Meru

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Tell me a little bit about yourself, about your life? Where did you go to school, and what classes did you study? What helped prepare you to become the artist that you are today?

I started drawing way back when I was a child. I'd try to copy the illustrations I find in children's book and I think that's when I started. Eventually when early animes(such as Dragon Ball, Ranma 1/2 etc.) began airing in TV, I was captivated by their looks that I started drawing them as well.

I kept drawing as a hobby and passion and was introduced to digital art when I discovered Deviantart at least 3 years ago and that's when I started dabbling in with pixels. I'm currently in a university in a course with no relation to art since I only do draw for the fun of it. I love being an artist though. ^^

What inspired or convinced you to become an Artist?

I guess it only came natural since I loved drawing as a child and continue to do so until now. ^^

What is a typical day for you, and who are the people you work with?

Of course, studies aside, a typical day for me would either go to drawing, playing games, watching and going online. *laughs* I just do arts at my own pace so I really don't have a schedule to follow when it comes to art. If I am working on a personal project or commissions, I try to divide my time accordingly so I could finish what I am working on and still have time for other stuffs that I do.

What are some of the things that you have worked on?

As I stated I only draw mostly for my own leisure but I do take commissions when I have the time.

How do you go about illustration, what goes through your mind, from start to end?

I start out with the image of what I want to draw in my mind and then just start sketching it out. I try to stick with the original plan I have but I'd incorporate any new idea that pops up. I just try to really get in the mood to draw and just work while in that mood. I could really get absorbed to what I'm doing.

Could you talk about your process in coloring your art (if at all), as well as the types of tools or media that you use?

I use digital art so I usually start coloring by laying out all the color flats first and the work on shading them and putting the details after ward. I usually work with openCanvas 3.03+ program but I just recently discovered Painter IX about a month or so ago so yeah I'm kinda experimenting and adjusting myself with that program right now. Photoshop is another constant program for me for both coloring and editing. I use to only draw with a mouse till around last year when I finally got myself a (wacom)tablet.

What are some of the things that you do to keep yourself creative?

I try to draw everyday, even if its a simple sketch or doodle cause I know how it is when I do not draw for long periods of time. I try to experiment when I can. I also listen to music I like(it inspires me alot) and look at various drawings and pictures and try to learn from them. I even draw inspiration from fashion channels. *laughs*

What is your most favorite subject to draw, And why?

It would probably cute things and male subjects, it even got to a point where I'm having trouble with drawing girls *laughs* I try to work it out in a balance now though. For theme, I like working with fantasy ones.

Who are the top illustrators whose works excite you the most?

A lot actually. Tetsuya Nomura, Kohaku Kuroboshi, Kōsuke Fujishima, Takeshi Obata, Ugetsu Hakua, Azumi Tohru and more. Yeah mostly game designers since I'm playing a lot of games right now so I'm mostly exposed to their arts.

What are some of the neat things you have learned from other artists that you have worked with or seen?

Techniques to drawing and coloring and how to do things, I suppose. I still continue to learn from what I see from them consciously or not.

What are some of your favorite websites that you go to?

Deviantart, Youtube, livejournal. Occasionally, I go to my fav artists websites.

What wisdom could you give us, about being an Artist? Do you have any tips you could give?

If you want to improve then draw. Just draw, draw and draw. I meet alot of people who express their desire to improve but then that's just it, they don't do anything about it. If you'll just complain, just use that time to grab a pencil and sketch, its more productive that way. Drawing is a continually learning process so always keep an open mind. Never quit and don't let frustration stop you. And remember to have fun!

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

You can contact me through my email: scarlet_curse [at] yahoo.com and/or through my DA account: http://meru-chan.deviantart.com

Finally, do you have any of your art work for sale (sketchbook, prints, or anything) for fans of your work can know where and when to buy it?

I have previously sold indie/self-published artbooks at past cons and pins too with my friends group. Sometimes I can be caught available for sketch commissions in cons too. And as I have said earlier, I also take commissions for digital arts. ^^

Thanks!

Thank you! It's an honor to be featured. ^^

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Why not a course or career in the arts?

I did consider taking fine arts back then, but a part of me still can't take studying arts seriously(that's why despite liking drawing very much, I don't excel in art classes at school that much ^^;). Also I wanted to be an engineer more at that time so I ended up to where I am now.

Cristina Chua

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Tell me a little bit about yourself. Where did you go to school, and what extra-curricular activities did you take up? What helped prepare you to become the artist that you are today?

Hello, my name is Cristina Rose Chua, I go by the name oso-oso after my cute stuffed polar bear :D. I started drawing for ever since I remember (although I DO remember they were horrible fleshed out stick figures) Sailormoon and shoujo anime that was popular then, and copying those text cards that were sold 1 peso per pack (extremely hi-tech).

I never really went to formal drawing training, a few summer workshops and that’s that. Most of what I learned is usually through reading books, experience and constantly drawing. I spent my younger years at Hope Christian High School and is currently studying in College of Saint Benilde as a Multimedia artist (which is not as easy as it sounds :D ). School helps somewhat in art but most of what you would be able to do come from your own experience. I don’t appreciate the constrictiveness of schooling all that much.

What inspired or convinced you to become an artist?

I don’t know, I just enjoy art and drawing!

What is a typical day for you, and who are the people you work with?

I still go to school so usually, I start working after I come home from school, after I finish my (*sigh*) schoolwork and whatever home related work, I start coloring :D. I usually divide the time until the deadline to find out how much time I have. It’s really tiring to do all those things, I often end up complaining while I work! But afterwards, I feel most happy at a great finished project! It energizes me to see my toil and trouble finished. It’s a labor of love-hate with varying proportions of love and hate.

What are some of the things that you have worked on?

Ahh! I’m just starting out. I’m currently working for Groundbreakers inc. as a colorist for Aporia (issue 1-2), Kraust (issue 1) and other odd jobs.

How do you go about an illustration, what goes through your mind, from start to end?

In terms of my coloring job, I think about what is happening and how can I emphasize what is happening with shadows, light and color. All else, I just usually draw what I like! Depending on my mood, my drawing style changes, when I’m feeling pretty silly, I like drawing old-style shoujou manga art like Berubara!

Could you talk about your process in coloring your art (if at all), as well as the types of tools or media that you use?

I usually use opencanvas (www.portalgraphics.net/en/) for coloring and Photoshop for layout and tweaking, I also use a wacom tablet. Offline, when I have a break and lots of time for myself, I enjoy using watercolor and acrylic paints.

What are some of the things that you do to keep yourself creative?

I enjoy looking at works by my favorite artists and painters and I also read lots of books and manga. I enjoy all kinds of art and try to keep an open mind about it. Often times though when I am in an art slump, I just try to get over it by not doing anything, drinking tea and playing (romancing saga). :D

What is your most favorite subject to draw, and why?

I enjoy drawing pretty guys and girls as well as animals like foxes and foofies yes, yes, animals. Foofy birds are the best!

Who are the top illustrators whose works excite you the most?

Tatsuro Kiuchi (mejirushi.com)
Tracy Butler (lackadaisy.foxprints.com)
Range Murata

I greatly admire Ogure Ito’s manga art as well. Haha I also admire our very own Lynsley Brito and Kevin Libranda very much.

What are some of the neat things you have learned from other artists that you have worked with or seen?

I learned super sekret art techniques. I also learned to respect different kinds of art.

What are some of your favorite websites that you go to?

Drawn (drawn.ca/), an illustration blog Deviantart Pennyarcade (www.penny-arcade.com), an online gaming comic Art Renewal Center (www.artrenewal.org/), a good painters resource.

What wisdom could you give us, about being an artist? Do you have any tips you could give?

It’s really hard to be an artist. Strive hard. Don’t follow popular trends for the sake of being popular. Animals are important. Stop global warming.

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

You can email me at a_hard_riddle[at]yahoo[dot]com or just leave a message via ym :D

Do you have any of your art work for sale (comics, prints, or anything)? If so, for fans of your work can know where and when to buy it?

Ahh not yet but if I, hypothetically have fans, I am content. ;D

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If you were to become a multi-millionaire mangaka, what sort of merchandise would you want to own (merchandise of your own hit comic that is)?

It would be an article of clothing from the comic :D like undies the characters wears. In truth, I greatly admire Bill Watterson’s move not to merchandise his strip, Calvin and Hobbes. When I think about it, it really makes sense. But whose to say what the future holds?