Interview with klungsama

Time to get to know a bit more about klungsama. You've seen the work, let's hear a little something about the person.

Give us a short introduction about you.
My name is Christoffer Klungerbo, I'm 23 years old now I think I love to draw, allways have.. But havn't really decided to go all out with it until recently when I quit my 2 promising jobs, quit my current education in economics and applied for an artschooll way up north. So yea, after this summer 2009 I will be starting my journey towards being a professional artist.

Where did you grow up? Tell us a little story about the young you.
As young I was probably the most ignorant little bastard in Norway, haha. I thought everything was good, that everybody liked me, and that's the way things were gonna stay. Oh well! I grew up in the outskirts of one of Norways oldest cities, Tønsberg. I had a blast until the age of four, when my parents split up for some reason. Had a blast from that to the age of twelve when I found out my mom was an alcoholic (no worries, it's no biggy any more). And from there I whent living with my dad the work'o'holic, haha, which was good besides the normal teen frustration everyone goes through I guess. All in all a pretty normal childhood now'a'days.

What aspect of yourself really stands out? Any peculiar habits or odd fascinations?
I would like to think that I'm a humble guy.. but I'm a hard ass when it comes to holding on to my beliefs and values. I'm for keeping things happy, not a big fan of sad/serious discussions that will only kill the mood anyways, haha. I don't like to talk about money, as I find that also kind of kills the mood most of the time. But habits.. I'm not sure. None that I would like to adress here anyways, haha.

What is that common every day thing that can really make your day?
Uhm.. Common every day thing.. I guess a good workout followed by a delicious dinner and an awesome movie would have to be the perfect every day experience for me.

Is there a typical topic, story or concept that fuels your creations? Where does that fascination come from?
I get inspiration from everywhere.. But mostly from good movies and awesome people able to achieve their goals!

Visual artists and music is like cookies and milk, does music do anything for you?
I like having music when drawing, it makes me enter this hypnotic stage or something.. suddenly I've been sitting there for five hours and wondering where the heck that time whent! Because it sure as hell doesn't show on the drawingboard, haha.

Which artists really influence you?
Cole Eastburn would have to be my number one influence. He's been through some serious downs before he reached his peak, so I really admire that what he did, and that's the reason I choose to just go for it myself

Which artists do you consider to be the great ones of this time?
Many many many.. But yea, Cole Eastburn, Bobby Chiu, Warren Louw would have to be my top three favourites.

How would you describe your style?
I don't have a style yet I'm trying to find it!

Is there something specific that sparked your creative side?
At an early stage it was my grandmother which thought me how to draw donald duck, haha. I was like 7years old or something. Later it was my stepmom (or so she claims), that inspired me to draw some more. I've been doing very little drawing until this point. But I've gotten my real big spark by Cole Eastburn and his story to greatness.

What's your opinion about traditional media? Is it an advantage to have experience with real pencils, paint or conventional camera?
I think traditional and digital is all the same.. you need to know the basics, and then there's just the media of your choosing. It takes practice of course, and I only now the digital painting method so far, so I really like digital, but when I go to school I hope to experience some traditional media as well.

On the creative side, what are you trying to achieve? Is there a reachable goal you've put your focus on?
I want to finish the education first, and reach a skill level close to what Cole, Warren and Bobby are at now, which I think will go pretty smooth, and then just work as a freelancer and get my name known before I end up with some game company (preferably Blizzard as it stands today).

Do you strive to be as versatile as possible or do you stick to one thing?
Well, I've just started out, so I'm not really sticking to anything, haha.

Is there a certain ritual that takes place before you start working on something?
Some sort of inspiration from a movie, a podcast by Bobby or a peek through Cole's online sketchbook is often in place before I touch the pencil yes.

How do you work? Describe the process you go through.
I really have no process right now. I sketch, and if I'm not happy with the first sketch, I usually go do something else like play Red Alert 3 or something, haha. But yea, after the sketch I just apply colors.. I guess I usually try to color my charachter first and then go for the background. But there havn't been many pieces like that yet. I'm working on my first one now, available in the WIP section of the forum

What equipment do you use to create your work?
I have a Wacom Intous 3 which I bought in 2005 some time.

Have you been educated in what you do? Where did you study and how much do you profit from it?
I have learned what I know today from reading, trying and failing, and just watching other peoples progress/tutorials. Also a big turn in knowledge was when we had the 'adopt a newbie' thread here. Repercutir adopted me and helped me make some nice progress!

Wich programs do you use and what do you use them for?
Photoshop for everything.

How do you work on improving yourself? Any secrets you'd like to share?
I've recently started looking up on Andrew Loomis' books, which are all awesome. But mostly, you just have to try and fail along the way (while reading up and sucking in all the information you can about everything related to art).

Describe your dream job. Where would you love to let loose your creativity?
If I can just sit and draw what the heck I want to, every day, and people like it and buy it, that will be the dream job one day perhaps. But before that I really just want to become a great artist any way I can, and hopefully end up in some major gaming company like Blizzard and help develop charachters etc there.

Any final words for the readers?
I've given up a lot to go this new path of mine.. And I have NO idea how it will turn out, but I know one thing; Money isn't everything. And if you go do the thing you love most, the thing that really gives you something in return, like drawing/painting does for me, then money will come to you one day, no doubts about it. So just go out there and give it your best, strive for perfection in your flaws and just keep on working hard, and you will be rewarded!

At least I think so Haha.