ABOUT: Ding

Ding is also one of the most creative and skilled persons I know. I have seen Ding's mural pieces and it's colourful and detailed. The cartoons, the lettering, the effects and the colours, murals and even digital pieces makes it hard to miss. His work of art inspires me to grow in my own art journey. This is the story of Ding.

Let's start off with a beer. What beer would you say is your favorite?
This one is difficult, but I have a favorite brewery, this is Pulfer and their Smoothie beers are so tasty, definitely recommended even for non-beer drinkers.

Where did your journey in art began?
Actually when I was born. You could only make me happy with paper and pencils and markers.

How did you end up in the graffitiscene ?
I actually started back in 2007 because of my cousin. This was in Tilburg, the Netherlands. He asked me to come along one time because he thought I could draw really well. So, I went with his crew, bought some spray cans, and had a sketch ready. I thought I was going to create something super cool, but that definitely wasn’t the case, haha. Those were good times, no can control at all, but that developed over the years.

What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your artistic skills?
To be completely honest, what really inspired me to become an artist were a few things. The old cartoons, the comics, the TV series—those illustrators were so good with so few tools. This drove me to push further and see how they did it. Another inspiration was the Hall of Fame walls in Tilburg. I would always bike over to check them out. I remember looking at works from artists like Conan, Odes, Zoomie, Zenk, and Desh (who went by a different name back then). We didn't have much internet, so you had to go out and find inspiration. I even saw big names like Smash and Atom in Tilburg—what a time that was. I could go on about this for hours, but then the interview would never end.

If you would have to describe your artistic style, what would you say?
I describe my style as a blend of old school and new school with a unique twist. I still want to showcase the old, but with new influences that have evolved over the years. Think of it as incorporating new caps, new cans, and more colors, so you can do more.


Can you share some of your favorite or most significant artistic projects or pieces you've created?
My favorite project was definitely Smoe's TMNT x MOTO battle. It gave me so much energy because it was a real mix of old school and new school. What I did first was create everything digitally as a concept of what I wanted on paper. Once the digital sketch was ready, I recreated it exactly on paper. Smoe then chose the best sketch to put on the wall. I wanted to challenge Smoe, so I made 13 additional characters from TMNT and MOTO. In the end, I won, and he created an amazing mural for me. If you want to see it, you should check out his channel. I'm very proud of this sketch, not just because I won, but also because I learned to think differently about color and gained control over new techniques.

You do digital as well as on paper and walls. What brands and tools would you recommend for papersketches and what do you recommend for walls?
For digital work, I just use a cheap iPad Air with a pencil and Procreate, and it works great. You don't need to buy the most expensive one, haha. For sketching on paper, I feel like I should tell you how I started. I began with paper and markers (Twins markers) from Action (a store in the Netherlands) and fineliners from HEMA, plus a good drawing pen with H2 lead. This setup worked really well for me, and I used it for years. Now, I almost exclusively use Molotow products—not sponsored, I just really like them because all the colors match across their Sketchers and One4all lines, giving you more flexibility. For walls, I've been using Montana Gold for years and have never really switched away from it. Yes, I've tried other brands, but I always come back to Montana Gold. My second choice is Montana Black, and third is Loop. And if Molotow ever sponsors me, I'd be happy to use Belton because they have a great selection, haha. I also use a Stencil cap, which is always handy for your character work, though I often try to manage without it. Still a bit old school, I guess.

What do you like the most about what you do ?
I'm a bit old-fashioned, but I do try out new things. I think this makes me unique because I'm open to change while never forgetting where it came from.

Are there any artist you look up to?
Yes, there are plenty. I have too many, and they are all totally different styles, but I will name them. Skore79, Dems, Delta, Opium, Heis, Smoe, Sofles, Spunk, Odes (NL), Conan, Atom, Smash, Druid, and also Studiogiftig (streetartists). Yes, I know some people dislike streetartists. But I often look at technique and color, and that's what I find cool. It’s not about illegal or legal for me; it’s more about style.

Everyone has their way of working. How do you approach the creative process, from conceptualization to completion?
I am often inspired by my surroundings, thinking about pieces by other people. I also enjoy art books and cartoons – yes, I'm a bit of a nerd. Usually, I doodle a bit on my iPad, and something original comes out. If I get a theme or assignment, I first search for inspiration on the internet and incorporate that into my digital sketch. When I didn't have internet, I kept many art books open and enjoyed sketching from them.

How do you stay motivated and overcome creative blocks or challenges in your work?
In very simple terms, never be satisfied; it can always be better.

Not every art, is for everyone. How do you handle critiques or feedback on your work, both positive and negative?
Positive or negative, see it more as feedback. Everyone has their opinion; I prefer someone being direct rather than hearing it later. Sometimes they are right, and I later incorporate that, but sometimes it's my thing at that moment. Often, it triggers me to do even better, so I always find this very positive.



The most thing I like to see in an artist is progress. What are your long-term artistic goals, and where do you see your art career heading in the future?
First question, I really enjoy seeing people grow from where they started, which in turn triggers me to see how things can be done differently. The other two questions can be summarized more easily: Graffiti is my hobby and relaxation. Could I make money from it? Probably. But do I still do it with pleasure? I don't think so. I enjoy what I create, and when I get sponsored or win something, I genuinely appreciate it because it's my passion and hobby, not my job. So, I'm just going with the flow with my creative mind, without a specific goal in mind.



Some artists feel they have a deeper meaning regarding their artwork. Does your art have a deeper meaning to you?
My art delves into the meaning of the 80s and 90s for me personally, reflecting on how I experienced my Childhood during that era.

Do you have anything else to you would like t share with the world?
Yes, I do, especially for the new generation of writers. I notice that they spend too much time on the internet. Why I think this is because there is too much copying from other writers, and I mean literally. Please step away from that screen and attend a jam or hall of fame with your blackbook, and observe other artists there but also talk to them. That's how we learned as well. Of course, you can borrow a technique or something, but make it your own and don’t copy it literally from someone else. Unfortunately, I see this happening too often; sometimes it seems like AI. Use the internet as a tool and don’t let it do your work. Just reach out to writers on Instagram if you really want to know how they do something instead of copying. I just wanted to say this and hope the new generation picks up on it.