ABOUT: Lody

 Lody is an artist who never stops drawing. Neither place nor time can hold back his passion for art. His exotic, cartoonish character Gwen is an integral part of the sticker community. Lody’s murals of Gwen are always large, and he adapts the character skillfully where needed. I hope to see more of Lody's art in the future. This is his story:

Let's start off with a beer. What beer would you say is your favorite?
I don't drink XD

Where did your journey in art begin, and how did you end up in the sticker scene?
In art, I generally started from birth, pretty much, mainly by drawing what I saw and consumed (cartoons and such). However, with stickers and graffiti, I got started because of OTR. Since we were in the same class and became friends, I began by drawing a bunch of female bodies and creating digital versions for a thermal printer. Not long after that, I started designing my first character, also known as Stixx. I originally designed him with a comic/manga-styled eye, to easily draw him from different perspectives and in actual black-and-white comic-styled stickers. I also started trading with that character, mainly on Indafront blanks and within the Netherlands. It wasn't until around September/August of 2023 that Chip Illus made a chibi-styled character, and I thought: 'I can do that.' So, I did, creating my more well-known character Gwen. Not long after I started drawing her, Dok reached out to me to make some 228 starters, which led me to focus almost exclusively on 228 collabs. Through the 228s, I also developed the ability to draw my character from different angles, making Gwen really capable of diverse poses.

What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your artistic skills?
What inspired me a lot is anime, which I grab the chibi style from, and having alot of intrest in Panty&Stocking, together with the Powerpuff girls. Beside the handmade stuff I do also make a bunch of digital collabs and printed vinyls. With people such as: Vandal scrump, OTR, Bunz, Verfvandaal and a bunch more.

If you would have to describe your artistic style, what would you say?
I describe my style as a quite risqué western version of anime styled Chibi characters.

Can you share some of your favorite or most significant artistic projects or pieces you've created?
I would say my favorite artwork I have made is my original comic collab poster. Bringing together 13 people from all over the world for a simple black and white collab which for me was one of my first big projects, and I think is what really put my name out there.
Next to that I would say my most recent canvas I made. Really had to work out the pose for that one, and came out amazing in my opinion.

You work both digitally and on paper and walls. What brands and tools do you recommend for paper sketches, and what would you suggest for working on walls?
For paper sketches I usually do them on 228's. That way I have both a sketch for my digital work, and a starter to send out. A 2 in 1 deal ;). Digitally I work with Adobe Illustrator, and just on my laptop with a regular mouse. For walls i use whatever latex i have, and always Montana Black Cans. Iced coffee For The Win.

What do you like the most about what you do ?
I like that I'm able to do my drawings wherever and whenever I can or want. I have complete freedom in what I create, no one to tell me no.

Are there any artist you look up to?
Some artists I look up to I would say are:
Junji Ito (I would love to be so detailed)
Yusuke Murata (He's the final artist for the one-punch man manga. I really love his anatomical drawing... insane I hope to be as good as that one day)
UBI (He can mix messy with clean so good, really enjoy his style)

Everyone has their way of working. How do you approach the creative process, from conceptualization to completion?
I either work from a reference image or start with an idea in my head. So a lot of the times, I sketch out my 'base' character first, and then add all the extra stuff: clothing, accessories and backgrounds. Then I color in first with alcohol markers from lightest to darkest. And my outlining last. And sometimes if needed, I'll test some colors before putting them down on the actual work.

How do you stay motivated and overcome creative blocks or challenges in your work?
To stay motivated is through other people's work. Whenever I feel like I don't know what to draw, I'll just grab a collab or starter and work off of that, because there is already a determined theme I don't really need to think about a whole new thing for myself. As for my own starters and such, I start by drawing my sketch and visualising in my head if it'll come out how I think it will. For different poses I'll search up references.

Not every art, is for everyone. How do you handle critiques or feedback on your work, both positive and negative?
Up till now I haven't really had 'negative' feedback, I did have some people say it might be a bit too much for some. But I personally think that if you don't enjoy something, it isn't for you. So if you don't like my work, that's fine. Just move along. But beside the handful of those comments I have had almost only positive feedback and comments. Mainly because I have a female character, and not a lot of sticker artists do. And people enjoy my artstyle a lot so that's relieving to hear.

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?
I see myself hopefully becoming better at actual graff, it is one of my goals this year to paint more. And I hope to become better at anatomy, and study specific styles more. Because I think I'm good as is, but it is always good to be even better.

Some artists feel they have a deeper meaning regarding their artwork. Does your art have a deeper meaning to you?
For me no, my artwork doesn't have deeper meaning to me. Aside that 'Gwen' is the name of every emo girl in every cartoon, Total drama island for example. However I did think about some design parts, seeing as all of my character is very round, except for her eyes and nose, making you more attracted to look at her face and expression before anything else.

Do you have anything you would like to share with the world?
I dont have anything too over the top, just keep on drawin and It's All Love man.

All Love - Lody