What is your name and your current occupation?
Qing Han. I’m currently a freelance artist.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I actually…never really had crazy jobs hahaha; to make money, I mostly went to conventions to sell my illustrations and fanart before 🙂
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I got to freelance for Motorcity’s background painting, and I’d love to keep doing it when the new season starts.
How did you become interested in animation?
Well, I’ve always been pretty into anime, and I had a struggle choosing between animation and illustration, to be honest, but a good friend of mine was studying Animation already and she kind of pulled me along :).
Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I’m from Toronto, Canada, and I guess I really got into it via Sheridan Animation Program (networking and such there)
What’s a typical day like for you with regards to your job?
drawing drawing drawing? :D.
What part of your job do you like best? Why?
I like the part where I’m done and the client is happy with it :D. It’s just a happy satisfied feeling that people like the work they paid for.
What part of your job do you like least? Why?
I like the freedom my current job is granting me for character designs.
What kind of technology do you work with on a daily basis?
I mostly do digital art, using either photoshop or painttool SAI.
What is the most difficult part for you about being in the business?
Probably the networking; I’m not the best at talking to people and I’m always unsure if I said the wrong thing or not.
In your travels, have you had any brushes with animation greatness?
I’ve only ever worked/interned at Titmouse before, and they were pretty awesome.
Describe a tough situation you had in life.
Well, it was pretty tough when my parents immigrated to Canada when I was 9, and everything was so expensive we had to cut back on everything; i guess the worst part was the broken down apartment we lived in with the neverending cockroaches and mice. The good thing about that is that there will never be a more disgusting and run down apartment than that and i will be satisfied with all the other ones in the future :).
Any side projects or you’re working on that you’d like to share details of?
I’m actually thinking of putting together some sort of anatomy book, but currently I’m just doing separate tutorials on anatomy.
Any unusual talents or hobbies like tying a cherry stem with your tongue or metallurgy?
well, it’s not unusually but I played the violin for 15 years of my life since i was 3 and almost went pro but gave up for art 😀
Is there any advice you can give for an aspiring animation student or artist trying to break into the business?
Networking is really important. I’d say having an online profile and portfolio would be great too. You can send your portfolio to studios an even if they don’t get back to you, it’s still a great way to start.
————————-
