Today we’d like to introduce you to Xuan Liu.
Hi Xuan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Drawing and Painting are things I never cease to do since I was young and able to hold a pen. I think the desire that motivated me to draw is the desire for freedom and creation. Before I became a professional illustrator I worked and studied in many other fields like landscape design, Industry Design. After going around, I still like painting the most. I feel since I’m lucky to know what I always love to do, I should stick to it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I never expected it to be easy to be a good illustrator. The challenges you would need to deal with are unstable income, communicating with clients all by yourself, finding your best workflows, building your studio, and keep working alone for a long time. As a freelancer, I think the most difficult part is promoting yourself to let the clients find you to make the business. Anyway, I think the most important thing for people in the art industry is to persist in what they do and keep an open mind at the same time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an illustrator, I like to play with a variety of mediums. In my series Alien, I combine monotype, and digital techniques to create layered images. I use a digital brush to simulate the texture of real media. I am more of an experimental researcher, studying media, techniques, and new ways of expression. When the right subject or inspiration comes to me, I make sure that I use the most appropriate style and technique to portray the core of my work. I’m currently focusing on doing editorial illustrations and picture books. I also aspire with murals, ceramics, printmaking, and other forms of art creation.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Covid-19 has caused a huge impact on almost everyone’s life. I have already been very grateful that me and my family, and friends got through this pandemic safely. During this pandemic, the lockdown and quarantine made it harder to get connected with people. You need to spend a huge amount of time with yourself and sometimes that drives depression. I would say the ability to stay optimistic is very important during a difficult time. Don’t let the outside destroy your motivation. Keep an optimistic mindset in the first place, I believe it’s easier to make good things happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://xuanliu.art/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xuanillu/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/xuanillu
Image Credits
personal photo credit: Carmen Zhou
