ER - Tell us a bit about yourself
and your Art?
Paul - I've always wanted to create characters and
stories through my artwork, be it comic books or picture books for
children. Unfortunately I haven't had a lot of opportunities to live a
life doing that from home, so I work for the video games industry as a
concept illustrator. I freelance for projects that get myself closer
to that dream. It's taken a long time, but I'm nearly there.
ER - What made you want to become
an artist?
Paul - It's always been there. I couldn't imagine
doing anything else.....you just know.
ER - How did you get started?
Paul - I started by putting a portfolio together and
sending it out to various people. I received a lot of knockbacks.
Eventually after improving my work and developing a better portfolio,
I was commissioned to illustrate a children's picture book. Once you
have your first job, it becomes much easier to get your next
one...........then the journey begins. It's taken ten years to get to
work on projects that best suit my abilities. In the beginning you
have to accept anything to survive........unless of course you insist
on illustrating only what you want to do.........that doesn't pay the
bills.
ER - What inspires you?
Paul - The animal kingdom, outer space, and the vision
of great artists. The Watcher
ER - Who are your favorite
artists?
Paul - Gustav Klimt. Norman Rockwell. Arthur Rackham.
Edmund Dulac. Carravagio. John Berkey. Frank Frazetta. Maxfield
Parrish.......too many to mention.
ER - How long have you been
creating artwork?
Paul - I have always been drawing for as long as I can
remember. My mother encouraged the talent she observed in me at an
early age, so luckily I was surrounded by a lot of positivity. I
became a professional in my early twenties.
ER - What type of medium do you
prefer to work in?
Paul - I love drawing with a pencil. There's no
distraction of any laboured technique. You simply forget you have a
pencil in your hand and you can be very spontaneous expressing ideas
and thoughts straight out there onto a piece of paper. It's very
direct and immediate. This gives me the most pleasure. Conan
ER - Do you prefer a specific type
of artwork...for instance...if digital...then what is your favorite
software to use?
Paul - Over the last couple of years I've been
introduced to Photoshop. It's a fantastic tool for artists. It's quick
and immediate, and lends itself to a lot of experimenting while
working because nothing has to be permanent. Changes can be made so
easily, that it encourages the artist to be a little braver, trying
things one wouldn't necessarily try on a canvas. I prefer subject
matter that is a little fantastic in its nature. I'm about to start a
project that will take a few years that involves a lot of science/
fantasy that has the backdrop of a Victorian London. Jules Verne
inspired the project.
ER - When you create digitally do
you use...Mac or PC?
Paul - PC
ER - Do you have a favorite piece?
Paul - It's the 'Kraken' the underwater creature that
looks like an industrial angler. I like this a lot, simply because I
had been promising myself to try something like this for a long time.
It had been floating around my head too long and it needed exercising.
A competition came about that suited this image, so I tried it and was
very pleased with the result. It was a mix between a heavily rendered
pencil drawing finished off in Photoshop. Kraken
ER - Where can your work be found
or purchased?
Paul - At the moment various examples exist on a
number of art related forums on the net, showing a small selection
from my portfolio. In August of 2005 I will have a website that will
host most of my work spanning the last ten years. The website will be
www.pauldavidsonart.com I hope to be selling prints and original
works.
[archive note, you can find more of Paul's work here: http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/database/art/list.pl?gallery=819
]
ER - Any advice you'd like to give
new artists?
Paul - The best advice I could give.....? Be true to
oneself in his or her own vision and taste. With the Internet, it is
all too easy to be influenced by others. While being inspired by other
artists generates energy to create, it can also be intimidating to the
point of imitation. I see a lot of illustrators today painting with
the same brush. This is something I try not to do.........of course
it's difficult sometimes with our subconscious mind considering all of
the great art you've seen and loved over the years. Don't forget to
practice drawing, it's very important, even in this digital era.
Believe in yourself and be tenacious, because it isn't an easy
profession, but with self determination you will be rewarded.
