Novyl – On Art and its Meaning

I have Novyl on The Creator’s Roulette and we are talking about art, talent, why we create and much more. Novyl paints beautiful portraits of her characters as well as does commissions. She has a wonderful Instagram channel so I have embedded a bunch of her art in this post (sorry everyone who is reading this in their inbox, best results on the webpage – it will be worth it! 🙂 ).

It’s time to feel the passion to create!

Novyl, welcome to Creator’s Roulette. I am so excited about this conversation. Tell me what is art to you?

Art to me, is EXPRESSION. Communication. For thousands of years, even before we had languages and science, we had art. People were drawing in caves with pigments and charcoals, telling stories with their art. The Altamira Cave in Spain has drawings which are almost 40,000 years old. Well before any known civilizations.

It’s the oldest expression of being human. And humans have the NEED to communicate, to relate. Hence, drawing images was the first step towards developing communication.

Images/Drawings/Art – these transcend time, place and languages.

You can still appreciate the finesse with which the Mona Lisa was painted – even though it’s over 500 years old now. We are still fascinated by what our ancestors painted, thousands of years ago, because we can see the images they painted and can understand that this was probably important in their lives, since they took the time to paint it.

Images also tell us our history – who we were, how we did things – art is living history.

Art has led to philosophy and science. It was art that created all the architecture we have today, plus the mathematics needed to build the forms.

So to me, art is an essential part of being human. It’s within us and all around us.

I guess, this is why so many people are drawn to it.

I love this answer! It speaks to how science is actually art, how making a photo album to keep memories together is art in its unique form and how we use it to express what matters to us. When you realize your love for art?

My love for art was always there. I never had to realize it.

Both my parents are artists and I grew up around some of the best artists in the world, leaders in their fields. I learned a lot and came to appreciate art even more, as I got older.

So art has been with me since the day I was born.

Asking me “when I realized my love for art” is like asking me “when I realized I could breathe”. 🙂

That’s great. I feel like that sometimes when I have this burning desire to learn something. I have been learning for as long as I can remember. It is an integral part of everything I do and express it through my writing, books I read, the work I do and the website itself. Is art integrated in your life in a similar manner?

Art is a part of me. Just like my nose, hands, eyes and ears and whatnot. My nose is integral to my living and just like that, so is art.

I live, breathe and sleep art. I have to CREATE. It’s a compulsion, a desire, a drive, a need.

I need art, like I need air and water. So yes, you can say art is very much integrated in my life, as it is in everyone’s lives.

Love this passion, and it shows through the things you do! Talking about creating. Do you think with the huge influx of technology, anyone can do and learn anything on the internet? Do you think that in our access to creating, we have forgotten why we create?

I think it is a lot to do with skills and passion. If you have a passion for something and you have the drive within you to keep at it – then you can achieve anything.

I don’t really believe in the word “talent”. When say to me, “You’re so talented” – I don’t see that as a compliment. I appreciate it but it tells me that these people aren’t considering the hours, days, weeks, years of practice I have put into my craft.

Sure, you can learn anything on the internet – being self-taught isn’t unusual. But its your passion that will drive you to do better. You have to WANT it. Badly.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Novyl (No-vile) (@lyv0n) on Mar 23, 2020 at 6:57am PDT

As for access to technologies – you can have access to the best and most cutting edge, but you need the skills and experience to utilize them effectively. And that only comes with practice and passion.

I don’t think people have forgotten why we create because I see many artists who create with specific messages in mind. You can find them in some of the best galleries in the world, still.

But there are many who do not fully appreciate what art actually is and what it is aiming to achieve. They enjoy its superficiality – which is perfectly okay! Not all art needs to be analysed for a deeper message. It’s main purpose is to be enjoyed. And if people are enjoying it, then it’s purpose is fulfilled. 😊

You bring up an interesting point since it reminds me of how younger generations are digital natives but knowing how to use an app or learning it that fast (they are young) isn’t the same as knowing how to explore things, build them and problem solve. It takes a lot of time and failures even to learn a skill inside out.

Yes, absolutely. It takes time. You’re investing in your own self.

I have always believed that anyone can do what I can do, all it takes is practice and passion. However, I have been told that not everyone can do what I can do – which I still find hard to believe.

What separates me from the rest is my passion and persistence in practicing my art. I do a LOT of drawing. I have been drawing for almost 3 decades now. So yes, ofcourse, I have talent but it’s also skills I have spent YEARS developing. It didn’t just happen overnight.

It’s not like I decided one night that I’m going to be an artist and the next day, I could draw like Da Vinci. That’s not how it works. Even Da Vinci started somewhere, and his first drawings weren’t that great.

It takes time to learn to draw. You have to learn proportions, lighting, shading, techniques, understanding the human body (if that’s what you’re drawing), materials, understanding the materials you’re using, being comfortable with them, holding the pencil right, etc. There is so much and it all comes with time and practice and patience.

Something I read in Queen of Owls:

“Years don’t always translate to proficiency.”
“Even so, it is hard to be proficient without them.”

Your perseverance makes you proficient.

Exactly.

Patience is key. And persistence.

Art is a medium for communication.

A lot of people who make art, don’t have much to say. Which makes the art rather empty. But then again, art doesn’t always need purpose. It just needs to be appreciated. Especially when a piece has been done with skill and love.

You draw art that represents the characters of your book. Does the description of the character come first or the image you are trying to draw in your mind’s eye?

View this post on Instagram

Some characters from my fantasy wip. 🙂 This story is coming together soooo well. All the blood, sweat and tears is going to be worth it. 🙂

A post shared by Novyl (No-vile) (@lyv0n) on Mar 22, 2020 at 4:13pm PDT

I do have a general idea first, of what the character should be like. The words come before the art does. The words fuel the art, and then the art fuels further words.

I do have physical characteristics in mind usually, before I start drawing. But as I start drawing the characters, they become more concrete in my head. And when I look at them, I get an even better idea of how I want to present them or write them.

It helps but it’s not necessary. The words will still flow, even without the art.

What is your process of making art?

Paper and pencil first. And then once the drawing is complete… I take photos of it and put it through a few digital filters. But the bulk of the work is done by hand. I have to work with limited materials and resources. I can’t afford all the fancy shmancy tech gear and tablets for digital work. The pencil is my GREATEST weapon! Long live the pencil!

View this post on Instagram

How I draw eyes. 🙂 × #drawingpencil #arttutorial #arttutorials #howtodraw #howtodraweyes #badteacher #rambling #drawingart #drawingeyes #artist #artistoninstagram #artistlife #selfisolation

A post shared by Novyl (No-vile) (@lyv0n) on Mar 25, 2020 at 3:23am PDT

That’s amazing. With pencil we don’t even think about the layering we do often but in these apps, they are quite pronounced. Tablets make it too easy to make color.

Actually, making the right color in paints or crayons is so hard.

Yes, easy to get colors in digital rather than physical paints/crayons for sure!

Another problem I see with digital artists is that they keep copying each other’s styles. All the art starts looking like it’s being done by the same person. If you ever see one of those artists lift threads, have a look at all the art and the styles, you will be hard pressed to tell it all apart. It’s sad people just want to draw COOL things.

Art is more than just drawing cool stuff. It’s about exploring your own creativity and pushing boundaries. Art DOES have a purpose. Art is an expression of YOUR voice. Your individuality. Your thoughts and ideas.

A lot of people ask the question… “Why should I bother creating?” That’s the wrong question. Create. Keep creating. It’s our purpose as human beings to create. Create anything… just create.

Every piece you create is worthwhile, because it’s adding to our own collective experience as human beings.

I struggle with my content sometimes because it feels like no one is reading them especially when other people post that they get 50 views or 100 views of 300 followers on their blogs. I don’t. But I never got into writing and blogging and reading for anyone else! I do for myself. And yes I remind myself that often because of social media haha but if I get less views I won’t stop writing so why do they matter?

Exactly!!!

It’s not about views anyway. Even if you get ONE view, trust me it has made an impact. I never do art thinking “Omg! Will this get many views?” – Pfft, it’s the furthest thing from my mind.

I draw because I want to draw it. I draw because I have a desire to do it. I want to create. I can’t help myself. Once I start drawing, I zone out to the world and am in my happy place. And THAT’S the key! It makes me happy!

We just have to keep going and keep doing. Persistence pays off big time.

Yes. And most importantly, it gives us a release as creators – doing something that we love.  What is something that someone looking to appreciate art more can do? Eg is there a place you think they should definitely visit, or maybe take a class to get hands on experience?

Art is a very personal experience. That is why there is so much out there, and of so many kinds.

Art to one person, could be trash to another. It’s a matter of perspective.

What I would advise is this: Be confident in your OWN taste, be confident about what YOU yourself like. It does not have to be what everyone likes. Only YOU have to like it. If an artwork pleases you, if it makes you happy, regardless of the level of skill of the artist, then art’s job is done.

Art is a form of expression that transcends all boundaries, languages, races, creeds, cultures.

Art is an appreciation of life in all its beautiful and ugly forms. And that we can relate with always.

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What is something you love creating?

I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Novyl! Find all her work on her website, and be sure to connect with her on Twitter and Instagram.

Cover Photo by Ankhesenamun 96 on Unsplash
Image of bison cave painting from Pixabay.
Image of bulb from Pixabay.