"Do Your Research, You Will Find Lots of Learning Resources"- N.Abhishek

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1. Tell us more about your background and journey.


I am from a family of education, my father was a lecturer, and my mother worked and retired as university staff, all of my brothers and sister were so good in study, but I was the black sheep of the family with an aspiration to do something with Art. 

My journey has been so fascinating, after completing my graduation with Account honors I pursue my career in Design and Animation from the city of joy Kolkata, I started my career as 3D Animator, and then later I taught Animation for three and half years as a faculty but eventually land up working with corporate design, which gives me lot stability, fun and means to follow my passion for Art and Illustration, currently, I work as Senior Design Analyst in an IT firm in Hyderabad.


2. When did you decide you wanted to be a painter/illustrator?

Right from my childhood I was into art and use to doodle all the time, never thought of being Illustrator actually never knew Illustration is a word until I join design institute where I learn basic of 2d drawing, anatomy perspective, etc., and boy I was in love with 2 dimension world. 

I stopped drawing after my first two jobs and then Instagram happened and suddenly, I was too deep swimming into this wonderful world of Character designing and concept art.

3. Is it a financially stable career?

Yes! But you have to be good at it. Art is everywhere these days, from billboard advertising to polished corporate sector and India has a lack of workforce in this field as compared to other professions. 

4. Who is your favorite illustrator and why?

I have so many favorites and it’s very difficult to choose one but I like “Karl Kopinski” he is so versatile and great visualizer he loves to work with different medium and sector and so do I. My other favorite artists are Glen Keane, Jake Parker, and Martin J. Abel. The list goes on.


5. Where do you get inspired from to create art?


Mostly I get inspirations from world of Fantasy, Comic books, and Disney, I love to create my characters and get inspired by people around me or I came across.


6. What does your typical day look like?

My typical day is like I woke up early and make tea for me and my wife, after breakfast I sit to draw for at least 2 to 3 hours, Then leave for office (my shift time is from 2.pm to 10.30.) I come home late have dinner spend some family time and sleep. Weekends are for some serious drawing session and self or client projects. And yes I do teach drawing and Animation at home on weekends.


7. What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring illustrators?


I am sorry but this is going to be a rather long answer, I am going to answer this question for the people who want to build their career in this field of art, those who want to make living as a painter, illustrator, animation or comic artist. In India whenever we say “Art” we assume, (which is true in some extent) someone who paint, ware Khadi kurtas and carry a jute bag, lives a very poor life, conduct some group exhibition here and there and talk about his/her art in front of hired media and earn less as compared to other professionals, or else you will find some bored and rich brads doing larger than life-size painting backed with some self-acclaimed philosophy, or people do it as a hobby and draw portraits of film stars. 

And trust me this is the fact and this is what people think what Indian art industry is with few exceptions, of course, those who made it big. You will find artists complaining that people in India don’t respect art and artist’s lives very poor life because people don’t want to spend to support Artists in India, but my question is, do you support Doctors, engineers, and developers or any other professionals?

NO, you hire them, and why do you hire them? Because they have studied hard and trained for years, and they have their skills which viability and it can be used for a purpose and serve society right? so we should grow over this poor mindset of “Artist support” and rather choose it as a career with an immense possibility to make a living and follow your passion.

To cut my answer short I would like to say that, the key is you should invest 

time into a study, as engineers and doctors do, kill your pride sit down and learn Anatomy, and focus on drawing instead of wasting paper & paint on drawing florals or rivers with boats and two palm trees. 

Study hard and work on learning basics, hone your skills, learn perspective, master digital paint which takes time, study fantasy art, learn about colors, and it takes hard work and time, once you shift your paradigm on real learning, the money will follow and employers will pay, make your Art meaningful, learn and master basics before jumping into Abstract art and expression. 

And explore new avenues. This is a lucrative field with a lack of skilled workforce, the only problem you will face here in India is the lack of good Institutions and art collages. But you can learn online inexpensively, you can start with SVSlearn.com. Do your research and you will find lots of learning resources, but be mindful of your study so that you don’t land up into a world of mediocrity and less viability.

8. Which is your favorite book and why?

My favorite book is “Life of Pie” by Yann Martel, people frown when I say this after the movie released. But this is my favorite book this was the most refreshing book I had read when I was a teenager, and trust me this book is completely different from what it is shown in the movie, this book is poetry which talks about the very basis of existence. 

I still read this book whenever I feel down, among all the booker Award Winning Books. I believe this was the most entertaining as well. If you haven’t read it yet please do, and shift delete what you have seen in the movie.

- N. Abhishek , Illustrator at Doodle__Abhi

- Interviewed by Shilpy Sharan