Inca Pan was born in 1983 and he is a freelance illustrator in Taiwan. His work is most published in newspapers alongside articles on literature. He likes movies and has a cat.
Could you tell us a bit about your creative process, from the initial image or idea to the finished piece?
In general, I don’t draw very detailed sketches: I like drawing and thinking together at the same time. This helps me to create new ideas and compositions.
You work in both 100% pencil, and also mixed media (pencil & paint.) What appeals to you about pencil as a medium?
My works are mixed media: I like to add pencil,watercolor and gouache. I like the texture of pencil, it’s full of personal style and mystery.
What’s your favourite pencil: Brand? Wood? Mechanical?
I love them all, because they feel different.
You like literature and say that words inspire you… are you more interested in creating illustrations to accompany texts, than creating stand-alone artwork without a written context?
Maybe this is partly true: I like creating illustrations for a story… but I also love to paint art works.
What would be a dream text for you to illustrate? Do you ever write your own stories?
Actually, I will try to create a book this year: it will have many stories with illustrations.
A lot of your work seems to take inspiration from fairy tales/mythology… and you also created a series of stunning illustrations of Hans Christian Andersen stories. Where did this interest in folk tales come from?
I like fairytales because they are full of imagination and the stories are familiar to everyone. This way it is easier for my work to connect to the whole world!
How do you conceptualize/construct a piece? Do you think of it as a story, snapshot, or abstraction?
I think it is closer to an abstraction. I want my work to show the different meanings to the story, so most of time I will add many messages to my work.
You work in both editorial and book illustration. Is there a difference in how you approach your work if it’s a newspaper commission vs a book commission?
The commission is important, but I mostly care about the subject of a project.
What size do you tend to work at, and why this preference?
A4 , because it easy to scan :)
Do you have a favourite subject matter? What’s the particular attraction?
I love poetry. It inspires me, it makes me think of so many things that can be created in the work.
Can you tell us about a favourite piece of yours, or a favourite creative experience?
My favourite experience was my first time working with the New York Times: it was very exciting!
Do you have any early memories of drawing or, what’s your first memory of an image?
When I was child, my mom would always draw animals and tell me stories about them. Those animals really influenced my love for drawing.
What other artists/illustrators do you find inspiring?
Peter Sis.
Do you keep a sketchbook?
Yes.
What are you working on now? What can we look forward to from you next?
My first book. Hopefully, it will be finished this year.
Where can people get a hold of your work, or find out more about your previous projects?
People should check out my flickr-page or Facebook-page.
Right or left-handed?
Right-handed
What was the last film you saw in the cinema?
August: Osage County
What books are on your bedside table right now?
Espejos:Una Historia Casi Universal
Coffee, nicotine, or booze?
Coffee
Favourite city in the world?
Kyoto
Favourite city to draw/sketch/illustrate/create in?
You know what, I don’t think I have one!
Inca’s work appears in Issue 3 of Tiny Pencil: The Beast Issue… Monsters, Machines and Unnatural Things! Available to buy here.
This interview was brought to you by The Tiny Pencil – fine purveyors of the pencil arts. Follow us on twitter @TheTinyPencil, Facebook, tumblr, and instagram for the latest news on all of our new anthology artzines.
