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Interview with
Michael Yazijian
Featured Artist for July 2001
Would you introduce yourself and give a little personal background?
My name is Michael Yazijian. But most people refer to me as "Yaz" since
there are usually a few other Mikes in the room! I have been trained
traditionally in illustration and graphic design but more and more I find
myself creating digital paintings. It's fun replacing traditional brushes
with digital ones.
How long have you been an artist? How long have you been creating fantasy art?
I have been drawing as long as I remember, but I have been doing freelance
work since 1997. Most of the time I create fantasy art as an alternative to
my usual commercial illustration work.
Have you had any formal training in the fine arts?
Yes, I graduated from the Illustration & Design program in 1999.
It was an intense college program (3-4 years) that taught everything ranging
from fine arts to 3D animation.
What are your biggest artistic influences and inspirations?
I am influenced the most by the Old Master painters. My top 3 favorites are
Caravaggio, Velazquez and Bouguereau. I admire them because of the richness
of the colors they used and the realism of their paintings. I also get
inspired by reading vampire/horror books and let my imagination torment me
(grin).
Can you describe your creative process - how you come up with ideas for a new drawing and how you take those ideas and create a finished piece of art.
I like challenging myself. I usually try to create something original or
difficult that I haven't done before (sometimes that is the hardest part).
Once I am inspired by an idea, I sketch it down immediately. Then I refine
the drawing, scan it in and then I paint away in Photoshop and Painter. If
it is a realistic piece, I surround myself with reference paintings, photos
and other sketches. Then I paint away until I am satisfied with it. I then
show it around for some critique and then come back and do the corrections.
Do you have a favorite fantasy artist or an artist you admire?
There are too many to mention but Brom is my favorite fantasy artist. I also
admire Craig Mullins, a digital painting master, for his diversity and
flexibility as an artist.
What advice would you give to young artists who are just starting out?
Take constructive criticism in order to improve your work. Keep practicing
everyday until you reach a level of quality that you want to achieve.
Believe in yourself. Ask lots of questions about art and techniques. And
whatever you do, don't give up. And finally, to quote of my teachers: 'Ego's
will limit you...you will stop learning if you think you're all that.'
If you could be a character from a fantasy novel, movie or game, who would you be?
Definitely a villain, because I always root for the bad guy... let's face
it, they are always cooler (laughs)! Probably some dark mysterious
character, like an immortal vampire or an avenging angel of death. I wouldn't
mind being someone like the evil Emperor Sidious from Star
Wars...mouhahaha...
Finally, what cartoons did you watch as a kid?
He-Man, G.I. Joe, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, X-men...wait a
minute...X-men was in my early teens...(laughs)....I better zip it now. :)
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