This is a “self interview” which I saw as a challenge on a popular social media. I figured I would also take part.
I am not sure who the original author is of the questions, but if you happen to know, please tell me so that I can attribute it correctly! Since they were in image form being shared around by a ton of people, attribution kind of gets lost somewhere in the process. However, there were some really good questions here, so I couldn’t help but snag it.
If there is anyone out there who would like to ask some more questions, feel free to message me with your list! I will also get them put into post format 🙂
- How long have you been drawing?
For as long as I can remember. When I was really young, my mom gave me a pencil and some paper to keep me occupied. I was seriously talkative, so I can totally understand that haha - What’s your favorite thing to draw?
Hair. Most definitely hair. I can take hours on it. It’s so relaxing. - What’s your least favorite thing to draw?
Hands… omg. I always tend to try to overwork them. So there is something like photorealism in just the hand, but the rest of the drawing looks… juvenile. - How Often do you use references?
Since I draw portraits, I rarely go without using references. However, sometimes, when I do sketch cards, I just go by something I had seen before. If you think about it, no matter what, references are used, even if the picture/item is not sitting in front of you. For some, it’s a picture in the mind, for others, it’s a picture on the table. - How much time do you spend drawing on an average day?
That varies, honestly. I don’t draw every day, but when I do draw, it’s for hours that day. - Are you confident about your art?
Sometimes. Well… actually… not really. If I am completely honest, I feed on the approval of others to tell whether my art is any good or not. Once I stare at a drawing for longer periods of time, all I see is pencil strokes. I can see technique but not subject. It is hard to explain. So I let others determine how confident I am on a certain piece. - Is it okay for people to ask you about your process ?
Of course. How else does one learn? There are certain things that I honestly cannot explain, though. There are no secrets in art. Most of it has already been done. But when it comes to personal touches or “how do you do that” type of questions, I really cannot answer, because I don’t have an answer. - Do you prefer to keep your art personal, or do you like drawing things for other people?
I prefer personal projects, really. More feeling goes into them. After a piece is complete, if someone would like to have it, then that is perfectly fine! I don’t mind letting them go. I mean, I regret it sometimes, but I have to remind myself that they are in a good home. - Do you ever collaborate with other artists?
Only twice. Once with my brother on a sketch he did. I just outlined it in ink. Once with a good artist friend in Hannover, Dirk Richter. That piece is still my favorite one! - How long does an average piece take you to complete?
That is hard to say. No piece is created equally. Sometimes it takes a couple of hours, sometimes it takes a couple of days. There have been times were I work on and off for a week on one. - Do you draw more today than you did in the past, or do you draw less?
Hmmm. I think it is about the same, really. I just show more of my work publicly, now. - Do you think you’re justified in giving other people art advice?
Oh, that is a tough one. If I am asked, sure, I can give some advice. But I kind of have this type of “imposter syndrome,” where I don’t feel like I am the type of person to tell anyone the quality of their work. Why should I, when there are so many better artists out there to get better information from? - What are you currently trying to improve on?
Everything! The moment you have no room for improvement, then there is nothing left to do. Time to move on to something else. But… mostly… my motivation. I want to WANT to draw at all times of the day. I mean, I do, but I want my hands to feel the same way. I feel a bit guilty when the pencils aren’t moving. - Do you like to challenge yourself?
ALWAYS! I am always pushing myself to try something new. Usually, it is within the medium that I use, though. For now. - Are you confident that you’re improving steadily?
It’s hard to say, really. Improvements are typically gradual, so I have to go back and check out older stuff to see it, but it seems there are tons of improvements over the past 10 years. - Do you feel jealous when you see other people’s art, or are you inspired by it? (Be honest!)
Jealous? No. A bit envious, sure. There is a fine difference in those two. Jealousy implies resentment. I resent NO artist! However, sometimes, I look at artworks and get the feeling that they are so much better than me. But that just drives me further! I would never resent someone else’s drive. - Do you like to draw in silence, or with music?
Music! Always with music! If I can sing along with it, the better. Some of my favorite bands to listen to while drawing is Opeth, We are the Fallen, Katatonia, Apocalyptica, Deftones, Tool… you get the idea lol - What is your favorite medium?
Graphite! Definitely graphite. Though, I have been trying to play a little bit with charcoal. It’s a decent medium, too, but so much different than graphite. I can’t quite get the manipulation right. But I will, eventually, start getting the hang of it 😀 - How do you usually start on a big piece? (Light sketch, colored lead, sketchpaper, etc)
Depends on the piece. I usually start with a photo manip in Photoshop. Then, I sketch that lightly, directly onto the paper the finished piece will be on. I am not big on wasting paper, so the extra sketch paper is not a thing for me. - What inspires you to be a better artist?
All the gorgeous art I see online. My artist friends who post their amazing work. The people who admire my art. My mom.
