Metal Illustrator: Interview with Caelan Stokkermans
Caelan Stokkermans, Vocalist for Ascent Of Apophis. He’s also Illustrator. On this post, Caelan Stokkermans gave us some information about Him Career
as Illustrator. Check it out.
Please
give a brief introduction of yourself, your career and your work.
My name is Caelan Stokkermans,
I am a graphic designer and illustrator over at Caelan Stokkermans Arts. I have
been creating artwork for the music industry for about 3 years now. My artwork
features mostly fantastical landscapes, creatures and objects. I bring in many
different types of styles such as abstract, surreal and realism. I try to
create a sense of awe and wonder in the viewer with my work. I enjoy creating a
story or concept for the artwork that the viewer can then expand upon with
their own imagination.
When
did realize you wanted to make a career out of illustrating?
I started out creating art for
fun in my spare time. Mostly just doodles in a sketchbook, I never thought I
would make a career out of it. My first introduction to professionally making
art was through a friend’s band that at the time was called Vim Nibby (now The
Grievance Club). I made a concept sketch that an other artists then took and
made into the final digital version. This was the seed that eventually grew
into what I do now. The realization came when I started up a page for sharing
art I made digitally on my phone. I started getting requests for logos and
artwork which made me realize I should do this professionally. Without that
initial commission though I would never have thought to share my art.
Decimated Humans - Dismantling the Decomposed Entities. Cover Art by Caelan Stokkermans. Listed on this Blog as Best Death Metal Cover in April 2016.
What difficulties have you
faced in transitioning into becoming a professional illustrator?
Initially I did photo
manipulation for a majority of my artwork. The switch to painting and
illustrating was difficult because I had to go back to the basics and
essentially relearn everything I thought I knew about creating artwork. I still
use photo manipulation to get a general idea of what I want and as a reference
but a majority of what I create is illustrated. I am very glad I made the jump
to illustration because it forced me to improve and redefine myself as an
artist. The end result was much better pieces and a more unique style with my
art.
Raze the Void - Obsolescence. Artwork by Caelan Stokkermans. Listed on this Blog as Best Melodic Death Metal Cover in May 2016.
What do you like the most about
illustrating?
What I most enjoy about
illustrating is the depth and detail required to make it look amazing.
Especially with metal artists, the amount of details is mindblowing and results
in these fantastic creations. I also enjoy how you are able to put more of your
own unique style into your work with illustration. With photo manipulation
sometimes you are limited to what you can find with stock. Illustration allows
one to control everything about the art from the perspective to the
composition.
Misanthropic Cleansing, Split Album between Visceral Hatred and Human Devourer. Artwork by Caelan Stokkermans.
What do you like the least
about it?
Sometimes illustrating can be
very tedious and time consuming. The amount of time spent on a single
illustrated piece is much more than what I would spend on a photo manipulation
piece. It’s also rather difficult to correct and rearrange the piece as freely
as you can with photo manipulation. Despite this the result is for illustration
versus photo manipulation (at least with my work) much more spectacular and
really shows how much work you have put into it.
Ascent of Apophis - The Antikythera Mechanism. Artwork by Caelan Stokkermans.
Who are some of your main
artistic inspirations and why?
I draw a lot of inspiration
from illustrators of Magic The Gathering. Peter Morbacher, Noah Bradley and
Raymond Swanland are among my favorite. Their work reflects my own where they
create storylines to their work as well as fantastic creatures, deities and environments
that inspire awe in the viewer. I also draw a lot of inspiration from artists
of the metal genre such as Dan Seagrave, Ken Sarafin, Par Olofsson and Dan
Mumford. These are the artists that I usually see gracing the covers of my
favorite bands and I could stare for hours at the detailing in their work. Ken
Sarafin is actually the one who helped me and is still helping me learn how to
illustrate. I draw a lot of influence from his more abstract style and color
composition.
Ascent Of Apophis - Apotheosis. Artwork by Caelan Stokkermans.
What is the best advice you
have ever received regarding your artwork and career?
This isn’t as much as advice I
received from someone but more something I observed of the industry I work in
and artists I admire. I observed that some people create art for the sake of
creating art and others create it for profit. I realized that what separated
the great artists from the mediacore was the philosophy in which you approach
creating artwork. Instead of mass producing a ton of decent work with the goal
of selling it to bands I decided to do art first and making profit second. This
was one of the driving forces behind my decision to learn illustrating and the
re-branding of my company to Caelan Stokkermans Arts. I wanted to create art
for the same reason I created doodles in my sketchbook. A creative outlet for
all the stories and ideas I am always coming up with in my head and not because
I would make money.
Alexander Sévigny - Travels in Mind by Caelan Stokkermans
What are some of your goals for
the future?
I plan on improving more and
more on my illustrating and developing more of a unique style. I also would
like to start working with some larger bands and record labels. Mostly I am
just enjoying the success I have achieved thus far and looking forward to
whatever is to come for CSA.
Sentient - Sentient by Caelan Stokkermans.
Do you have a philosophy behind
your work?
My philosophy for art is to
create artwork for the sake of creating art. Create something you are proud of
and wouldn’t want to give away to anyone who doesn’t deserve it. Put in the
time and energy and always innovate and reinvent yourself as an artist because
that’s the best way to improve. Art is taking the inner world of our minds and
manifesting it in visual form.
Any last words.
You can check me out on
Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Behance. I am currently working on building a
new website but have all my most recent work on my current site. I will provide
links below. Thank you for everyone who has supported my art and I shall have
some exciting new pieces for your viewing pleasure soon!
Caelan Stokkermans:
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