Interview With A Digital Artist

Any tips or tricks for aspiring artists out there?
R: Sure. Don't forget the important first step of pencil. When creating a character, start with the face, then create the body. Use a whole sheet of paper for the head, and another for the body, and more sheets for other stuff, because you can scan them all in and resize them in the computer. By focussing on one thing at a time, you can really perfect and accentualize each element, thereby creating a superior piece of work.

Also, be inspired before you start to create. Listen to music really helps, and imagine how cool it is going to look when you are finished. Don't drag yourself through boring tasks, but find a way to love each part of the creation process. Along those lines, don't bog your life down with situations or jobs you hate, but have a life finding a way to look forward to each day, as I do.

As far as for digital tricks, there are too many to list, but you can get a lot of them, including how I do my vector anime, by visiting my site and getting my compact secrets book. www.orangepixel.bravehost.com

Anything else you think is important?
R: Don't too concerned with a career, or if you choose not to go professional. I know professionals who hate their lives because they never learned to make a life doing what inspires them as individuals, but they only focussed on making a living. (Okay I'm poor, but really, I'm rich compared to those.) The mistake most would-be artists make is thinking they don't need to work to develop professional skill, and their work always looks amateur. If you do gain skill, watch as those who wont do the work you did become jealous, and start criticizing your work, even though they themselves suck. Surround yourself with winners, who gain real skill and wow people with their work. If there are no winners around, I DO suggest going it alone until you find some. One look at their work will tell you who is a winner. I learned all this from several art groups I started or joined, which were cool, but I learned the harsh fact that most kids who love anime and try to be artists never do the work to gain professional level skill, and suck for all eternity, and they know it and it pisses them off when they see someone not doomed to a life of suckdom. In gaining professional skill, constantly compare your work to profession publications you admire, and ask, "What is the difference between my work and theirs?" Whatever works for you, continuous drawing of body parts, classes, books, study of artists who came before you, do it, and don't be satisfied with almost professional. It seemed impossible to me at times, but at one point after continuous effort (which still continues), I found that almost every time I sat down to create a work, it turned out another rock'in blast that bows people away. Computers really give you an edge, because you can correct mistakes even years later, and add and mix stuff you've already made. Don't waste time on color or shade as much to start out. Everything real success depends on is the line work planning, and once you are a pro at that, the rest is easy. Use layout bond from an art store, (I recommend Borden & Riley) and white drafting erasers for easy corrections. Feel free to email me questions.
- Rick Bruce

You can see a generous collection of Rick's work at http://www.orangepixel.bravehost.com.