From scribbling in her notebooks to creating digital art for almost 71 thousand followers, Uliana attributes her success to hard work and determination. A “completely self-taught” Russian artist, currently studying Economics, Uliana has made her mark on the Instagram world by working hard and following her instincts.
When I decided to learn how to draw, I simply started drawing every single day and in every free minute that I had. In the beginning, I mostly used to scribble in my notebooks and then eventually got into digital art.
Discovering her passion
Most artists are borne out of their necessity to find a happy place. Much like cinema and literature, creating art is immersive and can help you forget reality for those precious hours. Whether you are unhappy with your life or just craving a break, there is a power in a brush to elevate you from your state of mind. It triggers your creativity and helps you understand a version of yourself that you might not see in your everyday life. Uliana stated that:
I used art as an escape. In fact, I started drawing because I was unhappy with my life and I was in need of something that could bring me joy.
Talking about Instagram
While starting her account, Uliana said she hardly put any thought into it. A platform that now helps her connect with thousands of followers all over the world, she started with the thought “Hey, lots of people post their art on Instagram, maybe I should start doing it too?”. Created almost a year back on January 2018, Uliana said she “wasn’t expecting anything” from Instagram and what followed left her in shock.
Upon experimenting with characters
While most artists tend to stick to a few different characters in their comics, Uliana still experiments with them. She creates new characters who are dealing with different situations in life and highlights their distinct characteristics. While Uliana says that the reason behind this is “simply getting bored of drawing the same character over and over again”, it also is what helps her connect with her audience. With a fan base that spreads across the globe, a diverse range of characters with colourful backgrounds helps her audience relate to her work.
Experimenting with personalities and styles also helps Uliana in “staying motivated”. As a child, she “used to write a lot of stories and so I enjoy developing characters, their personalities and stories”. She also acknowledges the opportunity that art provides of finding a part of your personality that has gone unnoticed for years. Connecting with her own true self through art, she says that:
Having several characters also provides more opportunities to explore various themes and various aspects of my own personality.
Behind the scenes of making a comic
To be honest I don’t have a specific plan of action which applies to every comic. Sometimes when I have an idea, I can clearly see what I want the comic to look like and sometimes, I spend time trying to find the best way to express my thoughts. For short comics, I rarely write down the script, usually, I plan everything in my head and then start sketching.
I always start drawing around 6 pm, which by now has become a habit for me. Having said that, at times I’m also facing an artistic block and I have to venture outside my house and write a script in a coffee shop or at a park. This really helps me bring back the creativity into my writing and think of something my audience will relate to.
After the scripting and ideation, I use Clip Studio Paint and draw everything digitally. Then, when I’m done with sketching, lining and colouring, I add the final text. Usually, this process takes me quite a few hours so I mostly end up posting my work late at night and then going off to sleep.
Coping with the pressure to create
“I’m extremely thankful that so many people enjoy my work. But at the same time, I do feel the pressure. Often, I feel like I promised these people good content and if I won’t give that to them regularly then, they’ll be disappointed. This is why I like to get off social media from time to time to remind myself that I’m an actual person who needs to take care of herself and her health and not an art machine.
Like most others, Uliana also agreed that there are times when she is too hard on her own self and has to just tell herself to “stop and remember” that art isn’t her “job…for now”. “The purpose of creation is actually to relieve stress, hence, stressing over drawings is just foolish and counter-productive.”
Did 38raccoons start by practising on paper?
No, I don’t know why but I can never bring myself to draw on paper. It seems too stressful for me unless it’s simply doodling something in class.
