Here’s a new segment to feature an abundance of talented Malaysian in all aspects related to art. It’s always refreshing to discover well-deserved underground artists sharing their artsy fartsy ideas. We would like to play our part in bringing up the art scene in Malaysia. Check out our first feature from @janggutbear who illustrates street style. Now let’s see @jatsuss views on his street culture interpretation.
Jat is a graphic designer based in Kuala Lumpur, he has been into illustration since secondary school but at that time he noticed there wasn’t much exposure about illustration. In his diploma days, he was inspired to keep on illustrating and practicing from zero to something. Besides art, he loves diving into thrift stores, take lomo photography shots and play local gigs with his friends. Currently, he’s focusing to release his band’s album soon. Although he graduated from art school, all the illustration made is self-taught. His art is mainly influenced by gaining library access, through sheikh google and references from several illustrator artist that he adores. Especially Tumblr.
“Self-taught need more motivation and communication because most of the time you need to motivate yourself to explore how to get those vector in detailing right and the choices of colours, even to find your own stroke is not easy as it seems.”
I find it cool how the youth are expressing the street culture lifestyle through their fashion, art design such as myself, design, music and especially sport. Everyone is embracing the street culture lifestyle with their own personal touch of aesthetic value that I like to capture in my designs. I represent these cool lads into art illustrations out of admiration.
As to his creative process, he first imagine and frame it out while looking for some references and start sketching randomly.
I study my favourite artists to learn their art process into my illustration, this is not copying but more of a learning process. It’s a benchmark so I can find my own stroke, in order for people to recognise my work from time to time. And yes, colouring is a very important process. Choosing the proper colours will pop up your illustration!
Despite his busy schedule, he spends 6 hours on weekdays while on weekends, he would dedicate Sunday to illustrate all day long. He also carries a small drawing book always. He illustrates for his own pleasure. But he’s up to do commission work or any specific project. So holla at your boi!
It’s an overwhelming feeling that everyone can relate to to have creative block . I have many visions that sometimes does not turn out visually as I expected. I get indecisive with so many options; colours, stroke and style. Sometimes, I spend long hours and end up deleting them. To draw inspirations, I play some classic Nate Dogg & Warren G music to ease the pain away. Haha.
Practice makes perfect. Don’t be shy to start out as you gain more knowledge along the way. Be happy with your illustration no matter how it turns out as long as it comes from the heart and mind. The important part is you need to know what are your visions and how it can influence people around you. I can’t please everyone. When criticism arrives, that is my real motivation. My motivation to polish my skills and gain something from my own hardship.
Stalk his art on Instagram: @jatsuss, Tumblr, Behance and Lomography page.
