DEAN OYEBO

Dean has spent the past few years developing his artistic skill, which has been invaluable. He has learned a great deal and met some great artists along the way whose advice hecouldn't have done without. He has also been published a handful of times in the magazine ImagineFX, which was a huge compliment and gave him a massive confidence boost.

Of course this wasn't something that I just decided to pick up. I've been interested in art and drawing for nearly as long as I can remember. Ever since I first decided to buy a sketch book and fill it with copies of Disney characters from the back of video cases or characters on the front of computer game boxes. Then, as I got older, came that fateful day I discovered the Final Fantasy series. Having a love for reading as well, I couldn't believe someone had been so outrageous as to combine story telling with amazing (well amazing for the time) visuals and gameplay. I was hooked and I knew then and there that I wanted me some of that!

Soon I was trying to learn everything I could about the game which is where my interest in Anime and the eastern style of drawing was born. But damn! Anime was hard...soon I realised that this wasn't going to work without some knowledge of anatomy. So off I went to practice. Skip forward a decade or so, and here I am!

I am under no illusion that my work is top notch by any means and I try to remain modest at all times. As for the future, well I'd love to break into the games industry. I guess we'll just have to see how it goes ;)

Influences

Tetsuya Nomura, Nick Harris, Gez Fry, Jason Chan, Jessica Pfeffer.

Vital Statistics

Full name: Dean Oyebo

Date of birth: May 31st, 1987

Current Location: UK

Complete this sentence: Three cavemen are sitting round a fire, one says to the other…”Can you get Sky on this thing?”

What is the first visual image you can remember? Crumbs…no idea, sorry.

Who is your most influential artist? Oh I’ve got several, the late Mark Speight for getting me into art in the first place. Jessica ‘Neon Dragon’ Peffer for her infectious devotion to art. Gez Fry for showing me that mixing together your own style with the anime style really can work, and Nick Harris for just being an all round brilliant guy.

Last book you read? 15 minute Japanese…konichiwa!

Favourite music? If I like it, I like. There’s really no specific genre or song that outshines another.

Favourite film? The Incredibles…Brad Bird is a genius

Favourite TV series? Sounds girly, but nothing has quite beat Six Feet Under for awhile. Lost and Prison Break come close I guess.

Favourite animated series? Futurama. Why it was cancelled after just four series is bewildering.

Pet hate? Singing and dancing mechanical toys

Share a quote: 'People are capable of kindness beyond angels, yet we also commit sins that would put a demon to shame...'

You are suddenly the most powerful person on the planet, what’s the first thing you would do? Skulk away into the shadows to concoct a diabolical plan that will eventually make all those ‘complainers of long queues’ realise the folly of their incessant moaning. What? Too evil?...Oh alright then, carry on as normal I guess…I mean no point trying for world domination, when has that ever succeeded.

What attracted you in contributing to Erth Chronicles? Well first I was asked nicely if I would like to contribute. I accepted of course but stuff kept getting in the way. So when I finally found the time I guess you could say guilt was the deciding factor. Oh and I thought the story was pretty good too…:op

What’s the most important professional advice you would give a prospective artist? Get involved, listen to advice, remain modest and open minded to criticism whether it’s good or bad and make the most of any opportunities that arise.

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