



All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.

Despite the fact that his works are recognized in Russia and overseas, Fil Dunsky continues to believe that he’s not an illustrator, but he’s just learning to be one. Today’s article is an honestly interview of a great artist that told you about happy childhood, growing up in a tight connection with with drugs, how yoga has changed his life and how much he loves his job.

The Beginning

I had a wonderful childhood, it was inspiring and relaxing at the same time. It was relaxing as if white snow falling in the forest, the snow is so white that even the wood couldn’t be seen. My dad worked in the Khabarovsk publishing house. All the evenings after work he took some part-time jobs and worked at home. He drew a lot, so me and my sister wanted to mimic him.

Then he was ordered to draw Harms and he asked us to draw different things. He praised us all the time (to be honest, we did nothing, but he knew how to inspire us) and asked to draw more.

My father has his own Photoshop version: first, he took a photo of illustration, then print it on photo paper, then paint some additional details as if in a new layer. He removed unwanted elements with ink and whitewash, and then he draw something again and again, as if he glued layers, take a photo, printed it – and got a new layer.

It was like magic for me, flashbacks. Moreover, I could not sleep at night (as all children did), but help him with his work.

After all, when my sister and I were five years old, we have already drawn a few illustrations for several books and got our first real Soviet salary – 120 rubles.

We had a lot of rare books on art. For some reason I liked Bible stories. I drew them in five years, now it makes me laugh.

When I went to school my interest in painting began to fade along with an interest to life. It’s fun to watch how kids are happy in 2-3 years old and how it all falls by the end of studying.

After school I had no idea what university to enter. Nothing seems to interest me.But my parents had helped me. I passed exams in two universities: architecture and graphic arts. I I was accepted to both. Somebody told me that the art graphics is much easier to learn. So, I went there.

The institute practically learned me nothing, in fact I just had no interest. The only things I liked were chromatics, and painting. Since I was a graphic designer, we were given just few hours for these subjects.

Then my dad showed me the works by Dmitry Mitrokhin, and hinted that it is possible to draw free. So I draw in free style to this day, but I never cease try to learn to do it right.

After graduation I went to work at the office as a designer. The work was dull.

I have been taking drugs for seven years and didn’t want to quit. It seems that this was deep spiritual development.

I read Castaneda, trying to hide my personal story and did other ridiculous crazy things.

Once I even got an invalid insurance policy at work, because I told them the wrong date of birth. Why they didn’t fire me thereat?

My Style

Once I saw the works of Oksana Grivinova. They were totally in my style, I like them a lot.

Then I read a book “Diary of a designer-geek” by Yana Frank and figured out that coping in the first phase can be a very good choice. I wanted to do the same. I’ve been copied her style to this day, though other people say that our illustrations are completely different. In any case, I am in search of a style, and once I’ll surely find my own one.

I do agree that my style is not unique, but these days lots of people do like that. Everyone has something unique. My paintings can be described as pop commercial illustrations.

Competition in my field is doing a great job, it makes me to move on. The person who cease to grow will cease to be sold.

Why

I am sure that in graphic design as in any business, a person can also find his or her own way of expression and implementation of ideas, but I could not. I prefer drawing. Probably, this passion goes from my childhood.

Illustrations and the Story

Illustration should tell a story. I still have a problem with that, actually. The story is very important. But a good illustration has to be a beautiful picture, even without context.

A beautiful picture is not always possible to attach to a specific topic. Although, a few times people bought my illustrations without stories behind them.

Fil Day’s Day

I get up at five o’clock and take a cold shower.

Then I do yoga. After that I have my breakfast and start drawing, check out me emails, and browsing for other people’s new pictures for inspiration.

In general, if I have a lot of work, I still trying to keep to the schedule. I work till six o’clock in the evening and take a rest.

Three times a week I take my mat and go to hold classes on yoga. I’ve been doing yoga for four years already, since I quit smoking, drinking and using drugs. I’d like to give you a piece of advice, do yoga. It helps to focus on yourself, makes you more aware, attentive, patience, it gives a real sense of happiness, which is growing all the time.

Technique

Usually at first I draw sketches on paper with pencil. Then scan the sketch. open it with Photoshop and use it as a background for my future illustration.

I use standard brushes. Also, I use tablet. My dream is to learn how to paint in Painter and mix colors. to paint when painting mixed. But still can not get used to the interface.

How to Become an Artist

To be honest, I also really want to become an artist, I dream about it. But I do not know how to become one, but if you read this far, then start to respect your parents and all the other people around you.

Learn to listen, look for your mistakes (but not the other’s ones) and try to fix them. At least once a month, make any contribution, because greed makes us hard.

Try to get up as early as you can, there are no owls and larks, discipline gives a lot of health.

Try to get inspired before a new day. Do you remember, when you were a child, at night before your birthday you tried to get to sleep as fast as possible in order to wake up and get your presents? So, imagine that every day of your life is your birthday! We are here to celebrate and be happy, but not to suffer.

In my 25 years I realized that I’m happy and I want you to be happier in a thousand times more.

Also, you check out Fil Dunsky new project Etisalat MWC 2013.

This illustration set was made for Mobile World Congress 2013 in Barcelona. Used to cover walls in the Etisalat conference hall. Each illustration is 6×2 meters.

Enjoy!