visit Holland, Spain and UK to refresh my mind!

Teardrop IN9

The genre of surreal art is a large genre, with many different artistic mediums, stylistic techniques and influences from around the globe.  However, in digital art, the genre is taking on new life with modern techniques of digital painting, photomanipulation and vector graphics.

In this interview, we sat down with Igor Š?eki?, a rising digital artist from Croatia who has some absolutely stunning artworks in a surreal organic abstract style.

Enjoy the artworks and the interview!

• Your Name: Igor Š?eki?
• Your Age: 25
• Location (City or Country): Zagreb, Croatia
• Your website or portfolio: fusionfactory.net
• Software you use: Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Corel Painter, a bit of Poser and Cinema 4d (but I am not so great with 3d software yet).. I also used to use Apophysis and 3D Max before, but I haven’t used it in a while.

Thanks for taking the time to interview with us. First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Igor Š?eki?. I am 25 year old student of Graphic Design from Zagreb, Croatia. I am hoping to finish University soon and start working in some design agency.  In meantime I am freelancing to gain some experience and to earn some money. In my free time I like doing creative stuff, because that makes me think less about things that makes me sad, depressed or angry in real life. Art is to me is like an escape door from reality to some happier place.

Mental Age

Cosmic Ecology

How did you get started with digital art?

At the end of high school (I think it was at begining of the year 2004) I saw two guys from my class doing some cool stuff in Photoshop with photos of my classmates. I used to like that since I was before interested in some other forms of art, so I decided to try that cool program called Photoshop and I felt in love at first sight with it. After that I got into Graphic Design University that brought me more into experimenting with Photoshop and other software. I found out about some Croatian art forums, got some virtual friends there so I got instantly hooked to online art communities. I started producing more art every day. Then I discovered DeviantArt, which was opportunity to show my works to whole world. At that time I wasn’t informed so much about art groups and overall digital art scene. One day I started to notice that there are some art groups that release artpacks every few months. I tried to apply to few of them. Evoke ( www.evokeone.com ) accepted me as their member. Since that day I am working every day to make my mark in global digital art scene. During the years I also got into SlashTHREE ( www.slashthree.com ) and Intrinsic Nature ( intrinsicnature.org ) artgroups, but I don’t want to stop on that.

Dreamland

What are your major influences? Any artists in particular who influenced you a lot, or other media such as music and movies?

Every artist have something that influences his artworks, at least on subconscious base. I was always mostly attracted to surreal forms, something that don’t bellong to this world. Except that I also like organic, caligraphic and abstract forms . So I find some inspiration in that. Except that some things that are happening in my life or in world are also inspiration for new works. Also some movies gave me ideas for artworks, but I can’t say I am directly draging inspiration from movies. It’s more that some movie make me thinking about something, and then I somehow incorporate that thoughts into artwork. When I am working on some new piece I always listen to music, so probybly music influences atmosphere in my pieces. I like listening to different psychodelic/stoner/doom/alternative rock bands, but I also like some electronic music.

Stairway to Heaven

Are there any artists you look up to?

Since I told before that I mostly like surreal art it is normal that I like some great artists like: Salvador Dali, Escher,H.R. Giger, Rene Magritte. I also like some of the classic old masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Carravagio, Albrecht Durer, H. Bosch…and also some newer but I can also say ‘classic masters’ because they have made great impact in art world. I am thinking about Picasso, Kandinsky, Braque,Van Gogh, Seurat… All of them brought something new to art world, and every young artist should respect and trz to learn something from them. I am saying that because few years ago I wasn’t respecting any art piece that wasn’t realisticaly drawn and shaded. Maybe this could be strange or funny to some pople, but I was very limited with my vision of good art. Nowdays I am more open minded for different types and forms of art. I aslo like a lot works of some digital artists like David Furer, Alex Trochut, Zach Bush, Jerico Santander, David Waters and a lot of others. Except that I like photography too. Nowdays there are a lot of great photographers too… Denis Olivier, Emmanuel Correia and a lot of others.

A

From a creative standpoint, is it easier to work on personal work or client work?

It depends. Sometimes client work could be very simple to make, but sometimes client could ask me to make something very difficult. In personal works I am not restricted with someone’s requests, so basicaly I can do whatever I want to. So more freedom means more fun and it’s obvious that I enjoy more doing personal works. But I can’t say it is easier, because in personal works I am often trying to do things that I don’t have idea how to make, so that is for me some kind of pushing my limits and trying to bring my works to next level.

Expressions

Does your heritage, ethnicity or current residency location affect your art? If so, how?

To be honest it don’t. I am not trying to find inspiration in my city and environment, because I don’t want to focus on recreating nature. I like to take photos of some old parts of my city, or nature in it, but when it comes to digital art I am rather trying to create my own nature, my own world where everything goes by my rules.

How would you describe your style, in a sentence or two?

I can’t say I have my own style because you’d need to be artist whole life so that someone can say that is your style.Style isn’t something that you learn overnight. I am trying to make what I feel that I need to make at that moment when creating this certain artwork. If I’d need to give some name to my point of view at the art I can say that I am trying to make some surreal-organic-abstract world in my works.

Music In My Head

Can you describe your typical workflow when you’re working on a project, whether it be personal or for a client?

Every project have it’s own path from finish to the end, but some things are in common to all of them. It all starts with rough idea in my head. I need to know what actually I want to make. After that starts some basic sketching on paper or directly in photoshop. Just to know where goes what in composition. Then I start looking for resources( stock photos) or make my resources I’d need for that project ( vector illustrations, 3d objects). Here starts fun. I am trying to arange and compose everything to works good with other objects. When I am satisfied with composition I am working on adding details and shading. Last step is working on colors.

Do you have a favorite work that you’ve done, or something you’re especially proud of? Why that work especially?

Hmmm…I really don’t know answer to that question. I like some pieces more, some less, some have special meaning to me, but I can’t pick one that is my favourite. Maybe my piece for Desktopography 2010, because it represents my own paradise where I can be free of daily stress and frustrations. It’s a place where I can do whatever I want without feeling bad about that.Unfortunately I can’t show it to you yet. People will be able to see it on Desktopography web site once exhibition will be released.

Freedom Fields

What draws you to the style of art that you make?

Why do you like your current style, and why stick with it as opposed to working with a different style, technique or medium?
I don’t want to focus on one style because if you work all the time in same style you got borring to yourself and others. But it is true that I prefeer surrealism because to me it represents freedom…Freedom to do whatever I want to. It is very important to try different styles and mediums, so I have also worked in some traditional art techniques, but I have also tryed to use some of them in unconventional way. I prefer digital art since it alows me to combine many different forms into one piece and to undo everything I don’t like, but in traditional art techniques you can’t undo your brush strokes.

What program do you do the majority of your work in, and why?

Adobe Photoshop, because it lets user to combine photos, 3d elements, vectors, textures, letters or whatever into one artwork. Photoshop is a tool for making digital collages. By that I don’t mean about collages like that made out of coloured paper and cut outs from magazines. It is more higher form of collage when you can combine everything you can imagine of into one unique piece of art. But besides that, every photography, vector illustration or whatever isn’t made in Photoshop at the end of it’s working process ends up in Photoshop, at least for correcting colors and contrasts.

Do you use any external hardware such as a drawing tablet? How do you use it in your workflow?

Yeah I am using graphic tablet. I don’t use mouse at all in my workflow, because everything is more natural and easy to do with a pen than with mouse. Pressure sensitivity is a great thing because painting with it feels just like painting with normal pencil.

Shadow of the Sun

Do you have any advice for beginning artists out there?

Well there aren’t much asdvices to give. The most important is to experiment a lot and listen what more experienced artists have to say about your works. Don’t get offended by critique, that should just be your guide and motivation to try harder. When I started I used to think that some people are just trying to offend me by critiques, but now I think that if there wasn’t that constructive, sometimes harsh critiques I wouldn’t be at this level I am today. Also watch what other artists are making, be influenced by that, but try to avoid copying other’s works or you’d end up in endless sea of trying-to-be-trendy-and-cool artists. And last but not the least- don’t compare yourself to others because there will always be someone better. You should rather just relax and enjoy creating your artworks. With some time and effort you’d end up being one of the people you’ve admired few years ago… Only if you love enough what you are doing you can achieve a lot in that what you are doing.

Where do you see yourself in the future, and how do you feel that you will be growing as an artist?

I don’t have actual vision of my future because you can never know what will future bring. Maybe I’ll end up selling stuff on a street corner. Just kidding, I hope that one day I’ll have my own design agency with few high quality artists/designers. But for now that is just a dream. My first goal is to finish University and start freelancing more. About growing as an artist….hmm..I really don’t know in which dirrection my art will go in the future, but to me the most important thing is that I hope to still find so much fun doing art as I do nowdays. If one day making art won’t be fun to me anymore I’ll probably stop doing it.

Change the World

Anything else you’d like to say? Any projects you’re working on that you want to draw attention to, or closing thoughts for the readers?

I am working on few different projects, but I can’t talk about them for now. .. But I want to say this to everybody… It doesn’t matter how good are you in doing what you are doing, more important is to have fun doing that! Take care…

In our own tutorials here on Design.CreativeFan, we’ve discussed the power of combining techniques in digital art, including illustration, 3D, photographic reference and digital painting to be able to create stunning results that are limitless.  However, it often helps to see some of the limitless possibilities in action.

In this interview with digital artist, Slashthree and Intrinsic Nature member Anthony Giacomino, you’ll get an insight into his creative process and artistic mind, and be inspired by his breathtakingly detailed work.

Enjoy the interview!

• Your Name: Anthony Giacomino
• Your Age: 21
• Location (City or Country): USA
• Your website or portfolio: http://www.agiaco.net/
• Software you use: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Cinema 4d

Thanks for taking the time to interview with us. First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Aside from design and visual art, I really enjoy photography, music, sports (particularly basketball), and also gaming and movies. I’m really getting into macro photography and it’s a big focus right now. I am in my final year of college. I hope to find some helpful design jobs for a few years and then explore other options, such as freelancing full-time or opening a small studio in town.

How did you get started with digital art?

Well, I’ve used design software for about 6 years now. For the first couple of years it was mainly just creating little things for fun. I loved Photoshop, and the more I used it, the more I wanted to improve and learn. Eventually I started really focusing on visual art and design, and branched out to learning other programs and implementing hand-drawing as well (tablet mainly).

Chromatic Flow

From a creative standpoint, is it easier to work on personal work or client work?

That’s a good question. I think it’s generally easier to work on personal works, but my problem is that I am so picky and focus a lot of time on small pieces. While you don’t have the final say in client works, I’ve learned they don’t tend to notice the “little things” as much as I might for a personal work. So essentially personal works are easier since it’s all me, but they take longer in many cases just because I have an unlimited amount of time to perfect things that I might not have the time to do for a client work.

Arcadia Magic

How would you describe your style, in a sentence or two?

My style is unpredictable andranges from piece to piece, but it tends to either include mixed media elements with digital painting, stock photos and some abstract elements. Sometimes it’s mainly a more dynamic look with shapes, lights and other effects to form abstract works.

Discodance Dissonance

Why do you like your current style, and why stick with it as opposed to working with a different style, technique or medium?

I think it’s just fun to create works that are colorful and detailed. When it comes to personal works, I tend to like it to be something that is fun to look at it. I don’t take it super seriously in terms of making perfect sense to people. I want people to take time to look around and spot little details.

I Am A Laser

What program do you do the majority of your work in, and why?

I tend to work in Adobe Photoshop the most, because it’s the most versatile in terms of pulling off tons of effects and it’s packed with nice features. I’m also the most comfortable with it. I use Illustrator and Cinema 4d in moderation for personal works and Indesign more for client works or layouts.

Gaia

Do you use any external hardware such as a drawing tablet? How do you use it in your workflow?

I use a Wacom Intuos 3, and it’s great. Not just for drawing things, but for speeding up certain aspects of the design process. It’s nice for getting in close on images and making precise cut-outs.

Do you have any advice for beginning artists out there?

Do what you enjoy most and build on that first. Start with your strengths and you will have plenty of time to expand to other mediums/styles as you learn and improve. Make sure to get a foundation for the basics of art and design, so you can apply them to your work.

Vitality

Anything else you’d like to say? Any projects you’re working on that you want to draw attention to, or closing thoughts for the readers?

Keep following my photography in particular, because I’m working hard and trying to improve. It would be great to see some comments on my account at http://agiaco.deviantart.com/ Otherwise, keep an eye out for the Intrinsic Nature group. I’m trying to get back into the swing of things and hopefully some new personal work will be out in a few months.

Creative minds often explore multiple mediums and genres for artistic expression, crossing the boundaries from design and art into music and audio.  Today, in our newest edition of our interview series here at CreativeFan, we sat down with graphic designer, illustrator and DJ Bryce Walhof, also known as eN-1.

A member of art groups The Luminarium and evoke-one, Bryce also is building a following on popular DJ site site SoundCloud, expanding his artistic expressions across a variety of technologies.

Here’s the interview:

• Your Name: Bryce Walhof
• Your Age: 19
• Location (City or Country): USA
• Your website or portfolio: http://en-1.deviantart.com/
• Software you use: Adobe Creative Suite

Thanks for taking the time to interview with us. First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Well I am a stunning 19 year old slim athletic bachelor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Ha, enough with that, I am really just a normal guy from northern USA.  My common interests are DJ’ing big parties, snowboarding, drawing & design, and just being around great company.

How did you get started with digital art?

I started getting into digital art when I was a sophomore at Wausau West High School, in Wausau Wisconsin. I had a class where an instructor talked about a lot of basic level Photoshop material, for example using the clone stamp tool to fix a map.  In the meanwhile, I was heavily into gaming in the day, I was on sites like gamebattles.com, which is a gaming community that allows you to give your gaming team a custom banner and also allow users to have a custom image in their forum signature.  I spent a lot of time finishing early in the class and seeking more advanced tutorials for the rest of class. I was very hardcore into making signatures before I started learning large art and branding.

Soul

What are your major influences? Any artists in particular who influenced you a lot, or other media such as music and movies?

I am influenced greatly by both music and other artists. I can’t say who is my favorite or “most inspiring” but I can say for work in the past I have heavily influenced by the depthcore artist, ishbu and also heavily influenced by trance electronic music such as Zoo Brazil or The Crystal Method.

Are there any artists you look up to?

Anyone who has the skill to make it onto the depthcore art collective will always be under my radar of artists to keep up with.

From a creative standpoint, is it easier to work on personal work or client work?

From my experience so far, it has been easier on personal work. Most of the time I find the client restricting my creative inputs.

Zen

How would you describe your style, in a sentence or two?

My style on the turntables is energetic, and I would say my style on the canvas is photo manipulation with a twist of illustration.

Do you have a favorite work that you’ve done, or something you’re especially proud of? Why that work especially?

Im really proud of my logofolio thus far:

Logofolio

And this collab with Anthony Giacomini from Milwaukee:

Refuge in the Sky

What draws you to the style of art that you make?

A lot of what attracts me to my art is the realism that can sometimes be mixes with illustration. I think the mix of photo manipulation with illustration is great because it gives the picture a sense of unrealism, but not too much. It sometimes leaves the viewer with guessing what is real to the eye, and what is not.

What program do you do the majority of your work in, and why?

Mostly all of my pieces were made in Photoshop 7 from 1992. In fact I did not upgrade to CS5 until a few months ago.

Do you have any advice for beginning artists out there?

My advice to give other artists is to not be afraid to be inspired by others and trying to make similar work, but finding your own style is important as well. It helps to learn how other artists do things through observing and tutorials in order to develop your own style.

Innovations in Biology

Where do you see yourself in the future, and how do you feel that you will be growing as an artist?

I feel like I will grow digital art-wise as well as my DJ’ing career.

Anything else you’d like to say? Any projects you’re working on that you want to draw attention to, or closing thoughts for the readers?

I’d Love for people to check out my DJ’ing project called *69. If you are an electronic music fan you will most likely enjoy this.

In this week’s interview, CreativeFan sat down with surreal abstract artist Laurent Monnet to talk with him about his influences, workflow and stylistic techniques for how he creates his artworks.

Working with digital art for only 18 months now, Laurent has quickly become a surreal art mastermind, armed with Photoshop, Illustrator and a drawing tablet, he sets out to turn his dreams into reality.

• Your Name: Laurent Monnet
• Your Age: 18
• Location (City or Country): France, Annecy
• Your website or portfolio: http://beautifulreal.deviantart.com/ and http://www.behance.net/beautifulreal
• Software you use: Photoshop, Illustrator, Alchemy, my own brain

Thanks for taking the time to interview with us. First off, could you tell us a little about yourself?

I am Laurent, aka Beautifulreal on the internet.  I started with art 18 months ago, and I am a student in a school of graphic design in France. I am also a graphic design freelancer.

How did you get started with digital art?

Hm, interesting question. I started with digital art on Amkashop, which was a great source of inspiration.  Today, I have continued with Amka, and I have joined the artgroup Ars digitalia.

What are your major influences? Any artists in particular who influenced you a lot, or other media such as music and movies?

My major influences are the movement of surealists painters: Dali, Magritte, etc, as well as the surreal digital artists as Richard Roberts and Alexander Otto.

Persistence of Feelings

My major inspirations are my dreams, my own ideas which I make of the world.

Are there any artists you look up to?

I respect all artists with what I can see, I enjoy a variety of styles.

From a creative standpoint, is it easier to work on personal work or client work?

Definitely personal work, because it’s very rare when the client gives complete freedom on the development of an artwork.

Tomorrow After Yesterday

Does your heritage, ethnicity or current residency location affect your art? If so, how?

I don’t feel that I am influenced by my country or surroundings, because imaginary phenomena tend to be out of the bounds of reality.

How would you describe your style, in a sentence or two?

My style is a combination of surreal and abstract: the two styles that allow complete freedom.

Breakfast

Can you describe your typical workflow when you’re working on a project, whether it be personal or for a client?

Often, I have an idea in mind for a concept, but sometimes I spend days trying to think of a good concept for the artwork, and then I begin work.

Do you have a favorite work that you’ve done, or something you’re especially proud of? Why that work especially?

I am very proud of my creation ‘Surrealist Eve’.  I have always wanted to create an artwork on the myth of Eve, and I finally finished it.  I am also happy with interest and reception that people gave this artwork.

Surrealist Eve

What program do you do the majority of your work in, and why?

I use Photoshop, it is the program with the most possibilities for configuration and tools.

Do you use any external hardware such as a drawing tablet?

I use my friend, the drawing tablet: Wacom Intuos 3 A4 for all my creations.  My artworks are often 70 % painting.

Do you have any advice for beginning artists out there?

Dream, work, Dream, work, Dream, work, Dream, work, Dream, work, Dream, work……

Where do you see yourself in the future, and how do you feel that you will be growing as an artist?

In future, I would continue creating digital art without stopping.  I like to continue growing and improving more and more.

Considering the World

Anything else you’d like to say? Any projects you’re working on that you want to draw attention to, or closing thoughts for the readers?

“Do not fear perfection. You will never reach.” – Dali, Salvador