Growing up under the influence of Japanese anime and manga, Desti picked up drawing skills on her own and started creating art for her family and friends. She was recruited by Singaporean illustration studio, Collateral Damage Studios. A number of the anime-inspired artworks in this magazine feature traditional themes and recurring characters of the studio. New to the adult colouring market, Desti was commissioned to create these designs especially for Colouring Heaven.
How long have you been illustrating and what made you start?
I've always liked looking at illustrations, so I guess I started picking up drawing for myself. Along the way, I met other friends who drew, so I started drawing even more. I am now a professional illustrator drawing with Collateral Damage Studios.
Where do you get your inspiration?
The internet provides an endless source of possible inspirations out there. It is very motivating to look at other illustrators drawings!
Where is your favourite place to illustrate?
Since I draw digitally with a tablet, the only place would be in front of the computer...
Well, it is not a place, but I always have a music playlist going while drawing.
What are your illustrating/colouring material essentials?
I use a Wacom Intuos Pro tablet to draw with, along with the drawing software Clip Studio Paint. Since unlike Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint was made with drawing in mind, it is more straightforward to use when it comes to drawing and colouring.
What’s the piece of work that you’re most proud of or enjoyed doing the most?
Doing the lineart for this colouring book collection was fun. It would be nice to do something like that again someday. Out of all the artworks done for the book, my favourite has to be 'Gothic Lolita'!
Rather then using black for shadows, use a dark blue/purple instead. Using black would make the colours feel flat rather then vivid!
