cherry

Interview with Cherry Lee

Hello, colorers! Today we present you a lovely story from Malaysia!

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKcullwAadT/?taken-by=cherrycolours

Q:We’re glad to meet you, can you tell us a little something about yourself?

Cherry is my given name, and my surname is Lee. I’m Malaysian Chinese, 42 years old, mother of one. Graduated from Malaysian institute of Art, diploma in graphic design, major in photography but I’ve was never involved in art field since graduation. Instead, I worked as a marketing personnel in a commercial printing firm. I’m currently freelancing some print jobs after I quit from the previous employment a few years back. I love photography & fell in love at colouring in October 2015.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHeVzJtgo3j/?taken-by=cherrycolours
Q:How did you start to colour? When did this attraction begin? 

I was first introduced to the book [easyazon_link identifier=”1780671067″ locale=”US” tag=”color-planer-20″]Secret Garden[/easyazon_link]last year by my brother in law. It was a gift for my 11-year-old girl. It certainly caught my eyes  and I went to grab a book for myself, so it all started from there…. That was right before the release of her [easyazon_link identifier=”0143108999″ locale=”US” tag=”color-planer-20″]Lost Ocean[/easyazon_link], so yeah, I’m definitely a latecomer in the colouring community. In fact, I was pretty much a Lone Ranger doing colouring on my own until I joined a colouring group on Facebook.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIjIm3jAde1/?taken-by=cherrycolours
Q:Do you use coloring as a small getaway from the real world?

Colouring leads me back to school days and recalled creativity. It feels great to have such breakaway after years of life dealing with the commercial side of the world. Many people consider colouring as art therapy and indeed it is.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIbZeqFgc4o/?taken-by=cherrycolours
Q:Is coloring time­ consuming? How often do you color on a weekly basis?

Oh I sleep so much lesser when I first started the colouring craze. It’s just so addicting. I don’t actually have a specific time for colouring, taking every opportunity to colour whenever possible. Particularly at night before bed time. I bring my colouring books everywhere with me so I can colour at any cafe between appointments.   That’s the reason why it’s quite a challenge for me to record my colouring, even I have many requests. But I will still try whenever I can.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BH7TqODgiR7/?taken-by=cherrycolours

 

Q:How do you prepare before coloring? Any special preparations?

Well I set no rules for colouring. Usually just pick up a page to colour and idea pops up in mind. Inspiration may come from anything that crosses my mind or everywhere I’ve been. Probably from a cup of latte or a scene somewhere at the workplace. I jump from one page to another, or one book to another from time to time, or even on the same day.
Watching tutorial will probably be a luxurious move for me as I save all my time to colour instead! But I did that too for the mediums that I’m totally new to. I like to explore new method and practise on the page that I colour. Grabbing every minute possibly just to colour! Music is the dessert for my colouring! ️

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHQu1z9gWRG/?taken-by=cherrycolours

Q:What are your favourite supplies for coloring? Do you always use the same or you like to experiment with it?
I started colouring with my girl’s left over colour pencils of all brands, not knowing much about colour pencils as a beginner. Very innocently doing my colouring with a set of[easyazon_link identifier=”B010Q39VS2″ locale=”US” tag=”color-planer-20″]48 Faber-Castell Premium Color Pencils,[/easyazon_link]  for quite a long time. Until I started to make friends in colouring community. A sweet young lady gifted a set of [easyazon_link identifier=”B001XCWP34″ locale=”US” tag=”color-planer-20″]derwent inktense[/easyazon_link] colour pencils to me and from her I started to get exposed to all the adult coloring artists and all the other colouring books that I’m not aware of. Well I love exploring new medium: I’m doing fine with most colour pencils but one of the my ‘must-have’ would be the [easyazon_link identifier=”B0007OEE7E” locale=”US” tag=”color-planer-20″]Staedtler triplus fineliners[/easyazon_link], which I use for detail and enhancing the depth.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHJE__tAAmy/?taken-by=cherrycolours

 

Q:Do you have special techniques and color mixes that you’d like to share with us? Any tips and tricks?

I’m not too particular when it comes to colouring. Just follow whatever flows in mind. I enjoy developing something new in every page that I work on and I’m still learning all along the way. I’ve heard comments about me bringing colouring beyond what it is perceived to be but I believe there shouldn’t be rules in art. Personally I find colouring outside the lines as an extra joy. Perhaps the concept behind my colouring is little different and that would probably be my background of photography. I’m on the learning journey to infuse photography effect into my colouring pages. I often Google for real images as my reference instead of coloured sample. It’s quite a challenge but I’m enjoying my pursuit very much and I will keep learning how to achieve whatever I desired. Totally respect every colourist to colour in their own unique way. The key point here is to make sure that we enjoy ourselves! And that’s the tips! Just be very sure that you love and enjoy whichever way of colouring that you are doing-  it’s all about passion! I truly believe that everyone has their own artistic bone in the body and it’s a matter of time to unleash.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHuLr0IAjb9/?taken-by=cherrycolours

Q: Do you have a specific “signature” in your art?

Well the signature part of my colouring would probably be the use of fineliners, which gives my work extra depth. Perhaps the idea of photography effect for the background is another area of my work as well.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJCIX9sg00j/?taken-by=cherrycolours

 

Q: Which books and patterns you find most enjoyable to color?

I love mother nature! Colouring books with botanical elements have always been my favourite! And of course I enjoy every progress of turning any great illustration in black and white to colours.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BG_vwTKty1E/?taken-by=cherrycolours

Q:Do you have a favourite author? How did he/she earn your admirations?

Well I won’t be able to tell who are my favourite artist, to me there are loads! And they are all amazing! But I started off with Johanna’s Secret Garden and I think her books seems to have more sentimental value for me, yet and still.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHYfGpCgyGY/?taken-by=cherrycolours

 

Q: And last but not least, where can we find your artwork?

Well I started colouring entirely to have fun and I’m not particularly active on most social media. A colouring group called Secret Garden Gallery on FB is a place that I usually share my work. And I’ve recently started to share most of my work on Instagram @cherrycolours too.

Thank you once for again for the interview, my pleasure to share.

cheers

Cherry

 

So colorers what do you think? Isn’t this a lovely story?And soo much talent. Have any questions for Cherry? Let us know in the comment section 🙂