Q1: Let’s start with the common question, if you can kindly introduce yourself.
A1: My name’s James L. Duthie. I’m 27 years old and I currently live inVirginia, but plan on heading out toCaliforniasoon… Like, real soon.
Q2: How did you get into the field of your work?
A2: I don’t quite consider myself in the field yet, but I like to think I’m getting close. However, the progress I’ve made so far has been a bit of a struggle from as far back as I can remember. Even as a child, I always knew I wanted to draw.
Q3: Do you have any current favourite artists, comic artists, photographers who may have influenced you to become the artist that you are?
A3: Oh! Do I ever! Let’s see… Adam Hughes has probably been my biggest role model. He’s just phenomenal. Also J. Scott Campbell, Cliff Chiang, Mathieu Lauffrey and of course, Alphonse Mucha. Just to name a few.
Q4: What are the main tools of your trade?
A4: I mostly work Digital anymore. So I would definitely be lost without Photoshop nowadays. However, when I draw or paint, I prefer markers and/or gouache.
Q5: How was it for you to learn the process of that? Did you teach yourself, take classes or learn from other existing artist’s tutorial?
A5: I actually taught myself how to use Photoshop. I basically just dove into the program one day and started playing around with brushes and tools. Once I was pretty fluent with the program, I ended up taking a few classes, but they didn’t teach me too much I didn’t already know.
Q6: Do you think its possible for you to describe the process of your art style, what are the dos and don’ts, the important aspects you set yourself to achieve your style of design?
A6: Hmm… I think I can describe my process and style. I work with a lot of sketches and layers (even outside of Photoshop) and I typically like to use a lot of dark solid lines. Basically, I start with a few initial sketches. Then, I draw my line work over those on a different layer or 2 (or 5, or 10). After I have my image drawn out the way I like it, I fill in my solid colors. From there I add light and shadow and gradients, as well as any other final details (text, fine detail, backgrounds, etc.) As far as DOs I would say to try and replicate what other artists you respect are doing. Now, don’t go copying their work and passing it off as your own or anything, but get your mind and hand used to those techniques. Then when you’ve got them down, improve on them and make them your own. DONT’s for me would be to not trace. You don’t learn a whole lot from tracing because your brain isn’t studying the form of the object.
Q7: What are the biggest struggles you encounter as an artist?
A7: For me, the biggest struggle is being patient while I improve as an artist. I can get frustrated at the fact that I have been drawing for as long as I have and I’m still not as good as I want to be. I’m never as good as I want to be…
Q8: Do you have any other future plans that don’t involve creative art?
A8: Ya know, I used to bounce around this a lot. I hit a long rut in my life for a while that made me want to give up on art and try something else, but honestly as much as I love and despise drawing/painting/etc. I really can’t imagine myself doing anything else.
Q9: Do you have any personal mottos, quotes or existing quotes that motivates you to do what you love doing? Can you share it with us or provide words of wisdom from your experiences for those who look up to you?
A9: My favorite mythological creature is the phoenix. It’s my favorite because it never gives up on itself. When it falls, it just rises again, so “never give up” is my personal motto. I’ve also always been a fan of the quote “you get what you pay for.” I think this is applicable as well because a crappy TV requires less money just like crappy art requires less time and devotion. If you want to be good at something, not just art but anything, you need to put time and effort into it.
Q10: What do you think the future will hold for all artists from all backgrounds from now?
A10: That’s a good question. One in which I can’t really give a solid answer. I would love to know what the future holds for artists of all mediums, but as we evolve it would seem that less emphasis is placed on art now then as it was roughly 100+ years ago. however, I do believe that in at least a few lifetimes or so, art will still have a prominent place in our society.
Q11: To round off the last question, where can your fans and new fans find updated news and progress from you, - Where can we find you? (links mate, websites, include everything that you want people visit you on)
A11: Currently, the only place you can really keep track of my art is on my facebook (www.facebook.com/jduthie). I update it every day and I have an open profile, so anyone should be able to look at my stuff. I’m also very cool with communicating with people, so that’s probably the best place to find me.
