Interview with Marc Osborne
Another interview is finally here! This time, we're getting to know Marc Osborne. With his bold use of color, keen eye for detail and energy-filled line work, Marc always aims to impress with his striking illustrations.
Q: Marc, your artwork is so full of intricate details and imagination, it's like each illustration is a window into a different world you've created. Do all of the characters you draw have backstories?
A: D’awwww Shucks, that’s the nicest thing anything has ever said about my work. In short, yes. There’s always exceptions but I find that what really gets me inspired to create work is trying to tell a story visually. I like to try and make connections between the real world and this fantasy realm that exists between these ears of mine. My wife and I often write roleplaying stores between each other with original characters and locations, like a game of telephone. She will write how the scene begins, I’ll add in what the characters start doing, she might add a twist or pursue an idea I brought up and we go back and forth through emotions and dialogue and tough situations until we feel satisfied with the story. I like to think of my illustration the same way, with a lot of give and take. I’ll usually have an idea, like the portrait of Ves I did for the Recreate challenge a couple months ago. He was originally this jaded, wicked, pirate slaver who really couldn't care less about what the world saw in him. As I started working on him I found myself less attracted to that storyline and felt maybe he was just more rebellious, like Sinbad or a brooding anime boy like Squall Leonheart from Final Fantasy VIII. With that came a princely lineage and then his eyepatch being a cover for his identity rather then the gritty truth of piracy. He expression changed to more playful and overall I feel he matured a bit too. That’s how I tend to approach all my illustrations, which can get me in trouble trying to stay in one head space.
‘Ves Starbrand’, from Challenge 107
Q: Walk us through your process for illustrating. What happens once you have the brief?
A: Well first I try and just get an idea out immediately. Like as soon as I read the prompt I’m talking aloud with my ideas, trying to stoke that instant first idea. Usually it's terribly cliche and needs a lot of work BUT there’s like a nugget of truth in there. Then some sketches come out, rough and tumble but trying to pry open the nugget a little bit. Then either one of two things happens. I love it and I start finalizing the sketch and feeling all sugar and rainbows like the Cardinal Birdhouse piece…. Or I hate everything and start completely from scratch the evening before the project is due. Not productive I know and I’m trying really hard to combat that urge.
Q: Do you keep a sketchbook?
A: YES! Though its transitioned from the reality into the cyber reality. The freedom of the digital sketch space really keeps my All or Nothing mannerisms from consuming everything in my art space, haha. When I work in a bound sketchbook I tend to gravitate towards (very) mixed mediums. I once had a whole sketchbook dedicated to using white out as a base layer. Another one was all ink pen. I get really excitable with new techniques and tend to go overboard on them.
Q: What would be a dream project for you?
A: The ultimate dream would to become completely independent on illustration. No 9-5 job, even if it was with an amazing company like Sideshow, Laika, or a huge media outlet like Bioware or Wizards of the Coast, just the constant influx of new projects and stories. My wife and I would finish writing our second novel series and be working a deal to have a movie or television show. Or a cartoon! We’d most definitely make a cartoon. That’s a dream of mine. In truth to have a world realized in any medium visually is what a dream come true for me.
Q: Think fast! Who are three artists that inspire you?
A: Teagan White - She’s like the counter to illustration “me” culture though she probably considers herself more of a fine artist. She’s sweet and personable but I always feel like there’s this shyness about her demeanor while her work just screams passion and precision.
Megan Burkheiser - One of my favourite artists, professors, and people of all time. The strongest woman that I know who has never wronged a person in her entire life. She’s what people in our field should aspire to be. Hard-working, generous, kind, dedicated and above all vulnerable and persevering. Seriously.
Edward W. Robertson - (writer) ~ that might not count…. He’s my all-time favourite fiction writer. Don’t hate me Brandon Sanderson! The bonds he can form between two human beings with immense flaws just trying to make a difference is staggering.
Erika Moen - I found her webcomic DAR in college, when I was struggling with life. Her story of queer identity, personal growth and eventually failure and success kept me laughing and staying positive. Her sex positivity and acceptance of all struggling people is truly wonderful.
Alphonse Mucha - Need I say more? I mean as a budding label artist i can only hope people still adore my work being resold on notebooks and pens a hundred years later.
Yuko Shimizu - A constant source of inspiration both stylistically and lifestyle. Her optimism and joyous attitude make me feel like I’m there with her as she makes wonderfully intricate work.
I know that more than 3… but its so hard to choose.
Q: Of all the illustration jobs you've ever done, what type was your favorite?
A: I think I have to give it up to the Two Tides Grand Opening Poster I did earlier this year. I was in a rough place for about two years working for a company that made me feel like a trained dog. Bark on command, Wait on the heels of the next “Big Idea” and get a small pat on the head after busting your ass all day. My art was starting to slip and I was desperate for something. Three amazing things happened all at once. First Square Carousel gave me chance to submit artwork, this is not a plug, this is the truth. Second, My wife and I started seriously writing a story together. It’s not much yet but it awakened a part of me that was dimming to an ember. Third, I went to a bar to try and get work with DogFish Brewing, I figured moving away or at least trying a new avenue might be my only way out. At the bar I met Elizabeth Pryor who started Two Tides Brewing Company with her partner James Massey. We had met before and exchanged numbers and they wanted to use a local to do all their advertising work. We talked about the project and I started just freestyling. I made up this questionnaire to get to know them better, I listened to music they liked and finally we came up with this baller illustration. It started my life over again, at least artistically. That job has gotten me more work than any other piece thus far, and I have to think it was because I had everything hinging on the line.
Q: A trend I notice that comes up a lot in your art is red cardinals. Is there a special meaning attached to these birds?
A: Okay, This is a Looooong story, but here’s the Reader’s Digest. I got a “D” in my first year at SCAD and that really set my self esteem on edge, so I went back home and went to community college. While I was there I was trying to find my purpose, so I found a shaman that was helping people realize their spiritual force. We went on a retreat, (with a group of people) and we meditated and lived in nature for a few days. On the last night of the retreat we had a huge bonfire and sang and talked through our problems and asked the universe to watch over us. The next morning perched on the cold logs of our bonfire was a bright red cardinal. It gave a high pitched chirp and then flew off. Now when I see them I feel like the universe is watching over me.
Q: Wow! Speaking of connecting with nature: If you could switch lives with any animal on Earth for one month, which would you choose?
A: See above ;) Though I think I’d be happy with any animal that could fly.
A: Shoes! I had a bad experience with a wood chip and bare feet when I was younger.
Q: Favorite art making tool?
A: The wood carving blade! Japanese traditional style or power grip minis. There is something to viceral and tense about wood carving, seeing that curving curl of wood as it separates from the source.
Marc himself in his studio
Q: Anything else you'd like the readers to know?
A: I made a role playing podcast! You can find it on all podcast platforms! It’s called Choose My Own Adventure! I also would invite you follow me on tumblr at www.Marctheblog.com or on Instagram @marcthethird.
You heard him, folks! Go follow him on social media to see more of his awesome work!
