5 Questions for Keh Choon Wee (aka K)
1. Can you introduce yourself and the work you do?
Hi, my name is Keh Choon Wee (or just "k" like what some of my peers called me) and I am currently working as a Creative Lead at Beach House Pictures (Kids Division) where I am art directing and creating content for a children TV network and app.
Since graduating from Nanyang Polytechnic's Digital Media Design in 2001, I've been working in the Animation and Games industry for the past 12 years with experiences including Weta Production and Lucasarts Singapore. I've also published some short story manga many years ago and is currently working on a new comic project with another writer which we hope to get it out next year.
Last year, I published my first sketchbook at AFA 2012 and my second sketchbook was released this year at STGCC. Some of my works can be found on my Deviantart page, facebook page and blog.
2. What is it that you do at Weta Production and Lucasarts Singapore? How is it different from what you're doing at the TV network now?
I was part of the Art Design team at Weta Production working on Jane and the Dragon where I did conceptual design works for characters, environments and props.
Concept art created at Weta
During my 6 years at Lucasarts Singapore, I was involved in various aspect of the production pipeline. From modeling, texturing, rigging (The Clone Wars NDS Games), environment art (The Force Unleashed), Background painting (Monkey Island 2: Special Edition) to VFX (The Force Unleashed II DLC, Star Wars: The First Assault).
Comparing to what I did at Lucasarts (before it was closed down) and what I am doing now, it's quite different. It's VFX for next gen games vs art direction and conceptualizing content for children TV network and app. I guess you can say that I have moved back to the animation industry doing what I have always enjoyed doing (animation and concepts) but at the same time being able to use my experience at Lucasarts and apply those knowledge into the app that we are developing too.
I can't talk much about my current projects but it has been very exciting and I can't wait to share it with you guys once it is out.
3. Who or what is your inspiration? What got you started drawing in the first place?
There are too many artists to list down one by one but some of my biggest influences are Akira Toriyama, Takehiko Inoue, Brian Froud, Chris bachalo and Hayao Miyazaki. I remembered loving to draw since I was a little kid and those cartoons on TV back then (Transformers, Silverhawks, Thundercats, M.A.S.K. etc) was a huge inspiration. I will taped down the shows (VHS! haha) then pausing the frames and drew all those characters I like.
4. What's your favourite or most memorable piece of work/project that you've worked on?
I guess my most memorable piece of work to date has to be the Ghibli fanart piece that I did last year.
That took me quite some time to complete as colouring wasn't my forte so I've learn quite a lot painting up that piece. In fact, truth be told, I never like the colorring process since young. More often than not, I would either messed up my drawing by colouring or I will become impatient and start on a new drawing instead. Imagine how happy I was when I was doing hand drawn animation, drawing frame after frame and not paint a single drawing. haha. But over the years, I've been trying to improve my colouring since it is such a powerful and essential skill for artists. Nowadays, I actually enjoyed the painting process and learning new stuff along the way.
5. Which other artist or creator should we feature?
I have always like FSc (Foo Swee Chin)'s art works. There are so much energy and imagination in her lines and artworks. Going through her website, one can't help but be in awe by the sheer amount of works she has churned out over the years.
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