One of the great things about living in a city with a thriving art culture is being able to get out and meet great local talent. Today I have the pleasure to bring to you an interview with Phil Machi, an artist I met earlier this month at the Staple! exhibition in Austin, Texas. Phil has a unique talent of combining drawing with storytelling as he has done with his comics Retail Sunshine and Livestock. Phil received his degree in Digital Art from Bowling Green State University in December 2003. He lived the whole 32 years of his existence in Ohio until relocating to Austin, Texas in July 2013.

So, Phil what drew you to Austin, Texas?

I needed a life-reboot. Austin was the perfect combination of art, music, metropolis and better weather! 

I have seen some of your dinosaur drawings, what is your current project called?

"Not Quite Extinct" is the name of this book. If it continues as planned then it will gain an obligatory "Book 2" after the title, and so on...

Now is this a illustrations-only kind of book or will there also be accompanying text?

There's definitely text involved, but this first volume is going to feel a little mixed because there is a section with only pictures and it doesn't help that one of the main characters is mute.

You are not diverging too far from your usual creative work then.  Will "Not Quite Extinct" have a comic book feel to it? 

As far as my usual "all-audiences" style is concerned, it fits in line with that, to be sure. But it's more epic than my previous comics and certainly less cynical than "Retail Sunshine." I am formatting this book in the traditional vertical comic book format which is also new for me as my past comics had a horizontal arrangement.

All images © Phil Machi

And why dinosaurs?

Ahhh, why dinosaurs indeed. You want the long version or the version you would actually want to read... I'm only kidding. So, believe it or not, this project goes all the way back to when I was in 2nd grade! My teacher Mrs. Divis taught us a segment on dinosaurs and it was absolutely love at first sight for me! I knew instantly that I wanted to make dinosaurs my life; that or stand-up comedy. I kid you not, for years that's what I told people, "Paleontology or stand-up comedy!" I don't remember everything from that age but I do recall getting into drawing more and more. I was practically raised on animation and Sunday comic strips!

Dinosaurs give us a glance at what was - I can see the inspiration.

Oh, absolutely! I was enthralled with their shapes and sizes not to mention all the different varieties. One of the projects for Mrs. Divis involved making hand-made books.This was also a big deal for me and so I took it upon myself to write a story about 2 dinosaurs that become friends and go on an adventure. One of those characters was a Stegosaurus.

What does incorporating dinosaurs into your work mean to you personally; what sense of purpose is driving this project?

For years, I was obsessed. I remember running around in my back yard pretending that I had turned into a Stegosaurus! I used to go around saying things like,"If I can learn more about our past, I can maybe see where our future lays." I have also had a life-long fascination and love for animals. Combine my love for animals and understanding them with my dino-obsession and passion for drawing... you can see where this is going. The problem was I never felt I had the proper skill level to create or draw dinosaurs the way I wanted to so this idea has continually been shelved.

So how did you come up with the mute dinosaur and why include such a character?

I'm not sure what it is about me and mute characters. It's like a "thing" for me.  If I had to guess, I would say I grew up watching characters like The Pink Panther Tom & Jerry and Wile E. Coyote. They were typically mute and I think that resonated with me because when they would occasionally end up speaking I always felt the dialogue ruined the impact. I used to think "that's not what that character should sound like!" There is something inherently magical about pantomime... it beckons curiosity. I would say facial expressions have always meant more to me than words. I try to carry that into my own work.

I bet that can be a real challenge to your skills too.  Do you find that you often challenge yourself?

I have always felt that I've been striving for an idealized version of the characters I create. I continue trying to capture their essence and whenever I get it right, I just get so excited and at the same time I fear I won't be able to repeat it. It's difficult with this project because I don't want there to be an obvious growth spurt throughout the book. I am doing my best to make it feel like one continuous story. With my previous comics, it's clear that I was finding my way.

But at the same time, in doing so, I AM growing. I can see it happening from panel to panel.

Has anyone else's work influenced you in this endeavor?

As for other artists... John K. (creator of Ren & Stimpy) was a big influence for me. Also, all of the classic stuff. I grew up on Warner Bros. cartoons, Disney classics and that left a big impression on me. Not to mention countless illustrators and comic strip artists. Specifically, Berkeley Breathed, Gary Larson, Robin James, Jim Henson, Mike Peters and James Gurney.

How do you hope people will react to your "Not Quite Extinct" dinosaur comic?

Everyone is so quick to label things these days, and I would really love to defy those labels and create something that children of ALL ages can appreciate. I would love it if my drawings could keep their attention as much as, if not more than, a paragraph of dialogue. I've often seen people leaf through comics and it just kills me inside because I know how much time goes into each and every panel, not to mention writing and re-writing dialogue.

Yes you are right, this is a fast-paced world with especially shorter attention spans.

I was talking about this very notion with a good friend of mine the other night. I grew up with programs like The Muppet Show and I Love Lucy. When you go back and watch those shows, it feels slow but at the same time, if you pay attention and give it a chance, there is a lot happening in subtle nuances that I feel like nowadays it wouldn't work. But there is so much value in a quality production, something that has real integrity.

Tell us some more about panel creation.  Describe your typical drawing session and environment.

My drawing session varies, honestly. Usually, it's a back-and-forth session of making a few marks here and there in between social networking and internet browsing all while playing tons of music. Eventually, I can get myself into a sort of zone where I am just drawing and everything else around me fades away which is when I really lose track of time. So my environment is my desk. I don't travel with my drawings too much. I like my flat surface with my computer and all my dinosaur figurines around me.

I like that you have the figurines around you. Are they like totems?

I would say the Stegosaurus is my totem animal.

What kinds of drawing tools do you like to use the most; what are the most important items on your creativity bench?

My tools of the trade are a non-photo blue pencil, Bristol smooth paper and an assortment of Micron pens. Of course, I use my computer a bit, but that is primarily for arranging panels, adding text and cleaning dust and debris from the drawings.

My most important items? I would say that my figurines are right up there, but I love to get into a zone with just the right music. Besides that, I need to be ready to "play" because I believe the energy I am feeling is transposed to the paper.

I try not to "work out my frustrations" too much when I'm drawing. When I'm inking it's OK because at that point I have the majority of the drawing planned.

Could you share a few of your top creative-process music selections?

Music... well, I listen to a lot of film scores, modern day classical, as I think of it. But I also try to keep things upbeat as well. Lots of Oingo Boingo, Punch Brothers, Nickel Creek, Rockapella and of course Weird Al.

So from the past into the future, what else would you like us to know about your upcoming comic “Not Quite Extinct"?

I did want to mention that "NQE" has been resurrected a few times. In high school I planned on making it into a comic strip, however, it never made it past conceptual designs. In 2004 I pitched it as a TV show and it didn't fit the goals of the networks. At that point I attempted the graphic novel and became frustrated with it after 13 pages.

Yes graphic novels go long.

Well it wasn't that. It just wasn't gelling. So this is a big project for me because it is this life-long unfinished saga. It has followed me for years.

Do you have any regrets in your creative life? 

My only regret is that I haven't created MORE! I have so many other projects in my head and unfortunately I am a slow and meticulous artist. So whenever I complete a book, it is special for me because I just proved to myself that I could focus my mind on a single task and see it through to completion.

Have you learned something of value from missteps that you think emerging artists can benefit knowing about?

Missteps... well, for a while I was having a real difficult time prioritizing my life. My art would take a back seat to video games or TV. This is no longer a problem. While I am a little sad I don't do those things as much, what keeps me going is the result. I can watch TV for hours and have nothing to show for it, which frustrates me.

Would you say it is important to highlight the achievements to keep future goals in focus?

With a project this big, it's all about the little victories! It is so easy to get overwhelmed by a massive goal but the trick is to just break it down and make each individual section into a goal. Celebrating those little achievements can help you feel that you're moving forward. Personally, I'm not good about highlighting my achievements for very long. It really is sad to me because no sooner have I celebrated then I am off to the next thing! I like keeping busy but it is sort of like never being satisfied. But yeah, creation for me has always been its own reward. I don't get as much of a high off of compliments because at some point I had the realization that they're all just opinions and if *I* wasn't happy then nothing would sway me from that.

Well it is not a bad thing to be self-motivated towards being happy with your work.

True, but there is part of me that wants to celebrate a bit more. I just know that I have a little fear around getting an inflated ego. I've been reassured from close friends this will never happen but I always keep myself in check. Ultimately, I try to bring a smile to my own face with my creations.  I make it a point to be true to myself and in the end I know I am putting work out there that I can believe in. The icing on the cake is when you meet someone else who believes in it too.

How do you promote your art locally?

Locally is limited to word of mouth when I meet people and find an appropriate time to bring it up; but also in conventions. Conventions are a great way for people to discover new art and I love being in that scene.

Where can readers see more of your work?

NQE has its own page here: facebook.com/NotQuiteExtinct

Phil Machi (philmachi) on Twitter  twitter.com/philmachi

Most illustrators have a preferred style and favorite medium to work with. Some work with markers, others with pens, and yet others use their artistic talent in computers. The process in general stays the same; it begins with an idea, molded to suit the artist's style, and then is brought to life on paper or board.  Here are three popular types that you may well be familiar with.

Humor

These illustrations are characterized by the expression of the absurd and of otherwise uncomfortable situations. Humorous illustrations often involve a wide range of topics: irreverent, critical, realistic and sometimes burlesque. Generally, the characters exhibit striking features and look cartoonish and funny. This type of drawing takes lots creative imagination, irony, and the ability to come up with a laughable side to a story. In other words, these artists are always considering different ways of making a joke out of an unfunny situation.

Henri Gerbault [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Modern Gothic

Another style that is found in many publications is the modern Gothic, which has several expressive characteristics. A key feature is its oppressive presence and strong medieval appearance. Characters in modern Gothic have a particular dark kind of quality while at the same time a sense of freedom in movement. The Gothic style can be described as an internal rebellion that does not accept the idea of "good" as promoted by society in general. Stories delivered in this style also tend to contain illustrations of medieval clothing, furnishings, weapons and utensils, among other things.

By Theodore Von Holst (1810-1844)
(Tate Britain. Private collection, Bath.)[Public domain]

Manga

Manga comics and cartoons or anime have a unique style hailing from Japan. The characters’ facial expressions play an important role in the Manga style. The Manga illustrator connects with the viewer or reader through emotive eyes on faces with often exaggerated features.  These faces are still sweet and will be perfectly designed to tell a story.  Drawing the lines of manga characters is essentially based on accuracy and sensitivity. Manga illustrations not only must have excellent form but, usually emphasize inking techniques specialized to create each character. 

The Looking Glass Wars, Alyss & characters © Frank Beddor

This simple overview with samples and explanations of some styles of illustrative art can serve as a primer.  If you would like to learn more, check out this previous article which tackles the question What is Illustrative Art? 

The Fundamentals of Photo-Illustration in Photoshop

An illustration is graphical representation created by drawing, sketching, painting, digital rendering, lithographic or woodcut printing, etc. of things real or imagined. The term illustration comes from the Latin word meaning enlighten. In fact, in the medieval age illustrations were called illuminations.  Illustration is often found in the sphere of commercial or popular media.  An illustration artist can choose to work with existing styles or create their own. Beyond the ability to draw, it is necessary to have a sharp eye for creating illustration that tells a story. These artists can produce masterful expressive images which serve practical application. Illustrative art is a form that is defined by its context not medium.

Illustration artists have the unique gift of communicating their ideas and telling stories through their visual renderings. Not every artist can be an illustrator but illustrators are artists. Visually striking imagery in illustration can also be paired to work with something else, adding personality or character to that other thing without overwhelming it.  Such is the role of illustration in books, cartoons, calendars, billboards, clothing, packaging, store displays, posters, cover art, and comic books to clarify or embellish something else. This is the context that illustrators work within.

"Breaking Home Ties" Satu... Buy From Art.com Various museum exhibitions, magazines and art galleries have featured the works of illustrators, however, some consider them less important compared with fine artists and graphic designers. Illustrative art is subject to condescension. What is popular and fun is so often hard to take seriously by the elite of the art world, yet that does not change the fact that illustrators are creative and competent artists. Original illustration art from renowned book, poster and magazine illustrators can bring high dollar values at auction. Norman Rockwell's his painting "Breaking Home Ties" sold in a 2006 Sotheby's auction for over 15 million dollars.

Illustrations are important to the advertising industry.   Illustrating  is a  rewarding career for both making fans happy and being paid for doing so. Commercial illustration copy with artwork created by leading advertising agency McCann Erickson has won awards. Another look at context will set apart the fine art and illustrative art forms: Andy Warhol started out working as an ad and magazine illustrator; however, Warhol’s work that represented irony in advertisement was considered separate from illustration. 

"real" by estherfib
 source

If you find you have a talent for conveying real life concepts into meaningful illustrations and have confidence in your style, it is time to rise above the mundane and promote your illustrative work. If you are such an artist, please share with us in the comments section. To read more on examples of illustrative art continue with this article:  Examples of Illustration Styles.

© Rebecca H Knight

I am pleased to be presenting Digital Artist and Illustrator Marcylittleninja, also known as Ma-chan. She created her artist name over the years, originally known as Littleninja, later attaching her name 'Marcy'.  Ma-chan, her second name was given to her through Japanese pen pals.  So, as she explains "both names are a part of me."  If you look to her Artist Watermark/Logo both names are there.

Although her style of drawing has changed at various times in her life, the unique visual quality of Manga or anime-styled drawings became her focus during her high school years and has continued. Marcylittleninja adapted certain styles from different artists who were in the 'Shoujo' genre of Manga comics (Shoujo: Aimed towards female audiences and the style has the males drawn very attractively while the females are drawn cute and delicate looking).  Despite her deep interest in manga, her favorite artist, Yone Kazuki, is not in the Manga Industry but in the Visual Novel 'Otome' / 'Maiden' game industry and does the character designs and artwork for visual novel games. Kazuki has the biggest influence on Marcylittleninja's artwork because she credits her as the inspiration to keep improving and to move forward in her artistic career. 

Marcylittleninja has been drawing for more than 13 years and has studied around 4-5 years of Visual Art. She started out with modest means and so was self-taught at first. Regarding her formal artistic training she tells me,

"I didn't enjoy using charcoal or painting [these caused headaches]. Every time I went to classes I was always going just for the digital class... and for the life drawing classes which helped me a lot with my anatomy drawing. It wasn't until 2012 that I started creating Digitally after I received a grant through a local youth centre for funding help towards getting a graphic tablet. I'm still sitting here crying tears of happiness for that help.  After a week of using it I improved 10 xxx as much as I was originally drawing."

Artist Self-portrait  © Marcylittleninja

When did you first come to think of yourself as an artist?

This is a hard one to answer because being an artist is the one thing that’s always existed for me. I never once thought otherwise. I grew up with the artist lifestyle which I didn't choose, or have it chosen for me since it was just the way things were for me to begin with. I actually never even said "I'm going to grow up and be an artist for my career of choice," I personally felt that I've always been an artist. I look at the word artist as just a word that describes what I am, what I do, how I live and Drawing has always came naturally for me. I always have these moments or urges to draw something. When those urges happen, the entire world gets put on hold, sleep can wait, food and water can wait, even friends and family can wait because when I start drawing, it must be complete before I continue with other things. I cannot remember if there was even a time before this lifestyle for me so to put it bluntly, I never thought of myself as an artist, I knew from the beginning of this life that I am an artist. When it comes to actually speaking about careers, I did waver at the age of 13-14 because I was made to believe that being who I was, wasn't a career and that I should be working at places like supermarkets and whatever. Even now, if I hear people speaking to me like that I become protective of my art and you might even call it being selfish because I personally won't work anywhere that isn't relating to art or where I cannot draw, create or design something. "If it's not art, it has no interest to me, nor does it hold any meaning to my life." I've always been stuck on art with determination to keep on improving.

Why Anime/Manga Styled Illustrations?

I don't really look at it as 'anime/manga styled' but that’s how others view them seeing it's influenced by Japanese Artists.  I think this is also going to be hard to explain because this has always been something for me, I can't remember what I was like before I started.  I've always been interested in Japan and its culture since I was very young so you could say that I've always been immersed in that culture. I wanted to read manga in its original language so I took up learning Japanese from a young age.  I watched a lot of Anime, and read a lot of Manga, too many to count or name. I'm a very visual learner so I can pick up on differences in styles from reading or watching in very little time at all.  I felt drawn to the styles of drawing in Japanese Manga. When it comes to art, I like to draw things that I can emotionally become attached to in some kind of way, or express anything. You can do that with any art but for me, this was my thing that I was drawn to and felt natural with.


There are many genres and sub genres for Manga (Japanese Comics) that means depending on the genre and targeted audience would also determine what kind of art style it would have. Personally I've always been attracted to Shoujo Manga. Shoujo manga is targeted at young female audiences and contain mostly romance. There are two main genres 'Shounen for young males: usually has fighting/Action as a base genre, and Shoujo for young females: usually has romance as a base genre. The style of art in shoujo was intriguing to me. Both shounen and shoujo (which is Seinen and Josei when targeting older audiences) have different art styles. Shounen is more roughly drawn while shoujo is soft in appearance. Romance Scenes in Shoujo manga literally grab onto you and you feel yourself overwhelmed with the emotion from what you can see on the page. That’s what I fell in love with and I wanted to be able to draw romance scenes that would grab onto you with emotion. The Mangaka (what Manga Artists are called in Japan) tend to draw the male characters very ikemen in shoujo. Japanese ikemen:  good-looking man/Attractive Man, they usually are taller than the female characters and are masculine but not over the top with body mass, its more the looks that are an important thing for shoujo- Males are slim and handsome, while the females are petite and have large eyes because large eyes are 'cute' for shoujo. I love to draw anything and everything handsome or pretty.

An interpretation of the buddhist 'Asura'
Random Drawing  © Marcylittleninja