Art War 3 First Place 2D Winner: Dmitry Skvortsov

Biggest inspiration when you started as an artist: Computer Games

Average number of layers when you paint: 4-5 at the beginning, 30-40 at the end

Coffee or tea:  50/50

Good habits: Anger makes me work

Worst habit: Laziness

Favorite movies:   Films with a good ending .. and vikings.

Favorite games: Skill games

Music while doing art:  Music that matches the subject that I draw.

How to bounce back from a bad day: Go to sleep.   

What is a good day: When the sun is shining and you can ride a motorcycle.

Future goals: Become the top artist in the world 

Can you introduce yourself? 

My name is Dmitry Skvortsov, I work as an art leader in a large gaming company in Russia.

What got you into character art, when did it all start?

Originally, I loved to draw characters. I like to convey emotions, moods. I started at school when I painted little knights and soldiers in the margins of a notebook.

What influences were the most responsible for your current art style? 

Probably mostly my personal preferences in movies, books, games. Well, the preferences in the art. I like many artists. Both classic and modern. I’m trying to learn something from each of them. And of course, the people whose opinion I consider authoritative influenced. I listen to their criticism and not rarely agreed with it.

How did you get to the level you are at today? 

Did you study in any particular way you would recommend? The recipe is simple: Iron ass, analysis, a lot of practice, external criticism, self-criticism.

How did you begin the process of creating your piece? What was your inspiration?

I always wanted to draw a hefty undead =)) And then turned up a chance!

I was impressed by the throne from Game of Thrones. I decided that it would be fun to try to make such armor for my character, but old and rusty.

What was your biggest hurdle during the process? What did you do to overcome it? 

There was very little time to engage in a personal project.

But the BIGGEST obstacle was the New Year holidays!! I wanted to do nothing, just lie on the couch and spit at the ceiling. Because the end of the year at work was tense, there was no strength at all. I do not know how I overcame myself =)) Probably I felt sorry for the work that I had done at that moment. I really wanted to get to the end.

If you had to do it over would you do it differently? Why?

In general, I like what I did. Probably I would try a little better to think about the lighting.

Why the villain or hero?

Actually, I don’t really like absolute heroes or villains. I like deeper characters. Not black or white. Gray. Who has a story, an interesting fate. In my opinion, such characters are much more attracted to the viewer.

What do you think the Art War 3 challenge experience taught you, and would you participate again next year if you could?

Of course the discipline!

If I have the opportunity, I will definitely take part! And I will try to attract my fellow artists. Together is more fun. I think that with my victory I rather stimulated them =)

What's your recipe for success? 

The biggest obstacle for a novice artist is the lack of experience. This is when you want to draw Mona Lisa, and you see in the end SpongeBob after the nuclear bombardment. At this point, do not give up and try again. 

If you continue to do something, then progress is inevitable. 

And get rid of such nonsense as talent (or lack thereof). There are just people who can learn a little faster.

Any final thoughts?

There was a case: when I painted my first work on a tablet (there was some guy with a sword), my wife and I had a little argument. I couldn’t draw something and she, in order to stab me, said that drawing is not mine. That's when I got really angry. I just had no choice. I had to prove to her that she was wrong. This I remember, probably for life. And now I sometimes remind her about it =)

Check out Dmitry's winning submission- Ancient Vampire Guard