Itsura Manga: June 2008

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?

Hi my name is Kriss Sison, born in Manila -year 1980, I studied Fine Arts at Technological University of the Philippines for 3 years and then dropped out.

I’ve been in the comics business since 1998, the first titles that I’ve worked on was Thunder Bubuli and TINK, then I did a lot of freelance works and now I work for Groundbreakers as manga artist for Ninja Girl KO!

What inspired or convinced you to become an Artist?

I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember and I just didn’t stop, it was a hobby that grew and I never got tired of.

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

Hmmm… my body clock is a mess, I usually sleep around morning then wake up at noon, fiddle with the computer and play some tunes as I do my sideline job, usually I work alone (though I do get some assistance if I need help) then prepare to go for work, I come to Groundbreakers studio usually around night then work there till morning.

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

Mostly comic book illustrations for local publishers and also for the US (eg: LAST HOPE, a Seven Seas Entertainment OEL manga). I also did some animation works.

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

Usually I would try to change or improve a little on the instructions given to make the illustration look better, I always like to keep things simple, easy on the eye and easy to understand, sometimes the art doesn’t end up with the look that I wanted and that is a little frustrating.

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?

Before, my choice of tools were colored pencils and water color, I don’t do traditional coloring anymore mostly because it is not practical to my current works, nowadays I do my colors digitally using only Photoshop. I usually start my colors doing a flat color layer, and then creating another layer for the renders, to end up with a smaller file size and quicker Photoshop response, I always try and keep my number of layers below 10.

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

By observing things, it could be anything, basically anything or anyone that surrounds me.

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

Drawing cute female characters is what I enjoy most, they are fun to draw, and simply because I’m a sucker for anything cute, second would be mecha.

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

I can’t choose, there are so many of them.

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

Digital inking and more coloring techniques.

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

Mostly anime blog/reviews that feature new or old shows that may I may find interesting, and any websites that has the latest news in technology.

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

Keep on exploring and continue progressing with whatever you do. Be humble.

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

You can send an email to: freezeburn32[at]yahoo[dot]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?

Yes, my work is included in the Mangaholix manga anthology magazine; I’m the artist of the title Ninja Girl KO! written by Marco Dimaano.

Mangaholix is available thru National Book Stores, Power Books, Comic Odyssey, Fully Booked, and FILBARS.

Thanks!

Best regards.