Artist in Residence: Erik Ly
As an illustrator and digital artist, Erik Ly creates elegantly surreal illustrations, character art, and animal drawings. He has worked in video games and created designs for brands such as Amazon and Serif.
Artist’s Studio
Erik Ly’s studio is his happy place, filled with art books, trinkets, figures, and artwork on the wall.
"I’ve been living and working out of this apartment for close to seven years now. It has seen so many updates as my tastes have changed and my equipment evolved over the years. This should be its final form! My wife and I plan on moving to something larger and more permanent, hopefully by next year."
Collecting and Inspiration
Erik’s studio is filled with collectibles, including figures from his favorite series such as FromSoftware, Berserk, Monster Hunter, and Digimon.
"A bottle of Highland Park scotch whisky from my best friend at the time. I only have two to five glasses a month. All good things in moderation!"
Work and Passion
Erik’s work has a balance between freelance, conventions, and social media presence.
"I’m a bit more careful with what I choose to collect these days. I do have a lot of passion projects, like my playmat, which I create for my own enjoyment. It’s a tight little space, but I’m doing my best to utilize all of it."
Custom Controller
Erik is a fan of fighting games and created his own custom controller.
"I even created custom artwork just for this niche controller. Tekken is my current jam."
Artwork
Erik’s artwork features surreal illustrations, character art, and animal drawings.
"My own playmat I created. I think playmats are a great product to sell at shows, but they can get so heavy when traveling around."
Printers and Wacom Cintiq 27 Pro
Erik’s studio is equipped with printers and his Wacom Cintiq 27 Pro.
"I set up this table for books and references, but when Luna and Leo started jumping up, it made for an extra bed."
Commissioned Work
Erik has worked on commissioned pieces for franchises such as Mortal Kombat.
"Fire and Ice was a little dream of mine, being able to draw Sub-Zero and Scorpion from Mortal Kombat."
Original Ink Drawing
Erik acquired an original ink drawing by one of his favorite artists.
"I was able to acquire this original ink drawing by one of my favorite artists! I’m a sucker for crocodiles and alligators."
Conclusion
Erik Ly’s studio is a reflection of his creative passion and dedication to his craft. With his unique blend of surreal illustration and character art, Erik continues to inspire and amaze fans around the world.
FAQs
Q: What inspired Erik Ly to become an artist?
A: Erik was inspired by his love of video games and anime. He began drawing and sketching as a child and continued to develop his skills throughout his teenage years.
Q: What is Erik’s favorite medium to work with?
A: Erik primarily works with digital drawing software, such as Wacom tablets and Adobe Creative Suite.
Q: Who are some of Erik’s favorite artists?
A: Erik cites James Jean and Tomer Hanuka as two of his favorite artists.
Q: What are some of Erik’s current projects?
A: Erik is currently working on new illustrations for his social media platforms and is planning for upcoming conventions.
