Arkolina Art

Arkolina is an illustrator from the south UK, her hair is constantly changing colour and she's almost always watching cartoons when she's not drawing, painting, working her day job or being harrassed by her Quaker Parrot. She collects toys and photographs them as a hobby and is looking forward to making the transition to full time freelance illustrator when she can. She thinks you're cute too.

Have you always been creative and artistic?

As far as I can remember, my folks were/are really suportive of all the creative choices (and mistakes) I've made over the years. My dad's a hobby painter so I was lucky to grow up in a really creative environment despite the town I live in lacking a real art scene of any kind, I'm really grateful for that.

How would you describe the style of your work?

I'm not sure, I think I'm still looking for it. I have some clear influnces from both western cartoons and anime like most kids that grew up in the 90s. I lean heavily toward cute and like to mix that up with the dark and the sexy sometimes.

What’s in your pencil case and what’s your favorite tool?

Faber-Castell Pitt Pens in varying nibs and a Mars Micro 0.5mm Mechanical pencil. Then I have a whole bag of markers, pencils, paints and pens! As much I love my markers and doing digital work, I think my heart will always lie with watercolours as a favourite medium to relax with.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Oooooh, toughie! I love Hellboy through and through. But do transformers count? Because Bumblebee. Cute VW Beetle, always in trouble, very small bumblebee. Or Sailor Moon. I can't choose.

If you could have one super power what would it be?

Sounds corny, but I think I'd be a kind of healer if I could be.

Where do you look for inspiration?

Anywhere I can get it! I'm a firm believer that you're always being inspired, your brain is constantly squirrelling away little things it likes and can use later. But that information isn't always so forthcoming and those days you just have to get off your butt and work regardless! I've been keeping a doodle diary recently to try and keep working constantly, even if it's no good at least I've drawn something that day that maybe I can use later to inspire me.

Who are your favorite artists or comic book authors?

So many! Junko Mizuno, Mizna Wada, Mike Mignola, Bei Badgirl, Naoko Takeuchi, Yoshitaka Amano, Dave Mckean, Michael Michael Motorcycle, Natasha Allegri, Acrylicana, Buff Monster, Miss Van, Fafi, Lee Sullivan, Jamie Smart,Gerard Way, Danielle Corsetto, Aaron Alexovich, Ronald Searle and Archemetis to name just a few! I keep thinking of more and adding to the list, but I'll stop before I ramble on too much!