Brian Valeza on comics, inspiration, and cute creatures. Also, psst... go and save your work.
Cats made out of grass (who impact your karma—player, be warned!), an unhinged coastal parrot who tells Really Bad Jokes, and a dice set made out of rainbow cake... These are just a few of the crazy briefs we have sent Brian’s way. Somehow (sorcery, perhaps?!) he always turns those requests into perfectly executed, narrative-driven delights. Players will encounter Brian’s amazing creatures throughout Fablecraft’s adventure modules, or can upgrade their dice and tokens with one of his custom 3D skins.
Name: Brian Valeza
Socials: artstation.com/tots
Location: Philippines
Artistic superpower: I can convince myself that the deadline is still far away…
Interests beyond painting: Eating~
Couldn't live without: Biologically: air. Artistically: my workstation
Favorite ice cream flavor: Anything that doesn’t have nuts in it
Wild Timberwolves move and hunt in packs, but they can also be trained to guard.
Can you tell us a bit about how you came to be a professional artist?
BRIAN: It all started when my father and mother… oh wait, that’s too far!
I guess it all started when, after serving 10 years in college and still not graduating, hehehe (if I only knew a degree wasn’t that important in my career path—I should have started much earlier), I got hired as a concept artist at a startup studio here in the Philippines. From there, I went to another studio as an illustrator, then left and became a member of a new group. We opened our own studio, and I became co-owner and creative director of said studio. that’s the short version of it, hehehe.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
BRIAN: I got a lot of them. Comic artists are my earliest influences. Since I grew up without internet, I didn’t know there were other artistic jobs outside of comics: Pol Medina (local comic strip artist), Whilce Portacio (Image comics), Todd McFarlane (Spawn comics), and Greg Capullo (Spawn comics). As an illustrator, my main influences are Svetlin Velinov and Marko Djurdjevic~
Known as 'birds of mirth,' Riddling Parrots subsist on silly jokes and witty one-liners.
Tell us about your favorite medium.
BRIAN: Digital medium. Once I learned to use photoshop, I fell in love with it. I’ve been using it for 19+ years now, hehehe. I still love doing sketches and doodles on my sketchpad with pencil or pens when I'm outside or taking a break. I would love to go back to using traditional media on my work someday, like oil painting~
What are your main sources of inspiration?
BRIAN: My fellow artists, especially the ones I'm working with. Every time I see their work on the project, it really annoys me, and fires me up to do better on my next piece! Hehehe.
The sweet-natured Leafkins gnaw on tree roots, causing Cursed Groves to form.
Can you walk us through your process when working on Fablecraft artwork, from brief through to final execution?
BRIAN: First I read the briefs, then think to myself, “How the heck am I gonna do this?!?” I then doodle some ideas until I get a good composition of the scene. I research and look for references, finalize the sketch, and submit. While waiting for feedback, I work on other projects to keep the creative juices flowing, hehehe.
Once approved, I finalize the piece. I open a movie or documentary in the background that is closely related to what I’m working on for additional creative boost. Once I’m finished, I leave it for a couple of hours and work on other things to get my eyes refreshed.
Early sketches of our Karma Cat
BRIAN: I then go back to see if I missed anything or need to add improvements. I then submit, and then Darci yells at me. Just kidding! Hehehe. She’s one of the kindest Art Directors I work with~
Talk us through one of your Fablecraft pieces. Which elements are you happiest with? What was the most challenging?
BRIAN: I really like the Karma Cat, the first piece I made for Fablecraft. Painting an open and peaceful scene is always relaxing, and making cute creatures is fun. I rarely did this before in my work—I haven’t worked on this many cute creatures until Fablecraft, hehehe.
The challenging part is the grass. It always makes me anxious working on straight repeating patterns, don't know why…
Mages are advised to treat Karma Cats with kindness and respect, for their own safety.
What is your favorite piece of Fablecraft work that you didn't work on?
BRIAN: There’s a lot. The background works by Anthony Avon and Andreas Rocha are stunning. Looking at those drove me to practice painting backgrounds again, hehehe.
Mountain passes may be precarious, but valuable secrets await those brave enough to find them. Illustration by Anthony Avon.
It is strongly advised that travelers take a guide when entering the Wildwoods. Illustration by Andreas Rocha.
How would you personally define success as an artist?
BRIAN: You always get in the zone while working and are genuinely happy with the end result, not because people or the client liked it, but because you are happy with how it turned out.
Mischievous Highland Havocs like to hurl projectiles at passers-by, just for fun.
Any advice for aspiring artists out there?
BRIAN: Always Save, then Save As, so you have a backup copy! Hehehe. Another advice is: just keep at it. Don't rush. You’ll only end up slowing yourself down. enjoy the process of creating~
Are there any upcoming projects that you are excited for?
BRIAN: A lot for Fablecraft. I’m looking forward to making more dice and critters. I would also like to work on scary creatures too, if there are available ones! *wink* *wink*
Fablecraft note: Don’t worry Brian… scary creatures are coming your way! :)
Dice and Token animation and 3D modeling by Ashley Farlow.
Check out more of Brian’s work on Riftweaver’s new TTRPG, Fablecraft. Fablecraft is a cooperative digital tabletop roleplaying game set in the vibrant, hopeful world of Mythas. The platform integrates interactive battlemaps, video, audio, and text chat, digital dice and unique game system, and a library of artwork and music, to bring your stories to life.
