Art War 3 Second Place 2D Winner: Adrian Pickthall
Biggest inspiration when you started as an artist: Tim Walker (photographer)
Average number of layers when you paint: Anything between 1 and 50
Coffee or tea: Coffee
Good habits: Being enthusiastic about anything new
Worst habit: Eating Marmite while working (my graphic tablet doesn’t like it).
Favorite movies: In Bruges, Terminator, Adam’s Apples, Rear window, La Haine, Donnie Darko
Favorite games: Dark Souls series to master zen attitude
Monster Hunter for team building
Music while doing art: I like to listen to anything as long as it reflects what I’m working on
How to bounce back from a bad day: Being with friends or family before the end of the day, to save a day from being too bad.
What is a good day: A day with the feeling of accomplishment
Favorite quote: “Just do it.” Nike, Goddess of Victory
Future goals: Working with and learning from professionals, more specifically on character design or keyshots.
Can you introduce yourself?
I wander the internet under the handle Innocent Prime, I’ve been doing digital painting for 3 years.
In real life, I work freelance as an art director and graphic designer, doing mostly branding for clients in the architecture and fashion industries.
What got you into character art, when did it all start?
It started like this:
What influences were the most responsible for your current art style?
In high-school a friend asked me if I wanted to recreate my drawings on a larger scale. Hell yes! And so began 8 years of graffiti, exploring lettering and illustration with different media. Street art developed my curiosity for typography and classical painting (fresco). This encounter initiated my career.
During my studies, photography taught me everything from lighting, framing, storytelling and drawing inspiration from random daily life. It also allowed me to set up my own references. Cooking and fashion photography in particular made me realize the power of visual appeal.
How did you get to the level you are at today? Did you study in any particular way you would recommend?
I draw constantly. Even when I’m taking notes, I will doodle a drop cap or come up with an interesting layout.
Otherwise, 5 years of design studies. During the first year we were not allowed to use computers. It changes everything when you develop the habit to think and organize before acting. There’s no undo button.
At the end of the first year, less than 50% of the students continue the courses. Eventually you develop a strong sense of competition and hard work, but you also learn to team up with others.
How did you begin the process of creating your piece? What was your inspiration?
Some lyrics inspired me. See the Making of;^)
What was your biggest hurdle during the process? What did you do to overcome it?
Staying consistent. You always want to add or change something, eventually losing the root of your concept. I almost rendered the whole character without placing the core inside, which is the visual hook of the villain. Deep breath, redo it from scratch. Ultimately I could reuse the first iteration as a high-pass for the rendering.
If you had to do it over would you do it differently? Why?
For sure I’ll use this character again, and I’ll make it evolve.
This is a really cruel question to ask.
Why the villain or hero?
Something to do with “Nice guys finish last”...
What do you think the Art War 3 challenge experience taught you, and would you participate again next year if you could?
In general, the hardest part for me was staying consistent. I always want to add or change something, eventually blurring the root of the initial concept. For Scylla von Blaast, the transparency was the biggest challenge. Half way into the final illustration I realized my current method would not render the desired effect. Deep breath, redo it from scratch. Sometimes it’s the cleaner solution.
Do you have any tips or advice for aspiring artists out there who might be looking to get to your level one day? What's your recipe for success?
I try to keep studying. I find myself new subjects, explore them and build bridges between them.
As for the recipe, let’s go with the cooking metaphor: At first you will struggle to find the right ingredients, the right temperature, maybe your guests will not like your dish.
Eventually, after some hard work, you make better choices, refine your taste, to get a satisfying result. Finally, you start creating freely and your guests enjoy whatever you serve.
Work, experiment, consider your audience, find something you want to share and express it in the right way. And then work some more.
I don’t know if it’s the recipe for success, but for sure it helps develop your assertiveness.
Any final thoughts?
Thank you for making this contest happen Cubebrush. Cubebrushers, don’t give up the vibe!
Passerby, thanks for your interest. See you around on the next Art War, and until then: Bon appétit.
Still reading?
You are courageous. Is it already Art War 4?
Come by and say hi in our threads. It not Art War season? No problem, you can reach me here: