The rich imagery and fine attention to detail that characterize Canadian artist Anna Fehr's work won her our premier issue cover slot. Our art director, Kevin Wasden, asked Anna a few questions about where her abilities hail from and how she works. Here's the result of their conversation:

Kevin: Can you tell me a little about yourself, such as where you're from, how long you've been an artist, where you studied art, etc.?
Anna: I presently reside in Burnaby, BC and have been for almost three years.

As for art, I started at an early age, my father being a heavy influence. He would patiently teach me day after day until I finally had the strength to stand on my own. After that I couldn't learn enough. I would look through any art book or online tutorial I could get my grubby little hands on (and I still do). The majority of my traditional/digital techniques were self taught. I did however study at the Art Institute of Vancouver for an animation degree, and even though I was there for animation, I focused more so upon 3d modelling and concept art.

Kevin: Can you tell me a little about your creative process? (This can apply to both digital and traditional)
Anna: I start with a thumbnail (or a few) to get the general idea of what I'm going to draw. I really do advise planning it out, for not only are you familiarizing yourself with the idea, but you're just making it that much easier and faster to complete the image. It will allow you to explore your options.

clean up- generally cleaning up lines- inking them- this all depends on what kind of look I'm going for though. Sometimes it isn't necissarry.

I cover the background with a base color and go onto blocking out the colors for either the character or background I'm working on. Light source and values are a factor in this process. When I work I usually start with my shadows first then work my way up (before coloring I occassionally make a color key for the scheme/mood I'm shooting for)

After that it's just refining and detailing until reaching the prefered result. Kevin: Most of your art on Deviant Art is digital. What do you like about working digitally as opposed to other mediums? Is there one medium you prefer over another?
Anna: In all honesty, because I've been working with traditional and digital media for so long I haven't really developed a favorite. Each of them has their pros and cons.

Traditional I find a bit more challenging because it doesn't have that magical undo button. (I like being challenged so that's quite alright) it's brush strokes also, can't be replicated a second time. Each one is unique (similar, but unique)

Digital is just that. Digital. It's not something entirely tangable. (sure you can print it out- but that's just a copy) but at the same time you don't have to pay for paints or brushes, tables, pencils, charcole, canvases, paper, etc. Not only that but it's also fairly clean.

There are a few other things but you get the point. Personally I like both because they're both unique in their own way- you can also basically carry the same techniques from one to the other so it's really no biggy.

Kevin: What is it that appeals to you about the science-fiction/fantasy genre?
Anna: It's an escape and I was raised into it. It's nice to just relax and forget about reality once and a while.

Kevin: Who are some of your favorite artists and influences? Anna: There are a few...they change every couple of years as my goals are set higher (and new discoveries are made!)

Currently some of my favorite artists are: James Jean, Zdzislaw Beksinski, Joao Ruas, Ashley Wood, Frank Frazetta, Norman Rockwell, Scott Robertson, Jason Chan, Stephan Martinier, Matthieu Bessudo...the list goes on.

Other influences?: music, particular sounds, Nature, architecture, grungy items, games, film, emotions etc