Interview with drakhenliche

Time to get to know a bit more about drakhenliche. You've seen the work, let's hear a little something about the person.

Give us a short introduction about you.
Hi all. My name's Isabelle, though I've gone by 'Drakhenliche' online for the last decade or so. My background's actually science-based: I studied Neuroscience at university (UCL) and work in the pharmaceutical industry but this is, for me, just to generate bread money. My real passion is in drawing: in particular dragons and anything to do with my 'Daemonslayers' project - check out my website for a better explanation on that
Other than that I enjoy rock and metal - both music and lifestyle but I've become incredibly lazy and don't go out as often as I used to.

Where did you grow up? Tell us a little story about the young you.
My life story? I'll try and keep it short ('tis only 1/4 of a century, after all)! I was born in Worchester orhoweveryouspellit, spent the early years of my life in Welwyn Garden City where I remember running over my preschool teacher with a trike (not on purpose!) and making myself late for school by creeping under the window so the teacher wouldn't see me. One day she did and that was the end of that. Then we moved up to the Wirral (over the Mersey from Liverpool) where I stayed until I came down to London for university (which, incidentally, was where I actually grew up since i was rather immature before that!). I've always been a bit of a dreamer and spend most of my time lost in thought. My mum reckons I'm slightly deranged (gee, thanks mum!) and back when I was at school made a comment that I spent all my time in 'dragonland' and only came back to reality to ace any exams I took (my only ever 'B' was in Chemistry A-level). She was probably right

What aspect of yourself really stands out? Any peculiar habits or odd fascinations?
I guess a rather defining feature about me is my fascination (obssession?) with dragons. I first remember painting one in preschool (and I honestly have NO idea where I first heard of them to actually paint one) and from that moment effectively unleashed a monster I've been drawing, painting, collecting and writing about dragons ever since. Luckily my boyfriend and flatmate quite like them too so they don't mind that our flat is overrun by the beasties. Some friends jokingly say that I am one thanks to the way I hoard things and am protective of my possessions but before someone accuses me of being otherkin - I'm not (I'm Roman Catholic, thankyouverymuchindeed)! I just like dragons a lot.

I'm also a dreadful day-dreamer and have a bad habit of passing people I know in the street without realising they're there.

What is that common every day thing that can really make your day?
Things going well, I suppose. Or having the feeling that I've accomplished something, no matter what it is.

Is there a typical topic, story or concept that fuels your creations? Where does that fascination come from?
Yup. The majority of my artwork is to do with my pet project 'The Daemonslayers' and the fantasy world it's based on, Tymaera. It's an idea I've had since I was very young, though it has grown and changed a lot over the years.
Basically it follows the adventures of Blackjack - a rather washed-up cursed dragon; Shade - an undead werewolf who's a nice guy when he's not a raging monster and Soul (a friend's creation) - another lycanthrope who's seeking to regain her soul which was stolen by a demon as they criss cross the land unintentionally causing more trouble than they put right.


What's your opinion about traditional media? Is it an advantage to have experience with real pencils, paint or conventional camera?
I thoroughly recommend using traditional media! I forsook it for a time when I first discovered Photoshop and the joy of graphics tablets (althought I always did linework first in pen then scan it) but I started to realise there was something lacking in computer coloured art. So although I continued to use the computer for some pieces, I started to expand my range of traditional media and I find it much more satisfying to work in. Plus I think learning to paint with real colours and to shade with real pencils has helped my work to improve greatly over the last few years.

Have you been educated in what you do? Where did you study and how much do you profit from it?
I'm actually self taught. I did art up to GCSE level at school but as mentioned above I chose a more scientific path for my further education. Although I learned some useful things at school I have developed much more after striking out on my own. I found books on drawing - such as Hogarth's dynamic figures one to be of great help. Also online tutorials on colour theory have been useful but the majority of my self-learning has been from trial and many errors.
I profit little from my art - mostly because I draw for enjoyment (and my most enjoyed subject's a little specialised) but I make a little money from private commissions - which tends to get put straight back into purchasing more art materials!

Wich programs do you use and what do you use them for?
I use Photoshop CS and a Wacom Intuos3 to colour any digital work I do, but I'm suffering from RSI and Carpal Tunnel so in recent months I've gone back to traditional media since I can't use my computer too much.

Any final words for the readers?
If you read all the above then I apologise for taking up precious seconds of your life! I hope you enjoy my gallery though