Jessica Luna - I Take a Step Back and Try to Focus on What I Really Want to Do Without Considering the Rest (Graphic Designer)

Mainly as a digital artist, I got into drawing in late 2017 where I started to practice daily and studying the basic fundamentals. By posting my drawings on Instagram, I slowly got an audience and I realized there was many ways to turn this into a career! Mainly thanks to commissions, freelance works and merch products, I am now moving the first steps as a full time artist! 

1. Tell us about your background and journey?

Despite my age (27), I am a relatively new artist! Before fully diving into illustrating 3 years ago, I was drawing very rarely and I never really was committed to it because I thought I needed the "Talent" I didn't have at all. It started as a little kid. 

I was drawing all day and I remember printing Ojamajo Doremi images and tracing them at the window, or trying to copy other anime images from the computer screen so I could hang them in my room! Then, growing up, my uncle gave me a drawing tablet for Christmas and that's how I found out what digital drawing was. 

I would try to draw every now and then, but it was still very rare and most certainly not something that I thought I could turn into a profession someday.

2. What inspired you to get into Graphic Designing?

I got into a graphic design school because it was the closest thing to art school. I knew I didn't want to study classical art, or sculpt, or paint traditionally, so I opted for something a little more modern! Unfortunately, I wasn't really good at graphic design and I still have a hard time composing images in an effective way ahah.

3. How would you describe your style of artworks?

I think I would describe it as "shifting". I see many artists that put a lot of effort in maintaining the same format style, linework style or color palettes in all their artworks, and they become insantly recognizable because of their distinctive traits, but unfortunately it's something I've never really been interested in doing for my own art. 

For example, I had a period of time where I was really into background drawings, then I shifted back to simple portraits, and even then I kept switching between anime style and semi-realistic proportions. The subjects would also change a lot from soft looking catgirls to bolder concepts such as the rider girls chara designs I've been doing recently. 

I feel like everything I do keeps shifting and that's the fun part for me! Of course there's still distinctive traits such as the faces and the hairtstyles, but that's just my personal taste and not really a style that I chose! I feel like "style" should come naturally instead of being forced.

4. Which software and gadget do you usually use and why?

I completely moved from Photoshop on PC to Procreate on iPad! I was drawing on a regular tablet that was forcing me to look at the screen while moving my hand on its surface, and I couldn't really coordinate well. 

My budget didn't allow me to buy a screen tablet, so I opted for the cheapest iPad I could find and I'm super happy with that decision! Now I could never work without it.

5. How do you overcome creative blocks?

For me, creative blocks occur when I am too worried about other people's opinion. For example, worrying about posting boring content or repetitive subjects, or even being afraid of having my influences too visible in my artworks. So now, when that happens, I take a step back and try to focus on what I really want to do without considering the rest. 

It's not always easy, and sometimes I would just need to take a break to recharge, but then I would come back in a much better shape. I feel like we all just need to learn to really listen to our own needs when an art block occurs.

6. Who is your favorite illustrator and why?

Definetely and always Ilya Kuvshinov! Not only because of the beautiful illustrations, but mostly because of the impact the story of his art journey had on me. He proved the world (and he keeps doing it) that anything is possible when you put heart and effort into working towards your dreams. That's exactly how I decided to start this career!

7. How do you keep yourself inspired and motivated?

Human connections. If I were to draw alone at my desk all the time, I would have given up a long time ago. I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by amazing friends who are always there for me both emotionally and creatively! 

Most of what I do now is projects with my closest friends and I feel like the fun we have working together is the most powerful motivational fuel for me. I am just so thankful for that.

8. What tips and advice would you give to aspiring illustrators?

If I were to go back in time and change anything about how I started, I would tell myself to not be so strict about rules and studying. Of course they are important, and of course they can improve your results by 200%, but don't get too caught up in overanalizing your mistakes and feeling bad about not being "good enough". 

There is no "enough" because you'll always want to improve, even when you will be godlike at what you're doing. So, for now, keep doing your current best and please enjoy the process and the fun of it! Be proud of what you are achieving in the present.

Jessica Luna

Interviewed By - Serene Ingle