A digital artist with a background in animation, BROOKS KIM also likes to draw portraits with pen. It’s a style that has attracted a substantial following, finds Niki Browes
Even though Brooks Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea (and has lived there ever since) it’s only in recent years that the art scene has really exploded in the capital and become a creative magnet for global galleries and art fairs. Even so, art wasn’t big a part of Brooks’ life until he was older. He used to draw as a child but claims his creative talent was lacking – but we suspect he’s either being humble or hard on himself. He would graffiti as a teenager, draw portraits in pen and taught himself digital art by studying books and tutorials on the internet. Still, a career in art wasn’t an option. “My parents had expectations and wishes for me,” he explains. “A future related to art was not a good option for them.” A degree in Architectural Engineering followed. He learnt the theory of perspective, how to use space, and was able to think deeply about points, lines, and planes. Upon graduation, he joined an animation-related company, eventually making it into a career with a design background – whilst it was also a role professional enough to keep his folks happy.
Instagram: @9brookskim ▸
I’m still working for a gaming company full-time.
It’s my dream to become a professional artist, but I’m not there yet. I make money from commissions and sales of my tutorials, but it’s not enough to live on. I’m the type of person who is always practising. I’m constantly developing, and my paintings change every year. If I think positively, it seems that my signature is developing over time; if I think negatively, I worry that I am drawing paintings that are too stereotypical. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m simply aligning myself with the preferences of my followers or fans. But in the end, it seems that they like the pictures that I am also happy with.
My digital art takes two or three hours.
Compared to traditional painting, digital work can be compressed. For instance, I don’t need time for the paint to dry or to prepare the materials. I also don’t need a studio; I work on my computer at home or draw on my iPad in a cafe. Even when I go away on a trip, I always carry my iPad with me and draw whenever I can. I think this is the big advantage of digital painting because I can draw various kinds of pictures anywhere. In Photoshop, I made a custom brush pack. To briefly explain the process, I start by gently painting the bottom colour and then polishing to complete.
