Creative presence

Creative Presence: Creative Report with Ketnip In studio brief 2, I have a chance to have an interview with a creative illustrator, I have chosen an illustrator with a fun and bold tone of voice to be my interview person. I found this person on Instagram, a platform full of creative, and professional artist that I gain inspiration from. Before this brief I have already wanted to ask him questions about how to be a professional full time artist, by this chance I could ask him with more questions, in order to know more about how to be a professional illustrator. Fortunately, I found his email address on his Instagram, so that I don’t need to search for another interview method. I have used my personal email address instead of the college one, because the way of using personal email address is more professional than showing “It’s a college brief so I pick up you to be my interview person”, in my point of view.

I have asked him 10 questions, here are the questions: 1.

How do you create this character?

I made the character of 'Ket' after becoming bored of my old style. I used to draw a lot of intricate and detailed portraits, and although they looked nice I never felt like they represented me. So I began drawing in a more "dumbed-down" style, in the hopes of making something that would be more accessible emotionally, and eventually I ended up with that character. I'm not saying that a 'Ket' is meant to be a symbol of emotion or at-all provocative; just something with more personality.

Technically speaking, I make the character in Photoshop, and I use a Wacom tablet to draw. I would use Illustrator, but it's too damn complicated.

2.

How do you keep all the ideas so funny?

Personally, I don't think that all of my ideas are funny, but I think a part of the humor is always having a character that is quite simple and innocent end up in stranger situations. Also, there is a childish quality to my work, which makes it seem kind of awkward but natural. Maybe that’s funny, I don't know!

3.

Has your practice(works) changed in time?

My practice/style has changed a lot. My old work was all done in pen and the characters were harsher and sketchy. Now I aim to make them look softer and less busy by using Photoshop, because the whole 'edgy' look seems a little bit played out. Also by having a simpler character I think it becomes more inviting and interesting, as it takes the focus away from the figure in the work and more towards the subject matter.

4.

How does this character affect you?

The 'Ket' character has helped me a lot, as it has allowed me to express myself through a new medium more clearly, and I've met a lot of likeminded people through Instagram. Whenever things get me down, I can just draw this lil bean character and almost immediately my problems seem less significant. And the fact that I can share and empathies with others online through this character is really neat. I owe it a lot.

5.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?

I've had some really cool stuff sent to me, like people who've made little Ketnip cartoons and skits of their own, and people have drawn my character on their clothes and made pins of my work. I also get a few messages here and there from people who say that my work has helped them with emotional issues, which really compels me to keep making.

Just recently I had an issue with a big curator account that used my work without permission, and the way my followers responded was really humbling. I'm very grateful.

6.

What's your inspiration to make these characters?

I'm very much inspired by creative individuals, especially those who you can identify by a symbol or unique style; such as Iris Apfel, MF Doom, Leon Karssen, KAWS... I just like how they own the brand that is their own individuality, and have managed to make something bigger than themselves through art and self-expression. I'd much rather have a symbol of creativity speak for me, rather than wealth or popularity. That inspires me to create above everything else.

7.

What's the best thing of your character?

I think my character, 'Ket' or 'lil bean', works because its almost a blank canvas. It isn't just seen as something like an animal or alien - I hope that people interpret it more as something like a ball of clay with eyes. That way it can change to fit or express something more than preconceptions.

That's my favourite thing about it - its ability to change.

8.

What's you’re the next step? (example: collaborate with a clothing shop/have an exhibition/etc.)

In the near future I plan on making more drawings and trying out some new styles. I'm also currently working on a large oil painting of a 'Ket' and I'm collaborating with some people to make a 3-D figure of my character.

Later this year I'm supposed to be heading off to LA to work with some people over there, and hopefully whilst I'm there I'll get to host a pop-up exhibition. Expect more clothing soon as well!

9.

What's your normal route for a day?

On a normal day, I'll wake up at 8, stay in bed until about 11, make a big brunch, watch Bob's Burgers and doodle, do some work at 1, post a drawing to Instagram at 4, play the drums at 5 just to annoy my neighbours as they come home, watch more Bob's Burgers at 6, have dinner at 7 and then work tirelessly until about 3 in the morning (that's when the creativity kicks in).

10.

How to keep drawing without running out of ideas?

Just doodle a lot and watch cartoons. Ideas come a little from inspiration, but a lot from just persisting with something and making it work for yourself.