I actually didn’t agree on this. Why, would you ask? Simple. I actually gave you the answer already earlier on. You simply don’t go wandering inside a studio whilst the production of a movie. Or go bothering a band whilst they’re practicing their new song. You just don’t. So why is it ok to ask every single step of an artists work? I never understood this really.

Now, that being said, I’ve been told many a times in my life how I should improve my art and how I should do things “their way”. Most of them were ranging from good to really bad, (more the latter then the first at times) but all were given with the best intentions. One of those was to post my work online. Not just the endresults mind you, but the in between stuff as well. Again, I don’t fully understand as to the why behind this, other then that it might improve one’s art at an earlier part in the process. I know, I might seem very cocky about this, but to me personally, it feels like an intrusion into my mind. I have no better way of saying it really. For years I’ve always been working in one straight line on my work. Never even thought of it to create wip’s (Work In Progress) at all. There are times though when I knew the sketch/painting was going to rock people’s socks off, but I just didn’t want to brag about it. Because that’s how it feels at times, in my opinion. So I kept doing what I considered the best way of working: Do research on the topic; get it done; present to audience. Simple as that.

Then came along a time, not so long ago really, where I found out that there are actually people who care for this sort of stuff. Who actually ‘want’ to see the boring part in between, just like how you can now see how movies are made by watching the included documentaries. I’ve been looking at my own work like I read books or listen to music. I just didn’t think it was that big of a deal. Like it was normal to any other person out there. Apparantely, reality is an entire different thing. I’ll explain it through a simple example, I’ve been using my faithfull CTE-640 WACOM for quite some time now. I honestly have to admit that I don’t even remember how I survived before it. I immediately picked up on it the day I got it from a buddy of mine. I still see it as one of the best purchases I’ve ever made so far. So to me, it’s been like the extension of my arm. To others however, it’s like pure magic. I’ve heard things from “… and when he move’s his pencil, it moves on the screen too!” to “I still think it looks better on paper.” Honestly, this is coming from normal everyday people. I laughed it away at first. Later I just became baffled, irritated even, at some point. It wasn’t even dawning upon me, untill late this summer where I was confronted with this very same happening again.

This time, a lot of people I know and respect well, were like me, gazing upon a giant screen during Gamescom. You could see this artist from Arenanet (I’m not sure at this point if he was from A’net) going through the process of conceiving a new random character. I remember myself thinking, ‘I’ve been doing that so many times now’. So when I actually wanted to move along, the others didn’t. I became intrigued as to why. Call me an idiot and what not, but when you’re in a daily workpattern you just don’t think about it anymore and you just do. So when I was confronted with their explanation on the matter I found out people do care for this sorta stuff. Fast forward to present day.

Today, I’ve just finished a random sketch that took me about two-three whole days to complete. I had a rather funny convo on twitter with a good friend of mine and it ended with her giving me an idea for a sketch. So when I started, I thought of that same moment in Gamescom again, and decided to do a little experiment this time (sorry hun, for being my little guinea pig ^^). I would make a couple of wip’s and see what her reaction would be. I was actually very pleased with it. She reacted all happy at first, going to completely unexpected, calling it rad at the end. So in summarry; as to where I was very sceptical towards it at first, I kind of loved to see her reaction in the end on the matter. Or to quote Hannibal Smith: “I love it when a plan comes together.” Thank you for this hun, you know who you are. (I hope I haven’t offended you by doing so, if you’ll ever read this)

Now, to finish of this wall of text, and because you all expect me to; here’s the work in progress of her drawing:

for you, there’s probably not going to be any change from this moment on. For me however, there is. You see, as of a couple of days ago, I went freelance. While that might seem not to be much to any other person, it does a lot to my world however; running around from one office to another, getting financial things done and making sure nothing is left forgottten on my to-do list.
This might all seem like a hassle, but in the end I sure as hell hope it’s gonna pay off. It probably will too. It’s the road towards the end that is going to make it all very interesting. Because .. I can actually say at some point that I like this. It feels good. In the many years I’ve been walking around on this globe it’s mostly being spent hiding behind my desk seeing other people getting a *normal* job. While they were having fun ’till the wee hours of the morning, or while they were sleeping, I was working. So far I’m still working, not much has changed. Except for the title I now wield. Freelance designer and illustrator. That’s right. I can finally say, after all those years, that I went freelance. I could go and do any other job, possibly something that brings a lot more money into my banc account, yet I know deep inside that it would not make me happy nor bring me the satisfaction I so desire at the end of the day.

“Stay hungry, stay foolish.”

I still remind myself everyday at these famous words of Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford speech. For those of you who have never heard of this moment, here’s the link to his speech on youtube. At that moment, Steve Jobs mentions that we all should pursue our dreams and see the opportunities in life’s setbacks – including death itself, because nothing more can come close to a wake up call then imagining yourself being dead tomorrow. With those four famous words, he urges the world to be ever wishing for better times, to never settle for less. That is my interpretation at least.

As a final word, I would like to tell you about another go-getter I know. Davy Kestens. Today, I saw a very interesting article in one of his tweets, mentioning that *You should probably quit your job*. How I slightly do agree on this statement, I cannot help but wondering how useless that action is. Better put; why not just go for your ideal dream-job in the first place? Big words perhaps, coming from a guy at the startblocks of his life, I know. But think of it, if you would be doing what you really want, there wouldn’t be so much stress in your life, you’d feel more happy and you’d be way more energized in everything you do.
A couple of years ago, I was hauling a washing machine two floors up with another guy from the firm I was working for at that time. It was a rather painfull moment, and although we managed to get it all the way up, I still felt like a machine. A robot could have easily done the same thing. It was work, sure. But there was no reward in it for me at all. The people we did it for didn’t even appreciated it anyways. It was implied, ‘company service’ they called it.
So, if that kind of job would be mine in the future, I too would quit my job. Hence, I keep struggling to become what I was ment to do in this world.

I sketch, draw, paint and create alternative worlds. In other words, I’m an illustrator, baby.

PS: Because you guys were probably expecting some art in this article, here’s one of my latest *alernative worlds*

Valley Of The Mists

Poster SIRadio

Heya all,

an artists muze, inspiration or source of inspiration can be anything. For me, it’s all about music. Offcourse, this is not the only source for my ideas, but it definitely helps a lot. I’ve discovered this simple fact a long time ago. Every time I hear some catchy tune or hear a good pounding bass, I get ideas of people dancing, grinding, boogie-ing and what not. Usually heavy, flashing lights are involved and a dj at the top overviewing all the action whilst creating some of the best lists of music.

Todays painting comes actually very close to that idea. It might not be the actual ‘real thing’, but it’s certainly good enough. I’m talking about a weekly show on the internet. Every friday evening, a good friend of mine, Dj Tasha Darke (@SI_DJTasha on twitter) gives all she got through an online radio in her weekly show Dancefloor Fillers. Especially ’cause I do so like said show, and ’cause, well … it’s an awesome show, I decided to do some free advertising ^^

Behold my part for the survival of SIRadio; I hope you guys out there like it as much as I do. Oh, and one more thing: if you got the time next friday at around 8-10PM, do a good friend of mine a favor and tune in at SIRadio (http://www.siradio.fm/), it’s worth it.

Cheers,
Thierry

I’ve been caught up with a friends request lately, from which one of ‘m I just had to show you all. It actually started as a bit of mockery, to draw his main character as a pin up, but eventually grew up to become a fully fledged paint on it’s own ^^ I even made it my new wallpaper. And since I just can’t seem to decide between a standard black lining or a colored one, I throw ‘m both here at your feet dear reader. What do you think and which one’s your favorite?

Feel free to let me know on my twitter-account or here. I don’t mind. For now, your biggest problem is to stop staring at the image included .. are you even reading this? Hello … ?

Pin Up_B

Pin Up_A

Art commission for Stefteuh

Hey all,

as I have been searching into a solution that works best for me (regarding the clipping issues I had with some of my images) I stumbled onto this theme. It kinda suits me best I guess. Here is hoping that you, dear reader, likes it as much as I do. Also, I have been working at a new art commission, it can be found here. A small preview is seen here in the post.

Now, onward to the next paint.

Thierry

A job for Thierry

Hello all,
In my effort to pursue the path of an artist, I have been turning and twisting many stones allready. Yet, I feel as I have many more left. That being said, I am proud to present the next step in my process to conquer the world: http://www.eenjobvoorthierry.be/

I, offcourse don’t get all the credit for this piece of work; most of the stuff you don’t see has been done by a very close friend of mine that you’ll be able to find here: http://www.samfeyaerts.be/ Credit to whom it deserves, after all.

Now, whether you are a casual Facebook-surfer or an ‘I like this – addict’, you can still do me a great favor by liking the site or recommending it to a friend. If it’s not for me, then do it for the creator, he’s been putting a great deal of work in it as well, after all.

Thanks up front,

Thierry

when I look back at how 2010 has been treating me and my blog, I honestly have to say I’m pretty pleased. I’ve been going through the numbers wordpress has send me and damn … they’re actually very impressive by my standards ^^ I’m probably not good enough to be ranked besides the top dogs in this kind of atmosphere, but let me just crunch some numbers for you.

I’ve been writing 27 posts in 2010, growing my total archive of this blog to 41 posts. A Boeing 747 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. My blog has been viewed about 2,100 times in 2010. That’s about 5 full 747s ^^ and best of all, my busiest day of the year was October 22nd with 79 views!

Rest me to say only a few things, first of all, thanks a lot to all the readers out there who actually seem to be interested in the strange creatures and visions my brains keeps spewing out. Second, I’ll definitely try and keep creating these wonderfull ideas and drawings for as good as I can and as fast as I can. After all, I strife to create some good quality material here so that you, dear reader, can say the legendary “wow’s, oooh and aaah’s”.

Thanks a lot,

Thierry

Your own personal mug!

Hey all,

as promised on my twitter-account, I’m posting here today the results of some hard labour work. I’ve had kind of an unusual request some time ago. By unusual I mean, something I’m not used to being asked for. That is to say, a good friend of mine asked if I could design herself and her family, for her, on a series of mugs. I promptly said yes and designed her two series of mugs as a christmas present. After all these weeks, I can finally show it to the world. After all, christmas is long gone now and we’re allready on the verge of another year.

For more on the look and feel I gladly like to show you all the latest and last addition for 2010 at the section 05. Projects 2010. Enjoy.

So, with that in mind, I wish you people out there all a happy new year’s eve and a very creative future!

Happy new year folks,

Thierry

Nocturnal

Heyhey big world out there,

In the spirit of ‘standing still is the same as going backward’ I just can’t seem to stop participating in different contests. Schoolism.com and Sketchoholic.com seem to pick in on this curious hobby of mine. Lately I’ve been uploading a fair amount of speedpaints and especially anything related to them. The newest, being this one. I’ve been working my — off and I have to say, I am pleased.

Saying that doesn’t come easily (being an artist and all) as I never seem to be perfectly happy about what I make. Somehow, I believe I’ll never be able to create the “perfect” painting, sketch or anything graphic related. Although, in all honesty, this one turns out to be getting close. Theme this time was anything related to a nocturnal setting. This for the very reason that Bobby Chiu was interviewing concept artist/ illustrator Charles Santoso, one of the creators of “The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole”.

It was a very fun, although late, interview. It seems, being up at 1am isn’t that fun, when you’re tired enough already …