Illustrating fantasy characters via Photoshop!
By Bo Koot
Ever heard of speed painting? It is something which is really booming nowadays. Basically, you draw and create everything you
want on Photoshop which gives you the ultimate creative freedom. People can do it either as a hobby or as their professional
career. We interviewed someone who is a speed painting professional. Meet Liza van Rees, a 21 year old girl who hopes she
can break through with her company.
What have you studied previously?
I studied graphic design at Sint Lucas in Boxtel.
How did you come up with the idea to start speed painting?
I always liked drawing, it has always been something that
I have spent my days doing and wanted to improve.
What exactly do you want to achieve with your company?
I want to be financially independent and I believe it’s
everyones dream to earn money doing something they
love. Unfortunately for me, that is not yet the case. I’m never quite sure if I get enough assignments or sell enough
prints. I hope I can realize my dream one day.
Were you always interested in drawing and illustrations?
No. I always thought I wanted to do something with animating or graphic design, but during my study I found out
that it wasn’t really something for me. I like to make quite
detailed images because it is something that I can can get
really creative with.
Have you already had assignments from companies?
At this point I’m busy with illustrating for clients. I make
portraits of people or illustrations for childrens books. I’m
also keeping myself busy by making illustrations which I
can use for the sales of prints, bags and other things via
www.society6.com/lizavanrees
Which program do you use to make your characters?
Nowadays I make use of Adobe Photoshop and sometimes I use Adobe Illustrator.
Is there an illustration/character that you are the most proud
of? Why?
My newest illustration
‘dragonfly’. I can see
how much I’ve learnt
about illustrating in
photoshop, in such a
small timeframe.
How long does it take to make one character?
It depends on the size and the details. Normally I spend
between 6 and 8 hours on it. Sometimes I just close the
illustration and work on it a week later, but most of the
time I try to finish it in one go. Sometimes I look back on
the illustration and see a lot of mistakes, in those cases I
start over.
- Dragonfly by Liza van Rees
- A serie by Liza van Rees (Venus, Sun, Moon and Mars)
Now you have a small insight into what speed painting
is! If you’re interested in doing this as well, go on YouTube,
watch a tutorial, have a go and see if you have a gift
for it!
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