Tell us about you.
I am an artist/Illustrator base out of New York, I started drawing at age seven and have been drawing and creating every since. Went to the High Schoolof Art and Design and studied Graphic Design at New York City College of Technology.
When was the first time you fell in love with the illustration world? And why?
My first experience with illustration started from reading comic books and watching cartoons I was always fascinated by the design and concepts I saw in comics and the cartoons I was watching and that got me to creating my own universe of characters.
Where are you located now? Do you wish to be somewhere else at this moment, instead?
I currently reside in New York, however I would like to move somewhere where I can gain more exposure to showcasing art.
What makes your works stand-out or different from other illustrators?
I am not afraid to experiment when it comes to drawing or painting my portfolio is not filed with any one particular subject matter it is based on what I am influence by at that moment .
Have you heard/visited www.somethingwelike.com before? Do you have any inputs to make it better?
Since being introduce to the site I feel that it serves an important part of the creative community that is more artist with quality work and passion should be highlighted more often, because too much attention is given to artist who already have establish themselves and creating an industry where you have to fit into a mold is not what art is about.
How does working professionally differ from being an amateur in your opinion?
Working professionally means meeting deadlines and making sure that you as an artist are communicating what the client has in mind. As a professional freelance artist you are put into a position of problem solving.
If you could meet w/ any artist (one) past or present, whom would it be?
Difficult question because as an artist I appreciate what each artist brings to the world through their own unique vision.
Who (or what) is your biggest influence?
My biggest influence is life itself because it brings many perspective to what an artist envisions and therefore creates, as for influences in art they would be Frank Frazetta, Kent Williams, Larry Stroman, Brian Stelfreeze, Greg “Craola” Simkins, Mearone, Arthur Adams, Berni Wrightson to name a few.
What do you wish for this new year?
I don’t want to wish because you are leaving it to chance instead of putting in the actually work of marketing and promoting yourself and your work. My goal for 2012 is to gain more paid freelance work and to have opportunities to showcase my art at various events when possible. I am always looking for new opportunities to push my artistic talents.
Tell us several good online resources for illustrator you recommend visiting?
Here are my list of sites that provide opportunities for visual artist:
1. www.drawingboard.org
2. Deviantart.com
3. www.digitalwebbing.com (for comic book artist looking for work and feedback on their work)
4. cghub.com
5. Bluecanvas.com (good site to network with other artist and provides information for artist as well)
6. illustrationfriday.com (weekly challenges that help artist develop their craft)
7. thexiongroup.blogspot.com (great meet up site created by my friend and art brother Shawn Alleyne that gives workshops and monthly challenges to strengthen your story-telling skills as a draftsmen when it applies to comic art)
Do you have a style that you relate to the most?
My style of art reflects the hip hop culture that I live and breath everyday my art stems from my passion for comic art and graffiti art.
Can you offer any advice on how to build-up a portfolio / ‘getting your foot in the door’ for our readers wishing to start a career in this line of illustrating business?
First and foremost you have to love what you do, because being and illustrator will have it’s ups and many times a lot of downs you have to be persistent and patient; nothing comes overnight. An always keep in mind that it is still a business, for illustrators starting out I would suggest focusing on what you can bring to the table with your own unique voice.
Get a website and have a blog in the digital age it is important for artist to have online sites and constantly up date your site to keep it fresh and current show art directors that you are a serious professional. Take criticism with a grain of salt and remember that not everyone is going to love your work but as long as you gave a 100% that is what counts.o
Name 3 of your favorite (art) books/ magazines.
ImagineFX
Juxtapoz
Hi-Flutose
Do you have anyone/company you would like to collaborate/work together?
There are a few companies I would like to work with such as IDW publishing,Darkhorse Comics,New Yorker Magazine.
What are the illustrator equipment(s) do you currently own?
I do both traditional and digital illustration, however my tools of the trade pigma microns,copic markers,.5mm pentel mech. pencil, stadler plastic eraser, and watercolors.
Name 3 softwares (or tools) that you use the most, and tell us the function of each of them.
I use Photoshop CS to do my digital colors and also for digital painting as well Painter 10,and Illustrator CS for vector illustrations and cleaning up and refining logos.
Chichat: William Jamison
Your Full Name
William Jamison
Tell us about you.
I am an artist/Illustrator base out of New York, I started drawing at age seven and have been drawing and creating every since. Went to the High Schoolof Art and Design and studied Graphic Design at New York City College of Technology.
My first experience with illustration started from reading comic books and watching cartoons I was always fascinated by the design and concepts I saw in comics and the cartoons I was watching and that got me to creating my own universe of characters.
Where are you located now? Do you wish to be somewhere else at this moment, instead?
I currently reside in New York, however I would like to move somewhere where I can gain more exposure to showcasing art.
What makes your works stand-out or different from other illustrators?
I am not afraid to experiment when it comes to drawing or painting my portfolio is not filed with any one particular subject matter it is based on what I am influence by at that moment .
Have you heard/visited www.somethingwelike.com before? Do you have any inputs to make it better?
Since being introduce to the site I feel that it serves an important part of the creative community that is more artist with quality work and passion should be highlighted more often, because too much attention is given to artist who already have establish themselves and creating an industry where you have to fit into a mold is not what art is about.
How does working professionally differ from being an amateur in your opinion?
Working professionally means meeting deadlines and making sure that you as an artist are communicating what the client has in mind. As a professional freelance artist you are put into a position of problem solving.
If you could meet w/ any artist (one) past or present, whom would it be?
Difficult question because as an artist I appreciate what each artist brings to the world through their own unique vision.
Who (or what) is your biggest influence?
My biggest influence is life itself because it brings many perspective to what an artist envisions and therefore creates, as for influences in art they would be Frank Frazetta, Kent Williams, Larry Stroman, Brian Stelfreeze, Greg “Craola” Simkins, Mearone, Arthur Adams, Berni Wrightson to name a few.
What do you wish for this new year?
I don’t want to wish because you are leaving it to chance instead of putting in the actually work of marketing and promoting yourself and your work. My goal for 2012 is to gain more paid freelance work and to have opportunities to showcase my art at various events when possible. I am always looking for new opportunities to push my artistic talents.
Tell us several good online resources for illustrator you recommend visiting?
Here are my list of sites that provide opportunities for visual artist:
1. www.drawingboard.org
2. Deviantart.com
3. www.digitalwebbing.com (for comic book artist looking for work and feedback on their work)
4. cghub.com
5. Bluecanvas.com (good site to network with other artist and provides information for artist as well)
6. illustrationfriday.com (weekly challenges that help artist develop their craft)
7. thexiongroup.blogspot.com (great meet up site created by my friend and art brother Shawn Alleyne that gives workshops and monthly challenges to strengthen your story-telling skills as a draftsmen when it applies to comic art)
Do you have a style that you relate to the most?
My style of art reflects the hip hop culture that I live and breath everyday my art stems from my passion for comic art and graffiti art.
Can you offer any advice on how to build-up a portfolio / ‘getting your foot in the door’ for our readers wishing to start a career in this line of illustrating business?
First and foremost you have to love what you do, because being and illustrator will have it’s ups and many times a lot of downs you have to be persistent and patient; nothing comes overnight. An always keep in mind that it is still a business, for illustrators starting out I would suggest focusing on what you can bring to the table with your own unique voice.
Get a website and have a blog in the digital age it is important for artist to have online sites and constantly up date your site to keep it fresh and current show art directors that you are a serious professional. Take criticism with a grain of salt and remember that not everyone is going to love your work but as long as you gave a 100% that is what counts.o
Name 3 of your favorite (art) books/ magazines.
ImagineFX
Juxtapoz
Hi-Flutose
Do you have anyone/company you would like to collaborate/work together?
There are a few companies I would like to work with such as IDW publishing,Darkhorse Comics,New Yorker Magazine.
What are the illustrator equipment(s) do you currently own?
I do both traditional and digital illustration, however my tools of the trade pigma microns,copic markers,.5mm pentel mech. pencil, stadler plastic eraser, and watercolors.
Name 3 softwares (or tools) that you use the most, and tell us the function of each of them.
I use Photoshop CS to do my digital colors and also for digital painting as well Painter 10,and Illustrator CS for vector illustrations and cleaning up and refining logos.
If you have online portfolio, what is the URL?
You can check out my work at the following sites:
http://www.afromationart.com
http://afromation9.blogspot.com
http://afromation.deviantart.com
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How much are you paying your monthly subscription for your portfolio website and how long have you been paying?
OWN YOUR SITE – visit Ononano.com.
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