Spotlight Feature: Volume 9

Please introduce yourself, tell us about yourself and your dA life?

I am an interior designer by day and I draw only as a hobby for the time being after work to relax and have fun. I am mostly self taught and came to dA not only to share my art, but also to appreciate and learn from the many talented artists here. Much have been gained from talking to the new friends I've made on dA - the feedback have been overwhelmingly positive and it gives me great encouragement to keep improving my craft.

A note on my 'TixieLix' pen name: one of my high school friends started calling me this since day one in year 7 because my voice sounded like a certain purple cartoon monkey in the ad for the Tixylix cough syrup and my real name is Lixin... and so it got stuck haha Try looking the ad up in Youtube if you want to know what I sound like lol.


Where did you begin with your artistic endeavours and What would you say your main artform is?

I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil and was aware of the concept of 'art' at a very early age, though I have only gotten serious about it during the most recent years. My works include traditional pieces as well as digital. Pencils and pens used to be my main mediums (and occasionally painting on canvases), but I have an aim to develop my skills in digital art and most of my recent work have been the latter.


When did you start pursuing your art and what inspires you to?

It was around 2 years ago when I joined dA with the aim to eventually master digital art and perhaps pursue a career out of it that I really started to focus on creating my own style of art. Drawing was something I had always done just as a side as a kid, copying the comics I admired and drawing random things that inspires me, but when I went to university and started work, it was all forgotten about for 10 long years... and I realized that was why I was so miserable during that time because art is so much a part of me and how I can best express myself.


What do you want to express and what idea or message are you trying to put across in your artwork?

Art is and should be about expressing our emotions and drawing on the subjects that moves us. Because I love video games so much, my current pieces are mostly fan arts of my favourite characters from them as I find it easier to practice and learn using established characters while also making it fun by expressing my love for them. They say that "a picture is worth a thousand words" so I try to capture moods and emote through my works the way a good piece of music or literature would. Rather than just draw the characters as one would expect to see them in official art for example, I try to capture another side of their personalities or my own idea of their appearance - essentially my own interpretation of that character and why they inspire me. I hope that is working ^^


What are your 'tools of the trade' and how do you create your art?

I am mostly a digital artist these days so I draw in Photoshop with a tablet from sketch to finish. Otherwise, I can still happily make do with a pencil or pen when I really have to get a drawing down and I'm away from the computer or just wanting to keep my traditional skills up to speed. Typically, I'd have lots of ideas and too many to draw at the one time so I'd scribble them down into a notebook with brief descriptions or keywords and come back to them later when the ideas are more developed in my mind. From there, I start setting up the drawing with rough, quick sketches before laying down the linework, base colours and finally the hardest part - rendering the lighting and shadows as well as other effects to bring the picture to life as best as I can.


What advice would you give to a beginner in any genre?

Keep your eyes open for inspiration and look in all places for them. Have patience with yourself and know that all great artists had to start from scratch too - everyone has their own unique path in the artistic journey, at different levels and speeds, but only you can be you so be the best that you can be. Lastly, never give up!


Final words?

As I've already mentioned, art is so much a part of me that I can't imagine life without it so I will keep drawing no matter what - if it leads to new work opportunities then great! If not, then at least I have something to be proud of still, knowing that I gave life to it. I would like to think that my art is the most sincerest way of expressing myself and perhaps I am good enough to help others in their journey and encourage them the way so many have encouraged me - I am where I am because of all the helpful constructive criticism given to me as well as the words of praise. It was a real honour for me to be doing this interview so thank you and thanks to everyone for reading! Wishing everyone a great 2014!!