Becca’s is another amazing person on the iofoto digital artist team. Her eagle eye and excellent retouching skills add value to every iofoto image. Becca is now helping create iofoto’s first illustration collection. Photo by Gray Mitchell.
When did you first know that you would like to be involved in the creative industry?
io:
Becca: I have always been a creative person but it took me a while to head in that direction for my career. I was headed down the management/ business route in college but never really found it exciting or felt any passion about what I was doing. It wasn’t until after college that I discovered my passions for design and photography. I am so thankful that I found my way and am not stuck in a business suit at some corporate job!
How do you go about finding a concept for an illustration?
io:
Becca: I carry a sketchbook with me. Anytime I see something that inspires me or sparks an idea I jot a quick sketch. Sometimes, an illustration will take a different direction than I had originally planned, but you just have to go with it!
Becca’s “Retro Holly” is one of her new illustrations that’s already selling well for the holiday season. [license this image]
How do you know when an illustration is complete?
io:
Becca: I often feel that less is more. I could go on and on adding decorative elements and fancifying an illustration, but sometimes a clean, simple design conveys a better message.
Do you create all your illustrations strictly on the computer?
io:
Becca: I often start with a simple hand drawn sketch that I scan in and then trace in Illustrator. Photos can also be used as a basis to start from. The important thing is to get creative! There are endless possibilities!
What’s the toughest part of learning to retouch?
io:
Becca: I’d definitely have to say that retouching skin is the toughest part to learn! It’s hard to find that balance of keeping enough texture in the skin so that it looks natural and doesn’t look airbrushed. There are also endless ways of working in Photoshop. There is no “right way” to do one thing. What works for one person may not be the best way for someone else. It’s important to experiment and find what works best for your own style.
Weren’t you a bartender in a former life? Was that good training for becoming a digital artist?
io:
Becca: Well, it taught me what I don’t want to do! Actually, it was a lot of fun and it put me through school, but I am glad that my bartending days are over!
What’s your favorite color, and why?
io:
Becca: I love green! It can be so vibrant and alive and refreshing, but can also be very peaceful and healing.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not retouching or creating illustrations?
io:
Becca: I love music and I love the outdoors! The weekends often find me at a local show or roadtripping to the mountains to go camping.
