Intros, Idols, and Illos, Oh My!

[Mike Marttila]

Hi folks, my name is Mike Marttila, and I've actually been following the threads here for a few years now (long-time listener, first-time caller). Up to this point I've had a career in IT-related jobs, but after developing some chronic health issues a few years ago I did some serious thinking and decided I wanted to try to make a living at something I've always cared about: storytelling. At first I was aiming for some sort of a VisDev/Concept Art type of position, but after listening to the 3PP pod and seeing all the cool stuff brewing on these forums I started to realize the awesome creative opportunities in kids' lit! With that epiphany in place, I set my sights on becoming an author/illustrator (with the writing focus being on picture books and middle grade). Now, the only thing left to do is... everything.

As part of my intro I thought it might be fun to share a little art influences exercise I was clued into in another community. All the people in the map below are artists whose works I adore for their execution, spirit, storytelling, and for bringing me back to that special place of childhood wonder. While I also love the terrific work of the SVS Founding Three (plus the honorary member, perspective/PB analysis master David Hohn), I thought I'd keep my picks to outside the community (although the eagle-eyed among you will spot an accomplished SVS alum whom I couldn't resist including).

I'm in the process of trying to put together a baseline kidlit portfolio, and hope to join in on the monthly contest fun as part of that effort, so I'll be sharing some work soon. There's so much talent and determination to grow in this community that I can't wait to become a more active member and hopefully offer what help and encouragement I can on your WIP! Happy to be here!

[Blitz55]

@Mike-Marttila
WELCOME Mike.
I'm pretty new here as well. I think I joined up a while ago but only recently started taking the dive into the forum activity and trying to entrench myself in the community here a bit more.

I love that you came in with a list of artists you look up to, who inspire you. That's a great way to introduce yourself in my book and you have a few on there that I would put on my list as well. Though I was happily surprised to see Ed Binkley on there.

Do you have any of your own work to show yet or are you here to get started as an artist?

[Kristen Lango]

Welcome Mike! This is really neat to see, I think it's great to put an image like this together so you can see all your idols' work in one place.

I might start another thread that talks about where we get inspired. Definitely join in on that discussion

[Mike Marttila]

@Blitz55 Thanks, Levi! By the way, I got a real kick out of your March arena entry with the bears--absolutely loved it!

So my kidlit art is sort of just taking off the ground, but I can share these two older pieces back from when I thought I was pursuing the concept art route. The first was a sort of robot sentry (made of toys and random suburban neighborhood stuff) for a fictional game I had imagined of a bunch of kids playing capture the flag that's heightened by their Mad Max-esque imagination of the whole thing. The second is a sort of scout car for an RTS game belonging to a carnival themed faction. I know you've got some game dev background, so hopefully that all makes some kind of sense, hah.

I had fun with them, and I still hope to bring plenty of world-building to my future work, but I'm hoping to explore some more traditional-feeling renders and playing with some more saturated, better-mixed colors. Stay tuned!

P.S. Your post on his kickstarter actually introduced me to Chris Dunn, whose work I'm now just devouring. Another artist I would happily include on my infinity influence map!

[Mike Marttila]

@Kristen-Lango Hey, Kristen, thank you! I'm always fascinated by where artists draw their influences from, so I'll definitely be following along if you end up making that thread!

Also, I really enjoy the colors in your work; your treehouse entry was great! I think we're operating on the same wavelength this month, as I'm also drawing from a mildly spooky, Gothic Revival-inspired idea for the treehouse entry I'm trying to pull together.

[Kristen Lango]

@Mike-Marttila Aw thank you Mike! I'm loving those concept designs you just shared! They are so creative - I really struggle with finding a clever concept so I'm hoping to learn from you

Haha that's awesome! I'd love to see ours side by side (which I'll do even if we don't make it to the top 16 ) Can't wait to see what you create!

[Blitz55]

@Mike-Marttila First off, thanks! I had fun making that Bear / Fish piece. That was my first Critique Arena I've entered, I'll try and do more but I'll miss this months.

Those are wild, I like the idea of the kids playing capture the flag with a Mad Max type'ish theme while still being in a sort of suburban setting or something. Those look 3D, did you create them in Blender or something else?

And yes, Chris Dunn is amazing. I just look at his work and all I can think is, that's not possible! Haha. He's using the same mediums I use and it's not just another level, it's another universe.

One artist I would suggest looking into is Pascal Campion if you don't already know him. While I love his style, people like Chris Dunn are more my interest, but with Pascal I look at his ability to tell a story in an image. He is a freaking MASTER at it. It's simple, and yet so complex and effective. His Instagram account is a must follow I think.

[Mike Marttila]

@Blitz55 Thanks, I actually did both of them in Photoshop, it was just a lot of maddening perspective checks combined with the selection tool and way too much soft brush that gives them that 3D look. Doubtless I could have achieved similar results in a fraction of the time if I knew Blender. It's definitely a skill set I'm looking to brush up on in the future as I played around with 3D modeling/animation in Maya a while back.

I feel your awe in measuring the gap between us mere mortals and the art superstars like Dunn. They're wizards! I'm sure if I only knew what brushes they were using (and had 200 years more practice) I could get there...

I've heard Campion's name thrown around a lot but haven't taken the time to do a proper sit-down with his work. At a glance I can definitely see what you mean about his storytelling. That's such a tricky thing to pull off in a simple, elegant way. I'll definitely add him to my feed, thanks!

[PenAndrew]

@Mike-Marttila Welcome to SVS Mike- hope you find it very rewarding.

[Mike Marttila]

@PenAndrew Thanks, Steve! And a belated welcome to you too!