Introducing Our First Artist Spotlight: ToDraw

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We hope to develop a creative community on LinkinPark.com since we are all inspired and motivated by music, art, videos, technology and the world around us in general. Every so often we will spotlight a member of LinkinPark.com whose artwork intrigues us.

Here’s our first Artist Spotlight. We would like to introduce you to ToDraw, whose real name is Shikim. He is from Aargau, Switzerland.

We recently reached out to Shikim and asked him the following questions about himself, his art and why is a fan of Linkin Park.

Q: When did you become a fan of LP? What interests you about the band?
A: Basically I always liked their music but around 2005-2006 I began getting more interested in the band. I kinda started listening to Linkin Park and Fort Minor at the same time. What I didn't know back then that the Rapper of Fort Minor was typically Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park. After doing some research, I got impressed even more with Linkin Park.

What interests me about the band is their diversity, I mean just let somebody who doesn't know the band listen to "One Step Closer" and then to "Not Alone." Nobody would say, “Oh yeah, that was the same band. “ What I really appreciate about Linkin Park are their lyrics, which are deep and emotional.

Q: What inspires you?
A: Most of my artwork is done just out of a emotional feeling (mostly sad ones) or some are inspired by a song or something I see which’s happening around me.

Q: What is your creative process?
A: I'm not the kind of guy who sits down and first thinks of what he wants to do. I just start off till I have a acceptable sketch. When the drawing doesn't work I try to write poems or lyrics, you've maybe seen some on my page. On matter of my emotional status I listen to music and my pictures mostly include the feelings I’m having in the moment or I find a song that sounds really cool, then I try to bring the content of the song on paper.

Lyrics always inspire the stuff I feel.

Q: What materials do you use?
A: I prefer using my Graphire 4(Graphic Tablet). If I don't use my graphic table I use pencils or ball pen's to draw. Sometimes but rarely I use acrylic color.

Q: What other artists do you admire?
A: First of all: Mike Shinoda, I admire him for his music skills and also for his skills as a painter, especially his use of digital and traditional media.
I also like the art of Akira Toriyama. By tracing his characters and redrawing them I have improved my drawing skills.

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Comment by David Escobedo on February 21, 2010 at 10:36am: @Todraw - Thanks!! I did this with some aspects of death note, I've been drawing somwhat like this which took me to be introduced to DN : )

Comment by TiFFerzZehNiNjA on February 20, 2010 at 1:37pm: omg!!!!!!! akira toriyama was the first person i tried to micmick in style of drawing liek DBZ and stuff LOL XD..you should check out hyung tai-kim!

Comment by Todraw on February 20, 2010 at 12:48pm: @Jovanovic Suzana The dragon looks great..^^ i'd like to do the same here... but the appartment is rented so if i move away from here i'd hav to clean up. ^^

Comment by Ne Kh von Glue on February 20, 2010 at 8:05am: @ Zona.Heera: Agree on all you said. That with Steve McCurry and LP

Comment by Ne Kh von Glue on February 20, 2010 at 7:54am: Really old, one when LP's Minutes To Midnight's Hands Held High( first time on Photoshop so excuse my mistakes:)

Comment by Lady Scorpion on February 20, 2010 at 6:09am: I painted this two pictures on my balcon. Do you like it?

Comment by Majinprince on February 20, 2010 at 3:06am: @todraw
Still want 2 play it.. :P

Comment by Zona.Heera on February 20, 2010 at 2:49am: Yes, I admire MS as well, he's truly is one talented artist/musician! My other interests is photography, and I admire Steve Mccury for his deep and emotional portraits. :)
I agree that LP does have deep and emotional lyrics, and to me it's the music (instrumental) that they make as well. So combining both of them is overwhelming to one's mind.

Comment by Todraw on February 20, 2010 at 1:57am: @Majinprince I know such problems the same reason why i didn't played, basicly my grafic card got broken, an now i hav a shitty one...'^^