Ánh Tuyết, Illustrator

Introduction

In this insightful interview, we delve into the artistic journey of Ánh Tuyết, a talented illustrator from Vietnam. From her beginnings in graphic design to her love for digital art, Ánh Tuyết shares her inspirations, creative process, and the themes that define her work. With a diverse range of influences and a passion for exploring new styles, she brings a fresh perspective to her illustrations. 

Join us as we explore her project, “Three Regions of Vietnam,” and uncover the stories behind her vibrant and captivating artwork.

Background and Inspiration

Can you tell us a bit about your journey into digital art?

I studied graphic design at Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture. To serve my field of study, I learned digital painting to be able to carry out my projects better and easier, and from there I started to love and become an illustrator

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What inspired you to become a digital artist?

I have long loved digital art drawings for their sharpness and vivid screen colors. I really like to imagine and digital art helps me express those ideas more easily. The convenience of digital art brings me when I can easily edit my paintings as well as freely create the ideas in my head wherever I want.

Who are some of your artistic influences and favorite artists (digital or otherwise)?

There are many artists I love, most of them are Vietnamese such as Bao Pham, Tamypu, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Xuan Loc Xuan,…. there are many other artists I love too many to mention.

As an artist based in Vietnam, are local art scenes, events, or communities particularly inspiring your personal creations?

Vietnamese art groups on Facebook such as Vietnam Local Artist Group, VẼ MINH HỌA  – Illustration have inspired me a lot when they organize illustration contests for artists to participate and learn from each other.There are many beautiful pictures shared there

Creative Process

Could you describe your typical creative process from ideation to completion? 

I think my creative process is very basic. When I have an idea, I write it down, then start looking for documents to research the structure of things I don’t understand clearly, and then sketch. Make many sketches and then choose the best one to color and complete the work.

Do you have any favorite software, tools, or techniques that you rely on in your work?

Photoshop has helped me a lot to do my work, it allows me to edit more easily with the ctrl+Z button, I think it has also helped other artists a lot

How do you stay motivated and overcome creative blocks?

I simply think that if I want to draw something, I just put the pen down and draw, it doesn’t matter if it’s ugly or beautiful, just hold the pen and start drawing and slowly ideas will come to me. If I feel tired, I will stop drawing for a while, and go here and there, contacting nature more. Nature is an endless source of inspiration for artists and it also helps our minds relax and open your mind

Style and Themes

Many digital artists have a unique style. How would you describe your artistic style and the themes you often explore in your work?

As you can see, I don’t draw in a fixed style. I’m young and there are many drawing styles I want to try and explore and learn. Each style of drawing helps me understand myself better.

The topics I often draw are related to Vietnam and children’s books because I really like cute and funny drawings.

Is there a recurring message or story you try to convey through your designs?

I really love my hometown’s clothes and cuisine, I hope I can bring its beauty to more people

“Three Regions of Vietnam” Project

Let’s dive into a specific project of yours. Can you share some details of the Three Regions of Vietnam?

I used this project to participate in a drawing contest with their theme being Vietnam in your eyes. You know, it’s a great opportunity to have previous artists comment on my paintings, so I drew this painting to enter the competition, that’s how this painting was born.

What is the story behind this project?

This project draws on dishes that I think are typical in 3 regions of Vietnam. Our country is divided into three regions and each region has wonderful dishes. The north has phở bò, the central region has bún bò huế, and the south has cơm tấm. The girls cooking the dishes all wear typical costumes of each region

Can you describe the key elements and techniques used in this project?

I used faux oil paint brushes to give the painting a slightly antique feel, but still modernized by using vibrant colors and shine effects to make the characters and dishes stand out.

Challenges and Achievements

Every artist faces challenges. Can you tell us about a specific artistic challenge you’ve overcome and how you did it?

I think the paintings I draw are quite similar to other artists and are quite dependent on references. Every day I am still learning and finding my own unique way of drawing. The more I draw, the more I realize which way of drawing suits me better, which way of drawing makes me feel more comfortable and happy.

What’s been one of your most significant achievements or milestones in your artistic journey?

I don’t have any outstanding achievements, I think I’m quite lucky to have many people love my paintings. I think my paintings are not too sublime or special, but they suit everyone’s tastes and can be used to decorate their stores, making them more beautiful and attractive.

Advice for Aspiring Artists

What advice do you have for aspiring digital artists just starting their creative journey?

Just draw what you like, don’t be afraid of drawing it wrong or not looking good. This is not an easy journey filled with flowers, but it is definitely a journey full of fun and surprises if you are passionate about learning about it.

How do you balance your artistic pursuits with other aspects of life, like work and family?

Actually, I still haven’t completely balanced it yet. You know every time we solve this problem, a new problem arises. I’m just trying to recognize my mistakes from the things I’ve gone through to do better in the following jobs

Future Goals

What are your future artistic goals, or is there a particular project or theme you’d like to explore in the future?

There are many types of painting and styles I want to explore in the future such as mixed media, I also want to practice drawing with more traditional mediums such as watercolor and acrylic.

Do you have any upcoming exhibitions, collaborations, or projects you’d like to share with your audience?

In the near future, I will do a project to draw more dishes, not just stopping at Vietnam, but I hope I can experience drawing a lot of dishes from other countries around the world.

Conclusion

As we conclude this enlightening interview, we’ve delved into the remarkable journey of Ánh Tuyết, a visionary illustrator whose fusion of traditional Vietnamese culture and modern digital artistry has crafted a unique narrative. From her beginnings in graphic design to her evolution into a digital artist, Ánh Tuyết’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in the pursuit of artistic excellence.

With a diverse portfolio that explores themes of Vietnamese culture and cuisine, Ánh Tuyết stands as a beacon of creativity in the Vietnamese art scene. As she looks ahead to future projects and collaborations, the future promises exciting ventures from this talented illustrator. 

Stay tuned to Ánh Tuyết’s journey on her Instagram and Behance as she continues to shape the landscape of Vietnamese digital art with her unparalleled creativity and dedication.