Hey Aniki… it’s time for another episode! This time I got to interview cover and poster artist Zi Xu. She is known for her incredible work for companies such as Sega, Mondo, Marvel, DC and Star Wars. We talk about the difficulty of being a freelance artist, how to deal with burnout, what inspires her and the importance of not being ashamed of your hobbies. Furthermore, we geek out over Yakuza, discuss Marvel movies and I get to learn more about her current obsession, world's fairs. Please enjoy!

 

Time – Topic Discussed:

0:00 - Intro

01:33 - Yakuza 

06:00 - Guest topic: World’s fair

14:00  - Follow your passion

19:38  - The issue with Marvel and DC movies

26:40 - Concept art

37:34 - Inspirational artbooks

41:29 - Condensing a video game character

49:12 - Giving the client what they want

51:41 - Deciding what your time is worth

57:03 - Dealing with burnout

01:01:00 - Drawing hands and eyebrows

01:02:40 - Practicing

01:04:10  - Lessons learned at the Maryland Institute College of Art

01:09:02  - Lessons learned while watching Blue Period

01:10:31  - Outro

 

Things mentioned on the show:

Francis Bourgeois

Nerdy Paintings from the Neuschwanstein Castle

More Info on the Castle 

Cave Room inside the Castle 

Magnetic Rose 

Blue Period

 

Social Media:

Zi Xu

Zi Xu on Twitter (@ziqqix)

Zi Xu on Instagram (@ziqqix)

Zi Xu’s Homepage

 

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Twitter (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Twitter (@DorianChou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Instagram (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Instagram (@dorian.chou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Facebook (youmeindustry)

Intro/Outro by FreshMcZone

Artwork by Thomas Martin (Instagram: @thomas.martin.martin)