Interview with Marta Dahlig
Q. Have you used Wacom Intuos 4? How you rate this product (pros and cons) and how wacom tablets helps you in your artistic journey?
My Intuos 3 broke just before the new version came out, so I purchased a medium Intuos 4 as soon as it was on sale. I absolutely love its looks and the feature I love the most is the detachable cable, as it was the cable part which first broke in my old tablet. I didn’t have the occasion to use the new wheel yet, as I still somehow cannot adjust my workflow to it. The only thing that for now bothers me a bit is the speed I seem to use the pen tips in – I’m already on my third!
Speaking about Wacom tablets in general I have to say they have been nothing less than a blessing. I used to work on some cheap, low quality tablets before and the difference in workflow quality is astounding (not to mention the cheap ones used to break after 2 months of usage on average). The pen pressure levels in Wacom tablets are amazing and improve application of little details as well as encourage more finesse brush strokes.
Q. Please tell something about your latest work “Judith”, from where you get the inspiration and idea to paint this beautiful lady?
I think it was around 8 or 9 years ago when I first heard about Judith. Ever since, I found her to be one of the most fascinating characters in history. There aren’t many strong ladies you can read about and what is more bold than a woman first seducing, then decapitating the leader of enemy’s army? ;)
It’s hard to count the number of times I tried to depict her – each and every attempt was different: portrait shots, full body poses, standing, sitting – you name it! I think I have done around 8 or 9 sketches throughout the last 4 years and none was really good enough to be completed. This piece I started around October 2008 worked on it on and off till May 2009 between other projects. Read the Making of Judith
Q. Various times we heard the negative point of view of female painters on painting the nude female to represent the skills or art or as a piece of entertainment, so as a female painter what’s your take on this and in your painting “Judith” where story actually demands but different pose can reduce the artistic nudity?
I am extremely against nudity which is depicted just for the sake of it. Nude shots which are chauvinistic, disrespectful or devoid of any thought are not my thing at all. Nudity, in my understanding, is an artistic means just like any other.
Nudity has to make a statement – if I paint a nude character, there has to be a true, strong reason for it. In case of Judith, I had two reasons to display the character nude: firstly, I wanted to create a deeply sensual scene. Secondly, I wanted to achieve a contrast between the body and the abundance of different textiles around the character, which couldn’t have been done with her being dressed.
Q. What are your hobbies and please describe your free time, if you have any or are you the kind of lady who lives for her work all the time?
Due to having a full-time job, I rarely have time for anything else other than painting in the evenings/nights, and at best end up having ~5hours of sleep during the night. On those rare occasions I am free, I do really typical things: I like to read (anything from historic novels to thrillers), watch movies, go out, spend time with my dog… The regular stuff. :)
Q. Anything you like to add? It is your chance now to state your opinion about anything!
I am not really good with closing words, as there is no way not to sound cliché - it is the usual moment to state: “remember to be yourself”, “strive for that dream!”, “you can do anything” and all that….
Cliché or not, I believe in that! If you are willing to work hard, really hard, with a bit of talent, luck and sweat you are able to accomplish anything you want. The biggest success factor is the right motivation, patience and readiness to use the various opportunities that life places before us. If you know what you want and are willing to work your hardest day and night to achieve it, you are bound to be successful :)
Thanks a lot Marta for taking out sometime for us from your busy schedule. Hope you continue to paint the beautiful women’s and sometime men’s too.
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Related Links
Artist Blog - dahlig.blogspot.com
Online Gallery - blackeri.deviantart.com
Making of Judith in Photoshop
