Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shishuang Tu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shishuang, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I decided to pursue art seriously when I realized I was drawing every moment of my daily life after school, treating drawing as a form of mental therapy during tough times, and understanding that I couldn’t imagine my life without it.

Shishuang, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I studied exhibition design in college in China, but after three years, I realized I was more passionate about illustration. So, I decided to pursue an illustration degree in the U.S. During my studies, I learned a lot about the industry and even got to work at a local animation studio before graduating.

My focus is mainly on book illustration and concept art(especially environments). As an illustrator, I create book covers, page illustrations, album covers, etc. I like using Photoshop and Procreate for digital art, and ink or watercolor for traditional art. My inspiration mainly comes from fantasy stories, travel memories, and moods. I like to use line work to refine shapes and employ simple line frames with foreground elements to enhance layering.

As a concept artist, I primarily work on environment designs, prop designs, and color scripts. Typically, I collect reference images first, create rough models later, and then finalize the designs in Photoshop. Thanks to my studio experiences, I have the ability to adapt to various artistic styles that art directors require and cover design details comprehensively in my files.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

To society: Protect intellectual property rights, standardize business prices, refuse art theft.

However, I always believe that simple actions are a more practical way for people who want to support artists. This includes liking their lovely images on artists’ social media, purchasing their products, or even giving compliments. Artists truly need these simple gestures to feel motivated, recognize their worth, and create more talented works.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My biggest motivation is finding myself, evolving my unique styles, and creating works which can resonate with my viewers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shishuangtu.wixsite.com/tutu
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tutussart/

Image Credits
Shishuang Tu