The RPG Guy introduces…

The amazing… fantasy illustrator, Symatt…

On to the questions.

How old were you when you started drawing?

Well I was very young when I started drawing. Younger than I can really remember. I could draw in 3 dimensions from the start, like chairs and tables. My parents saw something. I got to drawing animals most of the time. Eventually I kind of stopped for years as all I got for birthdays and Christmas  was pencils and drawing pads.

When I started role playing I drew my character and other people’s characters and that is what I enjoy doing. My style is limited but I know its mine.

What is a gentleman to you? And, how do you think this helps describe your style?

A gentleman, its the TRUE Englishman that I have hidden within me. I’m as honest as most, well spoken yet shy. How it helps my style. Hmmm not sure if that is a part of my style but as it is part of me then for sure it has to be in my art.

I’ve noticed that you have both comics and “other” illustrations that you’ve done on your site. Which one do you enjoy doing more?

My mail love is the comic style. Drawing mine and others RPG characters. Giving the player a visualization, a representation. Something they can show everyone. “Hey, this is me”.

I have a feel and a joy for Superheroes and fantasy. I have skill in drawing the human form, not a real look but the hero, the exaggeration and the dramatic.

Oh, and the smile of getting it just right for the person I have drawn for.

What is your favorite piece?

My favourite piece ? Well as with asking someone their favourite movie. It can change. At the moment, out of the newer pictures I think it would have to be the birdman. He is so cool. It’s a Tengu id love to play in a game.

When you’re doing a piece, do you start with a plan of attack or do you just improvise as you go?

I have to have that seed in my mind. That initial idea but then it grows as it goes. Sometimes I know what I want and it flows straight away and then sometimes it takes a little more effort. Once I have it then away I go until I have to finish it. Can never seem to finish if I don’t do it there and then.

If I can be given an idea and I can see that in my mind then that can help so much. Some people come up with some great ideas. That’s why I ask twitter friends all the time. Great people, all of them.

What kinds of pieces would you like to do more of?

Well you may notice that RPG plays a big part in my art. Love it and I don’t get enough of it. The heroes of games the villain and the monster. The big players in any story. Yeah these are the things I like. I feel fear in running dry. Loosing the drive, for from time to time I stop drawing and it can be gone for years. My #countersketches are a new and fun influx to my art.

Great times with some cool ideas.

When you think of art, what makes you passionate?

Oh I love the human figure, I like the thrill to look over the drawn curves and lines that the figure shows. I grew up with the amazing art of Brian Bolland, Steve Dillon and may other fantastic 2000 ad comic book artists. My ultimate passion comes from looking over some Tamara De Lempica. She holds me with every stroke. I’m in love with her art.

Do you listen to music while you work? Do you whistle while you work?  :)

War of the worlds was the piece I always drew to. Then came film sound tracks like the Aliens movie music. Soundtracks have so much drama keeps my mind awake. Now I tend to listen to gaming podcasts as I have so many to catch up with.

Do you have any projects you are currently working on?

No major project going at the moment. I’ve been asked to draw for several gaming ideas, again via twitter but I don’t want to get lost in to much work for people whom I won’t charge for. If I charge for my art it would mean I Have to do it. At least this way if I don’t complete or even do it then there shouldn’t but any come back on me as I’m doing it for free anyway.

I hope that isn’t too wrong of me but I need to keep that drive and if I’m under pressure then I know I wouldn’t  be able to manage my best work for them.

Are there any artists that have influenced you? How about authors? Movies?

The artists I like I have mentioned. So Authors, Brian Jaques, Philip Reave. The Imagination of these guys take me places I want to go. I do not read many actual novels. I’m still into graphic novels. Its an art thing. I still love to watch the story evolve page by page.

I’m an emotional person and if a film takes me by the hand and drags me laughing and crying to its end then I’m happy.

A fantasy or action movies is a first choice. My latest that I really love and have watched 7 times, 5 of those actually at the cinema is the Incredible Hulk. The Edward Norton version. Brilliant, I cry every time.

What kind of stories do you generally go towards?

I want fun characters, ones that I’d love to play or be in a game. Simple is what I like. If a story gets too complicated then I get lost and end up confused. That’s not what I want or look for. A quick read is preferred as I’m impatient, like my art I want to get it finished and on to the next story. Saying that, I was totally enthralled by Lord of the Ring.

Then, I read Paradise Lost. Why I started that? Well as Mark Twain said when asked what a classic was. “a classic is a book you want to have read but never want to read” . My brother told me the story and I had to read and I’m so glad I did. Amazing battles and amazing character. That classic just had to be read.

Do you do a lot of table top gaming?

I live a long way from friends and my brother. They are my main gaming group. I play very little now but that is not through choice. This I hope to change in the near future. A great friend on twitter helped me get some gaming done online. @DMSamuel on twitter offered to run some games for my benefit and for a few months I got to RPG with some great people via Skype.

I also travel the UK to get into a game. Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, London, Birmingham. I’m open to go anywhere to get a chance to run games or play. Bring it on.

What’s your favorite RPG system?

Call of Cthulhu is my favourite RPG ever. It has flexibility that as a GM I can make full use of. I have run some amazing games with it. Next, would be Dungeons & Dragons Fourth Edition. It’s so four colour and heroic. Great stuff. Heroes Unlimited, what a game. So, so cool. Not enough love in the world for this game.

Not forgetting Pendragon, Top Secret SI. Oh and 7th Sea. These are games I own but I love them all and want to play them all. Find me players for 4th ed Legend of the Five Rings and I’ll be happy.

What’s your favorite video game?

I bought an Xbox 360 just for Oblivion  and I still play it. I have about 12 other games in my cupboard but I always come back to Oblivion.  I guess if Skyrim makes me feel the same way then that will be the next one for me. Adventure and free roaming is what I get a thrill from. I’m not actually a good gamer, games do not come easy to me.

Do you draw daily?

Drawing daily hasn’t been a thing I could do but when I started #countersketch I managed 42 straight days of drawing, I was very pleased. The one thing I do not do and wish I could is doodle. A picture has to be a picture not just, well a nothing, a scribble is not what my brain will let me draw. It has to be something.

A daily sketch is hard and for those who can do it I bow to them.

Have you ever done any maps? Would you like to do them / more of them?

Oh well maps. Game maps, City maps, adventure maps. You bet I do maps. Never enough and I can never get what I really want onto paper. Of course I want to draw more but I need more knowledge and me understanding of what a good map is and what makes a great map. I’m open to help and instruction. I love to learn and to add to what I have.

What is the most powerful thing in the universe to you? Does this influence your pieces?

Emotion. I’m driven by my emotions. I breakdown very easily be it happy or sad. So I draw with my emotions. It has to be something I love and lovingly want to do. If the drawing makes Me feel good then what more could I ask for.

Having someone else happy with what I do makes me happy. Its what I bring to my gaming and my life in general. But with the high upside there has to be a heavy downside. I can come down really hard and from time to time I will.

Who are we if we have no emotion? Let it out. Laugh and cry whenever the need. Let it out. Life is an Emotion and it needs to be free.

Thank you so much for asking and giving me this opportunity to give up some of myself and to share with your readers.

You are the gentleman here.

A Note from The RPG Guy: If you liked this interview, you may also want to check out: 

• Interview with WoW Guru Markco
• Tweet RPG Tells All!

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