This week’s artist’s spotlight focuses on Caroline, whose fandom art is imbued with heart, is unbelievably fun and inspiring.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a Hypable weekly feature that will focus on someone who has caught our attention for fandom-related art, whether it be drawings, songs, crafts, or more! Every week you can expect a new talented artist we think you should be aware of!
Hypable: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Caroline and I’m from Poland. I’ve always been a geek, so naturally I’ve been involved with various fandoms ever since the Internet appeared in my life and I entered the online world via a dial-up connection. A few years ago I got a degree in architecture but now I’ve finally figured out that I’d like to steer my life more in the direction of illustration and graphic design after all.
How did you get involved in art?
Drawing has been my thing since I was little. Once I found out that there are people out there who love the same manga and anime heroes and were as intense about it as I was, eagerly sharing their own creations with the world, I started scanning and uploading my pencil sketches. Years later I ended up getting a graphic tablet and went mostly digital. My skills are a mix of an actual artistic education, some online know-how and self-taught techniques acquired through experimenting.
Do you have any artists you admire, or have influenced your work?
There are so many of them! I love so many artists – from classical painters like Van Gogh, Klimt or Mucha through incredible concept artists like Matt Kohr (who, by the way, has this awesome learning/resource site called Ctrl+Paint), Simon Stålenhag or the Naughty Dog team, digital painters like Artgerm or Loish, to people I found in my beloved fandoms, like Daunt, Becc Johnson, Petite Madame, or most recently Kickingshoes. So, SO many brilliant, creative people out there!
What’s your usual process for creating your artwork?
I actually don’t have just one way of doing things – I’m still searching for my own, unique style. Generally I sketch out an idea and use it as a base for proper lineart. I use multiple inspirations and references – from poses to clothes, bodies, faces. Then I color it, shade it and then fix the details and enhance the lines, do the lighting and tweak the general look of it.
You seem particularly drawn to Derek and Stiles from Teen Wolf. What is it about them that inspires you?
Well… the simplest answer is that they’re my favorite characters from my current fandom and that’s why I’m focused on them.
To me Derek and Stiles are the richest characters on Teen Wolf, especially Derek – the underrated hero on this almost mythical journey of self-discovery, almost broken but not quite, always self-sacrificing, making plenty of mistakes along the way yet always learning from them, improving. Same with Stiles – the ultimate underdog, the only human among the supernatural, yet proving he can be more capable than all of them together, ready to give his life for those he cares about.
They’re both interesting when viewed individually, somehow similar but at the same time completely different, which can only create great chemistry, banter and captivating exchange when they are in a scene together – sometimes it’s comedic, sometimes deadly serious, but it’s always highly enjoyable and satisfying.
What other fandoms do you enjoy drawing from?
I’ve been in so many fandoms. When I started drawing it was for manga/anime shows like Weiss Kreuz or Saiyuki. There was Final Fantasy along the way too. And then I switched to TV shows, like House, Supernatural, Sherlock or Star Trek.
I guess it’s pretty obvious that I love male friendships, especially if they’re unlikely friends, who complement each other and grow to depend on each other. Male friendships just seem more straightforward and steady and when portrayed on screen. They aren’t reduced to a boring romantic love story, like most male/female relationships. I just adore the brotherhood and teamwork and the banter, of course!
What’s the biggest challenge you face when it comes to your art?
Consistency. Composition and anatomy. Backgrounds! I wish I could do proper backgrounds (I really want to dig deeper into concept art because of this). Also, since I’m quite indecisive and not the the most confident person, it shows also in my drawing process. I tend to struggle with making decisions and my time and project management suffers from it at times.
What’s been the most memorable response someone has had to your art?
I’ve received so much support and great responses over the years! Though the thing(s) that first come to my mind are all from the Teen Wolf fandom, which again shows why I’ve been focused just on this particular part of the geek world. I’ve never been at any convention and I might never go to one but it turned out there are some pretty amazing people out there, who took my art and got it signed for me, which is something I had never even dreamed about. So now I’ve got a photo of Dylan O’Brien posing with my picture as Han Solo or Tyler Hoechlin writing that my drawing is amazing. I’m honestly still completely overwhelmed by that. I also got a card signed by all my friends at one of the recent cons, with best wishes and words of support – it was so touching and unexpected.
So I’d say all of it – the way my friends react to my art and the way the actors reacted to it.
If you could give any advice to aspiring artists, what would it be?
One thing I’ve learned is that drawing is both art and craft. And craft is something anyone can learn, (which I often find very comforting). Talent is always amazing – it can give your work extra flavor and makes it simpler for you to create something, your choices are less conscious and you just design without even trying. But you can also learn how to draw – study composition and try watching things in three dimensions, copy the way light and shadow shape an object, develop your own style based on that. All it takes it practice and patience and even more practice – like with everything else you want to be good at. And resourcefulness, which comes in handy if you don’t go to art school.
What’s next for you? Do you have any projects you’re working on or coming up?
Yeah, I have a few fandom collaborations coming up! I’m also currently taking part in two fundraising projects – one for Howler Con and one for my friend. And I have a few ideas for some new things and, this might sound cliche, but maybe working on my own comic book or an artbook someday? That would be very cool!
You can find Caroline on Tumblr, and through her twitter account. Drop her a line and let her know how awesome her art is!
Caroline also has some of her artwork for sale through her Society6 page. You can get her gorgeous artwork on anything you could possibly dream of! If you also happen to be stopping by Howler Con, you can bid on her exclusive print during their art auction. All proceeds go towards the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.