ImagineFX Inside The Artist's Studio Ed2 2022

Marc Brunet

If it’s time to stream, I pull down the green screen, turn all my lights on
and launch OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) with a single button

press using the Elgato stream deck, pull the camera and microphone
in and I’m ready! The desk is motorised so I can work while standing.

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The candy corner has always been an integral part of my home
office. If you’re wondering if I do anything special to help me
create my art, then the answer is: I eat lots of candies.

This is the ART WAR trophy I sculpted digitally and
got 3D printed for the winners of the yearly art
contest we host over at Cubebrush.

This was based on an old character from 2004 that
I recently reimagined for a YouTube video.

with some good music – otherwise meetings if I have any that day or go business, depending on what needs to
nothing gets done! Rituals like these over tasks for my employees for the be done. Sprinkle throughout some
might seem a bit silly to some people, following day. play time with the kids and that’ll wrap
but this puts me in a peak creative up a pretty typical day! Most nights I’ll
state and it’s what I’ll do anywhere else Once all the business stuff is cleared, be going to bed at around 3-4am.
too, when I have to work from a I’ll either move on to working on some Marc wears many hats as an art teacher for
different location (when visiting family art or putting together some content his ART School programme, a popular
in Canada and Japan every year). for YouTube or my own Cubebrush YouTuber, professional artist, CEO of the
store for the rest of the day. In the CG marketplace Cubebrush.co and father of
WORK DAY evening when my team starts to come two. See more at www.cubebrush.co/mb.
online again, it’s usually a mix of art and
I’m a bit of a night owl and so I tend
to go to bed late and wake up pretty
late, too. This is because most of my
team works remotely from Europe and
I always try to be available during their
working hours.

My day will usually start at around
11am after coffee and a bite to eat for
breakfast. First order of the day is
usually going through emails and
doing some customer support. Early in
the afternoon I’ll either jump in

I’m a bit of a night owl and
so I tend to go to bed late and
wake up pretty late, too

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The top of Chroma Island (personal Marc Brunet
project) and also the location of the
Crimson’s tribe new colony. This is my malnourished assistant, the ideal
partner for any art teacher/artist. I used to have

one at my parent’s house when I was younger
for some reason I can’t recall, so it always feels

strangely nostalgic to look at it, err I mean
“him” (I wouldn’t want to get on his bad side).

This shelf is a bit of a mixed bag with my silver
YouTube play button I got a few years back,

some anatomy figures and of course plastic hip
bones that most artists possess. Right?

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I’m often working on long-term projects that cover several This kneeling chair is one of the best
months. It really helps me to have a quick visual calendar to purchases I’ve bought for my health. It helps
keep track of things. I painted the wall with teal chalk paint my posture when I’m working between my
and an acrylic paint marker to create a chalkboard calendar. drafting table, computer and Cintiq.

Christine Kornacki I’m almost always sipping on a cup of
tea. I have a couple of mug warmers
A reveal in teal Discover how this children’s book illustrator has throughout the studio to make sure that
assembled a colourful oasis for the perfect work-life balance it always stays nice and warm.

When hunting for my complete with vaulted ceilings, working if I don’t have things well
first home last year skylights and a vintage fireplace (not planned out ahead of time (note my
I had one request: to mention a built-in bar). I’ve spent a large chalkboard calendar on the wall).
I wanted a big studio. lot of time over the years imagining That’s part of the reason I enjoy
Once I walked into a how I would set up a home studio to children’s books so much: it’s a large
house with this large, 500 square feet best streamline my creative workflow, puzzle and I love solving it. When I’m
addition in the back I immediately fell and with this house I finally had the working on multiple oil paintings at
in love with the room. chance to make it come true. once it takes some careful planning to
Most people would probably see stay on deadline.
this space as a family room, but I knew I’m a very organised person. I love to
that it was the studio of my dreams make to-do lists and schedules. It can I used to be a night-time worker,
be hard for me to concentrate on staying up late every night after

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Christine Kornacki

This is Scout (aka Baby Scout), my studio assistant. She spends her In case you haven’t noticed, teal is my favourite colour. I often During the winter months you’ll usually find me
days sitting in the window watching for birds, trying to prevent me get comments from strangers pointing out that I match with the bundled up in multiple layers to stay warm. This
from working by sitting on my lap, and stealing my seat (despite the multiple teal-coloured items on me at any given time. Teal and free-standing fireplace keeps me toasty warm
many chair options in the studio). navy were also my wedding colours. while I’m working.

I use references for all of my paintings and when I want a unique All of my finished paintings are in oils, but I do most of my Throughout my studio you’ll find a foam roller to work out
outfit for my character to wear, I’ll sew it myself. In college I couldn’t preliminary work digitally. When I’m working on 15+ digital the knots in my back, small weights to strengthen my
afford to buy a dress for a Rapunzel painting, so I borrowed my sketches for a children’s book it can save a lot of time to back, a yoga mat and a small pedal bike under my desk.
mum’s sewing machine and taught myself how to do it. have a large Cintiq for thumbnails and sketches. Physical health is important for a working artist.

While lost in the woods, a young girl finds herself face to face with Winter, in this
children’s book story that I wrote and illustrated.

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When I hurt my back years ago I needed a
setup to keep everything as close as possible
to reduce my neck and back movement.
I developed this magnetic easel by propping
a magnetic bulletin board on my easel, then
I just use magnets to hold up my painting,
palette, glass for mixing paint and all of my
references, to keep them within easy reach.

106

Christine Kornacki

Over the years I’ve been working on a series
of paintings where books come to life. This
piece was inspired by my trip to Los
Angeles, where its vast mountain ranges
reminded me of giant, soft pillows.

I’m usually working on multiple pieces at once and it’s important to stay consistent. I created this The Song of the Lioness by Tamora
display wall with magnetic paint and a strip of moulding through the centre. This way I can keep an Pierce is the series that got me hooked
eye on everything I’m working on, plus any other notes and inspiration I have. on fantasy books in eighth grade.

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I spend most of my time listening to
audio books while I paint. This is a
cover Illustration for The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern that I couldn’t
resist painting after listening to it.

I got home from my day job to breakfast, make a cup of tea, and then Although I have a lot of Once dinner time comes around I’ll
complete freelance assignments. get right to work. You can find me in my artwork on display finish up and spend the rest of the
Working these extreme hours resulted the studio almost every day of the throughout the house, night with my husband. I love cooking,
in me suffering several artist injuries week (depending on my workload), I wanted my studio baking and learning new things. Dinner
that have defined my studio setup. but I try not to work too many to be filled with often feels more like another fun
After I met my husband and became a continuous hours doing the same inspiration. I’ve started project for me and I rarely end up
full-time freelance illustrator, creating a thing throughout the day. I take several a collection of prints making the same recipe more than
better work-life balance became tea breaks, with an hour-long lunch, and original pieces by once. My goal is to really think about
extremely important. and then do yoga or strength exercises artists I admire. My goal my life and career in the long run and
for my back. Having a lounge area in one day is to fill my enjoy every part to the fullest without
THE DAILY ROUTINE my studio not only gives me the space walls completely. wearing myself too thin.
for, but also encourages me to take Christine is a children's book author/
Every day I typically wake up naturally those all-important breaks. illustrator and book cover artist living in
between 6 and 7am, have some Connecticut, US. You can see more of her
work at www.christinekornacki.com.
After I became a full-time freelance
illustrator, creating a better work-life
balance became extremely important

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Christine Kornacki

I like to participate in art challenges
such as Inktober and The 100 Days
Project. I’m currently doing 100
Days of Strong Female Characters,
as pencil drawings in a hand-
stitched sketchbook that I made.
I filled a bowl with over 200
characters and every morning
I choose a name to draw.

When I lived in a small apartment
I got a white flat file cabinet from
someone on Craigslist. I didn’t have
the space for it at the time, so I
refinished it and added wheels to
turn it into a coffee table. I put a
cutting mat on top and now it
doubles as a large cutting surface.

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I have a set of wicker shelves in my Art and Writing Room that I’ve owned since my youth. They contain Zuni
fetish stones, feathers, wood carvings and other meaningful mementos. It also serves as a reminder to me that
sometimes it’s important to slow down, rather than simply push forward and burn the candle at both ends.

I’ve been coaxing myself to
use a proper camera to
photograph my work.
To help in this quest, I use
one of two collapsible
lightboxes. I keep my
camera kit, props, lights
and tripod nearby so I have
no excuse not to take the
time to document my work.

In 2017, I suffered a major injury that
left me unable to walk unassisted for
over a year, which led to multiple
corrective surgeries and regular
pain. The screws and plate in this
jar were some of the items that
were removed from my leg, foot
and ankle, and remind me of how
far I’ve come, and all that I still want
to accomplish.

Kymba LeCrone I picked up this antique drafting table
over 20 years ago from a yard sale.
Keeping busy From sculpture to digital art, woodwork to traditional I couldn’t come close to being able to
media, this artist and author has a lot of creative irons in the fire afford it, but the seller took pity on me
and sold it to me for hardly anything,
asking only that I use it in good health.
I’ve never forgotten his kindness, and
have attempted to pay it forward as well.

Stepping into any of areas are tidy, welcoming and well-lit, supplies and tools of the trade so that
my creative spaces on which makes it easy for me to get they have a cosy home-base, but are
any given morning, the going with any project on my slate, no easy to access when I need them.
first thing that would matter how big or small.
likely strike you is that My Art and Writing Room is the first
they sing with untapped potential. My range of work spans sculpture, of three primary work spaces I use. It
Over the years I’ve come to realise woodworking, real media and digital has a good amount of storage as well
that how well I can focus on a creative painting, sketching, moulding and as three large, flat workspaces that can
task often depends on how I feel when casting, jewellery making, writing and suit any flavour of painting, sculpture,
I first enter that sacred space. So I more. With this diverse set of interests, photography or other tasks that
make it a point to ensure that my work comes the need to figure out ever- require a refined eye, and potentially a
more creative ways to organise my minimum of mess.

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Kymba LeCrone

All of my workspaces are Alexa-enabled, so I can listen to music, watch TV, adjust lighting, set I’ve had the immense pleasure of commissioning and receiving art from talented friends
timers, or even turn on reference photos or inspiring slideshows using just my voice! This is surrounding my story characters and their world, and having such personal art prominently
especially helpful if your hands are otherwise occupied with any manner of chemicals or tools. on display fuels my creative muses, and keeps me focused on the task at hand.

Me in my Art and Although I work in the game industry and enjoy
Writing Room with gaming, I’ve found it’s helpful for me to minimise
a little Mandala distractions while I write, so I actually work on my
Raven raw casting.
story on a simple laptop that can only handle
Scrivener and some light web browsing.

Steinir is a dragon that I sculpted as a gift for a dear friend, and
he’s a creature of my own creation, and thus isn’t intended to be
fan art or based on any existing dragon designs out there. As such,
sculpting him was quite a freeing experience! I had a blast trying
new things and infusing a fresh personality into him. It makes me
want to sculpt more scaly creatures!

111

I picked up this sign years ago, and it’s become a personal mantra. Of course, proper nutrition Safety first! I keep a variety of different respirators, gloves, safety goggles and visors in my
and sleeping habits are key, so the sign can serve as a reminder for me to step inside and get workshop. They’re stored in cases to not only reduce any potential for cross-contamination, but
a drink or a quick snack, or simply take a break. to also keep out any curious creepy crawlies.

This area acts as a spot for me to pour silicones
and resins as well as an intermediary staging
ground in my workshop. In this case, these
particular resin castings are awaiting being
painted, detailed and sealed.

I was never interested in glitter as a child, but I’ve found a new I only got into sculpting in the past 10 years or so. Since then I’ve started
appreciation for it as an adult, and use carefully organised creating handmade moulds and painted casts of my work. It’s been a
glitter and mica powder inclusions in my resin castings. wonderful way to experiment with all sorts of colours and finishes.

112

Kymba LeCrone

I keep a lot of my moulding and casting supplies tucked away in clear acrylic My high-speed polishing cabinet enables me to quickly sand and polish whatever I might be working on,
bins that I can then take down and use when I need them. Each available size without having to stop to pull out my Dremels. In general, all of the tools I use regularly remain readily available,
is labelled so I can pick out the best one for the job (with the least waste!). such as my belt sander, band saw and drills, whereas the tools that I only use for specific tasks are stowed away.

This anti-fatigue foam flooring is one of the I have created many fantasy-inspired animals of
best investments I’ve made. It makes toiling late, including a lacework hummingbird saddled
in the workshop much easier on my legs and
back. I installed the flooring myself when I with a steadfast kitty companion that was
couldn’t stand unassisted. I laid on the crafted as a memorial sculpture for a sweet kitty
ground, hand-cut each piece and installed
them one-by-one. that my mother lost to a fatal disease.

The natural patterns on animals have What started as an inside joke has grown into a
always fascinated me, and for this piece, pack of “Workshop Raptors” that guard my space
Fire Tiger, I wanted to capture the vibrant
spirit of one of my favourite big cats. and keep me company for silly photo-ops. Since
I try to keep my horizontal spaces uncluttered,
having dinosaurs livening up the walls has been
fun, and adds a unique touch to my studio.

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Emma Lazauski painted this piece featuring three characters from Years ago, I collected a barkless branch and fashioned it into I’ve commissioned and purchased art from artists
my story. You’ll meet one of them in my first book, The Wolf and makeshift display. I’ve since taken to hanging little treasures from it, around the world, and I have some of them on
the Clockwork Hummingbird. Because this scene occurs later in from jewellery bits to feathers, claws, carvings, leaves and more. display on my desk. I love seeing what incredible
the series, it reminds me where these three characters are headed. It’s a lively display of my adventures and diverse natural interests. creativity there is from other makers out there.

I have a Daruma Doll on my
desk. The idea is that you fill
in the pupil of the left eye
while concentrating on your
goal or wish, and that you
fill in the pupil of the right
eye when that goal or wish
is eventually realised.

While I tend to use my Wacom tablet and Nostromo for the bulk My oversized scanner and printer means I’m able to scan large items This area acts as the first staging grounds for
of my digital work, I’ve been using my iPad for on-the-go like my wood panel and watercolour paintings, and create accurate printing and shipping out orders, so I have a variety
sketching a lot more recently. It’s a wonderful device that’s reproductions. Having them next to my workstation is ideal, as I can of paper, ink and shipping labels on-hand, as well as
enabled me to be more ‘spur-of-the moment’ in my sketching. use the daylight to accurately gauge the resulting colours. a scale for weighing packages.

Supplies and reference books are happens. My shop has all manner of supplies are tucked away, but remain
stowed neatly in drawers and on tools, and each task calls for an at the ready so that I can use each of
shelves so that they can be retrieved optimal set-up and appropriate safety the flat, horizontal spaces to their
the moment they’re needed, and put measures that I’m forever in the fullest potential.
back once they’ve served their process of fine-tuning. For instance,
purpose. This is also the room I come chemicals are relegated to the BEING SOCIABLE
to when I’m trying to hone my focus stainless steel table, cutting happens
and work on my personal writing. In on the cutting mats, and if something My third major workspace is my digital
that spirit, I decorated the room with needs assembly or a vice, the workstation. This is where I do the
many pieces of art inspired from my workbench is at-the-ready to assist. bulk of my digital art as well as
characters, their stories, and their Like my Art and Writing Room, my scanning, printing, photo-retouching,
world. It’s a cosy space that’s bursting mailing and any general business
with inspiration. Supplies and reference needs. It’s located adjacent to my
books are stowed neatly in fiancé’s own computer desk, which
My workshop is my second major drawers and on shelves makes it great when I’m craving social
workspace. If it’s work that requires company during my creative quests,
power tools, or a project that gives off or simply want to catch up on a bit
dust or fumes, this is where the magic of gaming.

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Kymba LeCrone

This unique table has four cubbies below the table, and four above. I’ve stored
an array of reference books in the cubbies along the floor, and added some extra
ones towards the ceiling that serve as drying racks. The middle sections house
trays containing tools of the trade, and some reference models and trinkets.

Back in 2011 my dear friend Cindy Reep created a high-resolution faux Above is a work-in-progress sculpture of one of my story characters, the werewolf
stained glass digital painting featuring two of my story’s characters. In the enchantress, Sashah. I’ve since begun painting her (left) and when she’s eventually
months thereafter, I made a physical faux stained glass piece out of it, finished the character will be stepping over a river while casting a magic spell that
featuring wiring, woodworking, acrylic, glass and more. It’s a massive looks like a dragon! I can’t wait for readers to learn more about her and her world.
49x25x5.25-inches, and is incredibly inspiring and comforting to me.
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Having separate creative spaces has
been fantastic, and it’s enabled me to
be more productive than I would have
been otherwise. While I know there’s
an old trope about artists relishing
chaos, I can definitely tell you that for
me, taking a more intentional,
organised approach has made all the
difference in the world.
By day, Kymba is a media artist on Blizzard
Entertainment’s Cinematics team. By night,
she creates a range of multimedia art and
sculpture, and is working on the first
novel in her own book series, entitled The
Wolf and the Clockwork Hummingbird.
You can see more of her art and writing
at www.kimberlylecrone.com.

This is Fred – he’s one of my many I’m lucky enough to live in a beautiful
skulls. He looks after my hats and cathedral city. The whole medieval
sometimes sunglasses for me. vibe of the place is very inspirational.

Christopher
Lovell

Pop culture This artist surrounds
himself with inspirational nostalgia
while balancing work and parenthood

A few years ago my partner and I moved
into our home in Somerset, in south-west
England. I saw the potential for studio
space with its large, bright rooms and high
ceilings. Wherever I’ve lived, I’ve always
tried to have some kind of studio environment – even if
it’s just a table in the corner of the room.
I’ve always been a collector of objects that relate to my
interests: action figures, statues, posters, prints and musical
equipment. The studio soon became a hive of madness that
always took visitors by surprise. However, my working
environment is important for me and so I can’t help but
surround myself with my various collections. The energy
this gives me can then be channelled into my artwork.

I painted Medusa a few years ago for a YouTube process video. I then decided to
do a print set of the three Gorgon sisters. This one is Euryale.

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Christopher Lovell

In my early teens I discovered the Dark Horse My skating days are long gone, but when Heroin A lifelong passion of mine has been building and painting model kits. A big part
Predator and Alien comics. I collected them and Skateboards released a Judge Death skate deck of the fun is constructing bases for them, like these here. I usually buy clocks and
relished the artwork within the pages. I had to own it! He’s one of my favourite characters. take out the mechanism to use it as a base and build a small environment on.

With my plans to work on lots of
YouTube content, my girlfriend got
me a decent mic for the voiceover
segments. I’d love to produce an
art-related podcast at some point.

I usually have an
inspiring art book or
two close to hand. The
two here are Ratspike,
a rare book featuring
John Blanche and Ian
Miller’s work, and The
Art of Devilman.

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I paint so many figures
with horns and am

always trying to find
good references, hence
this collection. It’s useful

to have something
to hold, observe the
textures and to test

light sources on.

Urotsukido–ji: Legend of
the Overfiend was my
first experience of
Japanese anime and it
was mind-blowing for
me as a 12 year old. I’m
still obsessed with it.

Because I had this space, filling it rather than a productive art I have a large collection My partner joined my business
became a bit of an addiction and I was environment. Nowadays it’s far more of art books that I’ve earlier this year to help me with admin
hunting for stuff on eBay to the point minimalist and (thankfully) action built up over the years. work, packing prints, planning and
of boxes arriving weekly. I was having figure avalanches are a thing of the I prefer to look at art on organising anything that isn’t ‘creating
to intercept the postman and smuggle past. I have a few choice items on the pages of a book art’. It’s been a huge help and has
stuff in so my partner didn’t notice! display now, which typically have a rather than online – enabled me to focus on art. It’s also
design aspect that I enjoy looking at. there’s something fantastic for our family dynamic. She
FAMILY CONSIDERATIONS nostalgic and far more
My daughter spends a lot of time in intimate about it.
This all changed with the arrival of my this room when I’m working, so my
daughter. Baby-proofing my eyes have to be in two places at once. My studio had become a
workspace became essential and this She’s very creative and will often be museum of nostalgia rather
soon made me realise that my studio scribbling on pieces of paper and than an art environment
had become a museum of nostalgia demanding my attention, which I love.

Skeletor was one of my has a desk on the other side of the
favourite characters studio that tends to be far less
when I was a kid. Some cluttered than mine, but I insisted that
of these figures are so the large, framed HeroQuest painting
rare that they’re an stays above her desk. I’m sure she
investment – not loves it really!
something I can explain
easily to my daughter, I grew up in the 80s and 90s – it was
who loves to grab them such an incredible time for toy lines,
and bend them into music, books, video games and cartoon
shapes they weren’t series. I seemed to have a deeper
designed for. interest in these things than most
people around me. I became aware of
what I liked in character design

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Christopher Lovell

I’ve produced a number of I much prefer to be in
Alien-related artworks over the my painting room
years. You’ll find many xenos in working on traditional
my studio and one of my faves paintings and filming
is this one here, perched on my YouTube videos, but
lamp watching over the studio! with that comes video
editing, social media
management and
admin. To keep me
inspired, I make sure
I’m still surrounded by
some of my favourite
characters, action
figures and posters.

These past few years
I’ve been experimenting
with adding gold leaf to
some of my paintings,
with varying results of
success. This one
presented a number of
challenges, but I was
happy with the results,
even though I was close
to scrapping the
painting from
numerous disasters
throughout the process!

119

I’ve been playing guitar since
I was a teenager and before my
career started in art I was a guitar
tutor. I love writing riffs, demoing

tracks and losing myself for
hours with a looping pedal. I try
to get some guitar time in every

day and my daughter is my
biggest fan… my only fan.

from a young age and I would of what I do now is part of me trying to This is one of my draw buxom barbarian ladies riding
spend many hours drawing my capture what childhood me would all-time favourite dragons and instead create a more
favourite cartoon characters or creating have related to. My art is very much fantasy artworks. It’s dark and sinister take on things. I
my own, in a sense practising art inspired by my youth, the album from the 1989 board coined the name Dark Nature for a lot
without even knowing it. covers of my favourite bands, anime, game HeroQuest and it of my personal work – I feel this
comics, and horror and sci-fi movies. was painted by Les captures the essence of what I create.
DAILY/NIGHTLY ROUTINE Edwards. I remember
I knew I wanted to be a fantasy artist getting the game for VARIED SPECTRUM OF CLIENTS
I tend to work all day doing different when I was around 10 years old. As my Christmas when I was
jobs/tasks and sometimes it’s dark or tastes matured I felt less inclined to young and it was one of I’ve been working professionally for
at least dusk before I can even think my favourite gifts. about 13 years now, starting off as a
about sitting down and painting, which merchandise designer for bands and
will mean I’m painting usually until 3am clothing lines. From this my career has
when I start falling asleep with a brush led me to some incredible and varied
in my hand. Then suddenly my clients. I’ve seen my work on
daughter is poking me in the face at everything from video game boxes,
7am. This can be frustrating because
light is so important to an artist –
not just being able to see more, but
also helping me to feel far more
focused. However, I’ve become used
to working this way. I’m completely
addicted to the creative process and
love what I do so much.

I felt a connection to fantasy art
from an early age. Seeing it in all of its
forms would blow my mind and a lot

As my tastes matured I felt less
inclined to draw buxom barbarian
ladies riding dragons…

120

Christopher Lovell

I realised I needed my painting
studio when my daughter was
born. It became hard for me to

focus on my art and painting
traditionally can also be very
messy. Having this room out of
the way enables me to work
traditionally into the early hours,

away from any distractions.

Blu-rays, guitar amplifiers, miniatures the art zone up there, with a good This is a work in
and busts, skateboards and even legal podcast or music playing and losing all progress that I started
tender collectible coins. I feel very track of time. six years ago when I
fortunate to be in a position now was living in Spain. It’s
where I can be far more picky when it I feel so blessed and grateful that I can something I return to
comes to client commissions, and have my working environments in my once or twice a year,
focus more on the passion projects. home, that my job enables us to spend but never seem to
all day with our daughter, and that we all finish. It shall be
After my daughter was born, I made get to experience so much as a family. completed this year
my painting studio in the attic, which is Christopher is a dark fantasy artist whose and I have a lot of fresh
solely for creating traditional work. work is infused with his interests – from energy to inject into it.
Here I can fling paint and make a metal music to 80s cartoons and the
terrible mess while I work into the early macabre. His Somerset studio is a shrine to 121
hours. Of course, I have a number of all of his interests and hobbies from
inspirational items and art on the walls childhood to present day. You can see more
to keep me inspired. I love getting into of his art at www.christopherlovell.com.

The Vampire Lestat I’ve lost count of how many I don’t have much original art by me on the walls, but I do

doll. Don’t judge me. salt lamps I have in here. have this original Donato Giancola oil painting. Go me!

Afternoon tea made
fresh every day.

Colleen Doran Published by DC Comics/Vertigo. Copyright Colleen Doran and Warren Ellis.

Collector’s items The award-winning US artist-writer
wants her studio to be as comfortable as possible.
She tells us that it’s not work to her, it’s oxygen!

I’d declutter, but my to try different things, but it’s easy to As a space enthusiast,
clutter is all fun, and lose track of it all, so I stay organised. getting to do this book
I’m keeping it. was a career highlight.
Some of my art supplies are over 100 I was thinking of John
My setup has three years old, inherited from the studios of Glenn when I drew that face.
stations that I access by Frank Kelly Freas, Nick Cardy and
swivelling my chair. Since I work on Marie Severin. I have Marie’s office
multiple pieces at a time, I have name stamp and Nick’s casein paints.
portable boards I swap out and place I drew the art for Amazing, Fantastic,
on the main board, or place on my Incredible Stan Lee with Marie’s pens.
computer desk where I can work flat John Romita Sr also kindly gave me
or get natural light. There are flat files brushes, stacks of vellum, old Marvel
behind the drawing board, more in the paper – even his mini-transparency
next room, and files in the closet. My lightbox. It belongs in a museum!
studio is spread over two rooms, with
more storage in an outbuilding. There’s I have to stay disciplined or else I’ll
space to work in many mediums and just wander off into a fog. I use apps
such as RescueTime, Todoist and

122

Colleen Doran

I not only have a Harry Potter wand, I’m a Signed photo of my first big crush, Walter My Epson Expression 10000 XL Photo Edition scanner This film poster is signed by the
Hufflepuff and own a Hogwarts uniform. Koenig, aka Mr Chekov from Star Trek. scans slides and negatives, too. It’s beautiful, man. director and producer.

So many supplies My laptop is perched on
crammed in here: oils, a rack, which keeps it
Genesis oils, pastels, from slipping. It’s for
watercolours, many reference, and for
bottles of ink…. so streaming videos or
many brands. Netflix. I also watch a
lot of tutorials on this.
These narrow black Even if I know the
paper files measure material, I like to watch
about 10x14 inches. other artists working.
Modular and stackable, Playing on the TV in the
with eight drawers background is my
each, they’re great for fireplace DVD.
organising scripts and
reference, right next Another tray balanced
to my board. Even on my drawing board
though I have all this and secured with
on computer, I like to double-sided tape. Also
have hard copies at here is my favourite
my work space. electric eraser, which is
the greatest invention
Kitchen utensil trays known to artkind.
make great art supply
organisers. I may be the I have multiple portable
last cartoonist in North boards, as well as this
America who still uses Alvin board I swap out
drafting dots. to use on top of my
main drawing board.
A matching flat files/ I keep about five pages
map chest combo. of art going at once.
One’s next to the
drawing board, the 123
other behind it. Great
for organising art
supplies, and the
smaller map chest next
to the drawing board is
exactly the right size for
11x17-inch comic book
art, too.

Original art from Neil Original art from The My heroes Aragorn
Gaiman’s Snow Glass Silver Metal Lover. It and Chuck Yeager.
Apples graphic novel was my favourite book Also, a The Lord of the
I based the style for when I was a teenager, Rings poster signed
this on the work of so doing this cover by the cast and crew.
Irish Arts and Crafts made me swoon. Some of the notes are
master Harry Clarke. hilariously naughty.

Published by Dark Horse. Copyright Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran. Adapted from the Tanith Lee novel by Trina Robbons. Copyright Colleen Doran

There’s space to work in many
mediums and to try different things,
but it’s easy to lose track of it all…

My computer work space. That’s a Kinuko Y
Craft print from a favourite book on the wall,

and at the far right, a poster from my
residency at the Smithsonian Institute.

124

Colleen Doran

Copyright and trademark DC Comics. I’m a space exploration
enthusiast, and many of
Some of the pens, pencils these books are
and brushes from the studios autographed by
astronauts. I was also
of Marie Severin, Nick Cardy privileged to be chosen
and John Romita Sr. by NASA Social to be a
social media
correspondent for a
launch at Wallops
Island. Can’t wait to be
able to get back out
there again!

I shamelessly display
some of my awards on
the windowsill, and tell
myself it’s because
they’re shiny and
decorative, and
not because I’m
inordinately proud.

I absolutely love
Wonder Woman and
do whatever I have to
do to squeeze in every
chance for a gig.
Recently, I’ve had
the opportunity to
write her as well, so
achievement unlocked.

125

Behind my computer is
a book on day trading,
which I don’t actually
do, but until I read it I
found the stock market
confounding. All
freelancers need to
understand investing
since we don’t receive
employee benefits.

I live in the country. It’s very peaceful
and many animals wander by.
Sometimes they try to break in

Freedom. I either overwork or I have an old Mac Pro Tower and a All of nature wanders The only drawback to living in the
underwork. I don’t know what that MacBook Pro laptop, an Epson by my window. We country is the lousy internet. When
says about me, but ‘happy medium’ is Expression 10000 XL, a Cintiq and a have a friendly herd of I first moved out here, it took an entire
not in my skill set. back-up XP-Pen for travel or working deer here. Bambi and day to upload a painting to a client.
in bed when I’m sick. I’ve done the friends have decimated We’re still on satellite broadband. Woe
PUTTING ART FIRST better part of entire projects while sick my gardens. I no longer unto the cartoonist.
in bed. I do some digital painting and fight with them and This year comic illustrator Colleen won the
It’s easy to let admin tasks become computer colour, but most of my art now do most of my Eisner, Bram Stoker Award and the Ringo
a procrastination ritual, so I try to – especially the drawing – is by hand. gardening in pots on Award for her graphic novel adaptation of
delay admin so that my art gets My next graphic novel is going to be the second floor deck. Neil Gaiman’s Snow Glass Apples. See more
made first. However, if I exercise first all watercolour. This mama bear could of her art at www.colleendoran.com.
then I feel more relaxed and able to probably smell the
get art done. My day ranges from I live in the country. It’s very peaceful pistachio nuts I was
10am to about 1am, with some breaks and many animals wander by. eating, so followed her
in between. Sometimes they try to break in. You nose to take a peek.
have to be careful about leaving the
Whatever I’m doing at this time window open, especially if you’re
might be thrown out in a year. I’m eating. Raccoons try to steal my food
constantly searching for Plato’s perfect off my desk.
form for Colleen’s work habits.

126

Colleen Doran

There’s stuff from
The Lord of the
Rings all over the
place, in part
because an old
client couldn’t cover
their debt. So I got
paid in Sideshow
Weta Collectibles.
There are worse
things to get paid in.

My library and storage area. All my
exercise kit is in here so I don’t

make excuses for not keeping fit.
There are also flat files, stackable
modular plastic storage cases and

old metal files for photos.

127

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