Interview with illustrator Dave HabbenMy good friend Dave Habben was kind enough to sit down with me for a few questions recently. I met Dave some time ago in San Francisco while he was working for Chronicle Books. One day, while sitting next to him at a meeting (not at Chronicle), I saw some of his great sketches in his moleskine notebook. Since then I’ve kept track of Dave and have been really impressed with his work and process. His work is very inspiring and ranges from editorial style illustrations to successful tee shirt designs.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s that you can learn a little something new and hopefully useful from everyone. Dave is certainly no exception to this “rule”.
Where are you from, Where did you study, Where do you currently work (freelance?) ?
I was born in Oregon, but spent most of my growing-up years in Idaho. I’ve been really fortunate in life to be surrounded by friends and family that were very supportive of my artistic efforts and I’d have to say that my art education began in the home. After two years as a missionary in Australia, I began my formal studies at Boise State University and then later transferred to Brigham Young University in Utah. After graduating with a BFA in Illustration, I spent a year as a production artist and illustrator at an ad agency in Salt Lake City and then took part in a six-month fellowship program at Chronicle Books in San Francisco. When the fellowship was completed, I headed back to Salt Lake to set up shop as a freelance illustrator. I’ve been there since and had the opportunity to work with some great clients on some really unique projects.
How/Why did you decide to become an illustrator?
Becoming an illustrator was a natural progression for me. I’ve always enjoyed figurative work and telling stories with my artwork. While I enjoy creating art in any capacity, I’ve found illustration to be a very direct way of communication, but also full of opportunities to provide layers of additional information.
What is/are your favorite medium or way to work when creating your works (maybe talk a little about digital media if you use them)?
I really enjoy drawing with anything, pencil, chalk, charcoal, etc. When it comes to paint, I prefer acrylic because of the speed and cleanliness. Of course, drawing digitally is a great combination of all those things. The Wacom tablets provide a natural drawing feel, while programs like Sketchbook and Photoshop allow for an endless variety of brushes, nibs, points, and color. They don’t replace other materials in any way, but they are an excellent tool.
What are three things that have been key to becoming better at your craft?
Practice, Communication, and Discipline. Well, two out of three ain’t bad. By the way, talent isn’t included for a reason.
How often do you find yourself practicing/sketching?
All the time, but not as often as I should. But when you can’t be drawing, I think its vital to always be “seeing”. Look for inspiration everywhere and when you do get to drawing, you’ll have a head full of ideas at the ready.
Looking at your website/portfolio, your work tends to have some layer of meaning to it. How do your ideas flow, or what do you to to be inspired?
My ideas come from everywhere, but learning to clear my head and avoid distractions leads to better drawings. Personally, I need to relax and have a comfortable, quiet place to work. If there’s to much going on around me, I have a hard time focusing enough to do anything more than a sketch. Music is great, but nothing overwhelming.
Thanks again to Dave Habben for chatting with us and sharing some of his awesome work. We’ve got another interview coming in the next few weeks that you won’t want to miss out on. It’s always inspiring to see how other people work, and learn about their backgrounds. Be sure to also check out the gallery below for more of Dave’s awesome work.
Tags: Dave Habben, Illustration, Interview
