Interview with an Artist: Methods for Crafting Your Own Creative Landscapes
Illustrator and educator Sam Gillett has conjured entire realms from his creativity and animated them with his artistry. His illustrations stand out due to their unique ambiance and vitality, which arise from a blend of captivating compositions, technical skill, and meticulous detail. Employing instinctive perspective techniques, Gillett depicts space as a location, crafting vistas and scenes that draw viewers deeply into his creations.
It’s fortunate, then, that he is eager to impart his wisdom and skills to others. His course, Freehand Perspective Drawing for Beginners: Architecture and Landscapes, is the latest offering from My Modern Met Academy. Gillett teaches the fundamentals of instinctive perspective drawing. This course focuses on creating lifelike scenes with depth and intricacy without the use of reference images or rulers, guiding learners from a blank canvas to a finished landscape drawing that is both natural and engaging.
This course simplifies the intimidating idea of perspective drawing into manageable segments, starting with a brief overview of key terms and the elements of perspective. Gillett excels as an instructor, sharing relatable stories and examples to clarify various concepts. He then explains how to establish a visually appealing composition using guidelines and framing. Ultimately, he demonstrates to students how to enhance their landscape by incorporating diverse textures and shading throughout the drawing’s different areas.
Freehand Perspective Drawing for Beginners: Architecture and Landscapes is currently available for immediate purchase on the My Modern Met Academy website. Priced at $34.95 for nearly two hours of instruction, this course is essential for any artist interested in creating realistic scenes and subjects. Gillett designed this class with newcomers in mind, ensuring that the lessons are both accessible and relevant to other creative endeavors that might require similar intuitive decisions.
To celebrate the launch of our latest course, we had the opportunity to speak with Gillett about what inspires him to create such beautiful and imaginative landscapes. Continue reading for our exclusive interview, and be motivated by his journey and artistry.
**How did you embark on your artistic journey?**
I began drawing around the age of 5 or 6, largely inspired by my father, who sketched with me during my childhood. As a young adult, I rediscovered drawing as a means to unwind and process a challenging first year of college. From that point forward, I found the techniques and creative aspects of art to be endlessly fascinating.
**What drew you to illustration, particularly in connection with freehand perspective drawing?**
Freehand drawing encourages you to perceive the world, and your artwork, from fresh perspectives. It requires you to become skilled at noticing how scenes appear from various angles and viewpoints: it’s an enjoyable challenge! I also appreciate how art allows you to be a creator of worlds. With mere pencil marks on a page, we can bring new ideas to life and view the world in our own unique ways. That’s a remarkable gift!
**Are there any specific artists who have influenced you?**
I’ve always had a fascination with the realm of Middle-earth. John Howe and Alan Lee are two artists pivotal in crafting the visual aesthetic of The Lord of the Rings films, shaping numerous fantasy realms since. Their sketching style, which balances precision with a textured approach, is truly remarkable.
**What was the most challenging aspect of working with perspective for you when you began, and what challenges you now?**
It can be hard to visualize what you wish to draw… and then struggle to bring it to life. Particularly when trying to depict circles or other organic shapes in perspective, it’s easy to overlook that practice is essential: mastering the intuitive drawing of these forms takes time. Currently, I face similar hurdles when drawing characters. Learning how to depict faces and people is an entirely different challenge!
**What do you enjoy most about your artistic process?**
My favorite moment is when an idea for a drawing “clicks.” It can be a grind to sit with a blank page. But when you settle on a subject that truly captures your imagination and drives you to create, that’s a unique and fulfilling experience.
**What led you to start teaching your art to others, and what do you enjoy most about teaching?**
I began teaching as a way to push myself during the pandemic in 2020. Developing resources for other artists prompted me to learn new things about my drawing process and my perspective on art. It’s fulfilling to know I can assist other artists in discovering the ways that art can challenge and reward them. Hearing from students who feel my tutorials have helped them perceive art differently is an incredible experience.
**Do you have any tips for those starting with landscape drawing or more complex perspective compositions?**
Here’s the thing: the most effective way to improve is… draw! While this might sound obvious, it can be daunting to take a sketchbook with you to a café, on a street corner, or in a park. But drawing