Interview with David Burton [davidwbartist] on Whohub

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What is your specialty in illustration?

Mostly science fiction and fantasy. I've gotten a lot of praise for my ability to stay as close as possible to the authors words and in creating new and strange life forms. I go a little further in my wanting them to look as though they could really work.

What are your regular clients like? What do they expect from you?

Mostly publishers who want that something extra that I can bring to a project. I'm getting a lot of movie, TV and game design work lately because of my ability to design believable creatures. They expect me to bring my style to a project and I keep them wanting more.

Is there a web address where we can see some of your work?

Have you completed formal art studies, or are you self-taught?

I'm mostly self taught. Though I try to take classes whenever I can.

How did you get your first full assignment? What did it involve?

My first assignment was for a very small magazine that deal with the old pulp heroes of the 1930's and 1940's. I knew the publisher and he had been wanting me to do a cover for him for some time. I did the front cover featuring one of the greatest pulp heroes ever, The Shadow.

What past or present day illustrators do you admire most?

Author Rackham, N. C. Wyeth, Joseph Clement Coll. Roy Krenkel and Gary Gianni come to mind. Those are the Best of the Best.

How similar are your current drawings to those you did as a child?

Nothing at all alike! LOL

What was your favorite comic book as a child?

The Fantastic Four. Jack Kirby's art just hooked me in and I feel in love with his work. It was seeing his art that made me want to draw for a living.

Do you have a particular style, or does it vary a lot?

Yes, I like working in the old style, meaning drawing with pencils and painting with paint! LOL My work tends to look a lot like that of the old pulp magazines, though I'm trying to get a more realistic feel to it.

What is hardest to draw?

Cities and buildings. But they're more a challenge.

What type of music do you listen to while you work?

I listen to all sorts of music. I've got a wide range, though mostly its heavy metal. I'll also listen to old time radio shows and audio books.

Do you have a favorite work of art?

John Singer Sargent's, Madame X would have to top the list. That painting has it all. Grace, style. Simply beautiful.

What do you do when a client simply says "I don't like it"?

I've never had anyone say that to me. Though if they did, I'd ask what it was that they didn't like and change it.

What new techniques have you been experimenting with lately?

I'm always looking for something new to try and lately its been impressionism.

What part of your work do you do on paper and what part digitally?

The only thing I do with my work digitally is to scan it and send it to the client. I'm very old school. Though I'd like to find the time to play around with some digital work.

What research do you do for your illustrations?

I'll do all sorts of research. Its the only way to get a job done right and make it believable. I had a publisher who handed me all of their historical books because I'd make sure that the style of dress was right. For creatures and monsters I'll make sure that they look right, which means I want them to look like they'll function. Look at my work that I did for, "A Princess of Mars" for an example of this. I made all of those creatures look like they would really work. That's something I bring to any project, so be it a weapon, a vehicle or a creature, I make them look REAL.

Do you have colleagues with whom you share techniques, tricks, ideas, etc.?

Yes, several. We have a good time sharing techniques and tricks and in general, helping each other with our work.

Do you have any specific goals as an illustrator?

To be the best that I can be.

What are you working on now?

A movie project that seems like its going to be big because of the people involved.

What advice do you have for someone who likes to draw and would like to make a living from it?

Study your subject matter. Know it like the back of your hand. Then make sure that you've got a portfolio that's aimed at your client and that your web site should reflect that. Always keep your portfolio and web site updated. Get to know your client. Know what they're looking for so that you'll be ready. Make sure to contact them ahead of your sending your portfolio. Ask what their guidelines are. Never send anything cold unless they state that its alright. Read EVERYTHING in any contract that you're given and make sure that you've got a contract for EVERY job, be it free or paying. Know your rights and the copyright laws. Its sounds like a lot but once you get started on these things its easy to stay on top of it all. Stay true to yourself and your work. Never change to fit someone else's style, you'll find the quick road to unhappiness in doing that. Never, EVER give up, you never know what's going to happen tomorrow. And if you're going to seek advice from a professional artist, make sure you get its from a couple. Know that for every bad piece of advice, there's a good side also.

What is your specialty? Production, direction, something else?

Production design for creatures and costumes mostly.

Is there a link to a site where we can see references to your work?

How did you begin in this field? Who introduced you to it?

I'd done a lot of work for small films. That started out with some friends and they've moved along nicely since. Recently, David Dilley got me some work on, Gentlemen Broncos” which is a larger movie than what Ive been working on.

Which have been the most symbolic works of your career?

Edgar Rice Burroughs, "A Princess of Mars". That has been the single most important work of my career to date. Its the one that knocks everyone's socks off when they see it.

Do you work for a client, for the audience, or for your own creative adventure?

A little of all three actually. For starters, I'm working for the client. They sign the checks! LOL I give them what I want and while I'm working on it, its important to think of the audience because they're going to be seeing what I've done and what to believe what they're seeing. I've taken some pretty far out there designs and had people tell me that they were in awe at my work because everything seemed real. In all of that, it becomes a creative adventure. That's a matter of perspective.

What should a good script have in order to interest you?

Good, solid imaginative writing.

Name three contemporary directors or producers that you admire.

Jared Hess, Peter Jackson and Edward Pressman.

What movies or television shows inspired you to work in this field?

The original Willis O'Brien, King Kong started it all. That movie got me and everything took off from there.

How interested are you in image technologies such as robotized cameras, special effects, etc.?

Very interested. My work has to be developed and has to be able to be photographed, so I like to know what's being used and how.

Which has been your experience with conflicts between direction and production?

Nearly all conflicts stem from a lack of communication. And all can be easily resolved when all parties just sit down and start talking to one another.

Do you enjoy post-production, or do you prefer to leave that in the hands of other professionals?

Once I've done my part I'm done, unless I'm needed. I do like to watch how things progress though but that's more a matter of interest in the field than anything else.

What is the best movie than you have seen in the last year, and why did it seem especially good?

"The Dark Knight". It had everything, top to bottom.

Do you eat popcorn at the movies?

What respect does the reality phenomenon deserve? What experiences have you had with this genre?

I don't think that it deserves any respect. It aims at the lowest common denominator and its basis is that of greed and shame. People watch it because they want to see others betray and hurt each other. I feel that it belittles the human race. I haven't had any experience with it and wouldn't.

Which do you like more, large budget or small independent productions?

Either works well for me. I like the big productions as that they allow you to use your creativity to its fullest extent. The small budget films are fun, because of the sense of comorodary on the set and they force you to be creative with very little.

Do you like to experiment with new technology immediately or do you prefer to wait for it to develop?

A little of both when I have the spare time! LOL

Is the future of cinema the Internet? Mobile phones?

I think that there will always be theaters but the industry has to start looking at the Internet more seriously and also with a little more creativity. There's a lot of potential there that can be developed. I'm against the whole watching television and movies on ones mobile phone. It strips the whole process and makes what should be seen on anything larger than a 12 inch screen ridiculous.

Does the concept of interactive video stir up creative thoughts for you, or does it leave you cold?

It depends. Right now its allowing anyone to do anything but no one seems to know how to use it properly. I think given a few years, it will be worth wild.

What recommendations do you have for someone who wants to break into in the industry?

Stick with it and NEVER GIVE UP. Its a tough industry to get into and get going in. Make sure to know what you're getting into and how to handle yourself. Read the fine print in your contract and make sure that you never sell away more than what's needed by the production.

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