Fanartivation Interview with Tripperfunster
| Interviews by Fans | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Fanartivation Interview with Tripperfunster |
| Interviewer: | |
| Interviewee: | Tripperfunster |
| Date(s): | August 11, 2011 |
| Medium: | online |
| Fandom(s): | many fandoms including Harry Potter, Megamind, and Star Trek |
| External Links: | online here, Archived version |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Tripperfunster Interview with Tripperfunster was posted to Fanartivation in 2011.
"Not only can she convey tender moments through her works, she could also draw squicky moments and make them look good. ;)"
This interview contains examples of the artist's work and their comments about them.
Part of a Series
Some Excerpts
I started out ONLY in pencil. I honestly had no idea how to branch out. I didn’t understand colour. (and I still don’t in a lot of ways) but I saw a VERY simple (like five step) tutorial on how to colour with crayons, done by a friend of mine on livejournal, and something just clicked. I was like … I CAN DO THIS! Since then I’ve branched out to crayon, pastel, watercolour, ink and pencil crayons. I probably do my most realistic work with pencils, but I think I like my pastel and/or pencil crayon stuff more.
Fandom inspires me. Good movies, good stories, good fan fiction, good music. I’m a very visual person, and it’s just natural to want to put things down on paper. Artistically, I don’t really have any specific influences. Of course, I’m influenced by many different artists (more fandom ones than ‘real’ ones.) But not really one person in particular. I think it also depends on the fandom I’m in. I am naturally drawn to people who use traditional media, like I do. I guess I understand the process, therefore, I find it more interesting. I would LOVE to be a good digital artist, but sadly, I’ve yet to have a real epiphany with my tablet. I must say, that I have found most fan artists to be wonderfully GENEROUS people. I have had such great luck getting tips and help and beta work from fandom peeps. Not to mention support. It is always such a thrill to have somebody that you admire stop in and comment on your work. What an honour!
Oh my, I don’t find being diverse like that a challenge at all! I’ve often joked that you can track the content of my artwork with my ovulation. There are times that I just want to draw porn porn porn, and others when I’m all cuddly and sappy, and other times it’s just biting sarcasm.As for the squick, ugly people are more fun to draw! Not to make fun of them, but they just have way more interesting faces (and bodies!) than slim, nice looking people. My very favourite ‘squick’ art is Sphincter Lickin’ Good (NC-17, Dumbledore/Filch).
I guess I just like to draw unlikely people doing ‘normal’ things. I mean, I’m sure old guys rim each other all the time, but you usually just see young good looking ones do it. (if you’re lucky.)
I honestly don’t know why I have such a penchant for Dumbledore and Filch, but I really do! Here's another one (NC-17, Dumbledore/Filch).
And my squick is not limited to the HP universe. Oh no! :D There’s Phineas and Ferb (NC-17). Okay, is that squick or humour? I fail to see the difference.
I probably draw squick in every fandom I’m in. And some I’m not. Oh yeah, Arby’s glove/Hamburger Helper mitt is HAWT!!
Practice, practice, practice. But not because you have to. Geez, I wouldn’t have improved this much if I didn’t LOVE drawing. I seriously draw every single day, because I’m grumpy when I don’t.Also? Suck up to people! No, really. When I was new in fandom, I had a few favourite authors who I just adored. So I drew them stuff. Just illustrations from their fics, because they had inspired me. I never would have believed that these people would have become my good friends. A couple of years ago, I was attending an HP convention in San Francisco. Raewhit (Joanwilder) and DementorDelta drove me from the airport to the hotel. Me, in a car with my two fav Snarry authors. NO EFFIN’ WAY!
See? Sucking up totally pays off. Do the same with artists that you like. Ask them questions, comment on their work. I am still in awe that not only did I teach a crayon tutorial at that same San Fran convention, but in that class were: (and here’s where I name drop) Glockgal, AcidBurn, Lizardspots, Tbranch (who is dead sexy, btw) and a bunch of other people who WERE fandom, in my opinion. It was such an honour to meet and hang out with these people.
And also? Don’t be intimidated or discouraged by people that you think are better than you. You have something unique and special to offer. Really, if my goal was to be the best fandom artist out there, I’ve failed miserably. But think of all the Dumblefore/Filch porn that would never have seen the light of day if I hadn’t picked up a pencil. :D