ImagineFX 197 40 2021-01-22

HOW TO SPARK
Inspiring ways to create the art of your dreams

ACHIEVE FHOURRSEE
YOUR ART
GOALS! 5+ CUSTVIDOMEO BRUTUITSHESION
OF PRO
INTERVIEW
BLUEBIRDY
On creativity and
WAYS TO GET positivity for 2021
BETTER AT DOODLES ALSO INSIDE

MAKE IMAGERY OUT OF
EVERYDAY OBJECTS
TRADITIONAL PAINTING
SKILLS IN INK & TEA
PRODUCE ART THAT
ISSUE 197
TELLS A STORY
Editor’s letter
Welcome to… EDITOR’S CHOICE Three of my top

picks this month…
20
Here in the UK we’re in the

depths of the winter season. The
sun sets early, the skies are weak
and grey and we’re experiencing
a bitterly cold spell of weather.
However, despite the bleakness Things can only get better
Brush away the cobwebs of old and focus on setting
of this scene I depict, there are fresh goals for your bright future ahead.
very early signs of spring and
I can spot a few tiny signs of life 38
in my garden. I also remember that despite the cold
weather there’ll be an additional hour of sunlight
every month until the summer solstice. The nights
are slowly getting lighter and the biting cold will
turn into a gentler climate.
I know that readers on the other side of the world
are enjoying summer temperatures and lighter
nights. The knowledge of this – the changing and
moving on of seasons – keeps me warm and brings I heard the bluebird sing
me hope. The world is turning. Life is constantly Need an injection of positivity? The art of Fatemeh
moving forward. Cold turns into warmth. Darkness Haghnejad (aka BlueBirdy) will make your heart soar.
into light. Wherever you are right now, things will
move on. Brighter times will come.
76
I hope you enjoy our latest edition. Please let me
know your thoughts at the email address below.
Editor in chief
[email protected] Lost and found
Artist Eric Geusz (aka space gooose – hey what’s the bird
theme here?!) turns an everyday object into art.
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Contents
Your art 38
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE!
10 FXPosé
You submit your work to us and then
we show your gorgeous art to the world!
News and events

20 How to set goals as an artist
Artists from across the globe give insights
on how they work towards reaching their
creative and career goals.
30 Artist in Residence:
Colie Wertz
The concept artist reveals how he relocates
around his space to reignite creative flows.
Features
38 Artist Portfolio:
Fatemeh Haghnejad
The artist also know as BlueBirdy discusses
her creative process, lockdown positivity
and why 2021 will be the best year ever.
48 Sketchbook:
João David Fernandes
This artist uses his sketches to delve into
character relationships and his own values. Artist Portfolio “Some of the
Reviews FATEMEH things I make are
too fragile to be
HAGHNEJAD
84 Hardware
We check out Huawei’s MateBook X Pro out in the world”
2020 and Apple latest Mac mini model. Fatemeh on her personal art
86 Books
A retrospective of fantasy artists, plus titles 20 30
on Tarot cards and the art of Soul.
Regulars
3 Editor’s letter
4 Print subscriptions
8 Resources
28 Digital subscriptions
29 Letters
46 Recent editions
68 Next month How to set goals Artist in Residence:
as an artist Colie Wertz
82 Sign up for our newsletter
6
Issue 197
48 60
Workshops
56 Celestial lighting in your art
Karmen Loh paints a female portrait
illuminated by starlight.
60 15 tips for better doodles

Get the most out of your loose drawings,
with Gareth Davies.
70 Create art that tells a story

Sketchbook:
Chrystin Garland makes use of colour,
João David Fernandes Better doodles
composition and detail.
56 76 Paint using everyday objects

Artist space gooose beats creative block.
94
Portrait painting
98
Celestial lighting
70 76
First Impressions:
Amelia Leonards
Traditional Artist
90 Traditional FXPosé
Discover this month’s selection of the
finest traditional art, sent in by you!
94 Workshop: Portrait painting

using ink and tea
Carne Griffiths uses calligraphy inks and a
fountain pen to create detail and tone.
98 First Impressions:
Amelia Leonards
Discover why antlers are a common theme
Storytelling art Everyday objects
in this US illustrator’s work.
7
Resources
Editorial
Editor in Chief Claire Howlett
[email protected]
Art Editor Daniel Vincent
Operations Editor Cliff Hope
Contributors
Dom Carter, Jo Cole, Gareth Davies, João David Fernandes,
Getting hold of this issue’s resources is easy.

Chrystin Garland, space gooose, Carne Griffiths, Matt Hanson,
Karmen Loh, Tom May, Beren Neale, David Nield, Colie Wertz
Just visit http://ifxm.ag/bright197ideas

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ALSO! Pro advice on character design, concept art and more!

Take your art skills to the next level with video workshops from Anthony Macbain, AM Sartor,
Jason Rainville and Fatemeh Haghnejad aka BlueBirdy – who we interview on page 38.
PLUS 6 CUSTOM BRUSHES, INCLUDING…
SKETCH & RENDER SOFT HAIR

Future plc is a public Chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne
Cover artist Karmen Loh makes Artist space gooose selects this When painting her figure art, company quoted on the Non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford
good use of this custom brush, custom brush to make quick work Karmen uses this brush to create London Stock Exchange Chief financial officer Rachel Addison
(symbol: FUTR)
which has an interesting texture. of any blending tasks in his art. textures in a character’s hair. www.futureplc.com Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244
8
In association with
PLACE TO SHARE YOUR DIGITAL ART
Jude Smith
LOCATION: Canada MEDIA: Photoshop, Blender, KeyShot, Marvelous Designer,
3DCoat, ZBrush WEB: www.artstation.com/jude_smith
Jude is a concept artist who works at Blackbird

Interactive. “Over the past five years I have also
worked for a handful of other studios such as
Kabam, Volta and Mighty Canvas.” 3
2
1 SCIFI CHARACTER
“I drew this character as a
demo for IFCC, showing a
2 NINA
“This character started as
a study, but I liked how
breakdown of my process strong the silhouette and
and how I mix themes.” pose was, so I finished it.”
3 KIRA THE CROW

“This post-apocalyptic, future-
tech character is heavily inspired by
4 YASUKE
“Based on Yasuke, who was an
African-born warrior who reached
the work of DEGENESIS and the the rank of samurai under the rule of
Adam short film created in Unity.” Oda Nobunaga in the 16th century.”
10 Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx

4
Congratulations to
Jude, our Artist of
the Month who
receives a copy of
Corel Painter 2021,
together with
an Ultimate Brush
Pack containing
over 600 unique
brushes, worth over
£1,500, courtesy of
our friends Corel!
Submissions for Artist

of the Year are now
closed. We’ll reveal
our Artist of the Year
at Vertex 2021 – visit
www.vertexconf.com.
You can still submit
your work to FXPosé,
see below for details.
HOW TO SUBMIT
YOUR WORK
Please send us:
• Five high-res
(300dpi) images of
your work, with a title
and a 30-word
caption for each.
• Your name, the
software you use,
location and website.
• 50 words about you.
• A photo of yourself.
Email this information
to: fxpose@
imaginefx.com.
Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx 11

In association with
Darko Stojanovic
LOCATION: Serbia MEDIA: Photoshop WEB: www.darkostojanovic.com
“My first drawings were of heroes and villains from the Asterix and
Obelix comics, and when I grew up I moved on to fantasy,” says
Darko. Nowadays he paints book illustrations and board game art.

2
4
3
1 ROGUE TRADERS
“My friends Marko and
Aleksandra from Craftworld
Studio are professional
miniature painters, so I
wanted to paint them as
two characters from
Warhammer 40,000.”
2 TRIUMPH IN
CONSTANTINOPLE
“This is a painting for a
personal project. It depicts a
historical scene that’s been
practically forgotten.”
3 WALL OF STORMS
“Ezren the wizard, for
Paizo’s Pathfinder RPG.”
4 TYRION LANNISTER
“I love painting portraits,
so I often create portrait
studies of actors, historical
© 2019 Paizo Inc.
people or acquaintances, and

I enjoy the acting work of
Peter Dinklage.”

In association with
Hanny Natasha
LOCATION: Indonesia MEDIA: Photoshop WEB: www.artstation.com/roschea
Hanny juggles illustration with writing and is currently studying

graphic design. She discovered her passion for illustration four years
ago, “and now I’m learning to tell stories through my artwork.”
1
1 LYCORIS RADIATA
“Red spider lilies are known
to symbolise final goodbyes.
This served as an outlet to
express my feelings about
the pandemic.”
2 PRINCESS MONONOKE
“Fan art of Princess
Mononoke. The protagonist,
San, fights against the people
who are threatening the lives
of her found family.”
3 WRETCHED
WEAPONRY
“A battle between androids
2B and 9S against an army of
seemingly endless machines.
A fan art of NieR: Automata.”

3
Adeline Chong Yue Qing
LOCATION: Malaysia MEDIA: Photoshop WEB: www.twitter.com/etsuki_haru
“I love rendering details and drawing mild gore,” says

Adeline, a self-taught illustrator. “I mainly use cool
hues to depict the atmosphere of my art.”
1 EVENING IN THE CAFÉ

“An illustration of my characters who
work in a coffee shop. I focused on the
feeling of warmth and the coffee aroma.”
2 BAKUNAWA
“This character is originally from Eli
Clark, Lunar Phase skin in the game
Identity V. I drew this character based on
Bakunawa from Philippine mythology.”
3 EVERY WISH COMES WITH A PRICE

“Fan art of Victor Grantz from Identity
V. This doll shop is rumoured to grant
wishes for the price of a soul.”
4 HALLOWEEN BIRTHDAY
“A client commission celebrating a
character’s Halloween birthday. I focused
on the pastries he made for himself for a
party that nobody will come to.”

In association with
Jennifer Bruce
LOCATION: US MEDIA: Procreate, Photoshop WEB: www.jenniferbruceart.com
“I draw inspiration from nature, beloved works of fiction, and my favourite

cinematic and electronic/indie-pop music,” says Jennifer, an award-winning
artist with a bachelors in illustration from the College for Creative Studies.
2
1 DEATH OF THE TREE PATH
“Created for author Timothy Scott Currey’s
2020 release of the same name. The magical
2 MAERMAYD
“You never know what lurks beneath the
surface: friendly fish, buried treasure or
wind clashes with the dying wildlife.” beautiful women who want to eat you.”
3 LAMPYRIDAE
“An elf maiden sets off on a grand
adventure with her faithful (if reluctant) fox
friend and some helpful fireflies.”
4 RISK
“This illustrates the idea of faith, which
is often a leap out into nothing while
trusting that you’ll be caught.”

4

In association with
Ivona Đenovic
LOCATION: Croatia MEDIA: Photoshop, Procreate, Modo WEB: www.artstation.com/ivonadenovic
Ivona is a freelance concept artist and illustrator with five years’

experience. “I graduated from the faculty of graphic arts in Zagreb, and
worked in-house for two years before moving on to greener pastures.”
1 2
1 ZLATOVEZ
“Traditional folk garb in
Slavonija, an eastern region
3
3 GREENHOUSE
“This piece features my
Dungeons & Dragons
of Croatia. I’m in awe of the character Isara, who I played
craftsmanship behind this with for three years. The
type of embroidery.” game was a constant source
of inspiration.”
2 BABAROGA
“Southern Slav folklore
speaks of Babaroga, a 4 COSMOS
“I wanted to challenge
gnarled old lady who kidnaps how I use colours and make
misbehaving children who something personal. Usually
trespass in her boggy lair.” I use grounded palettes.”
5 WANTED
“This was part personal
project, part storytelling
practice. I’m a fan of many
genres and I love to find
inspiration in everything.”

4
• Create stylised art with Artificial Intelligence

• Make quick edits using Clone Tinting
• Enhanced Thick Paint features
Effortlessly recreate natural media – oils, • New tilt support for Apple Pencil
watercolour, pastels and more – with the • Gain greater control over Layers
latest version of Corel’s software, which
features over 900 customisable brushes! www.painterartist.com/en/product/painter

ARTIST NEWS, SOFTWARE EVENTS
AT THE CORE OF THE DIGITAL ART COMMUNITY
20
SUPER ART A MASTER OF WRITE IN TO
SKILLS HIS CRAFT IMAGINEFX!
Gina DeDomenico Spacecraft concept One US reader asks
walks us through a artist and modeller what happened to print
typical day as a Colie Wertz takes us for editions of ImagineFX
costume concept artist, a flypast through his during the pandemic,
working to create home studio and while another has
eye-catching superhero garage – he appreciates a query about
outfits for TV shows. a change of scene… subscriber copies.
Page 29 Page 30 Page 37
“I found a better understanding of

my goals when I learned to be
disciplined,” says Maliheh Rahrovan.
How to set goals as an artist

Achievement unlocked Artists from across the globe share their insights with
Tom May on how they work towards reaching their creative and career goals
Do you dream of working full-time as “My burnout may be a result

an artist? Maybe for TV or the of untreated ADHD, which is
pretty common in those
movies? As a freelancer working for pursuing a career in art,” says
cool brands? Or just doing your own Annabelle ‘Abelle’ Hayford.
thing, supported by fans on Patreon?

Well, such dreams won’t come true
by themselves: you have to do
something about them. And the first
step is to decide where you
ultimately want to be.
In doing so, give your imagination
free rein, says Maliheh Rahrovan, an
Iranian character designer
and 2D artist who’s
achieved her post-
university ambition of
moving to and working in
New York. “Don’t be afraid of setting
ambitious goals,” she urges. limit, so I could form habits that I Brothers. “I suffered the worst type of
“Importantly, don’t be afraid to say would commit to in the long term,” burnout when I was still in school and
them out loud. If you believe in your says Maliheh. “For example, posting I’m still recovering from it. There were
goals and talk about them, you’ll make work regularly on social media, or times when I had to force myself to
them happen.” doing daily figure drawing.” step away from my art and career, to
The next step is to devise a series of (Opposite) “My focus is Sticking to such goals, of course, focus on myself and well-being.”
driven solely by sheer
smaller goals that will propel you obsession and love for isn’t always an easy thing to do. “One
towards the larger one. “For me, the the subject, rather than
discipline as such,” says
of the biggest challenges is staying BE PREPARED TO TAKE YOUR TIME
trick was to set goals with a daily time Ejiwa Ebenebe. focused and not burning out,” says Taking a break can feel like failure. But
Annabelle ‘Abelle’ Hayford, a actually, there’s plenty of time to
One of the biggest Ghanaian-American

illustrator and character
achieve your goals without sacrificing
your mental and physical health. Even
challenges is staying focussed designer, currently
working as background
though it doesn’t always seem like it.
“Impatience is something that I see
and not burning out painter for Warner in a lot of artists – and indeed I’ve
21
ImagineNation News
“I’m a stubborn person,” says

Ejiwa. “I want something, so
get super-fixated on figuring
out how to get there.”
struggled with myself – especially achievements and success, it’s so easy

when you’re just starting out,” to feel like you’re a failure or doing
explains Ejiwa Ebenebe, a something wrong,” says Ejiwa. “So I
freelance illustrator and think a critical first step is to accept
artist based in British that sustainable growth takes time,
Columbia, Canada. and that you’re not a failure for not
All rights reserved to Ubisoft Entertainment. Copyright © Ubisoft Entertainment.

This stems from our being where you want to be quickly.”
tendency to compare ourselves and Remko Troost, a senior
our work to others, she believes; an concept artist and
issue that’s only heightened by social illustrator at Ubisoft
media. “Seeing all these amazing Montreal, agrees. “I teach
artists around you sharing their at a private art school
Accept that sustainable growth takes

time… you’re not a failure for not being
where you want to be quickly
called Syn Studio and I see a lot of
“Ultimately I want to be a
showrunner and/or art students trying to get the kind of
director for an animation
series,” says Abelle.
results they see on ArtStation by
industry veterans,” he says.
“Consequently, some of them rely on “Stay curious and open time to create a solid pathway to the
to new possibilities and
photobashing way too soon. I think it’s media, and always be in large umbrella goal; but the
really important that you master the a learning state of confidence, positive reinforcement and
mind,” says concept
basics before using photos.” artist Remko Troost. momentum you build up from setting
targets you’re actually able to reach is
TAKE SMALL STEPS invaluable for keeping you going.”
Pacing yourself properly means That said, not everyone has to set a
setting small, achievable tasks that are specific career goal. Cédric Babouche
practical and realistic. This can feel is a French artist whose
frustrating when you want to shoot for varied list of achievements
the moon, but small goals “are the real – art director, illustrator,
heavy lifters of progress,” believes comic book artist,
Ejiwa. “Not only do they build up over watercolour painter,
22
Artist news, software & events
“My first big goal was

INDUSTRY INSIGHT
going to art school in
Iran, then to study REMKO
animation in the US,”
says Maliheh. TROOST
The senior concept artist and
illustrator discusses goal-setting
“I’ve had several When did you first realise you

proposals that I’m
considering, but these wanted a career in art?
are not career goals It actually started as a child. I’m
– more curiosity goals,”
says Cédric Babouche. self-taught and began drawing
and painting at a very early age.
From then on, I always kind of
knew I wanted a career in art.
And I haven’t ever stopped
drawing since.
Have you always been

disciplined as an artist?
Well yes, pretty much. It isn’t
really about discipline or practise
on purpose for me, though. I just
can’t stop doing it!
Do you still set yourself

learning goals?
Yes, when I have the time, I love
to play around with traditional
mediums such as charcoal,
watercolours and oil paints. I love
how you have to think differently
in each medium and how this
influences using, for example,
digital mediums afterwards.
Unfortunately, with a family and
a full-time career, along with
freelance work and teaching, it’s
difficult to find the time to stay
“Take it step by step; regular with it.
don’t rush the
learning process,”
says Remko. “It takes What advice can you offer young
time, a lot of time”
artists about how to set goals?
Believe in yourself and try not to
compare yourself too much with
other artists. Instead, do research
and find your own real-life
All rights reserved to Ubisoft Entertainment. Copyright © 2016. Ubisoft Entertainment.
references. Pretty much

everything you want to draw is
already out there in nature. Set
your goals, such as the studio or
clients you’d like to work for, and
then focus on creating a portfolio
that reflects their style. Just never
let go. Always keep your inner
child alive. Be passionate – even
obsessed, maybe. And most of all,
have fun!
Remko is a senior concept

artist and illustrator at Ubisoft
Montreal, who also teaches at
the Syn Studio art school.
www.artstation.com/remko
23
ImagineNation News
“The only way to

improve is by drawing
and painting till you
drop, over and over
again,” says Remko.
“Don’t compare yourself with

others and believe in yourself and
your goals,” advises Maliheh.
24
“I prepare for the unexpected when I start

to paint in watercolour,” says Cédric.
“There is no failure, only discovery.”
If you believe
in your goals and
talk about them,
then you’ll make
them happen
25
ImagineNation News
short film director, indie game “I’m always trying to

keep this child inside of
developer and art teacher – bears me alive,” says Remko.
testament to that.
“Looking back, giving myself project
goals and not career goals has been
beneficial to me,” says Cédric. “I didn’t
tell myself that I wanted a career in
animation, in games or in comics. I just
had projects and stories to tell, and
wanted to find the best medium to
achieve them. This has led me to
discover many things and to be
enriched by passing from one to the
other. The more solid your drawing
skills are, the more you can apply it to
the media you like.”
GO WITH THE FLOW

So while it’s good to set and pursue
goals, always remain receptive to other
avenues that open up along the way.
As a case in point, Cédric is currently
developing a video game called
Dordogne. “Working in video games
was somewhat of an accident,” he
admits, “because I hadn’t really
planned to switch to this universe.
I was in between projects and had
I just had stories
Copyright © AppleTV+ 2020. Character created for AppleTV+ series Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet
to tell, and wanted
the best medium
to achieve them
some spare time. So a friend and I
decided to develop a little video game
for our daughters. I posted a
watercolour/3D mix test on Twitter,
and it just blew up.”
Wherever you reach in your career,
the most important thing is to never
stop learning. “One goal I’m very
happy I could achieve this year is
learning how to storyboard,” says
Abelle. “I always wanted to learn but
never had the time before. My next
step will be taking what I learn and
keep practising, by making my own
person sequences, or even making
music video animatics to songs that
I love, or created myself.”
Whatever your personal goals,
though, Abelle’s advice is the same.
“Take big vague goals and break them
down into smaller, specific objectives.
That way your goals will seem more
achievable and you have a better idea “My current career
how to reach them. And take your goal is to work on
feature animations
time! Pace yourself and don’t burn out. and find my voice in
Opportunity never runs out, and will visual storytelling,”
says Maliheh.
be there when you’re ready.”
26
“I’ve already planned a couple of

pitches for some animation studios,
which has been such a learning
experience,” says Abelle.
“My current goals

include trying to
incorporate more
nuanced lighting and
figure treatments into
my work,” says Ejiwa.
“Constantly changing
media is very important
to me: it helps me to
stay artistically alert,”
says Cédric.
Copyright © AppleTV+ 2020. Character created for AppleTV+ series Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet
“Keep trying to escape your

comfort zone, in terms of
both subjects and media,”
advises Remko.
27
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In partnership with
© WildStorm and Amazon Prime Video

Gina’s concept for Gina used her teenage
A Train’s costume daughter as reference
is brought to life by when designing the
The Boys actor costume for Stargirl.
Jessie T Usher.
Another of Gina’s
costume concepts from
The Boys, this time
featuring Stormfront.
A day in the life of…

Gina DeDomenico
© DC Comics and DC Universe

Caped crusader A costume concept artist working on
TV superhero costumes takes us through her day…
“I get up around 6:30 and the first art, bye’. She includes us in the fittings
thing I do is exercise. I start working and really uses us as a team.
The third season of TV
by 9:30 and everything for the first After work, it’s family and personal show Titans will feature
hour is just answering emails. We get art time. I’m a single mum of a 17-, 19- the alien character
Starfire, who Gina
hundreds of emails with LJ Super and 22-year-old. Covid is undeniably a helped to visualise.
Suits, because of so many suits being tragedy but for me it’s been a blessing
designed at the same time. because I’ve been able to be home
We open a Zoom in the morning with my kids while I’m working. I get to
with all the concept artists that are on interact with them. I get to see them all
a show. Right now there are four of us, the time whereas before I was gone at
but it varies – we keep it open till 7:30 6:00 and back late at night.
at night so that LJ (costume designer My three things I always tell people
Laura Jean Shannon) or anybody from are to absolutely learn Photoshop and
We can all help brainstorm solutions

if something isn’t working in a different
part of the costume pipeline
the department who’s there in-house ZBrush; join a union; and volunteer in
can come and talk to us. We came up some way to be around the industry
with a system to hopefully make it so it – whatever you have to do to get your
could feel like it would be at the office. foot in the door.” The Concept Art
We share our screens so at any time Gina has been working as an illustrator Association is
committed to
she could join the Zoom call and see in the entertainment industry for nearly
raising the profile
© DC Comics and HBO Max
what we’re up to. LJ includes everyone 30 years and is busy helping to develop some of concept artists
so we can all help brainstorm solutions of television’s biggest superhero shows. Her and their
involvement in the
if something isn’t working in a different previous work includes The Boys, Django entertainment
part of the costume pipeline. We all Unchained and Galaxy Quest. You can industries. See
keep an eye on what’s going on; it’s discover more of Gina’s art by visiting www.conceptart
association.com.
not just like ‘okay, here is the concept www.illustratedbygina.com.
29
ImagineNation Artist in Residence
Colie Wertz
Master crafter The San Francisco-based
artist reveals how he relocates around
his space to reignite creative flows
I’ve been working from home as a freelance
concept artist for three years now. Before
that, I worked for Industrial Light & Magic
(ILM) in San Francisco’s Bay Area on and
off for over a decade and picked up a ton
of good and bad habits that I’ve tried to implement in my
home workspace. The Bay Area isn’t a cheap place to live,
so acres of space for my dream studio have eluded me
over my career, but I’ve made do by understanding what
I use and need over a project’s duration.
I work digitally, so I’ve got a few setups for my needs or
circumstances. I have a big Threadripper-based tower with
three RTX cards running a 22-inch Cintiq and monitor. I also
have a thin yet beefy 15-inch MSI Creator laptop that runs a
13-inch Cintiq as a second monitor. I’ve run three monitors
with that thing, and it’s impressive. I can run VR from either
system, and can go mobile at the drop of a hat. I’m happy to
have and use both. I keep a Microsoft Surface Pro around
for reference images, internet browsing, Pinterest, and
I worked for ILM in San

Francisco’s Bay Area on and
off for over a decade…
This ship was modelled
on my desktop. When
the heavy lifting – the
texturing and rendering
– was done, I took it into
Procreate on my iPad to
finish the details.
30
Getting my day started with me in the cockpit

of my main workstation. The Wacom Cintiq
can fold down onto my desk for Photoshop or
sculpting work. The Surface on the far left is
great for reference images, email and quick
modelling in MoI (Moment of Inspiration).
31
Being a hard-surface guy means having lots of references of everyday things. The hundreds of books
that I have are all very special to me, as I glean something from each. In this image, I was looking at
sketching a vehicle for a queen based in the Star Wars universe. This is the ref stack I made for the task.
I keep a variety of pens near me, along with a sketchbook. If an image is in my

sketchbook, it’s usually a ‘fun’ sketch, meaning I’ll take it to finish on my own
time. It sits as a reminder to go and play!
Sticky Notes are my go-to for ideas, nervous energy release and something to
do while a big file opens or renders. Small triangles and French curves are
everywhere, too, in case I want lines to pop.
This ship was designed for a Portable exercise bike aimed right at my TV.
collaboration with MSI, on one of I can take a good break and watch a race,
the company’s gaming laptops. football game or tutorial I’ve been eyeing.
32
A sketch printed on metal makes for a ‘Gunner’s seat’, or the second station. A mirror of ‘The big cockpit’ has my Biomorph The ‘sacred shelf’ of current
great place to throw Sticky Notes and my cockpit in case I need to go mobile. The Surface desk, desktop Threadripper, project-relevant reference
new sketches as I work. on the left bounces around the studio space. monitor and Cintiq. from my library.
Sitting on an exercise ball is good for my The aeroplane model is for reference – maybe This is my layout space for VR The ‘pile’ starting on the floor. These are
core and I can bust out other exercises for my sketch, maybe for my paying job. I have equipment, books, drawings or the super-hot reference books that I’ll be
when I want. a lot of models! model kits. using on a project.
33
I enjoy my garage. I keep a drawing table,

chairs and stretch area clear for when
I need a change of scenery, but don’t want
to leave the house. I keep the tasks limited
to short modelling or photo tasks.
some MoI (Moment of Inspiration)

modelling wherever I go. My desk is a
split-level Biomorph and my chair is a
cheap office chair from OfficeMax with
a lumbar pad. I use Contour Design
mice when I can and a basic keyboard.
INSPIRATION IMMERSION
The mass of my space no doubt looks
like a complete mess to the untrained
eye. I’ve made my living room the
‘office’, which means that anyone
visiting will have to embrace the organised on about eight shelf units, I sketched this in my Now add to that some model kits for
garage, then finished it
hardware aesthetics of a hard-surface and I know where every book is on my iPad sitting shape inspiration. Not built ones, just
visual artist. categorically and in order. When I’m outside a coffee shop. the sprues. I can see all the shapes out
For personal projects
I have a few hundred reference on a project, I pick my ‘must-haves’ like this one, I find that if of context and be inspired. Despite all
I vary where I work, I’m
books… you know, the ones that are and keep them behind my workstation more creative than if I
of these creative resources strewn all
tall and thin and just can’t be made to on the ‘sacred shelf’, and from there sit still for hours on end. over the floor, I haven’t broken a bone
look beautiful on a shelf no matter how the most useful ones for the task-at- in a fall yet!
hard you try, but contain all of the hand are moved to the floor at my feet. I keep my TV on while I work,
magic pictures you’ll use as inspiration So books may look as though they’re running movies I term “background
on your next great project. I have them in the way! movies”. I know them by heart, and
don’t really hear them. What I do hear
I feel like iPhones and Procreate exist is the loop of the main screen when
each flick is done, meaning I’ve worked
so I can snap a pic of a sketch and finish about two hours and I need to take a
break. I keep a stationary bike in the
it up away from my workspace space due to COVID and ride that in
34
Keeping unbuilt model kits around is a natural by-product of having worked next My small drawing/work area in
to the Model Shop at ILM. I studied how they searched for shapes and details in my garage is a happy place!
the kits without any context of where a part actually goes on the model.
my breaks. I have windows but like A view from my I feel like iPhones and Procreate for my bikes and some storage. I use
exercise bike. From
working in low light. Thanks, ILM (!). here I can watch TV, exist so I can snap a pic of a sketch and them when I need a reset on projects.
relax, see a chunk of my
finish it up away from my workspace. I can stretch on a big mat or do pullups
A STREAM OF SKETCHES library and think about
what I can do once I get
back to work.
I can drop my kid off at volleyball to clear my head, too. It’s a helpful
I draw constantly, so I keep Sticky practice and finish a sketch I started getaway. And then I just go for a ride
Notes and small drawing utensils all while waiting for a render I launched. after work!
over my desk. Opening a file? Do a It’s a great time to be an artist! Colie is a concept artist in the Bay Area of
sketch. Rendering? Do a sketch. So my When I need to ‘get away,’ I hit my San Francisco. His recent projects include
walls around my desk space become a garage. I take my MSI laptop or Dune, The Batman, Bullet Train and The
bit… yellow. I drew on Sticky Notes a Surface Pro out there and take in the Mandalorian to name a few. He enjoys
lot at ILM because we had limited greasy smells or leave the door open football, climbing, rugby and motorsports.
space to design and they’ve followed and hear birds. I decided on my You can explore more of Colie’s model work
me home. Lucky for me. apartment because I needed a space at www.coliewertzdesign.com.
35
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Letters
New works that have

YOUR FEEDBACK & OPINIONS grabbed our attention
Contact the editor, Claire Howlett,
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Share your artwork via #imaginefx: Dan. To your questions: ImagineFX has
www.instagram.com/imaginefxmagazine continued to publish editions throughout the
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Are you still printing? globe, for a time they were only available via Sofia Ellis
The purpose of my email is to ask about our online store and for subscribers. We began @summers.artwork
the continuity of ImagineFX magazine. sending editions to the newsstand from issue
I’m a self-proclaimed magazine-aholic 190 (September), but I cannot say if your store
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Yours is no exception. Prior to Covid-19 with air freight options at an all-time low, so
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That drastically changed in March 2020. air freight from issue 196.
B & N finally allowed customers back In terms of what is still available for your
DID YOU MISS
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THE PREVIOUS
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subscriptions eliminate that problem; Don’t worry – link that we only keep the previous six editions:
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me-time. There was a certain amount of of issue 196 at Digital edition subscriptions are available
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Unfortunately, the February 2020 single-ifx. single issues, you would need to access
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collection, which started with issue 118. can’t help with the fulfilment of your collection,
Has IFX continued publishing since but at least you should be able to purchase
February 2020? Are all the issues from some of them from our store. Normal service C Beatrix
then until now still available? These are has returned so you’ll still be able to get @cbeatrixart
questions B & N can’t answer. I’m magazines in your bookstore.
considering taking out a digital
subscription and if the back issues I’m Different editions
missing are available, I’d like to get them I’ve been subscribing to the magazine
as digital copies. Any help you can since issue one, so have never really paid
provide would be greatly appreciated. much attention to the differences (if any)
I love your magazine and it’s helped between the subscribers’ edition and the
immensely with my understanding of regular edition that appears in stores. I
the digital world. I’m still a die-hard recently had to request a replacement
If you have missed out
traditional artist, but decided to ‘dip on getting ImagineFX in copy of issue 195 because my copy never
my feet in the water’ of digital art when the shops, check out our arrived, and got a regular edition instead.
online store at www.
I found your magazine. Thank you for magazinesdirect.com. Am I losing out on any additional
content (like I would, with say, Total
Film), or is the text-free cover the only
difference? Keep up the great work!
Andrew
Amanda Blatch
Claire replies Thanks for subscribing to our @amandablatch
magazine for so long, your support means a lot.
The newsstand and subscriber editions have If you’ve created art that you want us to shout
only one difference – the word-free cover art. about simply tag us on Twitter or Instagram,
and use the hashtag #imaginefx
Hope this helps, Andrew!
37
Interview
STRAIGHT FROM
THE HEART
“I love all Studio Ghibli
movies, and Kiki and Jiji
have a very special
place in my heart.”
ARTIST PORTFOLIO
FATEMEH
HAGHNEJAD
The Iranian artist tells Beren Neale about her creative process,
lockdown positivity and why 2021 will be the best year ever
38
FATEMEH HAGHNEJAD
F
atemeh Haghnejad, better Born in Iran to a family of artists, it
known online as BlueBirdy, was her grandfather who was the first
is an Iranian traditional and big influence on her desire for
digital artist with a sublime creativity. He inspired Fatemeh’s
touch. She’s a character mother and aunts to pick up paint
artist obsessed with storytelling, able brushes, and as a kid, “seeing them all
to depict moments where a character painting and talking about art and art
– be it an elf or a commuter riding the supplies was so exciting,” she
subway – is caught in a moment of remembers. “Most of the memories I
self-reflection or contemplation. Her have from childhood are art-related, as
art is intimate, with characters wearing doing art was always something that
their thoughts on their faces, so it’s made sparks in my heart.”
easy for the viewer to buy in to the What made the love for art and
scene wholeheartedly. It’s a skill depicting stories stick was the precious
bourne of hundreds of hours of moments it allowed with her mother.
drawing, and 2020 unsurprisingly She recalls “the afternoons that I spent TESTING create art at this point. “I remember my
brought even more time for Fatemeh with my mum, when my little baby “I usually do a quick
colour test for my
mother would sometimes stay up until
to hone her craft. sister was sleeping, and we made paintings and this morning to paint. Watching her was
one is made with
You could say it was always going to illustrations of the stories we were watercolours.”
really inspiring and since then I always
be this way for BlueBirdy (a name that reading, or just drew fairies”. And she had paper and pencils in my hand.”
came from an old woman in a dream). also saw the dedication it takes to
SOLACE IN DRAWING
Dog-earing her mum’s latest Andrew
Loomis art books which had been
translated into Persian, Fatemeh
delved into art theory. Being a third of
the size of the original American
books enabled them to pass Iran’s
strict censor, but breaking the rules was
the furthest thing from BlueBirdy’s
mind. “I was just enjoying copying all
the drawings and using them to depict
my ideas,” she says. In fact, drawing
quickly became essential to the artist:
“Drawing became my best friend when
I was about 10, as my family kept
changing homes so I was meeting new
kids almost every year. It was difficult
to make friends, so just knowing that
I could draw gave me a sense of
security… I was the kid who was
Artist
PROFILE
Fatemeh Haghnejad
(aka BlueBirdy)
LOCATION: Norway
FAVOURITE ARTISTS: JC Leyendecker, Arthur
Rackham, Chris Riddell, Norman Rockwell and
Charles Vess
MEDIA: Procreate, coloured inks
WEB: www.bluebirdy.net
39
Interview
MONONOKE LOTR
“I joined a challenge called “This is an acrylic
#sixfanarts in 2020 and painting inspired by
painted some of the characters watching The Lord
I like in animation movies.” of the Rings films.”
SKETCHES
“This is a page of my daily
doodle sketches – nothing much
more to say about this one.”
never alone and busy the whole another artist help or hinder creativity? TRAINING restrictions. “My daily routine has
time, although I’m sure now that the “I admire Even’s comments on my “I drew this on the train changed a lot due to the coronavirus,”
journey from Frascati to
other kids were looking at me as work, though it wasn’t so easy in the Rome, after seeing she says. “I used to go to libraries and
though I was a weirdo.” beginning of our relationship,” she many Roman cafés almost every day. Just being in the
sculptures and feeling
admits. “It’s very encouraging when he so much love for my library and surrounding myself with
ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE gives me compliments, when I hear husband Even.” the books I love is inspiring to me.”
Today, Fatemeh lives and works in him saying ‘wow’, or showing me What’s perhaps worse is the loss of
Oslo, Norway. She moved there over thumbs up when he doesn’t want to creative energy that the artist got from
two years ago, having married fellow distract me from work. I also enjoy being around other people –
artist (and fellow ImagineFX cover listening to him talking to his students something that many readers will
star) Even Amundsen. “The journey of or while streaming.” relate to. “I love to work where people
moving here started in 2016 when Delving into Fatemeh’s Instagram are, [even though] they don’t pay
Even and I decided we wanted to be page, you get a sense of how important attention to me. I haven’t had that for
together for the rest of our lives,” she the Norway surroundings are for the about seven months now,” she says.
says. The couple first met through artist. And things have only intensified One upside of this is that her home
mutual friend and fellow artist, Jesper in the last year of lockdowns and social work space is the cosiest it’s ever been.
Ejsing. Fatemeh later went to a Instead of picking the right café or
Schoolism workshop in Dubai and saw
Even speak. A three-day walkabout
Being in the library and library to haunt, the artist has buried
her head in books over 2020, reading
turned into both of them travelling the
world, and finally settling down in
surrounding myself with the all the Harry Potter books again, plus
Good Omens and Sandman by Neil
Oslo. But does being married to books I love is inspiring Gaiman, Heroes by Stephen Fry, Rose
40
FATEMEH HAGHNEJAD
SEEING
CHIHIRO AND HAKU THE LIGHT
“Like my previous Mononoke Fatemeh on how she
painting, I created this one to join
in with the #sixfanarts challenge.” uses light in her painting
Chihiro and Haku
Madder by Stephen King, “and I’m “Light is the heart of a piece for
reading 1Q84 by Murakami, though me. It’s what defines characters
I’m struggling with it,” she admits. and their moods. In my work I
There’s also been a spot of DIY. “I’ve write about what I’d like to see in
added a few shelves and baskets to the piece, everything about the
organise the space I have at home, and characters and the environment
to be honest this new situation now they’re in. This helps me to study
makes me feel more settled. It’s any areas that I’m not sure how
definitely easier to do traditional to draw, or learn more about
work.” And the restrictions haven’t specific lighting that I’m not
affected her ability to create art – comfortable tackling.
Fatemeh is just as comfortable picking For this painting, I knew I
up watercolours (coloured inks are the wanted them to fly in the early
latest discovery) as she is sketching on morning sky. I started the piece
her iPad in Procreate. What’s more, with some studies of clouds.
such is her ability to draw lines full of I decided to capture the blue/
character, it’s sometimes impossible to purple light of the early morning
tell them apart. sky, and the rim light from the
sun rising on my characters and
THE CREATIVE CONSTANT the clouds. I made some small
Whether it’s a digital commission or a colour tests, which helped me
traditional piece, one thing that stays stay consistent in the following
the same for Fatemeh is the process days while I worked on the
around the art making. “For my digital painting. I started with flat
pieces, I usually start with traditional colours before using separate
thumbnail drawings as the lines come BLACK LIVES MATTER layers to paint my overlapping
more freely and easily on the paper,” “As an Iranian immigrant, I know how it feels like to be treated shadows and cast shadows.”
differently and I wanted to be a part of this important change.”
she says. “Then I take my drawing
41
Interview
BIG PIECE
“This is a commissioned artwork
that I made for my favourite
digital drawing app, Procreate.”
© Procreate
42
FATEMEH HAGHNEJAD
FAERIE GIRL FROM NEIL

GAIMAN’S STARDUST
“Schmincke, a brand I’ve know for
over 14 years, was so kind to send me
a selection of gouache paints to try,
and I made this artwork with them.”
STUDY PIECE
“This piece inspires me to do
more acrylic paintings. After
doing some quick colour
studies from films it was a
pleasure working on this one.”
NYMPH
“This ink drawing was my contribution
to 2020’s #doodlitober.”
into Procreate and move things MERMAY another workout, before checking my work with him one day.” You heard it
around to my liking and also perform “Like so many other social media.” This measured pace here first, Neil.
artists, I took part in
the value and colour tests of the piece, 2020’s #mermay shines through so much of her art.
and create the clean line art in a new challenge. This was my
first and last entry.”
When she’s in the flow, audiobooks ONLINE PROFILES
layer above the thumbnail sketch. For and interviews are often on her When an artist has their entire work
traditional painting, I print out my headphones. “The last audiobook that online, it’s easy to see changes in style
thumbnail sketch in the size I want to I listened to was The View from the and the gradual (sometimes sudden)
have my illustration and with my light Cheap Seats,” she says, “which is the improvement in skill. So is BlueBirdy
box and the help of the thumbnail introductions and essays Neil Gaiman ever tempted to curate her online
drawing, I make the clean line-art.” wrote for other writers like Douglas profiles to show only her best work,
Adams and Terry Pratchett. And the deleting anything that she’s not
A HEALTHY MIND last interview I had on was Neil completely happy with?
Like most commercial artists, gone are Gaiman talking with Carlo Rovelli. I “Well, sometimes people write and
the old-fashioned notions of the really enjoy listening to him as he has a tell me they appreciate seeing my
starving artist feeding off the chaos of beautiful storytelling mind and voice, progress when they go through my
the darker side of the psyche. Creating and I really hope I get the chance to Instagram page,” she says. “I also have
art for Fatemeh seems to be directly paintings and studies that I don’t share
linked to self-care, to building a
healthy environment that flows into
I enjoy listening to Neil online… but your question makes me
think, ‘why I am not sharing them?!’
her art. “On a good day, the first thing
I do in the morning is drink water and
Gaiman as he has a beautiful Maybe in my unconscious mind the
answer is that they might not be very
make coffee. I then do my yoga, or storytelling mind and voice popular on social media, or maybe
43
Interview
MADNESS INK
“The Mad Hatter is “I made this ink
one of the characters drawing to announce
that I can draw over that I have a list of
and over again, and themes for October
never get bored of.” that people can use.”
some of the things I make are too day-to-day schedule that she marks out
fragile to be out in the world.” for the annual sketching event, BERLIN
“This is a commissioned
As far as what art inspires Fatemeh, Fatemeh also relies heavily on structure artwork for Clip Studio. I was
in Germany when I got the
what she appreciates the most is, “the when creating – something that’s both job offer and was inspired
ability of storytelling and showing been lost and found over the past year. by stylish, cool-looking
people there.”
emotions in a piece – when I see
sensitive, caring touches of a brush and FINDING THE JOY
when an artwork introduces me to Although usually a great traveller, the
unusual, unknown worlds”. You can’t pandemic meant plans had to change
help but think these are rules that the for the creative couple, with any travel
artist lives by when making art. In fact, limited to short trips to cabins outside
reading her comments on her site of Oslo. Fatemeh explains how “we’re
about this year’s Inktober, it’s clear mostly home and trying to make it
storytelling is something she’s been cozy for the winter,” adding, “and to be
working on in her art. Looking at the honest I’m not sad about these
changes. I feel more relaxed to work.”
COMMISSION Though attending art events, such as
“A commissioned artwork of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair,
the main characters for a
Norwegian writer.” would usually bring intense moments
of inspiration, “not travelling has
removed pressure and stress,” she says,
“it’s given me time to feel grounded. I
© Clip Studio
read more and think about the

excitement I had years ago.” And what
artist can’t relate to this: making the
most of the situation you’re in, always current Groundhog Day of Covid-19
making creativity the priority, and restrictions. “What I’m most excited
nourishing your imagination. about is focusing on the emotions in
It’s also something that Fatemeh is the lives of my characters,” she says,
taking through to 2021, long after the “exploring more children’s and young
adult literature and the pleasure of
I’m most excited about storytelling. The plan is to work with
the publishing houses that I admire, so
focusing on the emotions in I’m working to build a body of work
that will attract them.” Words of
the lives of my characters inspiration for us all.
44
FATEMEH HAGHNEJAD
HOWL AND SOPHIE
“This is a personal digital
painting of the two
characters that I adore.”
KEY LIFE
LESSON
Why writing helps Fatemeh
visualise her next painting…
“The last major thing I learned is that the
stress and pressure to capture my ideas
is okay. I just need to calm down and
take the steps slowly. These days, my
work begins with lots of words rather
than pictures, writing down everything
about the piece and studying. This way
of starting can be hard, but I enjoy the
process more than before and my main
reason for liking or disliking a piece is
the experience I have with it, rather than
how it turns out. I would often struggle
to finish work, but these days I have a
good time figuring things out.”
45
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47
PROFILE
João David Fernandes
vid
LOCATION: Germany
D a
João works as a concept
João ndes
artist and illustrator,
pursuing draftsmanship
and visual ideation, in a
variety of styles and
projects. He has worked freelance for
a
clients such as Axis Studios, Nuare
rn
Studio and Volta, and has had in-
Fe
house experience at SIXMOREVODKA
and Karakter Design Studio. Since
2017, he has been a member of the
artist collective, Superani.
sketches
www.artstation.com/javidfernandes
r uses his
rato
ce pt ar tist and illust his own values
n
ow this co ter relationships and
Discover h to charac
to delve in
WONDER GIRL
“I wanted to portray a child
heroine, endowed with powers and
spirit, courage and an eagerness to
do right. I find drawing helps me to
understand the values I set up
on a personal level.”
CLASSICS
“I’m a fan of visual
distortion, bordering on
laughable impression, usually
combining shapes and rendering to
convey otherwise proud characters
as somewhat clumsier and
demystified. An example of
this is my take on Asterix
and Obelix.”
ROUGH
BUNNY CONCEPTS
“While trying to play up the
cuteness of these creatures,
I also wanted to introduce a
rough, contrasting element via
the gritty dystopian scavenger
design, as well as in their
tough demeanours.”
48
Sketchbook João David Fernandes
FATHER
AND SON
“The bond portrayed in
God of War 4 between
Kratos and his son Atreus
was a big inspiration for me
and hit the mark in terms of a
complex, meaningful
relationship. Here I took
that inspiration and decided
to set it in a more jovial,
exaggerated mood,
which is reflected
throughout
the drawing.”
I’m a fan of visual distortion,

to convey otherwise proud
characters as clumsier
49
AN UNLIKELY PAIR
“In my visuals of a developing world filled
with grotesque, ghastly aliens and young
battle-worn hunters, these two stood out for
me as an unlikely, but nevertheless
interesting pair.”
STILL OF BATTLE
“Depicting a still moment in an
otherwise tense and weighty clash is,
for me, a good way to challenge
myself on dynamic interactions.”
INNOCENCE
“I always enjoy setting a
comedic tone between characters,
at any time, and contrasting a
light-hearted, entertaining romp
with some creepy creatures
was how I expressed
it here.”
50
ANIMATED SCENES
“In these sketches, I wanted to
explore the interplay between
characters, using the theme of
street-smart youthful thieves on
the run from the worn-out
adults’ scolding ire.”
I always enjoy
setting a comedic tone
between characters, MARIO MAFIA
at any time
“Some characters just carry a weight and emotional response that can be
hard to reimagine any other way. Here I cast the iconic Mario Brothers in a serious
tone, albeit with a few light-hearted touches.”
51
NOSTALGIC COTTONTAIL
THROWBACK
“Cartoons and animation
CONJURER
“Being something of a recurring
were and still are a big theme, I keep envisioning
influence in my art and my these adorable bunnies in
desire to push style with several contexts. Here
purpose. Here, I wanted to I decided to create a
portray Ed from the series scholarly sorcerer.”
Ed, Edd n Eddy in a
different light.”
STYLE
EXPLORATION
“Here, my aim was to further
push the boundaries of my own
personal taste when it comes to
stylisation, leaning on the
familiar, already gruelling
visage of Hellboy, for
that purpose.”
52
SUPERHERO
CLASH
“Other big influences in my artistic
growth are superheroes and comic
books in general. I felt this was where
I always saw some of the highest
technical quality of drawing,
coupled with a great sense
of design.”
SUCCESSFUL
CAPTURE
“This is an example of a
theme that I often draw,
trying to establish a deeper
relationship between
characters though time and
a developed story. I centred
hunters as children and
gruesome monsters
as prey.”
Cartoons and animation,

in general, were and still are
a big influence in my art…
Do you want to share your sketches with your fellow ImagineFX readers? Send us an email with a
selection of your art, captions for each piece and a photo and bio of yourself to [email protected]
53
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Workshops assets
are available…
Download each workshop’s resources by turning to
page 8. And if you see the video workshop badge,
you can watch the artist in action, too.
Advice from the world’s best artists

56 60
70
76 This issue:
56 Celestial lighting
in your portraits
Karmen Loh paints a female
portrait illuminated by starlight.
60 15 tips to improve
your doodles
Get the most out of your loose
drawings, with Gareth Davies.
70 Create art that

tells a story
Chrystin Garland makes use of
colour, composition and detail.
76 Paint art using

everyday objects
Artist space gooose reveals a
novel way to beat creative block.
55
Workshops
Photoshop
CELESTIAL LIGHTING
IN YOUR PORTRAITS
Karmen Loh shares the creative process of how she captures
the essence of a female portrait illuminated by starlight
This painting is an exclusive scene in the movie where all the stars are
Artist
PROFILE commission for the YouTube
channel MrSuicideSheep.
trapped inside a big glass jar, which
inspired this painting.
Karmen Loh I was very lucky to be given I knew I wanted the stars to be the main
LOCATION: Malaysia full freedom for the concept light source and light up the character
Karmen is a freelance and draw anything that came to mind. from above. The character has a dreamy
illustrator specialising in I decided to create a portrait inspired by facial expression and her eyes are closed.
portraits. Her portraits
have often been
one of my favourite animated films, The I wanted her to look like she was
described as feminine, Little Prince. The story follows a little dreaming, waiting for someone to break
with fantasy and dreamy prince who travels to different planets, and the glass, free the stars and wake her up. To
vibes. She’s currently a
teacher on Domestika.
includes themes of love, friendship and enhance the concept, I applied a night sky
https://ifxm.ag/k-loh loss. The stars in the movie play an background and floating hair to make it
important role and symbolise the hopes feel like she’s in space, and the glass jar
and dreams of different people. There’s a became a spacesuit helmet.
How I create…
STARLIGHT EFFECTS IN A PORTRAIT
Rough sketch Colours and lighting Render and polish

1 I start exploring quick ideas by doing
2 Once I’m satisfied with the rough
3 I proceed to render and polish my
some rough line sketches, focusing on sketch, I start applying the colours and painting by refining details and smoothing
getting the overall composition of the lighting. I add some stars on top to serve as the brush strokes. I add glow to the stars,
Artwork © MrSuicideSheep
painting right. Because this is a portrait and the main light source and apply top-down refine the light and shadow of the character,
the main focus is the face, it’s important to lighting to the character. I also add some and add some reddish tones around the
capture an expression that manages to rough reflections on the glass jar, and apply eyes, cheeks and lips. For the background,
communicate the mood and feeling that a dark cool background to contrast with the I decide to apply some aurora colours to
I want to deliver. bright and warm stars. define the night sky and space.
56
In depth Celestial lighting
57
Workshops
How I add… LIGHTING INSIGHTS

DETAILS TO
THE FACE
The final details

1 This is a portrait and the audience will
focus on the face a lot, so I know I need to
spend more time on that area. After
rendering and polishing the rest of the
artwork, it’s time to work on the facial details.
Eyelashes and subsurface

2 scattering
I paint in the eyelashes and focus on
achieving a very soft and delicate look. The
aim is to go for something natural and avoid
heavy makeup. I also add some subsurface
scattering around the lit skin areas.
Highlights and face pattern

3 Finally, I add some highlights on the
eyelashes and lower lip, to give the portrait a Subsurface scattering
‘juicy’ look and make it more attractive to the Subsurface scattering creates a bright and saturated
colour transition between the light and shadow areas.
viewer. To enhance the space/celestial I add some saturated orange and reddish colour around
concept, I decide to also add a small the lit parts of the nose, forehead and shoulder. I like to
constellation pattern on the face. use a soft Round brush with an Overlay or Soft Light
blend mode to create this effect.
58
In depth Celestial lighting
Trapped stars
The stars are trapped inside of the glass jar and floating
upwards, eager to be freed. To show that the stars are all
floating towards the surface of the round glass jar, I paint
them using different perspectives and directions. I also use
different sizes to convey a sense of randomness.
Dust particles
and small stars
To enhance the night sky and
space feeling, I add some
tiny white dots to act as
floating dust particles and
small stars. I place these
randomly around the
background and character,
and apply blur to some of
them to give a feeling of
depth to the painting.
RESOURCES
PHOTOSHOP
CUSTOM BRUSHES:
SKETCH & RENDER
A great brush with a nice

texture, good for
sketching and rendering.
HAIR
Floating hair
To make the character look as though she’s in space, I make
the hair look like it’s floating, almost as if it were flowing
underneath water. I add some thinner hair strands around
the edges to make it look more hair-like. I use my custom I like to use this brush to
Hair brush to create some of the hair texture. create hair textures.
CHALK
This brush is good for

creating some rough and
uneven textures.
59
Workshops
Artist insight
15 TIPS TO IMPROVE
YOUR DOODLES
Artist Creating doodles is the lifeblood of art, Gareth Davies
PROFILE reveals his top tips for getting the most from them
Gareth Davies
LOCATION: England
Gareth, also known as Growing up, I can’t develop these ideas further so others I believe there’s a certain
Spudonkey, is a senior
remember not having could understand them. meditative quality to doodling and
concept artist working
in-house for Coatsink. a pen or pencil in my Now I have turned these little you can get lost within finding that
Other notable clients and hand and I was always thumbnail ideas into big ones and new idea – I think we could all do
projects include Into the
Breach, Disney, Bad
encouraged to draw by fulfilled my dream of working as a with a way to unwind after this year.
Robot, Bithell Games and my family. I would constantly doodle concept artist for the video game and Hopefully these tips and tricks will
Otherside Entertainment. through school and moving into entertainment industry. I started as a help you make the most from your
university, I learnt to solve problems 3D artist and kept pushing myself own doodling, avoid the dreaded
through drawing, embracing the art and experimenting until I was most burnout and maybe you can achieve
principles that would help me to useful as a concept artist. your own dreams, too.
1 ALWAYS CARRY A SKETCHBOOK

I have a ridiculous amount of sketchbooks
– a different size and shape for any
occasion. You never know when
inspiration or time to sketch may present
itself, so always be prepared! They don’t
have to be expensive, they just need to
do the job of being able to take notes or 2 LOOSEN UP
marks. Experimenting with different pens Sketches are meant for you and not necessarily for others to see, so don’t
and materials can also generate ideas, worry about if they’re ‘presentable’. As long as they serve you, that’s the main
from happy accidents caused by a rogue purpose. If I go into a drawing thinking about how they’ll be received then
mark, to having to work in a new way to I instantly tighten up. You’re trying to capture the broader idea of something
adapt to a material. as a whole. Draw from your shoulder using big, confident movements, and
think about the larger shapes and flow of the sketch and idea.
60
Artist insight Improve your doodles
3 DRAW IT AGAIN
Sometimes you strike gold and hit the best idea first time, but usually this isn’t the case. I often draw
the same thing over and over, playing with proportions and shape language to test ideas. This
process helps build the knowledge of what you’re drawing into your visual library and also helps you
understand the mechanics of your subject.
4 LOSE THE DETAIL AND STRENGTHEN SHAPE DESIGN

Always think about the bigger idea first. What’s the principle behind what you’re trying to achieve with your design? Detail can wait until the end.
I love adding detail, especially graphic design to my spaceships and robots, but if the overall read is wrong then I’m wasting my time on fancy
graphics. Make sure the silhouette and larger shape design is solid: you’ll then have the foundation to build a final piece from.
61
Workshops
5 START WITH A SIMPLE PALETTE

Shape, form and value should always come
first. Colour is a deep pit to get lost in, so
initially keep things simple. I generally work
with three or four complementary colours
to show the basic design. I also add pops of
colour to highlight certain elements or
create pattern. When working up a full
piece, it’s always a better plan to keep
saturation low at the start, rather than
having the whole piece shout at you.
It’s always a better plan to keep

saturation low at the start, rather than
having the whole piece shout at you
6 PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TERTIARY

One of the best tips I’ve ever been given is to have periods of rest
and breathing space in your art. If everything is detail then there’s
no contrast and so the design becomes flat. The primary shapes
are the pure expression of the form and are the first read. The
secondary shapes should be distributed to break the silhouette up.
Tertiary shapes come last and generally live within the silhouette of
the shape. They should be clustered together in little pockets of
interest for the eye and then bleed back into breathing space,
before coming across the next patch.
62
7 DON’T FORGET YOUR ART PRINCIPLES

Although sketches are meant to be rough and quick, please don’t forget the foundations of art when designing. I always try to picture my
drawing within boxes to help clarify the perspective for myself. I also imagine a single-point light and try to simplify the sketch by blocking in and
designing the shadow shapes. If you’re relatively new to drawing, take the time to draw a rough perspective grid. This is something I always used
to do; however, over time I’ve had to use them less and less.
8 KEEP REFERENCES TO HAND

Just because you’re doodling doesn’t mean you shouldn’t or can’t
use references! Your visual library can hold a lot but unless you have
a photographic memory, reference is essential for perspective,
design and lighting to add authenticity to your work. I build large
libraries of reference using amazing apps such as PureRef on PC and
VizRef on iPad, enabling me to collate and form inspiration boards
for any subject. Often I start a sketch with a study and then build out
a story around it with a creature or a fantasy landscape.
63
Workshops
9 READ BOOKS and characters in my mind’s eye, building them

For me, nothing is better for feeding my mind from past experiences and my visual library. It’s
with fresh ideas than reading fiction, my personal then great fun to try and pull them from my head
taste being in fantasy and science fiction. Visual and on to the page. Some perhaps lesser-known
media tends to restrict the way you interpret authors I love for inspiration are China Miéville,
certain stories because the characters have Tom Lloyd, Joe Abercrombie,
defined looks and everything is presented in a Jonathan French, Scott Lynch
very literal way. When I read, I can see the world and James Islington.
64
10 USE 3D TO FLESH OUT A DESIGN

Take a sketch from a simple 2D idea to a fully realised 3D concept
Begin with a plan
A I start by planning what I want to design. I draw out rough sketches of the ‘final’ scene
and iterate upon it with different ideas. I then use my architectural background to create
rough plans of the space and a blueprint to work from in 3D.
Rough 3D
B I move to Blender and build a basic
blockout of the space, often recycling elements
from different projects to save time. I then do a
quick lighting pass to set up the tone that I was
trying to achieve in my initial sketching phase.
Apply the final touches

C I now move to Photoshop and add hand-drawn line-work. I like to do this because it adds looseness and a more organic feel that
sometimes becomes lost in 3D. Finally, I work into the basic colour pass, adding local colour and material detail to the scene, in addition to
wear and tear and graphic detail until I feel the scene is where I want it to be.
65
Workshops
11 TURN OFF THE MUSIC

Sometimes I need to switch everything
off and get lost in the drawing. I must
admit, I’m often guilty of drawing with
music on or in front of the TV, and not
really engaging. I then find that most
times I go back to topics I’m comfortable
with and rarely come up with something 12 FAN ART
new. When taking on a new subject, I If you’re stuck in an art funk, fan art
make the effort to turn everything off and and playing with existing IPs is a great
talk myself through what I’m doing. What way to revitalise yourself. An exercise
am I drawing, how does it work, why does I love to do is take an existing
it look like this? It’s all about making character, reinterpret their design and
conscious decisions and convincing then use gestural reference to put
yourself that you ‘invented’ your solution. them into fun poses and explore how
Thus your brain is more likely to hang on their design works. This takes the
to the information and you get to add a pressure off myself as the key design
new tool to your drawing arsenal. decisions have been made and I can
just relax and have fun.
66
A great way to challenge

yourself on the understanding
of a design is by taking it into a
new medium
13 RECYCLE SHAPES
When creating thumbnails digitally, I save a lot of
time by recycling shape language that I think works
or sparks an interest in me. When I find a
combination I like, I’ll duplicate it and see how I can
reinterpret and use this to spawn new shapes and
designs. This often gives a consistency to the ideas,
because they start from the same building blocks
and so form and share a similar shape language.
15 CHALLENGE YOURSELF BY
WORKING WITH NEW MEDIUMS
A great way to challenge yourself on the understanding of a
design is by taking it into a new medium. I love to experiment
14 FIND THE STORY with new tools and always love the challenge of 3D. With 2D,
When drawing for myself, I don’t start with a story in mind, but one is often there’s quite a bit of room to hide but in 3D, designs have to
born within the process. I may start to design something that then sparks a work in real space, even if you can cheat things a little for fixed
daisy chain of ideas and thus a narrative is born. It might be as simple as a camera angles. Blender has great free modelling and sculpting
robot missing an arm and then trying to explain how that came to be, either tools and I love challenging myself to try and reinterpret one of
with other battle wounds or rust if it has been neglected. It’s a challenge to my designs in 3D. I certainly appreciate what I put the 3D
express something so complex in just one illustration, but a fun one. artists through when I design a character!
67
Next month
Kick-start your
children’s book
illustration skills
with help from
Tony DiTerlizzi!
68
Next month
It’s our book

illustration issue!
Break into this competitive industry with
winning tips and advice from professional artists
© Wizards of the Coast
All this… and more!

Tony DiTerlizzi’s Greg Ruth on Get into book A masterclass
top art advice book cover art illustration! in colour
The world-famous The illustrator Leading lights in Vis-dev artist
artist gives 15 key explains his wild illustration share Angela Sung
tips on children’s experiments for a how to turn your reveals her colour
book illustration. book commission. passion into pay. theory advice.
ISSUE 198 ON SALE FRIDAY 19 FEB IN PRINT & DIGITAL

69
Workshops
Photoshop
CREATE ART THAT
TELLS A STORY
Chrystin Garland explains how to use colour, composition and detail
when you want to develop a narrative within your artwork
70
In depth Tell a story
The initial concept for this

painting was to recreate a scene
from the Seven Swans or Seven
Ravens Grimm’s fairy tale. The
basic story is about a young
maiden who goes on a quest to free her seven
brothers from their cursed bird forms.
At first, I planned to paint a scene of the
brothers swooping in to save their younger
Artist sister from being burned at the stake.
PROFILE However, as I began thumbnailing, it
became clear that the painting was
Chrystin going in a different direction. So, I
Garland switched the birds out for winged
LOCATION: US
humans, and thought it would strike a
Chrystin is a visual more caring tone if the brothers were
development artist from
Los Angeles, California. helping their sister to fly for the first time.
In the past, she’s worked I began to think of my own family, and how
on animated television
series such as The
supportive they are for little or big
Midnight Gospel, She-Ra accomplishments in my own life.
and the Princesses of Whenever I paint, I try to make up stories
Power, in addition to
the Emmy award-
like this, because it helps inform a specific
winning Niko and the emotion that I’d like to capture. It’s my goal
Sword of Light. to convey as much as possible with a single
www.ladygarland.com
image, and I hope that comes across.
71
Workshops
Thumbnailing and sketching

1With an idea in mind, I create a series of thumbnails to nail down the initial composition. I work fairly small and loose at this stage, the
goal being to experiment and try ideas that might otherwise feel intimidating. Once I have a thumbnail that I like, I scale the image to the proper
canvas size and begin creating a more detailed sketch. I usually paint over my line drawings, so I keep this line-art fairly loose.
Experiment with different lighting and colour passes

2I’m a bit impatient when it comes to painting, wanting to jump in to rendering as quickly as possible. To combat this, I create quick colour
passes underneath the line art. This enables me to experiment with different colour schemes or lighting while staying loose so that changes can
be made quickly. I hope to achieve an overall feel for what the final painting could be, yet still leave room for edits later in the process.
72
Use transparency layers to separate the elements

3 Now that I have a pretty clear direction of where the painting is headed, it’s time to flat! I usually try to break up the major elements in my
paintings into foreground, middle ground, and background layers. By keeping each shape on its own locked transparency layer, I can lay down
colours quickly without worrying about the initial shape becoming lost.
Preserve the spontaneity of my earlier colour roughs

4 Once the flats are completed, I add my colour pass directly to the flatted layers. This is accomplished quickly by utilising clipping masks for
each individual layer. This way, I can preserve the spontaneity of my colour roughs as well as maintain clean shapes for each key element.
73
Workshops
Render the details

Refine the palette 6 Now we’re getting to the fun part! In earlier stages,
5Where the first colour pass was a basic idea, here I’m focusing on tying down I work at 25 or 50 per cent zoom to keep things fast and
the main colours and making sure there’s enough contrast between the foreground, loose. Once the major elements are in a good place, I feel
middle ground and background. It’s important to me that the characters have a little confident zooming in a bit more to really flesh out each
more individuality, so I make sure to add more variation to the skin, hairstyles and character. During this stage, I’ll render on top of my line-
jewellery. The teal wings feel a little light to me, so I use a blue layer set to the art, adding or removing elements as I see fit. For example,
Multiply blend mode to make them seem more lush. Finally, I bump up the here I rough out some golden crowns as well as golden
saturation of each character, because the previous colour pass was looking too coins falling from the sky, because I want to drive home
washed-out for my taste. the fact that this is a royal family.
Applying my finishing touches

7With the majority of the painting rendered, I go in and add some details that I think will improve the piece. I knock back some of the wings
with a soft, Round brush which helps to add more depth to the scene. I also use a speckled brush to make the air feel more magical. At this point,
I’m thinking that the young girl’s first flight out is something akin to a rite of passage, an incredibly festive event! Adding more gold flecks to the
composition makes the entire piece feel more celebratory.
74
How I convey…
A STORY USING PAINTING TECHNIQUES
Paint with intention

A While not every piece needs to be an elaborate epic, I find it helpful to imagine some sort of backstory when I’m painting. What are
the characters feeling in this particular moment? Are they motivated by anything that can be seen on canvas? If a landscape, what’s the
history behind that particular field or building? Asking and answering these questions can really inform the tone of a particular piece.
Colour schemes in storytelling

C Colour is just as important as any other element when it
comes to storytelling. I want this piece to feel more fantastical than
Communicate with composition
B Don’t be afraid to utilise space to inform a story. Because the
angelic, so I opt for jewel tones over shades of white and creams.
I also feel that the teals and jade pair nicely with the gold,
princess is the main focal point, I make all of the other elements in emphasising the ‘royal’ backstory. Varying hues can help a piece
this piece point her way, while also leading the eye throughout the appear more lush and vibrant. Once I drop my rough colour pass,
painting in a semi-circle. The space below her is notably blank, I use the Color Picker tool, shifting the hues on my brush to add
giving our heroine somewhere to ‘travel’ on the page. more interest to a particular surface.
75
Workshops
Photoshop
PAINT ART USING
EVERYDAY OBJECTS
Artist space gooose reveals how to banish creative block by using an
item from his tool box as the foundation for some intergalactic art
It’s easy to get stuck in In this workshop I’ll show you how space craft, I ask myself questions
Artist
PROFILE an artistic rut. It
happens to me all the
to banish creative block by making
something cool out of something
like, “How big is it? Where is the
bridge? How is it powered? Does it
space gooose time! The blank page ordinary. I’m going to take a boring have engines and/or thrusters?”
LOCATION: US can be intimidating, object and transform it into an epic Once I’ve found an object, I take
Eric Geusz, who’s known and even scary. You can get lost out spaceship fit for a space opera. The pictures of it from all angles, trying to
online as space gooose, there in the void, just like the great thing about spaceships is that find an interesting viewpoint that
is an artist, software
engineer and science-
emptiness of space. Sometimes all they can look like anything: a stapler, also shows off its silhouette. In terms
fiction nerd from New you need is something to grab on to, a bag clip, a pencil… even one of of this pipe wrench, I like the way its
Mexico, now living in something familiar yet unexpected, your shoes! jaws open to look like a docking port,
California’s Bay Area.
www.ericgeusz.com
to help get you orientated and For this project I’m starting with a inspiring me to transform it into a
moving in the right direction. sturdy pipe wrench. When designing space station. Here’s how I do it.
GET YOUR
RESOURCES
See page 8 now!
Set up a perspective grid

1Before starting to sketch, I create a perspective grid to help lay everything out. First I create a selection of vertical lines that are spaced evenly,
using the Rectangle Selection tool and Stroke (Edit>Stroke) Then, using the Free Transform tool – keyboard shortcut Cmd+T (Mac) or Ctrl+T
(PC) – I skew the layer so the lines match the object’s perspective in the photo. I do this for each of the three directions.
76
In depth Everyday objects
77
Workshops
Lay down a rough sketch

2On a new layer, I rough out what the spaceship will look like. I let the perspective grid guide my strokes so they stay accurate to the
perspective of the object. It’s good to break up the silhouette by adding details such as solar panels, antennas, sensor array systems, docking
clamps and radio dishes. This process is very loose and I might do it several times until I’m happy with the result.
RESOURCES
PHOTOSHOP
CUSTOM BRUSHES:
LINE
A simple brush for

drawing lines, whether
for sketch or detail.
PAINT
A textured brush that

makes light work of
filling in colour.
Tidy the sketch details and cleaning up the sketch as I go, still using the
SOFT
3 I create a new layer group above the sketch, with the perspective grid to make sure my lines are correct.
blend mode set to Multiply. In the group I add two new I like to vary the detail across the ship, creating areas
layers: a solid white base layer and a new layer for the with high-density gadgets and pipes, and other areas with
A soft Round brush to lines, with a Curves adjustment layer above. This enables just smooth panels. It’s also crucial to vary line thickness,
take care of any blending me to control the relative contrast and darkness of the using thicker lines to indicate depth, such as the edge of
you need to do.
lines. Using a fine brush, I draw in the lines, adding small the ship or places of self-occlusion (overlapping areas).
78
Sketch in the background

4 It’s now time for me to decide what kind of Tighten the background lines
environment the spaceship should be in. Planets, nebulae 5 In the same way as the foreground lines, I draw in the asteroids over the
and star fields are all good options. I’m going for a dense sketch, keeping in mind that the closer asteroids should have more detail and the
asteroid field – maybe this is a space station mining distant ones can be just outlined silhouettes. Edge lines and overlapping lines are
outpost. I sketch asteroids using a medium brush set to a darker to help indicate separation. In addition, I’ll refine the composition more
low Opacity on a new layer below the foreground lines. here, and move things around if I need to.
Introduce foreground colours

6 I create a new layer for the base colour of the spaceship, and with a medium brush fill in the lines using a desaturated blue/grey. I add new
layers above the base colour for paint, metals and rust colours. I set these layers as Clipping Masks of the base layer. I do this by Alt+clicking the
base colour layer to set a Clipping Mask. This keeps the colour layers clipped to the silhouette of the ship.
79
Workshops
Apply background colours

Indicate a light source 8 I colour the background asteroids in a similar way
7 I decide to rotate the canvas 180 degrees, to make the view more dramatic as to the foreground. I also blend in some of the hue of the
seen from below. On a new layer I add a white rim light along the top edge of the background gradient into the distant asteroids to add
ship to indicate a light shining directly down. more visual depth.
10 Colour the background lines

To separate and add depth to the background lines,
I use colour. To do this I copy the lines into a Layer Mask
on a new layer filled with a solid saturated colour. I create
a Layer Mask (Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal All), then copy
the background lines (Select>All, Edit>Copy Merged),
before Alt+clicking the Layer Mask and pasting in the
Paint highlights for the background lines. I invert the mask to make white lines on a black
9 The light on the asteroids is similar to the foreground, except I use a light pink background (Image>Adjustments>Invert). I can now
instead of white to help separate it from the foreground. It’s fun to create visual paint new colours onto the lines easily without
depth by placing some of them in shadow and others not. accidentally changing their shape.
80
Make the light glow

11 To make the light pop, I apply a soft glow effect to
the bright parts of the image so they look blown out and
overexposed. I duplicate the lighting layers, move them 12 Create a bounce light
I often use a bounce light, usually in the opposite direction of the main light,
above the line art and apply the Gaussian Blur filter to add more form. It’s good to use a complementary colour to the scene, in this case
(Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur). Then I set the layer blend a nice saturated purple to balance the orange of the background and the red of the
mode to Screen. This works for the docking bays as well. ship. I paint in the bounce light on a new layer, with the blend mode set to Screen.
13 Dust and light rays

I softly paint some of the scene’s orange over the
background to create dust and further separate the
foreground and add depth. I erase vertical gaps in the 14 A final clean and colour correction
The final step is to just clean everything up, make sure the painting’s all sharp
haze to create shadows from the asteroids cutting down and add little details like navigation lights to the station. I add adjustment layers
through the haze. Similarly with the foreground, I create over the background, usually Curves and Vibrance to brighten up and saturate the
vertical fuzzy slices to hint at light beams created by the background. Who would have thought a boring wrench would become a cool
shape of the station. mining station hiding deep in a dusty asteroid field?!
81
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82
Artist’s
Choice Award
Art resources with a five-star
rating receives the ImagineFX
Artist’s Choice award!
The latest art resources are put to

the test by the ImagineFX team…
PRODUCT
5
ON TEST S
HARDWARE
84 MateBook X Pro 2020
Huawei’s latest MateBook ticks all the
boxes, but there’s a price to pay.
85 Mac mini (M1, 2020)

The Mac mini now packs Apple’s brand
new M1 chip to woo creatives on a budget.
BOOKS
86 Masterpieces of Fantasy Art
Taschen’s lavish book examines the fantasy
art genre and its standout illustrators.
87 Tarot 87 The Art of Soul

A detailed look at the many ways Tarot Discover how Pixar’s artists visualised New
cards have been interpreted by artists. York and the Soul World for its latest film.
RATINGS EXPLAINED Magnificent Great Good Poor Atrocious
83
Reviews
MateBook X Pro 2020

EXPENSIVE TASTES Another top-class laptop, the latest MateBook X
Pro ticks all the boxes – except when it comes to price
Price From £1,200 Company Huawei Web http://consumer.huawei.com
uawei is now well into the but we’d rather have it for the extra
H groove when it comes to

pushing out yearly updates
for the Huawei MateBook X
vertical space it gives to documents.
It’s a touchscreen too, should you
need it, and overall is a light and
Pro, and as you would expect, this compact device. We’re pleased to see
year’s is the best edition yet. It’s a a fingerprint sensor built into the
serious contender at the top-end of power button, which makes logging in
the market. a breeze, but we’re less happy about
There’s no doubt that the Huawei the webcam built into the top row of
MateBook X Pro is a fine-looking keys – not an ideal position.
laptop. The 13.9-inch, 3000x2000 Speaking of the keys, typing is a
pixel LTPS LCD screen looks great, pleasure, and the trackpad is sharp
with very little in the way of bezels – and responsive. Even though the
although it sadly isn’t 4K. Colours on laptop is a compact size, the keys feel Laptops need a plus an entry-level NVIDIA GeForce
responsive trackpad for
the screen are bright, details are sharp, well spaced and well proportioned. usability and the MX250 GPU. The only other option has
and it’s a fantastic laptop for watching Our review unit came with a quad- MateBook X Pro boasts an i5 processor and 512GB of storage,
one that will respond to
movies on. The 3:2 aspect ratio isn’t core Intel Core i7-10510U 1.8GHz CPU, your commands. and sticks with the integrated Intel HD
ideal for widescreen content of course, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, Graphics 620, if you want to save
yourself some cash and don’t mind the
Colours on the screen are bright, resulting performance hit. We can

definitely say the configuration we
details are sharp, and it’s a fantastic used offered plenty of power for
creative tasks, especially painting.
laptop for watching movies on Huawei has put out another hugely
impressive laptop with the MateBook
The 3:2 screen ratio X Pro for 2020. What might put most
may not please movie
creatives needing to people off, however, is the rather high
work in widescreen, but price – starting at around £1,200 for
everyone else will enjoy
the extra vertical space. the cheapest configuration. It’s not a
question of whether the laptop is
worth the price (we think it is), it’s a
question of whether you can get a
perfectly fine and functional Windows
laptop for a lot less (you almost
Features
n NVIDIA GeForce certainly can).
MX250
Having said that, if you find that you
n Intel UHD Graphics
n 16GB LPDDR3 do want the very best 13-to-14-inch
2133MHz
n 512GB/1TB NVMe
Windows laptop in the business, and
PCIe SSD you’re willing to pay for it, then the
n Full-size backlit
chiclet keyboard MateBook X Pro should definitely be
n Fingerprint power on your shortlist.
button
n Touchpad with
multi-touch
n Available in either
Space Grey or Emerald
Green
n Lithium polymer
chassis
n Up to 13 hours local
video playback
n 2 x USB-C (support
data, charging and
DisplayPort)
n 1 x USB-A3.0
n 3.5mm headset and
microphone jack
Rating
★★★★ You get two USB-C ports, one USB-A3.0 and a
3.5mm headset and microphone jack.
84
Art tools Hardware
While you could easily hide the

diminutive Mac mini away, its
beauty cries out to be seen.
Mac mini (M1, 2020)

COMPACT COMPUTING The Mac mini is back, and now packing The Mac mini (M1, 2020) is so
incredibly small yet manages to be
Apple’s latest M1 chip to woo even more creatives into its fold so incredibly powerful.
Price From £699 Company Apple Web www.apple.com
he new Mac mini (M1, 2020) RAM and 512GB storage (and the As mentioned, the new Mac mini
T is easily one of the best

compact machines
creatives can buy. Thanks
same M1 chip) for £899, or configure
the Mac mini to offer up to 16GB of
RAM and 2TB of storage. Because of
comes with macOS Big Sur installed,
which can run pretty much any Mac
program, either natively for those
to Apple’s new M1 chip, it’s an the new M1 chip, RAM is limited to made for the M1 chip, or via Apple’s
incredibly competent machine that 16GB, and there’s no way to open up Rosetta 2 tool, which makes programs
will handle complex creative the device to add either a larger hard made for Intel-based Macs compatible.
workloads with ease. drive or more RAM. Even better, you can run iOS apps
Apart from its design and The M1 chip features an eight-core Features for iPhones and iPads on the new Mac
n Eight-core CPU with
performance, the price of this Mac CPU and eight-core GPU, which is the four performance mini thanks to the M1 chip being similar
cores and four
mini is its most impressive aspect. same as in the new MacBook Pro 13- efficiency cores
to the chip in Apple’s smartphones
Starting at just £699 for 8GB of RAM inch, and so we saw very similar n Eight-core GPU and tablets. Great news for users of
n Sixteen-core Neural
and 256GB of storage, this is by far the performance in both machines, Engine creative apps such as Procreate.
cheapest entry point into the Mac backed up by synthetic benchmarks. n 8GB memory In our view, the biggest selling point
n 256GB SSD
ecosystem. It comes with the brand The fact you’re getting the same level n Built-in speaker of the Mac mini is how small it is. At
new macOS Big Sur operating system, of performance in the Mac mini is a n 3.5mm headphone
36x19.7x19.7cm, it really is a stunningly
jack
and the same Apple M1 chip that real testament to Apple’s engineering. n HDMI 2.0 port compact bit of kit. As you’d expect
n Thunderbolt 3 (up to
powers the far more expensive One thing we should point out, 40GB/s)
from Apple, it looks lovely (and comes
MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020), so though, is that while the new Mac mini n USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to in a new silver colour).
10GB/s)
you’re not compromising at all. comes with the same range of ports as n Thunderbolt 2, When you need visual clarity, the
If you need more, you can also get a previous models, you cannot use an HDMI, DVI and VGA new Mac mini now supports up to two
support using
pre-configured model with 8GB of external GPU. adapters (sold ultra high-definition displays. You can
separately)
plug in a monitor with up to 6K
n Two USB‑A ports
n HDMI 2.0 port resolution and a refresh rate of 60Hz
n Gigabit Ethernet port
n Bluetooth 5.0
via Thunderbolt, as well as use the
wireless technology HDMI port to connect to a 4K screen.
If you need a small, easy-to-store
Rating
computer that offers fantastic value,
Lots of lovely ports to plug in your favourite displays.
★★★★ buy the Mac mini (M1, 2020).
85
Reviews
Heavy Metal Hero, by Painting Victory Flight helped

Rodney Matthews, features Julie Bell to refine her stylised,
the artist’s trademark spiky colourful take on dragons.
designs and forms.
Masterpieces
of Fantasy Art
JUST IMAGINE Taschen’s official ‘Sexy Book Editor’ puts her spin
on the fantasy art genre and its standout artists in this lavish book
Author Dian Hanson Publisher Taschen Price £150 Web www.taschen.com Available Now
aschen’s Masterpieces of Dian’s choice of master artists – 12 in
T Fantasy Art showcases

imaginative art primarily
from the 20th century, in a
total – forms the heart of the book.
Consummate figure artists such as
Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo and Julie
mammoth, highly produced Bell rub bare shoulders with more
hardback. Yet this mouth-watering esoteric choices such as Rodney
prospect becomes, at times, an Matthews, HR Giger and Moebius.
uncomfortable experience for Dian delves into her subjects’ careers,
today’s fantasy fans. interviewing them where possible, and
Author Dian Hanson begins by her years of editorial experience
tracing fantasy art’s popularity in certainly shines through. Her engaging
mainstream media. In a lengthy essay
she attributes the US pulp magazines
of the 1930s and 40s for whetting
Each painter’s work can be Frank Frazetta’s original Egyptian Queen oil painting
sold at auction for $5.4 million in 2019.
people’s appetite for fantastical
imagery outside of textbooks and the
appreciated as fantasy art in opportunity to show a wider range of
classical art world. Cover art from its purest form fantasy art from the era, and the lack
Weird Tales, Startling Stories and more of character diversity is tiresome by
accompanies the text, often featuring write-ups provide plenty of anecdotes modern standards.
semi-naked women who find and insights. The book concludes with one-
themselves in over-the-top, perilous Taken in isolation, each painter’s paragraph entries on 99 noteworthy
situations. These magazines fell out of work can be appreciated as fantasy art fantasy artists. This section feels more
public favour, to be replaced by in its purest form, even if some of the balanced in terms of the art themes on
fantasy novels, films and adult comics. storytelling might be considered show. Readers who make the effort to
However, the idea that ‘sex sells’ hackneyed. Yet the majority of Dian’s explore the work of those 99 artists
prevailed, with Dian providing more chosen artists made their name by will soon realise there’s much more to
lurid depictions of women alongside depicting scantily clad young women, the genre than Dian suggests.
conventional fantasy tropes: dragons, resulting in page after page of similar-
barbarians and so on. looking female figures. It’s a missed RATING ★★★
86
Inspiration Books
Tarot
DECK HAND The first book in Taschen’s Library of Esoterica series
places a spotlight on Tarot cards, revealing their many interpretations
Author Jessica Hundley Publisher Taschen Books Price £30 Web www.taschen.com Available Now
tarting life in the 14th deck in detail. She describes each
S century as a card game,

Tarot cards have
transcended their humble
card’s symbolism and their meaning,
and provides examples of eclectic
artwork. The cards are printed large on
roots to become associated with the page and accompanied by
divination and fortune telling. captions that give information on the
Taschen’s book provides an in-depth artist, their painting materials,
analysis of how the 78 cards have influences and more.
been conceived by artists. Given how long Tarot cards have
Author Jessica Hundley begins with been around, it’s no surprise that the
a relatively brief overview of the art varies enormously. Yet this is one of
Tarot’s history, before tackling the the book’s strengths: there’s plenty of
fun to be had in seeing artistic
interpretations of classic cards, and
how far each illustrator has
extrapolated basic Tarot concepts in
the name of creativity. Jennifer’s
In 1970 Bea Nettles
began work on her unspoken challenge – “You’ve seen
Tarot deck, with friends what others have done, now it’s over
and family dressed to
represent the classic to you” – is all but irresistible.
arcana archetypes. This US artist Cathy McClelland drew on her fascination
is a detail from the
Temperance card. RATING ★★★★ with astrology and astronomy for her 2017 take on
the Tarot card Wheel of Fortune.
The Art of Soul

SPIRIT GUIDE Take a visual trip to New York and the Soul World: two
unique environments brought together by Pixar in its latest film
Author N/A Publisher Abrams & Chronicle Books Price £30 Web www.abramsandchronicle.co.uk Available Now
ne picture is worth a Things take a turn for the ethereal as
Tom Gately
O thousand words. Yet when
describing the creative
process behind Soul, this
the artists tackle the film’s abstract
settings and characters. There’s plenty
of vis-dev work as the look of souls are
book could have done with more polished, and wire sculptures help
written insights. capture the bizarre appearance of key
The Art of Soul begins promisingly, inhabitants of the Soul World.
with lengthy introductions from actor Yet too often art is presented
Tina Fey, director Pete Docter, and without comment, leaving the reader
writer and co-director Kemp Powers, to guess why certain designs were
who praise the talent of Pixar’s artists. taken forward. When half of the book
A stylised New York is proof enough is devoted to the otherworldly, it
of this: characters, street scenes and becomes harder to excuse the
Artist Jason Deamer’s
interiors are full of life. Indeed, visits to digital explorations absence of real-world explanations.
jazz clubs result in sketches that feed on capturing the
essence of a person
into the film’s tone and feel. in a single image. RATING ★★★
Jason Deamer
Hyein Park
From The Art of Soul, Foreword by Tina Fey, Introductions by Pete Docter and Kemp Powers, published by Chronicle Books
87
VIRTUAL
25 FEBRUARY 2021
Speaking at this year’s event:
DJAMILA KNOPF LOIS VAN MAX ULICHNEY

INDEPENDENT ARTIST AND BAARLE ANIMATION ART DIRECTOR
SCHOOLISM INSTRUCTOR AND ANIMATOR
CONCEPT ARTIST AND
CHARACTER DESIGNER
PHILLIP FREDRIK BELLE VAN

BOUTTE JR. LÖFBERG DER WOODSEN
FREELANCE COSTUME DIRECTOR 3D ARTIST
CONCEPT ARTIST
View our full speaker rota at

www.vertexconf.com
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Traditional Artist
Inspiration and advice from the best pro artists
94 98
This issue:
90 Traditional FXPosé
Discover this month’s selection
of the finest traditional art, which
90 has been sent in by you!
94 Workshop: Portrait
painting using ink and tea
´
Carne Griffiths uses calligraphy
inks and a fountain pen to create
detail and tone in a portrait piece.
98 First Impressions:
Amelia Leonards
Learn why antlers are a common
theme in this US artist’s work.
89
Traditional Artist FXPosé
SHOWCASING THE FINEST TRADITIONAL ARTISTS
Romi Adzan Ramli

LOCATION: Malaysia MEDIA: Pentel XFP5F brush pen, Pentel Pocket Brush pen,
Copic Grey Tones markers WEB: www.instagram.com/rome_adzan
“I’m into drawing cyberpunk and biomechanical art,

giant robots and mechs,” says Romi, who’s inspired
by manga, and western and European artists.
1 THE SPACEMAN
“After reading Lovecraftian
cosmic horror I came up with
3 4 4 MORTUS EST MESIN
“Mutilated dead bodies
recycled by Tekromanxers to
this guy – some sort of space fight on the front lines of a
exploration gone wrong.” never-ending war.”
2 TENTACORP
“A concept of a near-
future special mechanized
5 METALSKIRT
“An original character
concept hugely inspired by
infantry that’s made out of Yukito Kishiro’s Battle Angel
resurrected corpses to run a Alita, otherwise known as
global police state.” Gunnm in Japan.”
3 BIOMECHA PILOT
“This is hugely inspired
by HR Giger and late-80s
NES Ninja Gaiden games.”

Inspirational art

Traditional Artist FXPosé
Peter Diamond
LOCATION: Austria MEDIA: Acrylic inks, coloured pencils, pastel WEB: www.peterdiamond.ca
Peter is a Canadian illustrator based in Vienna who studied fine arts at

NSCAD University. “These new paintings step away from the commercial
and pop-cultural concerns of my professional commissions,” he reveals.
1 5 SENSES, #1
“The first in a series exploring the five
senses, made for the 2019 Power In
2 5 SENSES, #3
“The third piece in the five senses
series. The poses were inspired by luxury
2
Numbers show at Gallery Nucleus Portland.” fashion photography.”
3 5 SENSES, #4
“Probably the most literal of the five
senses series because this sense seems to me
the most estranged from visual media.”
4 Z
“This is a character I return to when fear,
shame and anxiety are at hand. He’s a past
version of myself who never quite existed.”

Inspirational art

Traditional Artist Workshops
Graphite Ink Tea
PORTRAIT PAINTING
USING INK AND TEA
CARNE GRIFFITHS reveals how he paints a portrait with ink and tea on watercolour
paper, using calligraphy inks and a fountain pen to create detail and tone
T
he piece I’m discussing The painting explores techniques
here – Solace – was created that rely on chaos and chance, often
as the final work to blending together seemingly random
accompany my solo mark making with detailed and
exhibition, Nature’s deliberate fountain pen lines. These
Riches. The series is based around two different approaches are often
taking images from fashion and applied layer after layer and the
advertising and replacing parts of the process is one of both destroying and
original shoot with motifs and manipulating the underlying layers
elements from the natural world, in during each pass.
particular floral motifs. The common Carne paints with inks, teas
thread is humankind’s connection to and alcohol, embracing chaos
the natural world and how we are and chance to steer the
part of it and yet consider ourselves direction of work. See more
to be separate or superior. of his art at www.carnegriffiths.com
Step-by-step: Create a portrait that’s full of energy
1 SKETCH OUT THE PORTRAIT 2 THROW DOWN LIQUIDS

I begin with a tonal drawing in graphite
to give structure to the work, while at the
With the structure of the piece created,
I begin adding lines using fountain pen ink.
3 ADD DETAILS WITH A PEN
After letting the loosely applied tea
dry, I begin to work over the entire piece,
same time keeping detail fairly low. This These non-permanent lines are quickly moving from one area to another to
provides a framework for the following followed by loosely applied liquids such as maintain balance in the work. Where the
layers and serves as a guide to where the hot water and tea, disturbing the pen lines disturbed ink is successful I use very little
liquids will be applied. I often work with an underneath and creating random swirls of detail, whereas in other areas I use a
eraser, drawing in vigorous erased lines to ink. I try to maintain as much energy as fountain pen to generate floral detail, tone
give a sense of direction to the sketch. possible at this stage. and texture.
94
Artist insight Paint using ink and tea
95
Traditional Artist Workshops
Points of interest: Bring a portrait to life
Adding gold leaf

I often use gold leaf to highlight elements that will catch
the light. This is done by using gold size with a dip pen
and then applying transfer gold leaf over the dried size.
An alternate use for gold leaf is to make it the
background, so the marks on top stand out.
MATERIALS
PAPER
n Bockingford
watercolour paper
540gsm stretched on
an aluminium open-
back frame
INK
n Pelikan
n Waterman and
Herbin calligraphy inks
TEA
n Earl Grey
n Chai
n Tetley
ALCOHOL
n Vodka Working with layers
n Brandy My process involves creating many layers. Some layers will build up inks
over other inks, whereas some layers involve liquids disturbing or
DRAWING TOOLS
sometimes completely erasing the underlying elements. I work with all
n Graphite non-permanent materials, so that if I throw water over the piece
n Pigment pen – towards the end, it’ll erase or change the look of the artwork.
Derwent Line Makers Sometimes an entire kettle of water will be thrown over detailed
sections just to see the effect it leaves behind.
96
Artist insight Paint using ink and tea
Create balance Negative space

My process is one of chaos and To achieve the look of reflective light,
I rarely have a system in place I use the white of the watercolour
for what I’m going to paint – paper. Rather than masking areas, I’m
there is no planning and each careful when applying the initial liquids
subsequent mark or element is to leave these loose shapes of negative
spontaneously added as a result white space to create the illusion of
of the last. This means I move overexposed light. I then use the
quickly around the piece, fountain pen to pick out finer details
building up the image evenly within the image.
until I achieve a sense of balance.
Celebrate chance
I try to preserve the energy of the
piece by highlighting areas that have
happened by chance. In this instance,
outlining the droplets of flicked paint
or tea from the underlying areas draws
attention to the rhythm and movement
of this ‘brush stroke’.
97
Traditional Artist Interview
First Impressions
Amelia Leonards – the only thing in common is the
Learn why antlers are presence of a woman.
a common theme in What character or scene that you’ve
this US artist’s work… painted do you most identify with?
I have a thing for painting fae
women with antlers, probably
Where did you grow because I hope I’ll transform into
up and how has this one and take to the trees. I sense the
influenced your art? influence of New Jersey escapism…
Summit, New Jersey.
I was tragically the Is your art evolving? What’s your
only Goth kid in a very yuppie town most recent experiment?
during the 90s with no internet. Art, At the moment I’m playing with
reading and hiding behind trees contrast, pushing the medium
were the only escapes available. around to see how extreme I can be
I spent all of my time reading while still retaining the look and feel
mythology and folklore and telling of watercolour. I’m also working on
myself stories about strange minimalism, because my instinct is
creatures and fantastical places, so of to fill every available centimetre
course I had to draw them. Needless with detail and I know it’s wrong.
to say, people thought I was odd.
How has the art industry changed
What, outside of art, has most since you’ve been working in it?
influenced your artwork? It’s changed so much – I graduated
My father read Greek myths to me at college right before the explosion of
bedtime when I was a much tinier art sharing and self-marketing on
person, and they shaped how I saw social media. The only art career
the world. I was also always outside I could see was book illustration
playing with bugs, digging for – dealing directly with clients
dinosaur bones, and looking for seemed unthinkable. While there’s
doorways into other worlds. I’m nothing wrong with that path, I love
unsure that any of that has changed. being able to self-promote and build
QUEEN OF CUPS (ridiculous to a watercolourist), a my own business.
What was your first paid “The Queen of Cups embodies nightmarish explosion of acrylic
love, compassion, in addition to
commission, and does it stand as a concern for ourselves and our (definitely not my medium), and What does the future hold for you?
representation of your talent? fellow creatures.” I think I was paid $50 (ouch). The Chocolate chips, I hope. I’m also
A giant, hand-painted banner for a shop isn’t in business anymore, working on an astrological-themed
dress shop. It was eight feet long and I can only hope that the Oracle deck, as well as a Tarot and an
painting has been burned to keep Oracle deck for a French company,
BEAR OF THE NORTH someone warm. Wild Editions, which produces
“In Druidic belief, the North is
represented by the Great Bear of gorgeous products. I’m very excited
the Starry Heavens, of the green
and fruitful Earth.”
What’s the last piece you finished, about that, and for the millions of
and do the two artworks differ? personal projects I’m chipping away
A commission of a friend turning at. Right now my biggest ambition
into a bear to celebrate her for the future, both personally and as
connection to earth energy – clearly an artist, is to survive Covid and be
I’ve finally found others like me. The free to travel around the country and
two pieces couldn’t be more different participate in shows.
Amelia is a fantasy artist inspired by the
My instinct is to fill every beauty of ancient myth, folklore and the

natural world. She mostly paints
available centimetre with detail fantastical things for herself and
occasionally commissioned work. See more
and I know it’s wrong of her art at www.amelialeonards.com.
98
.
9000 9027

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HOW TO SPARK

Inspiring ways to create the art of your dreams

WAYS TO GET positivity for 2021

BETTER AT DOODLES ALSO INSIDE

Welcome to… EDITOR’S CHOICE Three of my top

Here in the UK we’re in the

Sign up for our newsletter!

Option 1: Quarterly print

Option 2: Quarterly print +

Option 3: Quarterly digital

News and events

60 15 tips for better doodles

70 Create art that tells a story

56 76 Paint using everyday objects

94 Workshop: Portrait painting

Getting hold of this issue’s resources is easy.

Just visit http://ifxm.ag/bright197ideas

We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from

ALSO! Pro advice on character design, concept art and more!

PLUS 6 CUSTOM BRUSHES, INCLUDING…

SKETCH & RENDER SOFT HAIR

PLACE TO SHARE YOUR DIGITAL ART

Jude is a concept artist who works at Blackbird

3 KIRA THE CROW

10 Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx

Submissions for Artist

Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx 11

12 Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx

people or acquaintances, and

Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx 13

Hanny juggles illustration with writing and is currently studying

14 Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx

“I love rendering details and drawing mild gore,” says

1 EVENING IN THE CAFÉ

3 EVERY WISH COMES WITH A PRICE

Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx 15

“I draw inspiration from nature, beloved works of fiction, and my favourite

16 Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx

Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx 17

Ivona is a freelance concept artist and illustrator with five years’

18 Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx

• Create stylised art with Artificial Intelligence

Submit your work: http://ifxm.ag/getinifx 19

AT THE CORE OF THE DIGITAL ART COMMUNITY

“I found a better understanding of

How to set goals as an artist

Do you dream of working full-time as “My burnout may be a result

thing, supported by fans on Patreon?

One of the biggest Ghanaian-American

“I’m a stubborn person,” says

struggled with myself – especially achievements and success, it’s so easy

All rights reserved to Ubisoft Entertainment. Copyright © Ubisoft Entertainment.

Accept that sustainable growth takes

“My first big goal was

“I’ve had several When did you first realise you

Have you always been

Do you still set yourself

references. Pretty much