AB Artist Feature: Zippy!
Hello and welcome to my second artist feature! This time, I sat down with Zippy who was kind enough to answer my questions and allow me a peek into her life as an artist! Her commissions are currently open and she is still on the fence about being a member of the Anthro community, but she is really happy to be an artist and to just draw what she enjoys! She is in her final year of art school and has plenty of great advice, so please take a moment to read through her interview below!
How long have you been drawing in the general sense?
I’ve been drawing since I was a kid, but professionally for about 5 years now.
How long have you been doing digital art?
I started doing digital art when I had my first laptop! I’d draw on the touchpad with my finger in MS paint. I was obsessed with making stick figure levels because I used to play flash games, namely one called Fancy Pants. All I wanted to do was make my own stickperson level! Eventually I would start scanning in photos of drawings I drew on paper and I’d colour them in. It was really fun!
What was your first digital art tablet? What was good about it, what was bad?
I got my first tablet when I was in high school. It was a bamboo draw one and I loved it. I found it kind of hard to use at first, but that was mainly because I was learning new drawing software. Once I started watching speed-paints of other artists on YouTube, I got way better! It was a great tablet for beginners because of the cheap price, but now I don’t believe it’s sold anymore. The only bad thing I can think of is how flimsy the cord was for it. I would constantly have to order new ones.
Do you consider yourself a furry? Or do you just enjoy the Anthro community for theart and characters?
I guess I do, that’s kind of been a joke I make a lot. I’ve been on and off about wanting to be seen as a "furry." I like the friends I’ve made, the clients I draw for, and the art I create; but I also feel like a lot of the community isn’t for me. Whenever I witness bad things happening, I feel like taking a step back from it all. I know there are many awful people in all types of communities, but I still can’t help but feel a detachment from claiming to be a furry because a lot of it still makes me uncomfortable. I just like to draw what I draw.
Animals mean a lot to me and I’ve been passionate about animal science and behavior for as long as I can remember, so of course I’m not surprised I’ve found this community. I know that it’s a niche thing and I don’t regret being a part of it! I used to get mocked a lot as a kid/adult in art school about it (in a friendly and not so friendly way) and honestly, I kind of just don’t care anymore. I draw what I want to draw!
What brought you to the Anthro community?
Deviantart used to be the main place I posted my art online. It started to change, and an internet friend at the time convinced me to try out another website. It was where I learned there were other people who liked to draw anthros too! I stayed and eventually started drawing commissions for random people! Everyone was really nice.
Who is your favorite artist? What do you admire about them?
It’s so impossible for me to pick a favorite artist right now. I obsess over many. One of the artists I constantly go back to for an inspiration boost has to be Lilaira because of their deliciously original content!! They are one of the rare few who posts their sketches online, which I find to be so much more interesting than completed artwork!
If you could give one piece of advice to new artists, what would it be?
Try not to compare yourself. It’s okay to want to grow and be successful, but try to let yourself be a kid and draw for fun. I think a lot of teens / kids / new artists these days see art as a career, which is great! But it will burn you out if you market yourself constantly. I was lucky not to have internet access growing up, I think it helped me learn to draw without the crippling fear of comparing myself to others who are better.
I also think that you shouldn’t feel obligated to draw, or obligated to post online. These days it’s harder and harder for an artist to grow because of how popular drawing is! It’snot a race, your artist friends are not competition. Be friends! Learn from each other, it’s okay. Finally, art is something anyone can learn with hard work. You don’t need school or cool connections.
What are your art goals?
I want to become a character designer. But right now my main goal is to graduate my final year of art school, I just want to survive. I’m going into backgrounds, and I don’t feel very secure about it. I don’t know if it was the right choice or not. I just hope I’ll be okay!
If you could master any art skill overnight, what would it be?
Probably gesturing and thumbnailing. Two very important steps! Sometimes I feel like I can knock that out with no problem. But other times I feel stuck. I just want to be consistent.
Tell me a little known fact about yourself!
I’m actually terrified of making friends!! I feel like it’s really hard for me to belong, sothat’s why it means a lot when people let me into their circles! 🙂
And there you have it! The second artist feature and a little peek behind the scenes of another wonderful artist in our vast community. Always remember to be kind to the artists you meet and that they are people too! If you have any questions, or would like to participate in a future artist feature, please send an email to Mariah@AnthroBrand.com. A big thanks to Zippy for participating and to you for reading!
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