Your Full Name
Jacob Probelski
Tell us about you
I’m just an average guy, a bit on the quiet side unless I’m acting goofy. I have a tendency to walk around with my foot in my mouth… metaphorically of course. Other than that, there’s not much to tell.
In your opinion, what would be the secret ingredients to become a great illustrator?
Practice, patience, dedication, and a willingness to be wrong and to mess up in spectacular ways.
You’re not going to be able to paint something perfectly the first time, unless you’re extremely gifted. I think with enough time, anyone can learn to be an artist.
Where are you located?
Central United States. Also known as the Moon or the middle of Nowhere.
What is the most fascinating part of being an illustrator?
You often get to look at things from a view that non-artists don’t usually see. It’s odd watching television, for example, and being more concerned about the lighting on the actors’ faces, how that shadow casts, etc, than the actual plot. I wouldn’t say this is a special phenomenon exclusive to artists, just something that becomes second-nature after a long time of studying such things. In short, I tend to view and think of most things in their most basic forms.
Where do you get inspirations from?
Pretty much everything. Music and film, or just being outdoors (yes, artists get outdoors too, we just don’t tan well.)
How do you promote/ sell/ showcase your work?
For good or for bad, I go with the flow and let the internet take me where it may. In all honesty, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, but for someone who is an amateur (and lazy) like me, it has worked out alright for the time being. I’m still learning the playing field.
What is your long range goals in your life?
To improve, of course, and to be more proactive with marketing my artwork, and to establish myself in the field more so.
What types of assignment/ project are you attracted the most? Why so?
Usually projects that involve painting people, along with more natual/organic things. It is just the area I am most comfortable in; nevermind the fact that it’s also typical boilerplate fantasy which usually goes over quite well.
Who is an illustrator that you look up to? Why so?
First and foremost, Liiga Smilshkalne. Her path as an artist is similar to mine, and I admire her natural abilities with colours, and how she often makes things look just right. There are of course many others, but none who I share such a kinship with.
Describe a difficult work/ project situation and how would you overcome it?
Every project usually has some difficult aspects to it, because art can be very fluid even when you’re most comfortable with the project. The solution for me is to seek help from more experienced artists, find references, and to attempt to break the project down into manageable parts. Standard problem-solving, really.
What do you think about the Internet and how it is affecting our lifestyle?
Well I think it has made it far easier for people to share and develop their talents, perhaps at the expense of some personal interaction if you aren’t careful. I think it’s just an extension of how human nature waxes and wanes over time, and not a special phenomenon.
That, and it gave us ‘lolcats.’
If you could turn back time, how would you do things differently?
I would probably have spent more of my childhood learning the basics of art, and hopefully branched out into more public displays of artwork.
How do you keep your work fresh? Do you need to consciously adapt your style or does it progress naturally?
Progresses naturally, I think. It’s never really worked for me to force myself into a style.
Name 3 of your favorite (art) books/ magazines.
Imagine FX is always fantastic, along with Ballistic Publishing’s Exotique and Expose series’ of books.
What is your life motto?
I really don’t have one. Boring, I know.
In what kind of a work environment do you do your best work?
Usually when I’m free of obligation and able to take time to get things right. Also good music and quiet help too.
What do you like the sound of? Why so?
Rain. Can’t say I could explain why though.
If you have online portfolio, what is the URL?
Besides other gallery websites, my own site is: http://www.elderberry-transmission.net
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