Comic con artist Rhela Art Designs talks chibi art, anime, and creative process

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Rhela of Rhela Art Designs is a comic con artist based in Shreveport, Louisiana. We had the pleasure of seeing Rhela’s artwork back in March at Fan Expo Dallas. Rhela focuses on creating artwork on anime and manga characters. 

You focus on creating chibi art. For anyone who isn’t familiar, can you describe chibi art?

Rhela: I think the best way to describe chibi art would be: a condensed version of the original character, but with a huge head, bigger eyes and a tiny body. With the overall objective of turning even the most serious or sinister character into something adorable. Sometimes, sickeningly so.

What made you want to pursue being a comic con artist? What other comic cons have you been to besides Fan Expo Dallas?

Rhela: Okay, so that’s a little bit of a story. I’ll be honest. I hate my work. However, my fiance and my kids are huge fans of my art. A year ago, my fiance heard that there was going to be a free anime event at our local 2nd and Charles store, and he practically shoved me out the door with everything I would need to make a decent booth. He helped me set up prints, bookmarks, and stickers. They had a lot of faith that I would do well, while I didn’t. Well, to my surprise, I did do well. I also made a few friends there that were familiar with the local anime convention scene. They helped me get my start, and I’ve been doing it ever since. Needless to say, it was addicting.

As for the other conventions? Goodness, I’ve been to so many now. The Animania Event at 2nd and Charles, Cyphacon, Spacon, Wizard World in New Orleans, Animefest in Bossier, Louisiana Comic Con, Geekfair (Shreveport. Mini shout out!) Geek’dcon and so many more that I really can’t remember them all. It was a busy year, lol. I’m also really excited to announce that I’ll be at the artist alley at Project A-kon 28 in Fort Worth. That was the first convention I ever went to back in the 90’s, and has been my dream convention. You can imagine my excitement when I got selected!! (So much screaming happened)  I’ll also be at Monster Con in Dallas at the end of May, Little Rock comic con (also at the end of May), and Lafayette Comic Con. I’ll be at many more, but those came to mind immediately. Some I just haven’t signed up for yet, but definitely will. I hope I get to see familiar faces at these conventions!! Mention this article and I’ll give you a discount!!

How would you describe your creative process?

Rhela: Lots and lots of frustration. I definitely do not draw anything I haven’t seen or played. I watch a lot of Markiplier and Jackscepticeye on Youtube, and I stream while I work, as it helps me focus. I also look up a lot of people who inspire me, like pikiru and hinausa from Deviantart. Their work really influences mine. I have a sketchbook, but I use it more as a lap board when I draw, and just use regular printer paper. I take a series that I’m passionate about, and I try and stick to their personalities when I draw. It helps that my family is really into anime, as I ask for their opinions quite often. Also, I’m not afraid to ask for help. My fiance draws and I’ll have him help me with poses when I get art block. So, I guess to sum it up: I sketch a lot of doodles, basically throwing ideas against a wall and hoping it sticks. Then, scan it into my computer. I do not have a pen tablet, as I just can’t do the “look at the screen while drawing on a plastic slab.” thing. I color using Paint Tool Sai and Photoshop for backgrounds. Yes, I do outlines with a mouse. And that’s pretty much it.

What are your favorite anime series of all time?

Rhela: Wow. Just come out swinging with that question, lol. That’s difficult to answer. So, I have to mention “Fushigi Yuugi,” as I had a major crush on Tamahome when I was 12 and the series is just amazing.

For older series, I’d have to go with “Slayers,” “Tenchi Muyo,” “Inuyasha,” “Record of Lodoss War,” “Magic Knight Rayearth,” “Sailor Moon,” “Pokemon,” “Digimon,” and”Ah! My Goddess!” and really, I could just keep going.

For newer series, “Overlord,” “No Game No Life” (I have a Jibril inspired chest tattoo, that’s how much I love her.), “Full metal Alchemist: Brotherhood,” “Re:Zero,” “Attack on Titan,” “Kobayashi-san’s Dragon Maid,” “Yuri!!! On Ice!,” “My hero Academia” and “One Punch Man.” Again, I could keep going.

As for my absolute favorite, there is none, as I love them all equally. I recommend the newer series’ to everyone all the time. It’d just be impossible to pick a single anime from the bunch.

What advice would you give to others who want to become comic con artists?

Rhela: It’s terrifying. You’ll be nervous and have that cold sweat. Don’t let the fear of it consume you, though, because it’s also fun. I meet so many incredibly talented artists, who are scared of working at a convention! Be willing to step outside your comfort zone. You don’t know what’s in store for you, so take the plunge, it’s a great adventure. This is something I never thought I’d do in my life, and here I am. Granted, I was shoved off that cliff, but I’m grateful for my family for doing so. If you don’t feel confident, ask another artist at your local conventions if they’d like to split a booth with you in the future. I do it all the time, and it’s amazing. Don’t get discouraged if you get turned down by an Artist Alley Jury, because there are always other conventions. For instance, I got turned down for San Japan and that really hurt. I was upset for quite a while. Then, not 2 days later, I got accepted to do the Artist Alley at A-kon. It’s one of those, “when one door closes” stories. Nothing is the end of the line until you stop trying.

If you had to pick one anime series you’d like to live in (universe-wise), which series would you pick and why?

Rhela: I wanted to say “No Game No Life” at first, but I suck at games. I like the premise, though. I’d have to go with “Overlord,” if I could have a similar situation to Suzuki Satoru. I love the idea of having that much crazy power and sexy underlings. I’m a simple creature. That, and I just love the world. Dragons, elves, dwarfs, and the undead? Sign me up! I’d want to be an undead elf, for sure. I played a lot of “World of Warcraft” and to be in a similar world would just be amazing.

You can follow Rhela Art Designs on DeviantArt, Tumblr, Instagram, Etsy, and Twitter. 

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