James Gilleard
blog: http://www.jamesgilleard.com
images copyright James Gilleard
10 Questions with James Gilleard
1.... what medium and tools do you use to create art?
I work digitally in adobe illustrator and use photoshop for tweaks at the end.
2.... can you describe your creative process when making art?
I start by gathering a folder of research, from which I will create sketches in a sketchbook - very rough, along with thumbnails. This is then scanned and put into adobe illustrator where I draw over the roughs with basic line work. Once I am happy I will move on to small colour keys creating variations on the colours until I have selected one and colour up the image. From here I can play around with objects to get the right scale, composition etc and once that is done I will move it into photoshop to play around with colours some more and add textures and paint effects.
3.... what helps boost your creativity?
Music! Have to have some music playing while I draw.
4.... what helps you maintain focus and motivation when creating?
Sometimes this can be quite difficult, especially with tight deadlines or creating something I'm not really interested i. I find I am much more motivated when it is my own personal work and there is no money involved. This means I can take my time and fully enjoy every part of the process. Also large scale projects seem to keep me more focused - such as animation. Maybe it is the challenge. I do intend to take some time to create my own work soon.
5.... what is the secret to creating a great piece of art?
I really don't know. I would say for me it is time and inspiration. It is difficult for me to produce a great piece of art for say an advertising campaign or editorial etc due to the endless amount of changes that are required. This can really take the pleasure out of it and when that is gone I become unhappy with the work. For me it is a combination of elements that go to make the whole - but enjoying it is vital to creating good art.
6.... do you feel its important to follow your passion in your career?
Yes I do - I can't imagine what else I would do because I can't do anything else. I have tasted what is is like to work in jobs that I do not care about and it is pretty grim, but it was easy because of that. Working in illustration and animation is a joy and I work my ass off daily, but I enjoy it. I think if I hadn't tried I would be kicking myself now.
7.... how do you find your passion?
For art? I have always been interested in art since I can remember. The first image I did that I can remember getting a good grade for was an image of Knight Rider when I was about 6.
8.... who are your favorite artists?
I have so many artists that I admire - where to start! At the moment I am working on a game and have been looking at the work of Glenn Barr, Dave Cooper, Shag, Derek Yaniger, Todd Schorr, etc. Others include Ryohei Yanagihara, Charles Harper, Shaun Tann, anything by UPA and infact most 1950s style animation. There are a tonne more but I can't think of them off the top of my head!
9.... do you offer workshops for artists?
I have - and am mentoring students from time to time but I have never done a workshop - I don't think I am cut out to teach, certainly not in front of large groups anyway!
10.... if you could give other artists one piece of advice what would it be?
The best advice I ever read was 'work hard and draw what you like'.
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