Introduction in her words:

 “My name is Dayna Ramos. I’m a traditional artist based in Washington state, and I mainly draw random related characters from media like Star Wars, Narnia, and Overwatch! I also do some Formula 1 motorsport art, and my own original characters as well. I started working in alcohol markers and fine liners at 17. Six years later they continue to be my medium of choice! I specifically enjoy how workable they are and how quickly they dry. When I create art, I feel as if I am turning off my brain and my thoughts and just doing. When I am feeling overwhelmed, art is my outlet. That is what has kept me going through all of the trials I’ve had in becoming a professional artist.” 

“My childhood was more docile than most. I was homeschooled along with my older sister, we had social groups and specific classes but mostly we were on our own. That gave me a lot of time for myself and my art. In the beginning, I was very creative with my scribbling. As I’ve progressed I’ve felt that what I create is often more subdued than how it used to be. I try to keep myself on my toes in that department, spicing up my work when I feel myself falling into a rut of uniformity. Like with my High King Peter fanart illustration from May this year. My art was getting very boring so I stretched myself a little bit and did a more complex illustration than I’m used to and it turned out great! It’s one of my favorite illustrations to date. My parents have always been my number one supporters. My dream is to do art full-time, and they are supporting me as I’m working every day to make that dream a reality. I’m so thankful to God for their encouragement, so many aren’t as lucky as me and have the doubts of others looming over them as well as their own. “

Question 1: What is the most important thing that you need to know about being an artist? And what made you inspired to make visual images?

 “That’s a tough question. Art is such a subjective subject, narrowing down what is most important for all artists is far beyond me! But for myself, I would say that being an artist is filtering the world through your own eyes. No matter if your style is realistic or modern or cartoon-like or whenever the unique experiences and perspectives of your life affect your work and make it truly unique.” 

   “When I was 12 I really loved to see all of the “fanart” (art created by fans) for The Hobbit movies online, which is what pushed me to ask my mom if we could bring in an art teacher for me to learn from since I was being homeschooled. It feels like I have come full circle now, being the one to post my fanart online for others to be inspired by!” 

Question 2: How long does it typically take you to make each of your art pieces? And how much happiness does it give you when you see your final process of each piece?

 “It depends on the piece but typically I work on an illustration for three to five days. I have kept to a rigid schedule with my art to keep myself and my Instagram art account going. Because I am a traditional artist who uses an alcohol-based marker, I have to be careful about potential smearing and bleeding of colors. I space out my process over a few days to keep everything.”

“I never post an illustration I am unhappy with. I will continue to work on a piece until I am happy with showing it to the world! It brings me so much joy to hear how my work can be enjoyed by others. I keep a folder on my phone of kind comments to encourage me when I am feeling down. It is so cool to look back at your work and say to yourself, ‘I can be proud of how far I’ve come!'”

Question 3: In your honest opinion, what are your thoughts on possibly AI taking over animation? And do you feel like Animators get mistreated and overworked?

 “To create is to be human. Art is a product of the soul, so an AI program such as Midjourney or DALL-E cannot create, it can only reframe the work of others. These programs scour the internet and “learn” from thousands of images. But it is not learning like a human would. There is no experience, no unique views or values behind any ideas. There is only an aesthetically pleasing Frankenstein’s monster, pillaged from millions of individual artists and photographers who have spent years honing their craft with their blood sweat and tears only to be stolen from by these programs with no permission, credit, or compensation. These companies bringing in AI programs as a new tool are only doing so for convenience and to save a few bucks. After all, It is far easier to steal than create, and it’s far easier to buy a hundred-dollar program than hire a full-time animator.”

“Artists are already overworked and underpaid in their craft. This AI trend will only continue to hurt the creative forces of the animation industry until legislation is passed to protect the individual.”

Question 4: In everyday life do things you see visually inspired by certain art that helps you create your art? And if not what inspires your art?

 “I love looking at others’ art online, so I am always being inspired by my peers. I also pay very close attention to the people I meet in everyday life. Where do the wrinkles beside their eyes stop? How does the blush continue from the cheeks to the nose? Their shirt is untucked on one side, how does that affect the folds on the other? This small noticing exercise helps me understand the basics of art: values, anatomy, and perspective. It’s been such a great way to easily learn on the fly!”

Question 5: What are some of your favorite artists of all time? And how do they inspire you to keep making fantastic art on a consistent basis? 

  “Of course, Van Gogh is my favorite. But besides all of the classics, I have been particularly inspired from the start by online artists such as Lornaka and Loish. Lornaka has beautiful line control with her fine liner work, and Loish’s colors and composition are just unparalleled!.”

Question 6: How do you overcome art blocks? And how long does it normally take you to overcome those hurdles?

 “I keep a tight schedule of work to keep myself sharp. I have a list of things to draw if I ever run out of ideas, and I’m always adding things to it as well!”

“One of the main factors that keep me going is how my process works. Lots of artists work on one illustration for an entire week until it’s finished, then go on to the next. As I mentioned before, I spread my work over a few days. I do sketching on one day, lineart on the next, then base colors, and finally shading and finishing touches. This way I can work on multiple drawings at once while also avoiding running myself into the ground! I’ve had a few big art blocks in the past. They’ve lasted from two weeks to two months. It’s always difficult to get out of them, It’s a real shot to your confidence as an artist.”

“Redrawing old pieces has been super helpful to me. Getting the chance to look back and see how far you’ve come by comparing the new and old illustrations is so encouraging! I also like to draw self-indulgent work, like directly referencing favorite characters, or something more simple than my usual stuff. Anything to keep the creative wheels turning.”

Question 7: What advice would you give people who want to get into the world of art?

  “Just keep doing what you’re doing. Draw what you enjoy, and learn from others! There are so many amazing artists out there who share lessons and tutorials for free. Study the work of others, and learn the basics. Those building blocks will help guide you into finding your voice! Don’t give up on yourself, do what you love and enjoy the journey.”