Nikolas Ilic

I am originally from Toronto,Canada where I studied Animation at Sheridan College. I always grew up surrounded by art, my brother always did art and my dad is a fine artist as well. I graduated in 2011 and started working in Toronto and freelancing for various studios for about a year. Since thenI am now living in LA, California and currently working at JibJab studios designing on a preschool TV show produced for Netflix. In my spare time I love to draw, travel, and spend time with my 12 year old labrador.

Have you always been creative and artistic?

Yes! ever since I can remember I have loved cartoons and drawing. My older brother was probably the main reason I got into art as we always drew from comics and characters that we both loved.

How would you describe the style of your work?

I would describe my style of work to be very graphic and cartoony. Alot of my inspiration comes from childhood cartoons and the UPA look.

What’s in your pencil case and what’s your favorite tool?

I generally draw and paint digitally now so I guess my favorite tool is the Cintiq Stylus pen :) But going through college and when I go out sketching for fun I like to use pencils, markers, paints , pens and even whiteout. Anything goes when I work traditionally just depends what I feel like using that day.

Who is your favorite superhero?

My favorite superhero has to be batman! The fact that he is a man underneath it all is easily relatable for me.

If you could have one super power what would it be?

If I could have one super power it would have to be teleportation. Think about all the things you could do and place's you could go!

Where do you look for inspiration?

These days everything can be found on the internet! So that has to be my number one way to look for inspiration. Besides that art books is another way to find inspiration and even just being outside or living your day to day life there might be something that you use or see that inspires you.

Who are your favorite artists or comic book authors?

I would say I am influenced by some old masters and Illustrators. Miroslav Sasek is probably one of my top inspirations. The way he captures things graphically and executes his illustrations is really amazing and something I try and pull from into my own work. Cliff Roberts is another illustrator I adore for his simplicity and graphic treatment which again is something I try and put back into my artwork.