We recently connected with Brant Yang and have shared our conversation below.

Brant, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Growing up in a family of musicians, I never thought I could work a regular 9-to-5 job. My path was pretty much set on becoming a musician—I played the saxophone throughout most of my childhood and teenage years and was on track to pursue it professionally.

But I was always that kid who would draw during class. Everyone knew me as “the artist.” Still, I never seriously considered doing it professionally. I didn’t personally know anyone who made a living as a visual artist. I knew such people existed, but I had no idea how it actually worked.

That changed during high school, when I came across a stack of books—one of them was How to Draw by Scott Robertson. Around the same time, I also picked up a few issues of ImagineFX, where I discovered artists like Feng Zhu who worked in the concept art industry. That was a turning point. I realized there was an entire industry that matched my interests perfectly.

So I went online and started following a bunch of artists—Dave Wilkins, Bryan Lee, and Brad Rigney were especially influential. These three had a huge impact on me. I was lucky enough to meet two of them later when I was studying in Los Angeles, and they actually became close friends.

That’s when I really started painting consistently. My work gradually began to reflect the styles of those artists. Eventually, I started taking commissions. I still remember one of my very first jobs—it was for a British client who wanted me to paint a barbarian. The whole experience went incredibly smoothly, and he absolutely loved the result.

I got my first “real” paycheck from that commission. Until then, I’d never earned any money beyond allowance from my parents, so it felt like a big deal. That moment gave me the confidence to seriously pursue art as a career. Before that, I had no idea how it was even possible—but from then on, I knew I could make it work.

Brant, 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?

Hi, my name is Brant Yang. I was interviewed by Voyage LA five years ago, when I was working as an illustrator for movie posters—and I’m still in the same field today, now working as a freelancer. My primary role is to use drawing and painting to translate clients’ ideas into impactful images—helping to solidify the creative vision early in the process. These illustrations support art directors, photographers, and other collaborators in visualizing the final marketing campaign.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with major clients such as HBO, Netflix, Paramount, and Sony. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to the very industry that inspired me growing up.

As my artistic skills developed, I became increasingly drawn to teaching, which has become one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career. I was fortunate to study under amazing instructors like Bryan Lee, Kevin Chen, Gary Gerath, Bill Eckert, and many others—mentors who not only helped me grow as an artist but also showed me what it means to be a great teacher. Their support and guidance left a deep impression on me, and I’ve always been inspired to follow in their footsteps and help the next generation of artists the way they helped me.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Teaching has been a powerful motivator for me. It constantly pushes me to become the best artist I can be in my field. There are so many dimensions to teaching, and I feel fortunate that people already recognize me for my portrait painting and want to learn from me. That support has been incredibly encouraging.

Looking ahead, I hope to expand my teaching and share even more knowledge with other artists. But to do that, I know I need to continue growing and mastering other areas of my craft—so that the artists who come to me find real value in what I offer. That’s what drives me to keep evolving.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

As an art instructor and freelance illustrator, I think some of my friends assume I have all the time in the world since I don’t work a typical schedule. While I do enjoy the flexibility that comes with this profession, the reality is that I constantly have to work on my craft just to stay relevant.

To anyone who feels a little envious of my flexible schedule, I just want them to understand that a lot of the time I invest in improving my skills is unpaid. What might look like a relaxed lifestyle on the surface actually comes with a fair amount of stress—especially due to the uncertainty and instability that freelancing often brings. Not everyone is built for that.

I’ve worked full-time for most of my art career, and choosing to go freelance was a conscious decision. I enjoy the freedom it offers, but I’ve also had to give up the security that comes with a traditional job. You really have to experience both sides to understand what kind of lifestyle suits you best.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brantyangart.com
• Instagram: @brant_yang_art
• Linkedin: Brant Yang

Image Credits

Jeff Fang
Andrew Mcdermott
Wannarit Studio