PN Featured Artist: Anthony Losoya

The PN Featured Artist this week is the very talented Anthony Losoya. Checkout some of his character art below inspired by some of his favorite Nintendo games. If your interested in seeing more of his art or contacting him you can find his information below. Enjoy!

KD: When did you first get involved with illustrating, is it something you’ve always been interested in?

AL: I’ve been drawing for as long as I could hold a pencil. I remember when I was like 4 or 5 my Mom would try to teach me how to draw basic shapes and stuff like that, I was determined to get them right so I drew them over and over until I could do it to my liking.

Zero Suit Samus

KD: What illustration programs do you use when creating your art? Which ones would you recommend for beginners?

AL: The program that I first started with was Photoshop Essentials. This is not and ideal program to use for drawing and for a while I struggled to get the hang of working digitally until I got one called Manga Studio. It was on sale for about $50 or something like that (it’s originally around $200) and that’s when it really started clicking for me. So that’s the one that I would recommend for beginners, as far as I know it goes on sale way more often than other programs like Photoshop Illustrator (though I suppose you could just subscribe to it for $20 a month).

Warrior Zelda

KD: Are video games a big influence when illustrating?

AL: As far as influences go, video games do play a huge roll (especially looking at the concept art) along with various manga and anime. A lot of times what will happen is that I’ll be playing a game and if it’s one that I’m really into, an image or some ideas will start to pop into my head. Once I get a good enough idea of what I want to draw I need to pause what I’m doing and get it on paper before I lose it.

Squidsalina

KD: What is your favorite Nintendo game or series?

AL: My favorite Nintendo series is actually both Metroid and the Legend of Zelda. I’ve played and love every game in those franchises (except for Zelda 2, I tried and just couldn’t get into it, and Metroid: Other M I just hate that one).

Phazon Samus Aran

KD: Do you mainly do character drawings or do you dabble in other forms of art?

AL: Yeah I mainly draw just characters sometimes with a background if I can think of a good one unfortunately it doesn’t happen very often. Though I do try to think of what that character is doing when I’m drawing (I’m not sure how successful I am at conveying that). I’ll dabble in a few other mediums or subjects from time to time but I always come back to working digitally.

Princess Squidsy

KD: Have you worked on any recent collaborations or are you working on any current projects you’d like to tell us about?

AL: I have never really done any collaborations with anyone, I’m not really a social person and the opportunity hasn’t really presented itself so I’m not sure how that would go. Though I’m open to trying it out. And as far and any upcoming projects go I’ve got nothing coming up at the moment unfortunately.

Dark Zero Suit Samus

KD: Thanks for the interview Anthony! 2 more questions, Where can our readers see more of your awesome artwork and do you take commissions?

AL: I’m very active on Twitter @Tony_Losoya (though I talk a lot about sports). Instagram (where I post in-progress shots of whatever I’m working on at the moment) and also very active on Tumblr at tonoxtono.tumblr.com. I would be open to commissions it’s just that I’m not asked very often so I’m not very familiar with setting that up and dealing with it all. But If anyone is interested you could contact me on Tumblr or at my email address Anthony.losoya@yahoo.com.

Princess Squidsy Peach

Any artist interested in having their artwork on PureNintendo.com or in PNM can contact me at Kaelyn@purenintendo.com . Submit fan art, sculptures, baked goods, comics, etc. If the theme is ‘Nintendo’ we want to see it! You could be the next Pure Nintendo featured artist! Also to see artwork from artists featured in our magazine, PNM, please head to PureNintendo.com/magazine to subscribe! Thanks for reading.