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Illustration West 57 – Another Judge’s Interview: Kim Dwinell

by | Oct 19, 2018 | News & Events

ILW 57 Show Chair Cliff Cramp interviews Kim Dwinell

[note all artwork is © Kim Dwinell and cannot be used in any way without consent of the artist]

  1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself or how you got started?

I got hired after getting my BFA from CSUF into animation. I worked on a handful of films, and a lot of my real world, working artist education comes from those days. Studios often offer classes at lunch and after work, and I was the one always at figure drawing at Disney, or out plein-air painting with the background painters. I discovered graphic novels in the early 2000s, and realized that they are animated films in a book! It was love at first sight.

 

 

 

  1. What’s your daily routine look like?

Right now, I am on a really tough deadline, so I am spending a lot of time at my desk. I get up and have coffee with my husband, get my husband and son out the door, and settle in to draw. After about an hour and a half, I get up to do some sort of workout- a walk, a run, or a swim in the bay. I buckle back down until about four o’clock, when the house starts to fill up again. I get dinner, and then work for another couple of hours before bed. I teach a couple of days a week, so this is my only time-out from this schedule. After I hit my deadline, I don’t work this hard. I know I can power through for the months that I need to, because that’s how animated films get done. There is always relief after the last scene is turned in!

 

 

  1. Describe your workspace for us? 

I am fortunate enough to have a spare bedroom in my house that I use as an office. It looks out into the sunroom, which looks into the garden, so I feel connected to the outside even when I’m stuck at my desk. My desk is an old animation desk that my husband built me. I also have a table with a scanner, printer, computer and Cintiq. My dog usually hangs out on the floor, making me feel guilty that we’re not playing ball.

 

  1. What do you like to do in your free time?

I’m all about the outdoors, and all about the ocean. In my free time, I’m either kayaking in the bay, out for a swim, or training for a 10K or half marathon. I get most of my inspiration out there.