We were lucky to catch up with Anouk Srp recently and have shared our conversation below.
Anouk, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I had the wonderful opportunity to study at the world class institute The Animation School. The journey there to become an expert in my craft was an exciting and hard journey. Over the course of three years I found that I am passionate about lighting animated scenes and creating environments that contribute to a stories narrative. I spent many hours in front of my computer in Autodesk Maya figuring out and problem solving to create the best result. In addition, the critique and help from my lecturers allowed me to further flourish.
I think I could’ve sped up my learning process by being more receptive to critique in the beginning. I struggled to take critique as I thought it was a personal attack on me and my skill. Never mind the fact that the critique were learning opportunities. This thought process of mine did stagnate me and I developed a bit of an inferiority complex. I thought no one would like me or my art due to this. However, the more time I spent with my classmates and the more critique I received I eventually came over it. I needed to see the beauty in critique and how I could learn from it.
I think having an eye for detail and seeing how you can take aspects of reality and turning it into stylized art. You need to have an observant eye and creativity.
Anouk, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have always been surrounded by artists from young. My mother is a mixed media artist and through her, I discovered a world of creativity. I started drawing traditionally and eventually moved onto digital illustration. Around this time, I really got into games and animation and I was in awe of the thought and creativity that goes into each visual aspect. How every design choice has a meaning behind and how everything contributes to story in a whole. I want to be a part of this storytelling.
From this passion, I go to study what I loved and now I am a full-fledged 3D artist as well as a illustrator. I am able to draw meaningful drawings and take concept art and turn it into a 3D form. Additionally, I can add to a storytelling piece through lighting, colours and surfaces. With these skills, I am able to convey mood, emotions and story. This is extremely important to me as I thrive to provide meaningful stories through my art and I love taking people’s ideas and turning them into a reality.
Last year, I had an amazing opportunity to work on a 3D animated Student film, where I was involved in the management and on the visual development team. I provided concept art, lighting, 3d modelling and rendering. I helped to bring the story narrative to life by providing the world and colours. I am extremely proud of this work and once it releases in September this year, I can’t wait to share it with the rest of the world.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I would love to be a Creative director one day for an animated film. I want to be there and help guide a story though its visual form. I want to show that films and stories can be done in unique and creative ways.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I believe that society should see that there is more value to art than what they see at first. That every brushstroke, ink blot or scribble can have meaning and that it all contributes to a bigger story. Society needs to help lift up artists, especially with the rise of AI and help them triumph over soulless pieces. Support your local artists, maybe try a craft or two and try and immerse yourself into the beautiful world of art.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art.by.anoukski?igsh=MWE5cmpzMDRneTdmaA==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anouk-srp-7a8074390/
- Other: Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/anouk_srp
Image Credits
Night time render – 3D models provided by PolyHaven
Morning time render – 3D models provided by PolyHaven