Artist Spotlight: Fajareka Setiawan
February 26, 2020
In our regular Spotlight segment we explore artists' experiences and inspirations to understand what defines and inspires their unique styles.
Everyone’s work is deeply idiosyncratic. In our regular Spotlight segment we explore artists’ experiences and inspiration to understand what defines and inspires their unique styles. Fajareka Setiawan is an Indonesian freelance illustrator and concept artist responsible for some incredibly detailed and imaginative pieces.
Can you give us a brief background on yourself?
I started my education at Indonesian Institute of the Art Yogyakarta in 2009, I majored in visual communication design. In mid semester, I worked with a local comic company as a comic artist.I was collaborating with my friend who wrote the stories. I was having difficultly coming up with my own comic stories and mostly got freelance illustration work more than work on comic books. So, I decided to start focusing 100% of my career in the illustration industry.
What influence does your location have on your career?
It started when I was still a college student. I worked at Caravan Studio as an intern in 2014. So many great artist there helped me in my digital illustration works. After my internship program was done I met Lius Lasahido. Lius helped me level out my skills. So, after my graduation he offered me a position at his studio, Polar Engine, and I have been there until now. At Polar Engine I learned different techniques, where to get inspiration, and how to manage a team.
What is your greatest source of inspiration?
My dream is to develop an entertainment industry in my country. That is where I get my inspiration to do what I do.
Could you pick one piece of art that has made a lasting influence on you, and if so why?
I don't know if I could pick just one piece of art, but Craig Mullins' paintings have had a huge influence on me. His digital paintings are epic and artistic like renaissance paintings but with a modern touch. Elements such as lighting, color, texture, and brush shape are all illustrations used in his work.
What skills or techniques do you find most useful in your line of work? Do you use primarily traditional or digital methods to create your artwork?
For industrial purposes, the most useful technique is photobashing if you have a good fundamental understanding of how the process works. I use digital methods because it is required to make a good and fast illustration.
How can people who are interested in discovering more of your work find it?
You can find my artworks at:
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