Project Educate: An Interview with =angelishi

April 15, 2007, was the date I submitted my first icon for myself on dA, though I'd been a pixel-artist from before I ever joined, I used to make little pixel adoptables for neopets, probably from 2005 or even 2004. I always loved the idea of giving people something cute to share and enjoy, I still view the icons I create as more of adoptables than avatars, that's why I always liked them to blink, if there's eyes! They're my little critters, out in the world making people happy.

What do you draw inspiration from?

When I was a kid, around 10-12, with my really slow internet I remember collecting these little kaos, I had hundreds of them in a folder, I really liked browsing pixelling websites, particularly asian ones, I loved the colors, the sparkles, the life within these little pixels prancing around in my screen, so I suppose I always strive for that in my pixelling work, even though I don't remember the little kaos and pixels I used to collect (visually), but I still recall the feeling they gave me, so I try my best to do the same, I want to make people happy and fill their screens with these little colorful pixels full of life.

What are your tools when creating art? 

Do you have tips to give or tricks to share for the particular programs you might use that could help beginners out?

When it comes to icons and pixelling I will always use MS paint, sometimes Photoshop to save some time if I require too many layers, but otherwise paint is the way to go! Just your 1px brush and you're ready to go. As for tips or tricks, colors are extremely important when it comes to pixelling, especially because everything is so small, so don't be afraid to open up that palette and fool around with all the colors, see how they work together, also, don't be afraid of animating - animations are what give life to these little pixels, even if it's just a wobble or a blink, eventually you'll be making more complex things too.

Who is your "idol" within the community and why?

No one, because when I was a kid I used to have this character, and I really loved him and the way I made him look - then on the TV they started airing this anime, and one of the main characters looked *exactly* like mine! Turns out I had watched it when I was like 4 or 5 years old, so the character remained in my subconscious - not paying much attention to other people's work is my way of protecting my own ideas from other's influence, I guess. This doesn't mean I don't like people's work, but I just try to keep myself away, in a way I believe artistry to be a lonesome path in life.

^{To anybody wondering, I still own that character, I gave him a makeover that time, and he's been in my head forever! Great part of my heart, he is. I named my computer after him!}

Thank you!