The Digital Artists Who Use Instagram As Their Art Gallery
Online tools and social media have revolutionised the way art is made and the way it’s shared. Digital artists now use instagram as their own window on the world; allowing them to share their art with a global audience of art lovers. We spoke with three artists who explained how they use digital enhancement in their art, and where they find their inspiration.
@Helluvart
Anastasia
TCL: Please introduce yourself and explain how you started out as a digital artist?
A: My name is Anastasia. I was born in a Russian province. I've been drawing since I was a child. I went to art school but dropped out because I was given a difficult task - to draw a skull with an artistic structure. I now paint portraits. I started drawing using photoshop many times - but it didn't work out. After a while, I went on a little trip where my head was filled with ideas. I arrived, sat down at the computer, started drawing and I did it. I put my work on instagram and overnight I got more than 3000 likes and a lot of comments praising my work. That’s how I discovered the world of digital artists on instagram!
TCL: Where do you get your inspiration from?
A: I get inspired by my favourite celebrities and their success stories - as well as ideas I see on Pinterest.
TCL: What is your creative process and your technique?
A: Firstly, I draw the outline and the contour of the face. Then make a full fill and then make shadows. I love oil painting and brush strokes - without distinct outlines.
TCL: Who are some of your favourite artists?
A: My absolute favourite artist has to be Michelangelo.
TCL: What are your plans for the future?
A: I want to move to the capital and then to another country. I’d like to travel to different countries and live there for a while; in order to find inspiration in every corner of the world and continue creating. I also want to make money so that I’m able to donate to orphanages and animal shelters.
@Mirrcha.artblog
Mirra Koval
TCL: Please introduce yourself and explain how you started out as a digital artist?
MK: My name is Mirra Koval and I’m 35 years old. I live in Kiev, Ukraine. I’ve been working in finance for eight years. At age 30, I decided I needed a change in my life in order to be truly happy. I started studying fashion design. We painted a lot in class and I loved it so much. First, I drew on paper with markers and pencils. Gradually I switched to tablet painting only.
TCL: Where does your inspiration come from?
MK: inspiration is such an elusive thing. I really appreciate these moments. I can be inspired by any visual - whether it’s a picture, a drawing, a movie or music. I try to create an inspired state when I need it. It’s constant work to stay inspired and in the state of mind to be able to create.
TCL: What is your creative process and your technique?
MK: I have this so-called idea bank on my laptop where I keep inspirational pictures, my sketches, my thoughts and my ideas. When I want to draw something, I turn to it first. I draw an outline of the future artwork. The next step is drawing light and shadows. I then put a colour on the drawing and I draw the details. My technique is digital painting.
TCL: Who are some of your favourite artists?
MK: I love a lot of artists in different genres. Among them - WL OP, Ruan Jia, Kacper Swat, Marat Morik, Mitch Gobel.
TCL: What are your plans for the future?
MK: It’s only been five years since I started drawing; so I’d like to continue to develop my skills - to improve professionally and to be happy!
@aiste_stancikaite
Aistė Stancikaitė
TCL: Can you introduce yourself, where you're based, and explain how you started out as an artist?
AS: My name is Aistė Stancikaitė and I'm a Lithuanian born, Berlin based artist. Although my background is in painting, I have always found drawing to be somewhat more accessible. I picked up a pencil about 4 years ago, and that's when my creative career really started.
My practice is primarily based around pencil drawing, through which I try to observe, understand and recreate reality in my own way. I often focus on detail and texture, maintaining a balance between abstract and figurative to let one main subject take centre stage and leave the rest to the imagination.
Sometimes I combine my detailed drawings with digital elements, which allows me to achieve depth and richness in terms of shape, texture, style and context. I’m also very interested in bringing the physicality of drawing and manual skill into current digital culture - I want to make it more accessible and relevant to today’s audience.
TCL: Where do you acquire your inspiration?
AS: I'm very much inspired by photography and fine art, as well as contemporary design, cinema, architecture, human anatomy and interesting light. Sometimes it's just a matter of observing everyday life - where something catches my attention and sometimes it's being inspired by other creative work out there. All of that introduces me to different ways of looking at the world and helps me develop my practice further.
TCL: What is your creative process and your technique?
AS: I recently started using single tone colour approach in my work, using just one pencil colour for entire pieces. It allows me to transform traditional realism into a more unusual, contemporary drawing; giving it a surrealist edge that would likely be absent with an entirely lifelike palette.
At the same time, the simplicity of this creative technique also amplifies the complexity of a single colour and the variety of tones and depths within it. I spend a lot of time trying to refine and visualise the idea I have in my head - often it's by creating photography mood boards or a photo collage for compositional reference.
When I have a clear idea of what I want to create, I start the drawing. This can take anything from a couple of days to months - depending on the size and complexity of the drawing.
When the piece is finished, I scan it and do a little editing in Photoshop - like colour correcting or adding any other elements if I feel it's needed. I work in very clear stages, one step at a time, until the final image is created.
TCL: Who are some of your favourite artists?
AS: I find all forms of art very inspiring - everything from painting and drawing to photography, cinema, design or fashion. Some of my favourites include Anthony Gormley, Rachel Whiteread, Julie Curtiss, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Jordan Casteel - but the list can go on and on!
TCL: What are your plans for the future?
AS: At the moment I'm taking some time to experiment and develop my personal work. I want to keep pushing for new ways of expression and the current worldwide situation seems to be a good time to slow down and reflect.
I would love to do more exhibitions in the near future - seeing art on a computer or phone screen is really accessible, but it just isn't as powerful as seeing the pieces as real life objects, with each pencil stroke visible up-close.
