Magic: The Gathering artist Lie Setiawan joins Magic Untapped for a Q&A.
For years, Lie Setiawan has been a Magic: the Gathering artist mainstay. Based out of Jakarta, Indonesia, Setiawan has created illustrations and concepts for Valve, Blizzard, Apple, and Wizard of the Coast.
Magic Untapped: What inspirations and influences in your life drove you to becoming a professional artist?
Lie Setiawan: I have Ioved to draw since I was a kid. I always wanted to become a manga artist. Growing up , reading and watching Dragon Ball, One Piece, 20th Century Boys, Evangelion, and many others has always inspired me. As I grew older though, I become more drawn with character illustrations and concepts. The guys at Massive Black (Jason Chan, El Coro, Nox), really inspired me when I started when I decided to chase this professionally.
MU: When working on more horror/scary art pieces, what do you draw inspiration from them?
LS: For horror pieces, I always try to draw inspirations from movies. I love how they use minimal lighting to convey the mood.
MU: How long do you typically spend on a piece?
LS: Usually a week. If its more complex could go up to three weeks.
MU: You’ve done the artwork on many Magic cards dating back many years. Which of your cards have been your favorites and what is it about them that makes them stand out?
LS: Well this is a hard one XD. I do have some favorites. I think cards like Fireblade Charger, Coveted Prize, Syr Gwyn, Archfiend of the Dross, Drafna, Descendant of Storms, Zurgo, Bolas, Chandra. I think cause in those cards I feel like I successfully capture the mood and moment in my head. Sometimes it's also cause I experiment with the comp and colors and sometimes when it works, well, it made me really happy with how it turned out. Sometimes its also because some of them are just my favorite characters.
MU: Do you have a favorite art piece that was in a card? And , if so, why that one?
LS: At the moment probably Descendant of Storms. This one I feel like I managed to get all the elements working: face, pose, hair, effects, all in all its a fun card from start to finish.
MU: Have you ever tried a more "out of the box" approach to a card where you try a new perspective or style?
LS: Yes. I always try to experiment with the comp ,moving the view around and try different angle and focal length. I don't really change my style though. I struggle to change how my work look as I always gravitate towards the same style and I'm too stubborn to change how I want it to look.
MU: As a professional artist for several decades, how has your art style evolved over the years?
LS: I'm not sure. I mean over time I have learned more and more different techniques to achieve the final work, but somehow I just feel like I never stopped learning new things and realizing new stuff when I draw. Perhaps one thing I find is that nowadays I'm pushing more and more on the characters believability, adding the small details that people would simply miss but would unconsciously know.
MU: When making more scary artwork for expansions like Duskmourn, what is your process compared to non-horror sets? Is fire in particular hard to illustrate?
LS: Not really. It's the same approach as usual. Fire is actually something pretty fun to do, and I also sometimes experiment with how I do them.
MU: Do you have a favorite art medium? If so, does it make fantasy artwork harder or easier to create?
LS: I haven't tried oils. Currently, I have only tried acrylics and gouache, but for client work I still stick with digital. The level of finish that I want just isn't there yet using a traditional medium. And I also haven't got the time to really practice those mediums again.
MU: What kinds of things are more tricky for you to create (landscapes, people, creatures, etc.)?
LS: Each has their own challenges. I would say interiors are more challenging to me, because it can't be sloppy as it is a manmade structure. I just find it more cumbersome
MU: Finally, aside from continuing to play and collect Magic: The Gathering cards, how else can fans of your artwork support what you do? Do you have any future projects coming out soon you are excited about?
LS: I sell prints and proofs, so you can support me with those. Currently i don't have any future projects planned. Painting different IPs for Magic is still plenty fun for me. :)
Thank you, Lie, for participating in this interview.
