An Illustrator’s Journey: 10 Questions for Digital Artist Oleh Harlamov
One of Zajno’s top creatives opens up about his process, his inspirations — and why it takes persistence to make it as a full-time artist.
When people look at a Zajno product we want them to see a single, cohesive entity — something which feels as though it was produced by a unified creative force. But though fostering a collective sensibility is vital, our individual creatives are also absolutely their own people — each with a distinct story about how they got to where they are now.
Our top artists also increasingly have their own loyal fanbases — and in recent weeks, one person in particular has been receiving a lot of attention. His name is Oleh Harlamov, and as an illustrator he’s been making a vital contribution to Zajno’s visual style since he arrived at the studio a year ago.
Because we think an artist’s story is central to what makes their work valuable, we decided to gather together some of the questions that Oleh has lately received from fans of his work, in the hope that his answers might help guide the next generation of illustrators. Here’s what Oleh had to say…
Oleh, what made you decide to become an artist?
Ever since I was a child I’ve loved forming impressions of the world. First, I would simply sketch everything I saw around me. Then, if I really liked something, I would make a more detailed drawing of it. Eventually, this all led to painting. I think it was basically just that I liked imagining stuff.
By the time I had to start deciding what sort of education I wanted to get, I didn’t have much doubt about the direction to go in. I feel pretty lucky to have realized so early on what my life’s passion was to be: I was the boy who definitely knew the answer to that annoying question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
So it was that I entered art school, setting my sights on becoming an illustrator.
Can you describe your signature style in 3 words?
Simple, sincere, joyous.
Could you say some more about this style, and how you got to it?
I don’t see my style as something static and permanently defined — it’s more like a living creature, every day throbbing with life and change. It’s not just about what I like and dislike in art — it’s also about my mood. Artists now have this amazing opportunity to scroll through thousands of examples of each other’s work online, and these regular ‘art-consuming sessions’ help me subconsciously absorb new tricks, techniques, and ideas to bring into my work.
What kind of world do you want to depict through your illustrations?
It’s a sincere, kind and colorful place where honesty and humor are the biggest virtues. Everyone is free to be whoever they want in this world, because anything is possible. It’s diverse, fun, carefree and a little bit naive. I think these are things we’re missing sometimes in the real world.
Which would you say are the best three works in your portfolio?
I put my heart and soul into each and every work I make, so it’s hard to name three I like best — it feels a bit like saying which of your children is your favorite. But yes, sure, there are some that occupy a particularly important place for one reason or another.
First I would choose a series of about 70 illustrations that I made for a promo video in 2018. The whole thing took two months of work, and there were times I thought it would never be finished — that it was an impossible, unattainable task. But I never gave up, and so the result reminds me that determination is a key ingredient in the creative process.
The next one I’d go for would be a sort of ‘audience choice’ — the work of mine most liked by my fans on Dribble. Obviously, I wouldn’t choose it if I didn’t like it too, and I really do. It came out of a flash of inspiration — I was just sketching, without much of any idea in my head, when it suddenly came to me, like being visited by a muse. I love it when this happens, because it feels so pure and genuine. I think that comes across, too, which is what makes works made in this way more popular than ones the artist has had to ‘grind out’.
Last of all, this work deserves to be here not because it’s the best, but because it was a milestone: the first piece I made on my iPad right after I got it, and also my first work to be featured by Dribbble on their social media. It was also my first shot on Dribbble to get a lot of attention — and even though likes aren’t everything, it does mean a lot to be recognised and appreciated.
What’s the weirdest brief you’ve ever been given?
I was once asked to put the poo emoji on a pair of white shoes. This was a long time ago, for a little designer clothing boutique — but I still remember how funny I found the request.
How do you get ideas for your illustrations?
They come to me from virtually everywhere, from a trip to the shops to watching a movie. Usually how it goes is that I see something that excites or makes an impression on me, and I want to capture that emotion by putting it into a new illustration. And of course I often get inspired by other artists’ work, too — sometimes even using them as references. But of course, as I move forward and bring in different thoughts and influences, I eventually get to a result that’s very different from that initial source of inspiration.
The work below, for example, was inspired by the work of Brandon Land. When I started it I was coming towards the end of my working day, with just 40 minutes to go before I downed tools for the evening. But I got inspired and started drawing. First I sketched a rollerblading girl, then added a skateboarder. The next morning, to balance the composition, I added a guy playing basketball. This is another work that I made for no other reason than that I was inspired; maybe that’s why people seem to like it so much.
Which visual resources do you most turn to for inspiration?
Tumblr, Pinterest and Dribble are the best sources to my mind. There are also a couple of books that I’ve found really inspiring and motivating: Point and Line to Plane by Wassily Kandinsky and The Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams.
Who are your top three influences as an illustrator?
Robert Crumb, for his amazing, revolutionary, LSD-influenced comics; Bill Plympton for his mind-blowingly eccentric plasticine-like style of animation; Keith Haring for his love of freedom.
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become a full-time artist?
Practice, practice, and practice some more. The excuses you have for why you’re not moving forward might be reasonable, but you need to forget them: whether you don’t have enough materials, or the right skills, or your computer is old and slow, you have to just be creative and find a way around. Start small, never stop, and with enough diligence you’ll grow into an artist people will take seriously.
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