Art War 3 Third Place 2D Winner: Kati StarSoulArt
Biggest inspiration when you started as an artist:
Space exploration! When I was young I was into a lot of astronomical subjects. I watched those Star Wars movies going “pew pew” so I wanted to go to space, explore stars, and encounter aliens. Then I grew up to realize that those movies are created. Going to space is not so “pew pew” anymore… so I might as well draw aliens instead.
Average number of layers when you paint:
Around 30, each has its purpose. I name all my layers!
Coffee or tea:
Tea. Coffee when I need an extra boost.
Good habits:
Always looking for meaningful changes.
Worst habit:
Random sleeping time. Not sure if I’m a night owl or a day owl.
Favorite movies:
Star Wars movies (except certain ones), Starship Troopers, Schindler’s List, The Pianist, The Shawshank Redemption, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, Coraline, Rango
Favorite games:
Starbound, Factorio, Infinity Blade, Bomberman, Megaman X series
Music while doing art:
Metal, Synthwave, military marches, games and movies soundtrack, classics
How to bounce back from a bad day:
Run until I’m exhausted, then do more art!
What is a good day:
The day that gives me opportunity to become a better artist. Which means every day!
Favorite quote:
“He’s no good to me dead.” – Boba Fett
Future goals:
> Make an art book of my own
> Meet Peter Mohrbacher in person
> Afford a Boba Fett costume. Flyable jetpack would be cool!
Can you introduce yourself?
Hi! I’m Kati Sarin Singhasaneh, or just Kati ‘StarSoulArt’ with my art name. I’m an animator that spent my college years drawing traditional animation on light tables and animate rigged characters in Maya. I continued another one-year diploma course at 3dsense Media School to improve my digital illustration skills. I recently settle myself as a freelancer (like two months ago) as well as looking for chances to participate in challenges and contests!
What got you into character art, when did it all start?
I’m exploring all kinds of style and genre at the moment, pretty much in the stage of finding myself. I like storytelling, so I’m trying to use it on character designing and it quickly becomes the form of creation I fell in love with. I enjoy the process of bringing inspirations and aesthetics into the characters, with all the possibilities to create stories that defines who they are.
What influences were the most responsible for your current art style?
My strongest influence is Peter Mohrbacher. I’m a fan of his Angelarium series and his art journey becomes my main motivation to keep pushing my art skills to higher levels. And yes if I have a chance, I wish I can meet him one day!
Other influences are my interests in science, history, and various genre aesthetics. I love steampunk, dieselpunk, outrun, pretty much anything with interwar or vintage technologies. Then again, I grew up with animation background, so my characters can be quite stylized with various use of shapes and movement.
How did you get to the level you are at today? Did you study in any particular way you would recommend?
I mostly self-taught digital painting during my animation college years until I reached the limit where I struggled to improve further alone. It was much later that I learn the science behind rendering fundamentals from the digital illustration course. After that, I’m able to overcome my talents with proper understanding, plus work even harder, to reach this level.
I learned it the hard way during the course, but it’s only then that I begin to accept reality and appreciate how and why things work the way it works. In other words, no matter how surreal or fantasy I want my designs to be it is always important to study real life references to keep them believable and relatable.
How did you begin the process of creating your piece? What was your inspiration?
This is my first time in the Art War challenge, so I went for my favorite theme: space! I decided to play around with the science concept of gravity and how planets revolve around the Sun. It’s a universal idea we can relate to, and the rest becomes my responsibility to make it interesting.
I also drew studies of vintage steampunk objects to explore their aesthetics and mech joints to understand some simple body mechanics before starting the actual character design. It was my attempt on a sci-fi concept with brass technology in hopes of bringing some ethereal feels to the character. My research inspiration comes from an orrery and vintage diving suits. Why diving? Well, we dive in space!
What was your biggest hurdle during the process? What did you do to overcome it?
I spent most of my time exploring the character concept and there was not much time left for the illustration part. I was really panicking that I wouldn’t be able to finish it. So instead of going for something ambitious, I went for a simpler composition. It’s better to complete one single character than ended up with an unfinished battle scene. This way I can focus on making better choices for other important elements in the illustration and making sure the character’s power is clearly shown to give it the most impact.
If you had to do it over would you do it differently? Why?
I think I’ll go with no. My hurdle had already made me do things differently and probably for the better. Giving myself more time to explore the concept was the reason my character had a solid idea and design aesthetics. A simple but well-rendered illustration for this character would still be a good choice for the purpose of showcasing my character design.
Moreover, I can always continue to develop my character concept in my own time if I wish to. I would rather use the lessons I learned from this contest and make changes for the next opportunity!
Why the villain or hero?
Most of the time I come up with a character theme first then it naturally comes to me if he is a hero or a villain. THETA is a living star, which relates to how we symbolize the Sun in a heroic manner. However, if possible I prefer not to pick sides for characters. Like us, characters just fight for what they believe in.
What do you think the Art War 3 challenge experience taught you, and would you participate again next year if you could?
I’ll never doubt myself again, ever! I’m trying to improve my confidence by entering these challenges. It’s easy to tell myself just go in there and give it my best effort. However, if it wasn’t for my right mindset, I won’t have these learning experiences because I wouldn’t even be here!
So, more Art War for me? I’ll go with yes! It’s interesting to see how artists come up with new characters and grow from their past contests and I’m interested to see mine too. Also, I can meet new artists!
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?
Most of the advice is from my lecturers where some of them are meant especially for me:
- Progress is not only about your skill levels it is also about having the right mindset.
- Don’t compare yourself with others. Stay focus on your art journey.
- Art and science support each other. There’s art in science, and there’s also science in art.
- Being inspired by concepts done by other artists only let you experience part of what they have experienced. Remember that our world is the biggest library you can search for inspirations.
- Be positive!
Success comes with self-discipline.
It creates good habits and strengthens your mind to appreciate doing challenging tasks because you have a purpose. It’s my way of getting things done with proper mindset to do more art!
Any final thoughts?
To be honest, being one of the winners still caught me in a surreal state. I’m just so happy I made it this far! Thank you all the judges and Cubebrush staff members that made this challenge happen and I wish everyone all the best in the next challenges onward. As for me, I’ll continue doing my best and keep exploring more possibilities to progress towards my dream!
Follow Kati StarSoulArt here:
Check out her full entry here:
The Making of here.