Can you give us an overview of your art process..?

These days, I work 100% digital. A year ago I was still sketching and inking on paper, then scan it and color it on the computer. Now, the whole sketching and inking part happens directly on Photoshop (I keep them on separate layers). Then I lay down the flat colors, make some rough tones, and finally blend the colors.

Once the image is fully rendered, I experiment with the brightness/contrast, tweak the levels a bit, until I get my desired effect. I might go back to doing the initial drawing on paper, though, as my eyes seem to suffer a lot from staring at the monitor for long hours.

And what about the tools you use..?

Let's see, I got my 3H pencil for rough sketching, an HB pencil for tighter penciling, Unipins point 01, 03, 05, and 08 for inking lines, a broad-tipped Pentel marker for filling in blacks, a Staedtler eraser, Corona A4 copy paper, and a light-box. But as I become more proficient with the PC, all these traditional tools are gradually falling to disuse.

These days, I do artworks 100% digital, from the rough sketching down to the final coloring, it's all done with the computer. It's lamentable, but it's 'Evolve or Die' right now. Who knows, I might get back to traditional tools once I've covered the whole digital illustration thing.

When you're not creating digital abstracts or in front of the computer what do you do?

I try to get a life. I hang out with real people and get real conversations that have nothing to do with my work. I sponge off the latest movies, books, video games, etc. that interest me, not to get inspired or anything, but just to let those ideas fester in my head. Once in a while, I go out and listen to some bands, drink myself silly, and make a proper fool of myself. On the off-chance that Jupiter aligns with Mars, I go surfing.

OK. This is a series of favorites. Favorite movie..?

I'm no movie buff, but I sure have a lot of favorites... For overall giddyness: Amelie and Hayao Miyazaki movies. For fantastic screenwriting: Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind and Lost In Translation. For superb art direction: Moulin Rouge. For depth and meaning: Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Waking Life. For cool factor: Leon a.k.a. The Professional and Guy Ritchie movies (except Swept Away. Ugh). For the closet jologs in all of us: Maging Sino Ka Man.

Favorite artist..?

Paul Pope's energetic comics linework, Akihiko Yoshida's intricate concept art, and Hayao Miyazaki's whimsical animation.

Favorite music..? The soundtrack while you're working..?

Being a commercial artist, the art styles I apply on projects vary. So does the music I use as a soundtrack while I'm working. If I'm working on something light-hearted, I go for bossa nova or chill out. If it's something fun I'm working on, I bring out the Jamiroquai. For moody projects, there's alternative rock, with Red Hot Chili Peppers occupying a significant chunk of the playlist. I'll listen to anything, depending on the vibe I need for a certain project. I'll touch anything except Country.

Favorite book..?

The Kama Sutra. Naw, just kidding, it's The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. I've read stuff by Chuck Palahniuk, Alex Garland, J.K. Rowling, and Neil Gaiman, and I absolutely love their stuff. But for some reason, nothing hits me as much as The Alchemist, no other novel connects with me as well as this one. Now excuse me while I crumple in a corner and cry :D

And your favorite website..?

Let's see... there's CGTalk.com and deviantart. And google, the best research tool for artists. Ever.

GOOGLE indeed. But wait do artists search online for inspiration these days..? I thought they get in touch with nature or something..?

Hahahaha yeah, I myself am into some nature-tripping shit these days, getting as far away from anything digital as much as possible. But yeah, I still search google every now and then for new art, product design, web interfaces, fonts, etc. And when I have an illustration project that requires a bit of research, nothing beats google's 'search images' function (god, I sound like a cheesy testimonial, but it's true).

Getting a tad bit personal, but I can't let this interview pass without asking you who you think the sexiest woman is...

My relationship demands that I answer "My Girlfriend" (no surprise there). That aside, the next sexiest woman for me is Jessica Alba, beating Angel Locsin and pre-Brad-Pitt Angelina Jolie by a hair. I dare not put down what I'd give up to have her lest I incriminate myself further.

Ah... tough and sweet girl I presume. Does she have a website, a blog site we can link here..? That is if you don't mind of course.

She used to keep a blog that she hasn't updated in ages and I think she'd be hesitant to have it publicized anyway so, sorry, can't give it out.

But don't worry, she's real, I've seen her pictures in Friendster. She does have an odd resemblance to Kristin Kreuk of Smallville, though. And her webcam hasn't been available since we started having a relationship but I don't mind, I'm sure she loves me.

Or by 'MY Girlfriend' you mean that old internet email circulating the 'net before... the MY GirlFriend version 1.00 / Wife version 1.00 story... : ]

Hahahahahaha :D just kidding :D Yes, I do have a real girlfriend, I've verified her tangible presence and she is, indeed, an authentic sentient organism. Unless they've gotten really good at making Fembots... Hmmm...

Do you create for yourself or for your audience?

Discounting professional work, Most of the personal stuff that I do, I admit, is self-indulgent. And even if it's something that's supposed to be pure work, I try to find something about it that I like and that would fuel me to do it the best way I can. So even for professional artworks, they all somehow end up personal to me, even just a little bit.

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