Later this month, I will attend Florida Supercon 2023, but before I do that I must post about the fourth and final featured artist from Florida Supercon 2022 — Brittney Jackson (BrittneyAnnArt.com).
I remember walking the show floor of Supercon and being immediately drawn to the Disney-esque art style of Brittney Jackson. It wasn’t just her art style, but also the subjects. Many of Brittney’s pieces felt like she had taken a moment from a particular movie, show, or game and created her own version.
Her body of work includes so many iconic characters from different universes, all portrayed in a new universe — The Brittney Ann Art Universe.
Let’s hear from Brittney herself. Below is my Q&A interview with Brittney Jackson (Brittney Ann Art):
When did you begin drawing? Did you attend art school or are you mostly self-taught?
I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember. It’s always been one of my favorite activities and the older I get and the more I learn, the more my passion for it continues to grow. I took some art classes in high school and a few in community college, but would say I am mostly self-taught.
I was instantly drawn to your art style because it feels like a “Disney-fication” of different characters.
Which Disney characters are/were some of your favorite to draw? Where else does your style come from?
I loved all of the Disney characters, but was particularly drawn to the animals. My favs were definitely Simba and Nala, the 101 Dalmatians, Oliver and Dodger, Todd and Copper, and the Aristocats. Other than Disney, I was also majorly inspired by other 2D animations as well (Warner Brothers, Don Bluth, Clone Wars) as well as comics in the newspaper.
What is your process like? Do you begin with sketching, then move to digital?
Which digital tools do you normally use?
My process is usually very chaotic and messy. Everything starts with a rough sketch and I’ll kind of slowly work my way from that into something more refined. Lots of sketching and erasing. Normally whatever medium I’m using (whether traditional pencil on paper or digital) is what I’ll mostly stick to for the entirety of the piece.
For digital tools, I normally use Procreate on the iPad with my apple pencil. I have a very old Wacom Bamboo tablet I’ve had since like 2008 that I’ll use when I do Photoshop paintings as well. Someday I’ll be able to upgrade and use the computer more haha.
Are there any big projects you’ve worked on that you’re really proud of? I know your Star Wars F•R•I•E•N•D•S portrait is a big hit, and you’ve even received requests to recreate that design
with different characters.
I really am a fan of the Star Wars Friends portrait too! It was an idea that came completely out of my head and surprisingly one that I was able to execute pretty well. It’s coming up on two years old now and I still really love it — which is rare since I usually start disliking my older pieces the more time goes on.
I like that many of your pieces feel like you paused a show/movie and just began drawing what
was on screen in your own style. What other ways do you find inspiration to make art?
I do gain inspiration for art pieces from movie and show scenes, but also really find inspiration all over the place. I’ll see a portrait photo that might really inspire me to draw a character in a similar pose, a beautiful sunset that I want to use in a color palette, or even a person walking down the street in real life and think, “Wow, that would make a great character.”
When it comes to commissions/client work, when you are given a “task” how does the process
differ from getting inspired on your own?
It really varies. Sometimes receiving parameters to work within can create good motivation and excitement about a project for me. Other times it can make me feel boxed in, frustrated, or completely uninspired. There are many factors and it varies, but of course grinding it out and being willing to do what you need to do, regardless if you feel like it or not, is an important part of every job.
Do you have any advice for young/new artists? What do you wish you knew earlier as an artist?
It’s going to sound cliche, but never stop practicing and learning. Compete with yourself and strive to be better than you were before. Never compare yourself to anyone else, their skills, or their journey. You are going to get discouraged, but use those times to know when to take breaks, step away for a while, get inspired again, and come back to what you were working on with fresh eyes.
Also, push yourself out of your comfort zone and practice drawing things that are most difficult for you – hands, backgrounds, animals, etc. It’s a lifelong learning process of trial and error, but if you truly work hard and apply yourself, you’ll be surprised at the progress you make over time.
What’s your ultimate goal/dream job as an artist? Do you want to work in animation or film?
Work for Disney?
I would LOVE to work in animation, film, or printed media and comic books. Character design, illustration, storyboarding, concept art — would love to get the opportunity to do any of those things in the entertainment industry.
Disney or Lucasfilm would be THE dream. I would love to work at/with other studios big or small as well. Being able to create my own characters professionally would be so fun too. It’s a pretty big bucket list. 🙂
Is art your main job? Or are you doing something else during the weekdays and this is your side gig?
It actually is my main job! I am constantly working on my art and all of the behind the scenes stuff involved with selling, marketing it, strategizing, prepping and traveling to cons, and all the other things that make it run as well. It keeps me working way more hours than I ever did in any other job I’ve ever had, but I love it.
Since I cover mostly gaming on myVGBC.com, I have to ask if you have any gaming memories recently or as a child. Any games that inspired you to create art based on them.
I am totally an old-school gaming fan. My absolute favorites as a kid (and honestly still are) are Donkey Kong 64, Banjo Kazooie, OG Battlefront II, and Lego Star Wars. I don’t play many new games these days (except for Breath of the Wild, Smash Bros, and Mario Kart) but will still absolutely crush anyone who challenges me at Galaga, DigDug or Ms. PacMan.
I’ve drawn a lot of Donkey and Diddy Kong in my life (though not recently — need to change that!). I actually just completed a Zelda and Link piece and am planning on doing some Mario and KOTAR art hopefully soon.
Thanks again to Brittney for answering my questions even with her busy schedule. If you’re attending a Con in your area soon keep your eye out for Brittney — and make sure to pick up some of her art.
Here’s where you can find more of Brittney’s art:
Brittney Ann Art website
Brittney Ann Art Instagram
Brittney Ann Art Etsy
VIDEO GAME BOOK CLUB 