AN INTERVIEW WITH ARTIST N. Beerens - =Cataclysm-X


Why would you say you are an artist? What inspires you to create?
I would say I’m an artist because I truly love to draw images -with or without a reference- and make people happy by showing them what I’ve created.

A lot of things inspire me to draw. This could be a song I’ve heard, a person I admire, a conversation I’ve had with someone, a video game I’ve played, or something that has happened in my life for instance.


When did you first take your art seriously and why?
The moment I joined DeviantArt, back in September 2004.

I learned a lot of new drawing techniques. I just knew that, if I would practice a lot, I would reach their level, too.

I must say that, to me it isn’t all about the popularity, the pageviews, favourites or comments… It makes me feel accepted when people appreciate the artworks I create!


We have noticed your gallery is made up almost exclusively of graphite. Do you normally choose graphite as means of artistic expression over other mediums, and why?
Most of the time I do, because I really like this kind of traditional art. The thought of producing an image with just a pencil is simply amazing.


We see a few other mediums used in your gallery; what inspired you to create in these mediums, such as the digital art and photography?
Amazing digital artists such as *Dianae, who started with graphite pencils too. I love her work. She inspires me to use other mediums as well!

There are also other things that inspire me to create in different mediums. As an artist I think you need to try different mediums as well, so you can learn different techniques, appreciate other people’s art. In that way, you can find your favourite medium. I’ve tried paint before, but it’s not my thing.
Writing however, is something I really began to enjoy doing it!


Your gallery contains mostly portraiture. What inspires you to draw people instead of, say, mechanical things or landscapes?
I love to capture the many expressions and emotions of the human face. To capture the 'spirit' of that particular person.

When I want to draw the feelings I have, towards life, towards things which are going on in this world, I would love to be able to put them on paper by drawing people’s expressions without using any references.

You could say that, since I draw so many portraits, I want to develop my skills so I can truly draw the subjects I like.


Your drawings are very realistic! Do you use a grid, or do you work freehand, and why?
Thank you!

A lot of people think I use a grid, but I never do! When I use a reference image, I like to observe and measure the form of the face with my pencil and try to draw it on paper. I think it looks more natural instead of using a grid. But that’s just my opinion.

For artists who just started to draw portraits, I would recommend them to use grids though. It’s a great way to learn the proportions of the human face/body.


Please tell us about the materials you use to accomplish your art. What brands of pencils and paper do you use? Do you have any specific material suggestions for an artist just starting out?
I like to use a lot of mechanical pencils, which are 0.5mm 4H, 2H, H, HB, B, 2B & 3B.
For blending the pencillines I use tissues and tortillions. I rather avoid finger blending!
And for erasing I use kneaded and regular erasers, though I must say I barely use them.

But you know… to be honest, I have no idea what brands of paper and pencils I use and I don’t think it matters all that much.
After all: It is you who creates the image, not the brand of pencils.


Regarding references: Do you prefer working from photos or from real life, and why?
Definitely photos, because I simply never tried real life before, but it would make a nice challenge to draw from real life too. I’ve been wanting to do this for quite a while now.


Have you had any formal art training? Do you feel it is necessary or important to have formal training?
Nah, everything’s self taught.

I don’t think formal training is necessary, unless you feel like you could learn a lot more by taking art classes. It’s up to you, of course.

When I started drawing pictures, I looked for tutorials all over the internet. You can find some pretty interesting ones at DeviantArt, too! (I’ve made quite some myself, and I'm working on an art book at the moment).


What is the hardest thing for you to draw?
Portraits from imagination. Because they are!

And hair is quite tricky too. It’s hard to make it look realistic.


Many artists experience "artist block". Have you ever experienced this, and if so, how do you keep motivated when things get tough in the studio?
I had it once, and I couldn’t draw for several weeks!

When something like that happens, I try to look for inspiration by playing video games or by doing other things I like until I feel I could draw again.

Try not to get frustrated about it, because I can assure you: that won’t help!


We see a commission in your gallery. Do you find paid commissions easier or more difficult than drawing just for the fun of it? And what kind of advice would you give to other graphite artists desiring to commission their work?
It's a lot more difficult to draw a paid commission. Sometimes it happens I get a picture I don’t really like, and yet I have to portray it on paper. When you get a commission, you want to create a drawing that is worth the money. It’s hard to do that when you’re not having fun drawing it.

My advice to other artists: only accept commissions when you really want to! And if you still want to accept the commission, be sure you’ll get plenty of time to finish it. Don’t rush yourself.


Are there any artists or specific sources that you feel directly inspire your creativity?
There are a couple!
*Dianae for sure, because she does awesome traditional and digital art.
*shimoda7, because he found the perfect balance between realism and surrealism.
=sakimichan because all the artworks she does came from her imagination, simply amazing.
and *nabey because she has a very unique style of art which I really like.

Tetsuya Nomura is my hero too! He's by far the best game character designer I’ve ever seen (so far).


As you look ahead, in what direction are you aspiring to take your art? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
I definitely want to publish some art books in the (near) future. Teach new artists the fun of creating an image… yeah, I would like to do that.
And of course I want to accept more commissions as well, find new art challenges, support and help other artists.

Haha, and my ultimate goal would be to work for some certain game company. It seems quite unlikely that will happen, but who knows… I'll never give up that dream!


Do you have any other interests besides art?
Too many to mention, but to name a few:
- playing and listening to music, I used to play drums for 3,5 years, as well as classical guitar, piano and flute. I always thought I would do something in the music business, until I discovered the amazing world of art.

- writing poems, so I can express my feelings in a different way. I have many diaries with small poems which I wrote the last couple of years.

- playing video games, because I need to get my inspiration from somewhere I like the designs of game characters, very interesting.


What advice would you give to a graphite artist desiring to improve the quality of their own art?
Don’t ever let someone take you down. Too many times I was told I wasn’t good at creating art, too many times I’ve heard I shouldn’t draw game characters all the time. But I continued to draw the things I like, and look where it brought me.
As long as you’re having fun at what you’re creating, just keep doing it.

If you truly believe in yourself, and have faith, you can get anywhere!


Is there any piece in particular in your gallery that has special meaning for you, and why?
My self portrait Draw me, because it represents the feelings I have about my life. How people approach me, how people see me… It has always been an issue for me.

I also would like to mention Eye have seen it all because of the same reason as with the previous drawing. People look at you when you’re different. Many times I’ve been wondering if this was something I really want, to be different.
But I think I do, because it makes me the person who I’m today.


Lastly, we see you've been a very active member here at dA since September 2004. Do you feel joining dA has benefited you as an artist? What has been your favorite part of your dA experience over all these years?
Wow yes, I’ve been a member of DeviantArt for 3,5 years now!

My favourite part has to be the experiences I got last year, when I started to draw the things I truly liked (which are obviously game characters, but also portraits of people I admire).

In 2007 I’ve met so many beautiful people who accepted me as an artist, but also as a real person. That’s all I ever wanted. Thank you