How did you become an artist?

During the pandemic, I had to drop out of college (I was studying architecture) because I couldn't afford it (given the circumstances at the time). That's an important and happy story, because I wasn't studying what I wanted, but I didn't have the courage to leave college and my family's expectations behind, Because I lived in a city where there were no opportunities for artists, or anything artistic in general.

I've always admired the work of artists, how they managed to create worlds, people, and I wanted to do that. So once I left college, I set a goal for myself: to be an artist and be able to make a living from my work. I started in mid-2020. I didn't have enough skills to fulfill my dream at the time, but that didn't stop me. My routine wasn't very healthy because I was drawing almost 24/7. But I really, really wanted to excel. So, there was no Plan B.

I studied and practiced a lot, and I spent days feeling inadequate with my work, but I didn't let that get me down or demotivated me (sometimes it did, lmao). Instead, it motivated me to keep pushing. That's important when you're an artist: using comparison in a positive way.

I always wanted to tell something, and becoming an artist was a way to do it.

Where do you get inspiration?

What’s your hardware setup?

11-inch iPad Pro and an Apple Pencil whose tip I haven't changed in four years (I highly recommend the glass caps for the iPad).

What do you like best about Clip Studio Paint?

BRUSHES. I love textures, and Clip Studio Paint's brushes are not only so varied, but they also feel really creamy when I work with them. It's kind of hard to explain because they're digital, but they blend really well, they're so smooth, I don't know. They're just wonderful. Another thing I love about CSP is its 3D models; they're incredibly useful when you can't find a reference that looks like what you're thinking of (and when you also can't take good photos at good angles).

Although, in general terms, CSP is a very complete program for both beginner and professional artists. So I would highly recommend it to any artist (plus, it already has a simple version, so it's perfect for me since I'm not very good with technology).

How long does it take you to make a single illustration?

Probably 6 to 15 hours. I think it depends on the drawing and the level of detail I put into it. Now that I'm adding more detail to my work, it usually takes me at least 9 hours. These hours are spread out over a couple of weeks (when I'm at my fastest) because I'm a bit of a slow drawer. Although sometimes it takes me a whole month.

How has Clip Studio Paint improved your workflow?

I think the quality of my work improved as soon as I started using brushes as soft and creamy as those in Clip Studio Paint. I always try to make my art look like oil painting, or something similar, with a traditional feel, so CSP Studio helped me a lot in that regard. It's also easier for me to render when there are so many textures in the drawing that can work on their own (without the need for rendering).

Would you like to promote some recent project?

I'd like to promote my shop on INPRNT (https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/effi/), where I upload my work on Mexican gods and some fan art and art of my OCs. I'd also like to say that there will be news about my novel "Hesperia: Ballad of Flowers and Gods" soon.

Where can we follow your work?