Chewing Pencils

This weeks feature artist is certainly one of the younger of the species. But even at 18, he has more talent that I could ever dream of having. Enjoy reading and learning from the wisdom of this artist, then send him an email to ask if he can here the drums…

NAME: Fernando Loza
AGE: 18
LOCATION: Bay Area, Sacramento.
SITE URL: www.theoriginalfunsaver.blogspot.com

How long have you been drawing cartoons?

ah man. ha ha. i get that question all the time, since i could hold a crayon.

What made you start to think more seriously about making some money out of it?

Well my teachers have always encouraged me since i was little to make art my profession, but i think i really started thinking about towards the end of high school.

Have you done any formal training? If so, what and where?

I’ve gone to a couple of art classes at a community college, just basic things. I plan to go to more classes, you can never stop learning new things.

Where was your first cartoon published?

My middle school newspaper, then after that in local newspapers.

What materials do you use to create your work?

Im a traditional guy, pencil and paper. I usually use an H2 pencil first then go over it with a B2 pencil. I’ve started to use my computer to color some of my
cartoons, but I still have a long way to go with that.

What hardware and software do you use?

If I decide to color on the computer then I use Photoshop 7.

From where so you draw your inspiration?

Everyday things, I really have a weird sense of humor so it’s hard to see that in my cartoons.Also going to websites of other artists and clicking on links to other artistsand so on, just looking at all their work inspires me. I also have to say going to a local Borders or Starbucks to go “people watching” always helps me create
new characters.

What are some of the resources you’ve found most helpful?

Books, books, and more books. From everything that has to do with anatomy to painting techniques. I think some of the best art books out there are by a company named Barron’s.

What is the best piece of advice you have EVER been given? The worst?

I think the best, is to not compare yourself to professional artists. Yes it’s good to aspire to be like them, but if you are starting out or still learning, comparing
yourself will just make you feel like you suck. Everyone one gets better at their own pace and with learning and practice one day you will be as good as you want to be.

Worst. I don’t really know. I’ve always encouraged people, wether they were talented
or not.

Take us through the process you use to create one of your drawings:

To tell you the truth, most of my ideas come out of my school. In class i doodle so much, it’s crazy. Afterwards I’ll go home and look through my
notebook and choose a doodle i really liked. From there on i’ll get a sheet of computer paper and work off the original sketch. If i need a reference
I’ll google whatever it is. After I’ve done my pencil drawing, I’ll clean it up by erasing bad lines and darkening the lines im going to use. Then I’ll choose
either to scan it and color it with Photoshop or ink it with Micron pens and then color it with either watercolors, copic sketch markers, or color pencils.

How long does it generally take to create one piece?

Around 1 hour i would say. Both traditional coloring or Photoshop are time consuming and take about the same.

What do you find the hardest to draw?

Legs and feet. Those are my worst enemy.

What do your friends and family think of you being a cartoonist?

My family and friends have always encouraged me and think it’s a unique but great profession.

What do you think is the best part about being a cartoonist?

You get to draw CARTOONS! I mean c’mon! Tell a kid that when he grows up he going to get paid for drawing cartoons he would faint out of joy.

What has been the standout post on Chewing Pencils for you? Why?

I think the Business of Cartooning posts are something that really helps out because it gives out good pointers if your are new to the industry.

Anything else you’d like to say….

I’ve just recently went through was it referred to as a “dry spell”. I didn’t pick up a pencil for 3 months.
This is to all artists.
Please do not be discouraged because inspiration has’nt come or because you have not done art in while. Enjoy the break do something else, you cannot loose your talent. Don’t be frustrated with your self if you start drawing again and nothing good comes out, chill and work off that. It’ll come back and when it does you will be ready to devour every inch of paper with doodles.
And thanks to Mr.Glover for this great opportunity, few people care about the future of cartoons and those whose hands their in.

Thanks for being part of it Fernando!

Make sure you visit Fernando’s site to see more of his great work. He even has a cartoon of the Herculoids! Mate, I haven’t seen or heard anything about them for years!