Epilogue
Interview by Chad Lockwood
Would
you introduce yourself and give a little personal background?
"My name
is Michael Yazijian. But most people refer to me as "Yaz" since there are usually
a few other Mikes in the room (laughs)! I have been trained traditionally in
illustration and graphic design but more and more I find myself creating digital
paintings. It's fun replacing traditional brushes with digital ones."
How long have you been an artist? How long have you been
creating fantasy art?
I
have been drawing as long as I remember, but I have been doing freelance work
since 1997. Most of the time I create fantasy art as an alternative to my usual
commercial illustration work."
Have
you had any formal training in the fine arts?
"Yes,
I graduated from the Illustration & Design program in 1999. It was an intense
college program (3-4 years) that taught everything ranging from fine arts to
3D animation."
What
are your biggest artistic influences and inspirations?
"I am
influenced the most by the Old Master painters. My top 3 favorites are Caravaggio,
Velazquez and Bouguereau. I admire them because of the richness of the colors
they used and the realism of their paintings. I also get inspired by reading
vampire/horror books and let my imagination torment me (grin)."
Can
you describe your creative process - how you come up with ideas for a new drawing
and how you take those ideas and create a finished piece of art.
"I like
challenging myself. I usually try to create something original or difficult
that I haven't done before (sometimes that is the hardest part). Once I am
inspired by an idea, I sketch it down immediately. Then I refine the drawing,
scan it in and then I paint away in Photoshop and Painter.
If it
is a realistic piece, I surround myself with reference paintings, photos and
other sketches. Then I paint away until I am satisfied with it. I then show
it around for some critique and then come back and do the corrections."
Do
you have a favorite fantasy artist or an artist you admire?
"There
are too many to mention but Brom is my favorite fantasy artist. I also admire
Craig Mullins, a digital painting master, for his diversity and flexibility
as an artist."
What
advice would you give to young artists who are just starting out?
"Take
constructive criticism in order to improve your work. Keep practicing everyday
until you reach a level of quality that you want to achieve. Believe in yourself.
Ask lots of questions about art and techniques.
And whatever
you do, don't give up.And
finally, to quote of my teachers: 'Ego's will limit you...you will stop learning
if you think you're all that.'"
If
you could be a character from a fantasy novel, movie or game, who would you
be?
"Definitely
a villain, because I always root for the bad guy... let's face it, they are
always cooler (laughs)! Probably some dark mysterious character, like an immortal
vampire or an avenging angel of death. I wouldn't mind being someone like the
evil Emperor Sidious from Star Wars...mouhahaha..."
Finally,
what cartoons did you watch as a kid?
"He-Man, G.I. Joe, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, X-men...wait a minute...X-men
was in my early teens...(laughs)....I better zip it now. :) "
