@bajsingh_art | bajsingh.co.uk
We are honored to have, Baj Singh, as our Featured Artist, he is an a super talented artist that creates some amazing illustrations of all sorts of awesome characters. Make sure to head over to his page to check them all out, while your over there make sure your supporting a fellow artist by hitting that follow button!
How long have you been an artist? What is your specialty? Where do u find inspiration?
I started learning how to use 3D software about 12 years ago. Before that I was determined to enter the games industry as a programmer, but spending time in 3D Max and Photoshop changed all of that :).
I started off as an an environment artist but quickly transitioned into character art simply because I enjoy it more.
A lot of my inspiration usually just come from snap ideas that pop into my head (for example, hey wouldn’t it be cool if you recreated ‘Robin’ from ‘Batman’ but as a black woman with an afro and a knack for street fighting.
Do you have a job in the art industry? If So, what’s one thing you don’t like about it? If no, where would your dream job be?
I’ve been working at ‘The Creative Assembly’ for nearly 5 years now, most of that spent on the ‘Total War: Warhammer’ franchise.
As with most jobs working within large teams, communication is critical and sometimes this can break down. However, we strive to make sure everybody is aware of our project’s requirements and kept up to date should those requirements change.
Do you have a favorite Artist?
I have a few that I have taken inspiration from over the years, namely artists such as Clement Sauve, Sergi Brosa and Callum Alexander Watt.
Their reliance on limited rendering, instead focusing on gorgeous line art has certainly pushed me towards approaching 2D art in a similar way.
What is one accomplishment you’ve had in your life? Does not need to be art related.
Definitely seeing the progression in my art abilities through art competitions over the years. They are a great way to measure your art abilities against both your peers and yourself.
Taking the time to finish each competition and comparing your final result to earlier work really highlights how far you have come as an artist.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
Working within a full art direction role. Whether that be at my current company or somewhere else I am unsure but I generally go where my gut tells me I should.
I would love to live abroad at some point though, maybe somewhere like Toronto or Vancover.
If you could meet and talk to any person in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?
Haha, not necessarily art related but I would love to have dinner with Tom Hanks, Nicholas Cage and Joanna Lumley….all at the same time. I like funny
people and vibrant personalities so I think it would be a great laugh :D.
How is one way you make money with your art?
I’ve always worked within a company setting on a constant salary as I don’t particularly like the idea of freelancing (working from home and on my own
would be boring for me as I like working closely with others). Though making small 3D prints would be cool….
If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
Japan, alwaysssss Japan. I usually go every couple of years. Just the overall vibe of the place really appeals to me and it always feels like my home away from home.
When I travel I tend to avoid the landmarks or tourist specific spots and just walk around, taking in the atmosphere and just relaxing in my new surroundings.
What is your favorite brand of art supply? Whether it’s a brand of pencils or brand of camera or software
Probably Pixologic ZBrush due to how versatile it is. Its a critical tool for a current generation character artist. Software such as 3D Max and Maya are intechangeable.
However, 99% of the time I am in Photoshop just sketching :).
Any advice for young artists?
Work both harder and smarter. Worry less about learning software and more about the fundamentals (anatomy, perspective, colour theory, etc). The core skillsets
are essential for professional artists, software can be learned fairly easily.
Listening to feedback is essential, don’t get defensive and learn to filter between objective and subjective feedback (this is a skill that you will develop over time).
Finally, make sure you rest and recharge. There is a difference between resting and procrastinating. Mental burnout out isn’t a one time thing, it has a snowball effect that will
compound over time. Having some sort of schedule/time allocated to chill can help relieve this.
