Soroush Barazesh, better known as Koteri Ink is a comic artist and writer, and a Strathmore Ambassador. Every artist has their own unique background, style, experiences, techniques and perspective. We can all learn from each other, be inspired by one another, and continue to share the joy of art. Let's hear what Soroush has to say: How and when did you get into art?I was an artist straight out of the womb. From the moment I first held a pencil, I was hooked. There wasn't a wall in our home that hadn't been marked with my doodles. Beginning as a toddler and continuing up to my college years, the walls of my bedrooms had been a canvas for me. What’s your favorite piece of art that you’ve created? Why? I don't have a favorite artwork that I've created. For me, art is only as interesting as the stories they tell, which I why I went down the route of creating graphic novels. The 'Kings of Nowhere' series which I've spent the majority of my twenties creating is a testament to my devotion to the craft. Each book takes me approximately two to three years to create; a labor intensive process that starts with writing, followed by storyboarding, inking, colors or screen-tones, and then dialogue. As I was self publishing my work for the majority of my career, I also developed the skills to market myself and my craft. What’s the best piece of art advice you’ve been given?I don't believe there is a single piece of advice that is better than the rest. However, if I had to share only one, then the best advice that I have come to believe in wasn't said to me by anyone, but an intrinsic quality I found within me, along with many other devoted artists. It was the quality of passion. I have been extremely passionate about learning. During childhood, I accepted that I wasn't as skilled as my older peers, but I was aware from a young age about the benefits of practice and the emergence of progress that was its benefactor. I was addicted to the progression that occurred from studying art, and because of the joy I experienced from this process, I became well versed in multiple facets of art, from working traditionally, to digital painting, animating, and currently, sequential storytelling. So, to sum it all up, be passionate about the things you want to excel at. What’s one art tip/technique you can share with us that you find really helpful? An art tip that I swear by is... use reference! I have become known as the guy who can draw things from imagination, and that's only possible because of one thing. I've studied countless subjects and have filled the shelves of the library of my mind with a sea of images. Imagination is stored memory being rearranged in ways to create something new. A dragon is a mixture of a bird and a lizard, and if you've studied both on numerous occasions, then you have the potential to create a very believable creature, and in turn, create magical worlds that fuel the imaginations of others. Tell us about your graphic novel series, Kings of Nowhere.I first set out to create a graphic novel because I was in pursuit of knowledge. I wanted a reason to draw as many different things as possible. Within 'Kings of Nowhere,' you'll find elements of reality and fantasy sewn together by a story about characters living on the fringes of society. If there was something that I struggled to draw, such as cars, cityscapes, or dynamic poses, then I'd make sure to include more of those in my novel to challenge myself and improve my skills and mindset. In the process of becoming a better artist, I discovered that my passion for writing is on par with my passion for illustrating. What is your favorite Strathmore paper? I look for three traits when I search for paper: thickness, smoothness, and cost. For those reasons, I am a huge fan of the Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Smooth. Whether I'm inking with a brush or rendering with graphite, the thick Bristol holds back from buckling under wet ink and holds its shape brilliantly when erased under hard pressure. Furthermore, the ultra-smooth, textureless surface of the thick Bristol allows for all the minute details that I enjoy including in my linework. And lastly, because of its affordability, I'm not afraid to experiment and potentially make mistakes that could ruin the canvas. It's great paper for someone who's seeking to get better but also looking for professional-grade paper that they could make their masterpiece on. What’s the most common art-related question you get from your followers?I get asked more questions than I could dare to remember. From how to gain a following to how to get better at comics or better at character design and so on and on. So here's the thing, there is but only one answer to ALL the questions: discipline and passion. If you are disciplined enough to pursue your passion, then you will succeed at whatever it is. Sacrifices need to be made in the pursuit of art. You must be able to sit down, tune out the sounds of the world around you, and become entranced by the lines and colors produced by the tools at your command. Art is a slow and dedicated process. You must be fully concentrated while doing it. For reference, I work eight-hour sessions, five to seven days a week, for years to create a single book. Of course, I make time for family and friends, sports, and recreation, but some things must be sacrificed. I had to turn down my friends' efforts to have me join them for online gaming because I wanted to have the discipline to pursue my dream. Albeit tired and drained after my nine-to-five and looking for any reason to just relax, I still came home, took out the sketchbook and notepad, and would write and storyboard well into midnight. My dreams were far too important for me, and I was too passionate and disciplined to abandon them. More from Koteri Ink:Kings of Nowhere' is on hiatus as I'm working on another series, currently only known as WOTF. It's a story set in an ancient world where terror and darkness reign supreme in the form of sentient weapons, and light exists as an impossible prophecy. I am also working on a thrilling new card game called Primal Showdown that utilizes dice, bluffs, and synergized strategies. That should release by the end of this year. Lastly, join me at Koteri Kollege on the Koteri Ink Patreon to learn using the same methods I did. Through memorization, repetition, and challenges, my students push beyond their boundaries as I give them one-on-one help and tutoring. Website: koteriink.comInstagram: @koteriink
