The Pencil Club is proud to present an interview from
AthenaTT with
shimoda7.
What does your art mean to you (or, why do you enjoy creating art)?Art means a lot to me. It's not only a door to the outside world through which I can express myself, it's also the path that lies behind that door. A path that leads me to my own thoughts and feelings. When I draw, I'm not only focused on what I'm doing, but also on what I'm feeling. It's kind of a meditation, a perfect way to be alone with your feelings for a while, try to learn from them or just let them go. We don't have to TALK through our art all the time you know, we can also learn to LISTEN through it.
Your gallery has strong emphasis on the medium of graphite. Why have you chosen this medium as favourite means of artistic communication for your talents?Because it's black! no seriously, I do love B&W images but that's not the only reason. It's because graphite is so controllable. You can draw the tiniest details and still be in control of every stroke, and that is the most important thing to me when it comes to drawing. Another thing I love about graphite is its versatility. Graphite can do much more than any other pencil. And last but not least, its softness. It doesn't damage the surface of your paper but allows you to produce beautiful, warm grey, soft and smooth shadings which is an essential part of creating realistic drawings.
We have noticed your gallery consists of very realistic pencil portraits. Do you use a grid, or do you work freehand, and why?Yes, I use a grid. Simply because it makes the whole process a lot easier and shorter. I do draw freehand when I'm doodling or sketching for fun or study, but for my "serious" work I use a grid. Especially for commissions, which I try to do more carefully and with more precision. The client wants to see a good likeness after all.
Have you had any formal art training? Do you feel it is necessary or important for an artist to have formal training?I don't think it's necessary. It's helpful yes, but not necessary. The only art training I've ever had is a short course when I was 16 or so. Couple of lessons about the basic stuff of drawing and painting. Of course I could continue and go to the advanced class but I didn't, due to some personal reasons. I still remember what my teacher (a great artist and a great person) told me when I went to his studio to say goodbye. He said: "If you want to stay on the right path, don't forget your art!"
Please tell us about the materials you use to accomplish your graphite and colored pencil work. What brands of pencils and paper do you use and recommend, and why?I'm not very picky when it comes to pencils. I just happen to have some Faber Castel graphite pencils, some Cretacolor monolith (woodless) pencils and a box of Caran d'Ache coloured pencils (which are all great I might add). It's the paper that is more important to me. My favourite one is Lana by Winsor & Newton. I just love everything about that paper. Even its name! It is a 100% acid free paper with a clean white, smooth yet strong surface which is perfect for repeated working and erasing. What do I need more? Oh wait, I do need more: cotton pads. You know, the ones women use to clean their faces with. I use them for smudging.
We noticed two pastel pieces in your gallery. Do you often use other mediums besides pencil? Which ones do you enjoy, and which prove to be most challenging?No I don't use other mediums very often. Every now and then I try something new and different but eventually I go back to graphite. That's what I like most and what I'm best at.
I found white pastel on black paper more challenging than anything else. Not because of using the medium itself, but because of the process of drawing. Normally we draw shadows but now I had to draw the light, so I had to think opposite! But it was really fun to do.
We noticed you mention to use photos as a reference for your drawings. Do you always use photos, or do you also draw from life? Which do you prefer and why?Drawing from life requires much more than using photos: model, room, light, time, you name it. That's why I only do it for study. The funny thing is, I do like drawing from life more than anything! I don't know, it just feels more... artistic.
What is the hardest thing for you to draw?Backgrounds! really. I just don't have the patience to colour large areas. Every time I have to do backgrounds I wish I had a 'magic wand' and a 'fill tool' (you know, like in PS or PSP) so I could go click, click, click, done. haha!
We didn't immediately notice any direct commissions in your gallery. Have you ever created drawings on a commission basis? If so, which inspire you more: commissions, or creating for your own enjoyment?I do commissions, but I don't submit them here on DA. You can see them on my website if you want.
My own work is definitely more inspiring and meaningful. I have more (artistic) freedom when I'm doing my own stuff, so the result is more "me".
What advice would you give to a graphite artist desiring to improve the quality of their own art?Well, I think we all have our own definition of quality. It's something we must figure out by asking ourselves a couple of questions, like these:
1- WHAT do I want to draw?
2- WHY do I want to draw it?
3- HOW do I want to do it?
If you want quality, either artistic or technical, make sure you know the answers before you touch your pencil. Drawing is a creative process, take it seriously. Get to know the (im)possibilities of your medium. As I said before, graphite is very versatile. Use that. Observe! See the details, even if you can't reproduce all of them. Compare! Focus! Draw your lines carefully! Don't expect too much from yourself, but not too little either. Be ambitious! Think you're a good artist and act like one. Enjoy what you're doing, but take it seriously!
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