In this installment of Getting to Know an Artist we feature AFearsomeArtisan ; Artist , Nerd , Gremlin , and Creator of many things
Q) What artistic roles do you like to perform (i.e inker, penciler, computer colorer, painter).
Like most artists who have been drawing nonstop since they could first pick up a crayon, I enjoy being a jack-of-all trades and unrepentant dabbler. Professionally- I have been paid as a colorist for graphic novels, a 3D modeler for video games, a traditional painter, a character sculptor, a 2D digital artist, and an illustrator. In role terms, the earlier stages are the most fun and creatively rewarding for me; sketching, refining, and penciling out ideas to bring an idea from nebulous brain worm to something workable.
Q)What styles/ genres do you create in?
My personal style falls somewhere in the semi-realism category, with a noticeable bit of comic book and traditional illustration flavor sprinkled in. I work in genres heavily influenced by what I love: classic fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy and horror, videogames, and TTRPGs like Dungeons and Dragons and Monster of the Week. Clients often come to me for illustrations of their original characters: particularly character designs for RPGs or scenes commemorating big in-game events or during RP. I offer traditional greyscale ink wash for a classic book feeling, digital cell shade for an animated aesthetic, or rendered painting depending on a client’s vision.
Q) How did you get your start in art, what was the first project you did that made you feel like a professional?
The first time someone paid me to design a character for them was in high school. I still remember the dopamine rush. After that, a cold outreach from DeviantArt (in the before-times when it was a real community hub) to sculpt a fandom OC in polymer clay convinced me to start offering commissions regularly. My first contract as a 2D artist for a video game was the project that made me feel like a professional designer, and seeing my enemy icons appear on a popular DnD living world’s livestream made me finally feel like a legit fantasy artist.
Q) Where would you like to see yourself in five years with your art?
In five years I would like to have contributed to some more large projects- modules, books, comics, or animations. I would be chuffed to get to collaborate with other creatives on something like a book cover or card art, with the dream of running into my work naturally out in the wild.
Q) What do you feel is the most important things a person should take from a piece of art?
An idea or a feeling- if a picture is worth a thousand words, those words should be saying something. Maybe it’s a mood, an emotion, or a state of mind. Maybe it’s a curiosity about the scene or character pictured. Maybe it’s an indescribable vibe. But it’s still something.
Q) Do you have a specific creative process when you are working on a piece of art?
Depends on if it’s art for a client or a personal piece. For a client I start with gathering references and understanding the brief, then noting initial ideas in thumbnails to see where my gut leads. For personal pieces I like to listen to music for inspiration, turning to character playlists or finding tunes that match a genre. Story first and defining a moment, placing characters, then establishing setting. From there it’s sketches, refinement, carving out linework, and rendering until it looks right.
Q) What are your primary inspirations when creating art?
Music, media I’m engaging with at the moment, fiction, fanfiction, and years of collected references across subjects and platforms. Personally, I tend to hyperfixate on a story or character and chew on it relentlessly, extracting all the flavor I can. As people we have an innate love of stories, and I tend to be inspired by people getting excited about an idea or subject they’re passionate about.
Q) Do you have any favorite artists that you like to study for technique?
So many- I use social media primarily to follow artists and see what they’re up to. Off the top of my head- Baruyon (aesthetic painting style), Ostinlein (beautiful animations), and Doubleleaf (fandom icon) have all inspired me for years.
Q) What would your dream project be? Are there any mainstream projects you would like a chance to work on?
Gosh, choosing just one is hard! I have a lot of dream project ideas- everything from getting to illustrate the covers of a full series of novels to designing my own video game from scratch. Given unlimited time, budget, and brainpower I would take a shot at animating some short stories, or perhaps finally knock out a full comic book- definitely something with a little spice. Mainstream projects like MtG cards or WotC rulebooks would be a lovely feather in the cap, but I’m more drawn to independent creators doing their own thing.
Q) If people want more information about you or to request a commission, where should they go?
My linktree (https://linktr.ee/afearsomeartisan) is a good place to start- I try to keep it updated with current links as we migrate to and from platforms. For sending commission inquiries or getting a quote, email is strongly preferred: a.fearsome.artisan@gmail.com
Final four questions –we ask everybody.
Q) When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
Out in the woods in the most cottage-core setup you’ve ever seen, maintaining my spike traps and occasionally venturing into town to leave foreboding graffiti on the walls to give someone their Environmental Storytelling moment.
Q ) What is your favorite Fandom (could be sports, pop culture, favorite director or author)
You can’t make me choose one- they accumulate and disperse like pebbles on a beach. And Fandom can be so distinct from the source material… arg. For a sampling- people’s original DnD campaigns, Remedy’s shared universe, maybe Terry Pratchett?
Q) What piece of art do you think people must experience before they die?
Not a specific artwork, but an experience worth having- walking inside quintessential gothic architecture. In person, to take in the details. It’s humbling but is also so inspiring- people made that. With their hands. Crazy.
Q) Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
I am one professional degree of separation away from the Lord of the Rings movies 🙂
Paper Phoenix ink 