When it comes to drawing or painting, the aspect that has improved the most has been the knowledge of how to render objects, anatomy, and how to make images believable. Now that I am in the more advanced classes, I’m learning numerous ways to make illustrations that are new to me, but extremely fun and useful.
What most surprised you about studying at RMCAD?
At first, what surprised me most was how frustrating it was taking the foundation art classes. It was basically relearning everything I was taught in high school, plus a lot of information that I did not know. I learned and relearned a lot. Now that I am in the more advanced classes, I’m learning numerous ways to make illustrations that are new to me, but extremely fun and useful.
What aspect of your work or technique has developed the most during your time here?
When it comes to drawing or painting, the aspect that has improved the most has been the knowledge of how to render objects, anatomy, and how to make images believable. Before RMCAD, I did not know the basics of 3-dimensional objects and I also knew little about anatomy. My art is now believable because I know what elements to include to create a believable image.
How would you describe your style or approach?
After getting the assignment, I brainstorm and think of visuals to go along with the words of an article, book, or idea. I then create thumbnails no bigger than 3 inches by 4 inches (I’m trying to break myself of the habit of drawing thumbnails large because larger is more time-consuming).
I present the images to the art director. After choosing a final thumbnail to work on, I draw a larger, final line drawing. The line drawing should be as close to the final image as possible.
Compositional elements and details need to be understandable and complete so as to eliminate imperfections and difficulty in future stages. When the line drawing is done, I scan it, project a larger image onto a gessoed board, and trace the image. I spray-fix the traced image and leave it alone, then do a value and color study. This part is equally important to the line drawing so that I don’t screw up lights, darks, and colors in the final painting.
After the studies are done I start painting the final piece. I use oils and work on one area at a time, left to right so I can rest my hand on the board as I paint, using the value and color studies as examples to look off of. Ideally, I would paint the picture perfectly the first time, but I’m still learning and typically make a few mistakes.
I spray the oil painting with Crystal Clear and glaze over imperfect areas with a mixture of Liquin and oil paints to fix values, colors, and other details. Then it is finished and ready for critique or submission to the employer!
If you were stuck in an elevator with a brand new RMCAD student, what “inside tip” would you give them?
The only thing that is REALLY going to help you improve is yourself and your own personal desire to get better and have fun as an artist. There are a lot of people who go to art school, but the ones who succeed are the ones who have the mindset to have fun, learn as much as possible, and find the enjoyable aspects of the hateful assignments you’re guaranteed to come upon.
You have a goal: to be a fantastic, amazing, skilled artist. If you really want it, don’t lose track of that desire and you’ll have a great time and come out one hundred times better than when you came in!