Ben Heine is a very prolific illustrator with over 450 easily recognizable pieces posted on toonpool.com. Some time ago, he developed a new trademark style using only colored circles . I asked him about this new style, about the time he spends on his art, and about his “Pencil VS Camera” series.
Ben, judging from your comments on toonpool.com I got the impression that you spend a comparably large amount of time on your art. Would you say that this is true?
It’s true. I spend the time needed according to my skills and according to the characteristics of the artwork I’m making.
I think any task requires a lot of work and time to obtain quality. Each creative project is a challenge in itself but there are several levels of difficulty depending on the tools and mediums you use. For instance, taking and editing a picture will always be faster than making a full digital or traditional painting starting from scratch.
So, would you say that you consciously choose artistic challenges that pose high levels of difficulty?
Yes, at least I try.
Some time ago someone posted a comment under one of your circlist portraits, claiming that you would just “take [a] photo [...] and ‘photoshop’ it”. Apparently, this person did not notice or appreciate the time it took you to do this digital painting. On the other hand, working digitally does offer some cheap & quick solutions that would take a lot more work if done manually. My question is: if there indeed was a “cheap” way, a Photoshop filter, to create the “circlist” effect, would a hand-made version that looks the same still be better?
You know, unless they are constructive, I don’t pay much attention to all the comments I receive. Especially if they come from negative people.
I used to make traditional paintings several years ago and I will definitely come back to it as soon as there is an opportunity. I can ensure you there is no automatic filter to make digital circlism as I’m doing it.
Every circle is placed individually. The people saying that digital art is easy and nothing compared to traditional art have never tried to make a full digital painting starting from scratch. Traditional and digital painting are very similar. The creative process and the time spent is exactly the same. This is not an allegation. This is a fact. Try it!
Your circlist portraits are very distinctive – a trademark style, one could say. Can you tell me at what point in your artistic career you began consciously developing such methods of creating art?
This is really an unconscious evolution. I found a big potential in “Digital Circlism”, so I’ll keep making “circlist” portraits until I find something better. I just tried to make something different and unexpected. I think it’s always a good option to develop a technique and then focus on it for a little while to keep progressing.
What does artistic progress mean to you?
To me ‘progress’ is to create things that have never been done before.
You are being sponsored by a large camera company. How did this change the way you work?
Indeed, I’ve recently started collaborating with Samsung Digital Imaging in the context of their “Imageloger” program. I’m honestly proud and happy to be part of this creative adventure.
They have sent me some great and useful devices. It didn’t change the way I’m working but it definitely helps me to evolve as a visual creator. To meet other artists, to try new and powerful photo gear and to be aware of the latest technologies in that field.
I have stumbled upon pictures from your “Pencil VS Camera” on several websites recently. How many of these have you done so far?
I’ve made 36 works so far. The series is still growing. I intend to make 100 images like this, unless I discover something more interesting and innovative…
Isn’t it hard to come up with new ideas?
I usually don’t have any troubles finding new ideas because these little pieces of paper are like windows towards imagination, white surfaces that allow me to express all kinds of crazy things still connected with the real world. The creative possibilities are endless.
I noticed that you included Walt Disney characters in some of them.. Does his work have any special meaning to you?
I love Disney characters. They are attractive and cute. They belong to our collective unconscious – Everybody knows them. Also, I think it’s nice to place these characters in a different environment than what we are used to.
Thanks for your time!
© toonpool.comTags: Ben Heine, circlist, digital circlism, Pencil VS Camera, portraits
