What's this
illustration for?
This is a
personal piece. I like to observe people when I'm out and about, and this
was one particular person that really sparked my interest. He was a street
evangelist, and I was drawn to what I saw as a contradiction between his
charming and gentle face, and the message of "fire and brimstone" and "eternal
punishment" that is often somewhere in the message. I didn't have my sketchbook
on me at the time, but I felt my later sketches from memory captured something
of this man's character. I needed something to practice my digital painting, so
I decided to finish it off digitally as you see
here.
Do you have to
wait for a flash of inspiration - how do you start?
Sometimes
inspiration comes in a flash, but I don't wait for it. For commissioned projects
my process usually involves looking at lots of photos, and researching my
subject. Then I'll put away the reference, and do lots of quick sketches trying
to combine the research with something personal. It might only be a really quick
squiggle, but eventually something will jump out at me. At that point I'll flesh
it out into something more concrete, and then start refining
it.
How did you
get your start as an illustrator?
It's been
gradual. I couldn't pick out one project as being my big break. It's been a
succession of progressively bigger projects, beginning with stuff that didn't
seem like it would ever lead anywhere. I wouldn't say work is stable yet, but
there is definite progress, and I'm optimistic.
Who or what
has influenced your work?
In terms of
subject matter, Ronald Searle helped open my eyes to the everyday. I really
admire his ability to distill ordinary people, things, and places to their
essence. I also enjoy some fantasy. Hayao Miyazaki is wonderful at portraying
the fantasies of childhood. In terms of technique, my list of influences would
include too long a list of artists to print here. I'm also not sure that I have
a distinct style, so it's hard to say what has influenced
me.
What's your
favourite media for creating pictures?
For colour
work, I'm most comfortable with digital painting programs like Gimp but I always
start with paper and a pen or pencil. The computer is very forgiving, it allows
me to make drastic changes, and then go back if I don't like it. With the
computer I can work in a non-linear fashion. The computer also gives me a lot
more control over colour. I can quickly bring the whole piece into a unifed
colour and value relationship. This is a lot harder with traditional media. You
kind of have to get it right first go, and work very methodically to an
established process.
Do you
experience illustrator's block - if so, what do you do about it?
For
commissions, generally no, since there is no time to get stuck. You just keep
pushing and a solution turns up. Deadlines are kind of good in this way, you are
forced to finish things even if the solution is not "ideal". But for personal
work, I certainly get block from time to time. I think the best way to overcome
that is just to relax and enjoy drawing, look at lot of other people's work, or
just do something completely unrelated to art for a
while.
What's the
worst thing about being a freelancer?
At this stage
I'd say the uncertainty. But I think ultimately, once you're established
freelancing can be more stable and secure than working at a studio for an
employer. That's what I've heard anyway, and I'm hoping it's the
case.
And the best?
Being able to
work to my own schedule is of course nice, but I think the variety of projects
is the best aspect of freelancing. It gives you the opportunity to really find
your niche, and experiment a lot. I'm discovering that things I thought I would
like to do, are not as much fun as some other things I never expected to
do.
What are you
working on at the moment?
I'm working
with a long term client developing a cartoon series. This involves mostly
character concept art, but I've also done storyboarding on this project.
Where can we
see more of your work?
I have work on
a few different web sites, but the best place at present would be on my blog,
www.cbocquee.blogspot.com
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