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By Elizabeth McPherson
Troy Tennard is an Illustrator specializing in black and white compositions. He is a graduate of Kean University, where he studied illustration and received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree in Visual Communications. His work has been published in several literary magazines including: “Snow Monkey,” “Ancient Paths,” “Potpourri,” and “Shades of December.” TCP contacted Troy about his work to ask questions about his unique art form.
TCP: How did you get started in illustration?
Troy: Going back to my childhood, I have always enjoyed art. My love of art began with comic books. I used to copy drawings from comics and, in time, I developed my own style. I do not read comic books that
much these days; however artists such as Frank Miller, Pat Broderick, Jack Kirby, Dave Cockrum and Time Sale still influence me.
TCP: You mostly use black and white in your illustrations. Why is this?
Troy: I enjoy color artwork, Caravaggio and Maxfield Parrish are two of my favorite artists and their use of color is wonderful. However, I feel that black and white in many respects, whether it is in artwork or
film, has a more visual impact. I have noticed that most people are attracted to colored artwork; however, black and white artwork, especially high contrast black and white, really stands out to me.
TCP: Do you use other mediums besides sharp illustration?
Troy: I have dabbled in watercolor in the past and it is a medium that I really would like to pursue more in the future.
TCP: I see you have formal training from Kean University. Did you always
know that you would study art? If not, when did you make that
determination?
Troy: I pretty much had an idea that I would pursue artwork for a long time—since high school. When I went to college, becoming an Art Major was a no-brainer. Of the available focuses within that major, Illustration made the most sense. I really am not good at design or painting, so Graphic Design and Studio
Work were not good options. I have always enjoyed drawing so Illustration just seemed to make sense.
TCP: What was something you learned at the University that has been invaluable?
Troy: Not to be afraid of rejection or criticism, and not to take it personally.
TCP: Is there any advice you could give to 'wanna be' artists?
Troy: Keep on perfecting and evolving your craft. Every artist experiences rejection, no matter how good they are. One of my college professors once said that if you keep putting yourself out there, eventually you will come across people that like what you are doing.
TCP: How did you overcome this rejection?
Troy: I just kept plugging away. One can send samples out to many places and get no reply at all, positive or negative. At one point, I was happy to get a rejection letter! At least I knew that someone I sent samples to actually looked at them!
TCP: Is there any work that you are particularly proud of?
Troy: There is a piece that I did in college entitled “Pitcher”. I am a big baseball fan, so it made sense to do a drawing of a baseball player. I would say that this was the drawing where, as an artist, my style was birthed. This was the piece where I could say that my style was uniquely my own.
TCP: Describe your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Troy: He changed my life and gave me hope, regardless of how uncertain the future may seem at times.
TCP: How does your faith influence your work?
Troy: Being a Christian influences everything that I do. I see everything with Christian eyes, I hear with Christian ears, I speak with a Christian tongue. The Lord blessed me with the ability to draw and I want to do my best to give that gift back to Him and glorify Him through my artwork.
See more samples of artwork from Troy Tennard at http://christianillustrators.com/tennard/index.htm Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts) |
