Satya Patel is a Western Sydney University student and creative designer, who is the recent cover artist for W’SUP’S newest print edition, ‘New Perspectives’ (NP). In this interview, Satya describes his interest in drawing and design, what manga and anime inspire him, and how he came up with the concept for the cover art of NP.
W’SUP: You recently created the cover for W’SUP’s new print edition – ‘New Perspectives.’ What’s the best and most challenging aspect of creating artwork?
When creating the artwork for ‘New Perspectives’, the best aspect was being able to experiment and illustrate in a simplistic style. I’d never drawn an art piece with a mixture of lineless and line work, so I thoroughly enjoyed learning along the way during the process. Brainstorming illustration ideas that fit the theme of new perspectives was the most challenging aspect, due to it being vague. However, this challenge helped me grow as an artist and designer. The best part of creating artwork in general for me is the base colouring process before extra details, as it’s very therapeutic. Almost like a colouring book! I find composition to be the most challenging when illustrating because of the complexity in decision-making.
W’SUP: When did you first become interested in drawing and design?
It’d be much too cliche to say I’d always been interested in drawing and design, even though it holds some truth. Honestly, I became interested in drawing in Year 8 of high school, where I’d draw chibi versions of my classmates and friends on scrap paper. From there, I grew into using sketchbooks and digital drawing. My interest in design is vaguer, I became more curious about engaging in a design career by Year 12. This interest has only grown, and this cover designing opportunity allowed me to experience and enjoy the process of designing for and satisfying a client (W’SUP) and bringing their idea to life.
(“Tiger and Snow Leopard”, one of the commission pieces Patel created | Artwork by Satya Patel)
W’SUP: How does the process usually work? Do you sketch on paper, and also design artwork on the computer?
My design process usually begins with brainstorming, thumbnailing and sketching on paper. I then do draft-work and create the final artwork digitally using a Wacom drawing tablet and FireAlpaca. To create the final cover design, I placed my artwork into InDesign and applied typography and W’SUP’s logo.
W’SUP: What inspires you to create? Is it an image, music, or everyday life?
My inspiration for creating is broad and wide, but if I had to boil it down... I’m inspired to create by aquatic nature, stories, movies and alternative/indie and pop music. Two artists that inspired and continue to inspire me to continue creating are Michelle Lam (IG: @mewtripled) and Hana Chatani (IG: @hanachatani).
(“Marcille and Falin” from Manga series, ‘Dungeon Meshi’, turned into “Brat” fan art | artwork by Satya Patel).
W’SUP: Are you inspired by manga and anime? If so, why, and which ones?
I’m inspired by the film ‘Children of the Sea’, and completed manga, ‘Dungeon Meshi’, a completed manga and on-going anime and ‘Ponyo’, a widely known Studio Ghibli film. Both are completed stories with in-depth storytelling and beautiful character and world design (especially in Dungeon Meshi), which inspire me to experiment with detail and my character design. ‘Children of the Sea’, both the manga and the movie, particularly inspire me due to the illustration of the sea and aquatic life. Like ‘Children of the Sea’, the aquatic and stellar atmosphere of ‘Ponyo’ is something I draw inspiration from and strive to illustrate.
W’SUP: How many sketches do you do before the final version of an artwork is produced?
It’s difficult to put a number on the number of sketches before finalising an artwork. Safe to say I usually do many, many, draft line–arts. For ‘New Perspectives’, I did at least 4 sketches of the cover illustrations before I was satisfied to begin finalising the line–art. With some of my other more detailed artworks, I do up to 10 sketches.
(“36 Scars”, Patel’s art based on a “short-story comic series”, covering issues and themes related to mental health | artwork by Satya Patel).
W’SUP: Do you take commissions? How would someone go about asking you to create an artwork or cover for them?
Yes, I’m currently taking commissions! I have no process currently available. So, all someone needs to do to commission me is to contact me through my social media (IG: @mothburst) or email (julesleafbun@gmail.com). From there, simply describe the artwork idea and/or design brief and we can discuss pricing, deadlines and more.
W’SUP: What is your ultimate goal when it comes to drawing and design?
My goal when drawing and designing is to make others, including myself, feel. Emotive responses are key to all my work. I always aim for my audience to gain an emotional experience from my art, stories and designs. I hope that the students who pick up ‘New Perspectives’ feel something, perhaps a wave of calm, as they look at the magazine cover before flipping to the next page. With all that said, happy reading!
You can find Satya’s work on Instagram: @mothburst and can contact him via email: (julesleafbun@gmail.com).
Read W’SUP’s new print edition, ‘New Perspectives’ here.
