Mart Biemans Interview
Mart Biemans is one of the youngest artists Psdtuts+ has ever interviewed. But do not let the age fool you, his skills are up to par with some much older designers. In this interview, Mart will explain what exactly he looks for when picking out stock photographs, and what his favorite type of style is; Mart also shows us that dedication and originality pay off greatly when you stick to them.
1. Welcome to Psdtuts+! Please introduce yourself! Could you tell us where you’re from and how you got started in the field?
Hello readers, I am Mart Biemans, a 16 year old Graphic Designer from the Netherlands. I’ve been in this world for about 2.5 years now, it started as a hobby but rapidly became more than that. I have always been creative since my birth. I started as a small Picasso, drawing on walls and pissing off my parents. But as I grew older I started to discover new mediums such as my computer and I must say programs such as Photoshop can be quite useful. The first time that I got in touch with it was on a gaming forum designing signatures. Good ol’ times.
2. Out of all the designs you have created up until now which one would you say was your favorite to construct? And please walk us through the process of creating this piece.
My personal favorite and also the favorite from a lot of other people that know me is “Discovery of Inner Thoughts.” It was created for an online art collective called Slashthree, we were told to create something to fit the theme called Afterlife. When I thought about the Afterlife the first thing that came to my mind was death. I did not want to create something that showed death so I decided to create something that was thinking about death.
When I have to create something with a concept, I rarely make a sketch because then the design wouldn’t be natural anymore in my opinion. I took a nice stock from Deviantart and started adding some small touches and effects. I had to figure out a way to show the thinking process of this person. The best way was in my opinion to do it in an abstract way by adding geometrical shapes, such as the well known triangle. After that decision was made, the only thing I did was add some effects to complement the main shapes.
3. A large number of your designs end up being black and white. Why do you feel the need to take away all the color from your artwork?
Often I do not take away the color from my artwork, but I just started to use that style of black and white in Photoshop. In my opinion it is a good way to train your skills by just working with black and white. When I work with black and white there is always a thought behind it. Black and white artwork is a success when it gives you the feeling that it has color and emotion. You shouldn’t need color to give something the feeling you want. And once you end up succeeding in that you can always add color to give it that extra boost.
4. Illustrations like “Logic Versus Imagination,” “Back,” and “Darkness” are all typographical pieces that you have made. Are there any differences in the approach you take to a typographic piece, opposed to a non-typographic piece; and if so why?
I have been experimenting with basically all sorts of digital art. From photo manipulation to typographical work and of course there are big differences between the techniques you use, but you can always use the techniques you’ve learned from other sorts of art in your advantage when making typographical work. It depends on what message I want to send out to the viewers and which technique I use. Sometimes I don’t even think about which technique or style I will use, I just do what comes to my mind and it might end up looking good. Overall, I often use techniques from other sorts of art in my typographical work to give it that extra touch.
5. A lot of your illustrations include using stocks, and blending them into the scene you are trying to set. What elements do you look for when trying to find stock photographs?
When I look for stocks the most important thing for me is quality. I always work on large scales in Photoshop so quality is a must. After that I think by myself what stocks I need to show a certain emotion, feeling or thought and if it fits in the scene that I have in mind. Most of the times its best to just take the best you can get and when it doesn’t work out well you can always replace your stocks. An important thing is to not work with too many Applied Images in Photoshop because you end up being unable to replace stocks.
6. You are only 16 years old right now so you still have a long road ahead of you. But for the future are you planning on attending a school for design, or will you try to be a fully self taught designer?
I am planning on attending a school for design, but I am unsure if it will be next year or the year after. If I attend a school for design that means that I have to move on my own to a big city that’s about 100 kilometers away from my current home. Being 16 years old and alone in such a big city can be quite strange I’m afraid. So I’m thinking of trying to get a job for one year and going to such an academic the year after. One thing is sure, I will be going to it, the question is just when.
7. Your artwork style’s vary from Photo Manipulation, to Typography, to Abstract shapes. What would you say is your favorite type of style to use when designing and why?
My favorite style is a combination of photo manipulation and typography, mainly because it’s easily adaptable to advertisements etc. So that’s the style that I practice the most and on which I want to improve my skills the most. Also it’s the style that I enjoy doing the most, and I think that’s even more important than making profit. I also plan on trying new styles such as illustration, logo-design, web design etc. But rushing everything is a bad thing to do.
8. Thanks again for providing Psdtuts+ with this opportunity to interview you. Any final thoughts for our readers?
The most important thing is do not give up when something just won’t look the way you want it to look. And if you want to improve your skills one of the best things is to experiment a lot. Get inspiration from other great artist but do not copy them. I would say originality and dedication is the key to success.
Where to find Mart on the Web
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dope artwork. very inspirational. gate to what we admire is my fav.
We Should Discover our Inner thoughts!
yes we can!
Why do you keep leeching off of the first comment? To get yours on top? It’s getting a little annoying.
@Dulface
:O
I didn’t think this term in any situation in my life “To get on top?”
I like commenting First, thats all!
If u feel irritating Don’t read first comment then?
yeh, leeching is badzorz XD
It’s to get his website seen, duh.
@Corey
Not like that, if you see my website what i could get!
Could u paid me for visiting my site?
@Tim
What is Badzorz means?
I love the abstract work. Very creative.
Wow, very nice!
Prachtig Mart
!
WOoooww! good stuff. inspiration>>>>>>>>>>>>>
nice works
Great work! Thanks for the interview!
very nice portafolio
Greate MAte!
Nice work man! You’ve got some talent.
And you finally got the interview eigeni
Thats some nutty work!!!
your website looks nasty..don’t bad mouth other artist..okay?
Great man! Keep up the good works…
Damn dude…awesome work!
really talented designer, very nice work
That is very inspirational. I need to start doing freeform design in my spare time. Thanks for sharing!
Nice interview, great to see the collaboration with my brother Tim ” Leave in style”
Keep it up Mart !
Greetings
One of the best minds at work i have seen here.
Hi fellow Dutchman
Great works!
So young and with a huge talent!
Awesome!
Yes me too want to be talented at that age, but that age is gone!
great work, keep working harder for the future buddy.
All the best!
16!?
Am I the only guy to pick up on this!?
I was thinking the same thing. Kids these days.
nowadays technology was that level,
Kids are learning more than us!
They had a fresh brain!
Love the photoshop work. And I HAVE to give you your props for being 16 years old! That is amazing man ^_^.
however I am totally against using stock photos. sorry.
Amazing works. Age is ripe! Well done young one, you will be a true Jedi soon.
That is DOPE
cool stuff!
I must congratulate you for your gift in composition..
beautiful and balanced compositions!!
loved your artwork..
Great Work!
I like the BACK most.
Omfg gtfo… this kid is 16? I feel like such a noob.
Love the second design.
Puik werk vogel!
Awsome
i like the way this guy writes
he is a cool artist
:rockon:
verbazing is superb
keep it up
although i m not satis with some work
all that by 16, that’s crazy.
beautiful….
The abstract stuff is my favourite,
Why is it only amateurs that are interviewed here?
WoW 16 and already that good:D
:D:P
ga zo door Mart
Amazing artwork and inspiration, especially at the age of 16. This must be down to raw natural talent and dedication to his work.
Nice inspiration. I like the last hour most.
How can i get in touch with this kid
does he have a web site or email addresss????
Awesome work love it
Your graphics are incredibly rich and vibrant, most impressive
That is some awesome work.I wish i could get in touch with my innerside like that!
very nice portfolio
nice
I’am not surprised with many teenagers nowadays..
I mean its very easy now to learn something(not like back then),you just need some dedication for your own craft to be amazing..
nice interview …
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