How did you become an artist?

Ah well, I've been drawing since I have a memory. I just never quit. It helped me through difficult times and paid the bills. Drawing is where I find my personal space. I was a solitary introverted kid and I found a refugee in my imagination. I had to learn to live between that and the real world, it was too tempting to stay on the clouds.

Where do you get inspiration?

Everywhere. Observing people. Watching movies. Going through personal experiences. Sharing time with the people I love. Seeing other artists work. Reading comics.

What’s your hardware setup?

I work on a Cintiq 24HD touch and an old Macbook.

What do you like best about Clip Studio Paint?

Everything about it! Drawing feels natural. The tools are specifically designed for the needs of a comic artist. It never crashes. It just feels great to freely sketch using CSP. And the files are much lighter than using other programs.

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

It really depends. I adapt to the specific needs of the job. Sometimes I'm looking for something fresh and loose, and I can finish a drawing in about 30 minutes. If we are talking about comics, the process is longer because it requires planning. From storyboard to a finished colored page it can take me a day of work (8 hours) or sometimes more, depending on its complexity.

Would you consider Clip Studio Paint an industry tool?

Of course! I think the only reason why there's not more people in the industry using it today is because for years there were other programs that conquered the market, but I feel these programs are not as reliable and specialized as CSP, and CSP keeps getting better and better!

Would you like to promote some recent project?

My first work in the comic industry was a science fiction series of 4 books named Warship Jolly Roger, based on characters I created. You can find them online, to buy them physically or read them online. A new book is coming out next year named Providing for Humanity, based on a short novel of the best seller Chinese author Cixin Liu.

Where can we follow your work?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikimontllo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikimontllo/
Behance: https://www.behance.net/mikimontllo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikimontllo
Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/mikimontllo

*** Miki is doing a #Giveaway with us! Reach his post on Instagram, follow him, @graphixly and leave a comment. Winners of Clip Studio Paint Pro will be announced on September 27, good luck! ***