“I’ve always wanted to work on a novel but then I wanted it to be visually appealing as well – especially for those in my demographic who didn't like to read” ❤️

Meet Ms. Catherine – A Passionate Digital Artist

Freewheeling Discussion | Today

Charlotte Pourquoi | II BA English Class

Meet Ms. Catherine aka Charlotte Pourquoi – a budding digital artist from the II BA English Class, who’s so passionate about her digital art.

Today I had given her an appointment to meet with me at 10 am in my Office.

I was simply bowled over by the immense range and breadth of her knowledge of digital art, copies of which she had on display for me at my Office.

I was happily going through each of her art works that she had so meticulously done, when, much to her pleasant surprise, I started off on a freewheeling discussion with Ms. Pourquoi on her tryst with digital art. The discussions went on for well over 30 minutes, and I was quite amazed at the insights that she had to offer on Digital Art.

Before we continue on the interview, I’ve got a few ruminations aka a teacher’s little ponderings - for all of us - on the advantages of intergenerational learning!

Well, kids of the Gen Z Era have grown up in a period that is characterized by rapid technological advancements, digital native status, social media integration, and exposure to diverse global issues from a very young age.

These experiences have significantly moulded their perspectives and values, and hence there is much to be gained by older generations actively engaging with and learning from their perspectives.

Added, as digital natives, kids of the Gen Z era possess an innate understanding of technology, social media, and online communication. They can offer invaluable insights into leveraging these tools effectively.

This blogpost hence, also doubles up as a call to recognize and to acknowledge the influence of the unique experiences of kids of the Gen Z Era, by looking up with a sense of awe at their art offerings –and the potential they offer for a rewarding intergenerational learning - with the added potential to improve well-being and strengthen relationships across generations.

Now, over to Ms. Catherine -

Dr. Rufus: Catherine, how did you get into digital art? Or, what made you excited about digital art?

Ms. Catherine: Well, sir, I started with digital art, back in the year 2016. There was this cartoon series titled,  ‘Ever After High’ right? It was actually a spinoff of the original Disney characters.

But because there wasn’t enough funding, and due to financial pressures, they couldn’t sustain the project. And so, uh, they did produce a couple of episodes and I love the character design of each of the characters. I used to take each of those characters and then redesign their costumes. 

There was this Paint software called Paint 3D or something, where I pixelate each of the existing characters and then make a new outfit. But I didn't draw anything. I just redid the outfits. 

And then I started looking up a lot of upcoming digital artists on Pinterest.

Dr. Rufus: Any popular digital artists you are fond of?

Ms. Catherine: Well, there is Sam Does Arts. He is one of the top digital artists. And there’s an illustrator - her name is Sara Faber. She is based in Berlin. She’s been doing digital art from 2014, and she grew on Instagram from 2016. She was one of my earliest Inspirations. I loved her art style. They mostly build a platform on Patreon.

Dr. Rufus: Patreon? What's that?

Ms. Catherine: I mentioned it earlier. So it’s basically like a subscription System. Patreon is primarily used as a subscription-based platform where creators, like artists, can earn a recurring income by offering exclusive content and perks to their fans in exchange for monthly or annual subscriptions ranging from half a dollar to one dollar and more! 

Depending on paying the higher end or in the lower end, you'll get early access to all their stuff sketches and right behind the scenes. So that's how they substantiate their art career and they continue to do so.

I guess she has more than 40,000 plus patreon subscribers, and most of the subscribers pay him dollars per month, and he has a YouTube channel with 1 million subscribers as well.

Dr. Rufus: So what made you really plunge into digital art?

Ms. Catherine: So I’ve always wanted to create a novel, I mean, to work on a novel but then I wanted it to be visually appealing as well – especially for those who didn't want to read because even at that point in 2016 whom a lot of people in my demographic didn’t like to read!. 

But they were more interested in visual aspects Like Comics and Comics have been there for a really long time and they were really drawn to it! I wanted to do it on web toon but then at that point I only had a phone. So that's when I started drawing with my hand on my phone.

Dr. Rufus: You started drawing with your hand on your phone?

Ms. Catherine: Yes sir. And on the software called Ibis Paint. So the first video from this present series that I’m doing on YouTube, is actually drawn on my phone with my hand.

Dr. Rufus: Okay. So you started Digital Art with your phone?

Ms. Catherine: Yes. I was so passionate about it. For six months, I worked with my hand on my phone and then my mom got me a Stylus. So I drew it with the stylus on my phone, and then my mentor, gifted me an iPad, right before he got married. It was very sweet of him. That's when I got into a digital art.

Dr. Rufus: With the advent of AI Studio Ghibli, and these AI driven systems of art, how do you think your art form will carve a niche for itself in the digital platform?

Earlier on when I didn’t have the skill set to create what I wanted to, there was this platform Animaker – It’s the world's first Avatar Powered Presentation Software, where you can create your own avatars.

Dr. Rufus: Like, how do you create?

Ms. Catherine: There are some default options, like running or sitting down that you can do to the character. Okay? So what I did was the first version of the comic. Basically, I created like four of those characters. And then I use stock footage in the background and then create text bubbles, but it wasn't a free platform. 

So, I screen-print and then crop each panel and then redo it again because it was very limited stuff for the free version. Then I realized you have a free version. That was the free version. But if you download it you'll get the watermark. I didn't want the watermark though.

I didn’t want the watermark and screenprint, but I wasn’t paying for the software as well. So technically all of that wasn’t ethical. And it got to me at one point where I realized that you know, if I’m putting it out there and if I’m going to earn money off of this, it wouldn’t be right to take someone else’s stock footage, right without their permission. And that’s why I decided to not release that!

It’s got to come out as a fun video instead. But so considering that I think. I understand what it's like to want visual aspects without having a skill set!

Dr. Rufus: You said it right! What’s your take on Ghibli AI?

Ms. Catherine: I emphathise with the original creators of Ghibli Art. However, generative AI isn’t that bad all together! Because I think corporates don't value creatives as much.

Dr. Rufus: How do you want to take this forward?

Ms. Catherine: Honestly. Regardless of how much AI comes in, I think, the quality of the humane touch is what sets apart human creators apart from AI generated content. So in that sense, the story that you have in your head,  can only be brought forth by you.

No matter what software might be to help you bridge that Gap. If you are in control, of what you're doing, then, you know what’s being put out there. Otherwise, you’re not clear of the intent!

Your story has depths and layers of value and AI can’t replace it anytime! And that will always be something that sets creators apart! in that sense, I don't think AI can replace human creativity.

Dr. Rufus: What is the scope of Digital Art for the future of academia?

Ms. Catherine: Digial Art has still not evolved fully as yet. There are a lot of primers on Digital Art though, that come up with creative fields like animation Motion Graphics, 3D modelling, etc.

Dr. Rufus: Do you think there are passionate people equally interested in digital art like you in college?

Ms. Catherine: I've met people who occasionally try using digital art. Not digital artists.

Dr. Rufus: So you mean to say that a heightened awareness of digital art has not yet caught up with the masses as yet?

Ms. Catherine: Yes, Not too much. In the sense there is an awareness in terms of like - if there's custom-made portraits or something of that sort. They don't know digital art as something that you can do apart from just custom-portraits. Like like let’s say, someone's getting married and I want to give them a gift. So I contact a digital artist to make a portrait of them. Then people are like, oh, digital artists!

Dr. Rufus: Have you come across a professional applications of Digital Art?

I'm not exposed to local culture per se a lot, but in the global scale what I've noticed is – the animation effects for Spiderman. They really make use of each artist's stylization and prioritize that. So there is immense scope for digital art in the professional stream. Also. Yes, especially in the cinema industry.

Dr. Rufus: My last question for you - Do you think traditional artists are a dying breed?

Ms. Catherine: I don't think so. I used to think so. So we had this debate. Where I had to speak for generative Ai and that opened my mind to a lot of things. Including the fact that things like AI, things like digital art! It was a fun event. I was there as a mock team. But it opened my mind in the sense that digital art in itself is a new relatively new concept and AI is even newer. And traditional art is the base of it. 

But just because something comes up doesn't mean that the previous art form is abandoned, and doesn't mean that, it's value gets diminished!, It’s just that, the perspective you have on it changes. And you see that though the number of people who value it, reduces to some extent. The ones that truly appreciate it, appreciate it, even further!

Now, I was pouring myself a hot cup of coffee from my coffee maker, when I asked Catherine about her great love for coffee.

Dr. Rufus: I know you love cold coffee…

Ms. Catherine: Yes sir. Very much. So right before College, when I wake up, I make coffee and then right before, I'm leaving, I'll put all the ice cubes in it.

Dr. Rufus: Interesting. So how do you do it? What's the recipe?

Ms. Catherine: Well, I put one tablespoon or 3/4th of a tablespoon of coffee powder, then you add the water, and let it boil. Don't let it burn, though. Let it boil, and then switch it off. Let it cool down. And then you add all the ice cubes, and then you put the coffee in. So, it creates this water-kind of layer. It blends with the water, and it gives this very holistic taste, that’s so yummy! I use Continental Coffee, and it’s available in most stores, as well,

signs off, Ms. Catherine.

Catherine has her Insta page where you can subscribe to her Digital Art Creations.

https://www.instagram.com/charlotte_pourquoi?igsh=ZGphdGl5d2RobWw2

She’s also got her own exciting YouTube Channel where she’s presently doing a 10-day Challenge on her tryst with Digital Art here. 

https://youtube.com/@charlottepourquoi?si=pDOjIKF4XfJGa3i6

Here’s wishing Ms. Catherine the best in all her noble artistic endeavours!