Today’s artist on Tumblr feature - Scott Carmichael!
Please introduce yourself to the world! Hi! My name is Scott Carmichael, I’m an illustrator from Alberta, Canada currently working in the video game biz full-time as lead artist and art director on a console title called Super Motherload. My evenings are spent sketching, watching reruns of Seinfeld and figure drawing at a local artist-run centre. I’m slowly trying to ease into a bit more freelance illustration work to fit into my crammed schedule (Seinfeld might have to take a back seat). What inspires you the most? Any particular artists? Aside from illustration: architecture, music, and photography are a huge source of inspiration to me right now. I have this great book of photographs by Vivian Maier that quite frequently holds a spot on my drawing table for inspiration and I’m constantly combing through design blogs to look at architecture, new and old. The last several years I’ve been really into the aesthetics and culture of car racing from the 50s 60s and 70s. The shapes of the cars, the uniforms, patches and logos are just so cool. Everything seems to compliment these machines that have been designed to be extremely functional yet they maintain a form that is incredibly appealing. There’s just something about that time period in racing that just hooks me, I’ve done quite a few pieces with that subject in mind and dudes with helmets and racing gloves regularly find their way onto pages in my sketchbook. Paul Pope, Jenny Saville, J.C. Leyendecker, Charley Harper Do you have a favorite medium of art? Pencil and paper. When did you start taking art seriously? Since graduating from ACAD in 2009 I’ve been focusing on getting better at drawing the figure. Most of the art I produce lately (and what ends up on my blog) are just figure drawings from the weekly drop-in sessions I attend. It’s always a constant push and pull of trying to accurately draw the figure based on careful observation, while still exaggerating shapes and and characteristics that give your drawings a distinct style. In your opinion, what is your favorite piece of art that you’ve created? I’m not really sure if there is one that stands out for me. My favorite piece is always the one I’ve just started working on — when the idea is fresh and the drawing is starting to flow. Any new projects coming up? The latest project is one that I started a little while ago, It’s a painting of a figure playing harmonica. It’s HUGE (for me at least) 5’ long by about 2’ high. I thought it would be a nice break from my usual process of a small drawing on 9” x 12” paper with photoshop to finish up the colours. We’ll see what happens with this one, I haven’t done any traditional painting in almost 4 years so the results are going to be a bit… unpredictable! Any plans for the upcoming future? Drawing and still having fun. Time for something personal! What’s your favorite food? Beef satay pho — it’s my medicine. What is your favorite book? Movie? Quote? Book: Blankets by Craig Thompson (Oh. Man. So good.) Movie: I have two! The Great Escape and The Sandlot Quote: Haha, from the Sandlot: “You’re killing me Smalls!”
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