Sta.sh
Project Educate: An Interview with *staticwind
How long have you been active as an iconist and what was it that first drew you towards the community and art form?
I’ve been involved with the icon community on deviantart since 2009. I began creating icons because I enjoyed how they were able to represent an artist before you actually clicked on their page and I thought pixel icons were the cutest way to represent a tiny animation.
I have always received support form the deviantart community, even from my very first icon. I think this is what drove me to keep creating them. It was great for me to enter contests, create free icons, and start commissions because they helped spread my icons throughout the community for others to use.
What do you draw inspiration from?
I think the most inspiring person I've found on deviantart is `imaginism. I heard him talk at the CTN Expo in 2010 and since then I have been reading his "Tip of the Day" that he posts in his deviantart Journal. They give little bits of advice to be a better artist.
I also have been inspired by many video games. The ones I have played the most are The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Animal Crossing, and MapleStory.
My style has also been influenced by Anime, Disney, Pixar, and Studio Ghibli Films.
But I think it's most important to inspire yourself because you are the only one who can improve your own artwork.
I will think of a lot of things that will inspire me. Even though pixel art is hard work, I enjoy doing it. I can't wait to see the finished product of my work finally done. And when I'm making an animation, it's great to see my character come to life and watch people enjoy it.
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?
I use Photoshop because I'd been using it for a long time and it has all the features for creating pixel art. The reason I use a tablet is because I feel like I have more control over my pixels. When I draw pixel art, I use a lot of hand movements to create the initial silhouettes, then I go in and adjust pixel by pixel.
Once I learned how to draw and use Photoshop, I was able to create icons. But I am still learning myself. The low color count of pixel art and icon size on deviantart are limitations, but as long as I can create what I have in my mind, I try not to worry about it. I just try to create the best I can for it's certain purpose.
Getting involved in the community and creating as much artwork as possible also helps. Create free avatars if you want to make fanart or create your own original designs. Open up commissions if you want to make icons for others. It doesn't matter if you think you're still a beginner. If you can make icons, you can commission icons. Don't ever put yourself down for your skill level and don't worry about if people will buy them or not. It's about improving your artwork, not the money or popularity.
Who is your "idol" within the community and why?
My favorite artist on deviantart is 
because of the amount of work he puts into each pixel art to create a very detailed, cute, and smooth animation. I also admire him because he takes the time to show his drawing process through his blog which helps other pixel artists. [link]
But this question was very difficult for me to answer because I have always had many favorite artists in the deviantart community, and I am constantly discovering new ones!
Thank you!
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#CuteAvvieOverload #ProjectComment #TheCuteGroup
Tumblr | Commissions [OPEN]
Icon by =Imouto-Thi
Icons&Handhelds CV
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#CuteAvvieOverload #ProjectComment #TheCuteGroup
Tumblr | Commissions [OPEN]
Icon by =Imouto-Thi
Icons&Handhelds CV
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Believe. Wait. Wait. Wait.
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GalleryVirtual Toystore! c:--
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All hail ~The-Fry-Bat for his pixel awesome!
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Mentor & Community Volunteer -> for General Photography Send your DD suggestions to me!