Sky Hopinka & My Process
1 . How does Sky Hopinka use his medium of choice? What inspired him to use video?
Sky Hopinka uses video to examine themes of language, cultural identity, and Indigenous representation, combining experimental techniques with documentary-like elements. Hopinka comes from a deeply creative family, which influences his approach to storytelling through film. He sees a connection between language structure and the way films are constructed, using this relationship to shape his work. Hopinka carefully balances the stories he tells with respect for their origins, recognizing that they hold meaning beyond himself. His use of video extends the purpose of myths and stories, preserving their significance while exploring what they can teach both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences. He is able to preserve indigenous culture and stories this way.
2 . What material/medium/process do you use and how? What inspired you to make your work that way?
My work is mostly digital. I begin in a sketchbook, from here I transfer that image by photographing or scanning. I import it into my drawing software of choice, these include krita, Adobe Photoshop, adobe Illustrator or Procreate, and then begin to do linework, followed by flat color, and then shading and lighting. This started when I began traditional work. I did a lot of watercolor and alcohol based marker work.
Sky Hopinka uses video to examine themes of language, cultural identity, and Indigenous representation, combining experimental techniques with documentary-like elements. Hopinka comes from a deeply creative family, which influences his approach to storytelling through film. He sees a connection between language structure and the way films are constructed, using this relationship to shape his work. Hopinka carefully balances the stories he tells with respect for their origins, recognizing that they hold meaning beyond himself. His use of video extends the purpose of myths and stories, preserving their significance while exploring what they can teach both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences. He is able to preserve indigenous culture and stories this way.
2 . What material/medium/process do you use and how? What inspired you to make your work that way?
My work is mostly digital. I begin in a sketchbook, from here I transfer that image by photographing or scanning. I import it into my drawing software of choice, these include krita, Adobe Photoshop, adobe Illustrator or Procreate, and then begin to do linework, followed by flat color, and then shading and lighting. This started when I began traditional work. I did a lot of watercolor and alcohol based marker work.
Instead of putting my work into software I would trace it on a light table, and then do the same system. Line art and then the rest. The sketching process is always what assists me in generating ideas. I often play music and pull up different references to inform this process too. The way my art ends is usually printed and sometimes left digital. My preference of printing is simply from the physical aspect of it. I get to decide the size and look of the image off a screen. This is also because of the visual, I like to have a little control in the final look of one of my works. If it stays strictly digital it changes the way that my art looks. It changes the size, color, brightness, finish, and more. If I choose how my work is displayed I can make it exactly to my liking. I love textile, the idea of making book illustrations, trading cards, and illustrations for display are key. Other than this, there are times when I leave my work on the screen, this is because I want them to be viewed as if you were watching a cartoon, as character design is key to that form of media. So in the end, cartoons, cards, books, and displayable illustrations are my focuses.
The way I make my work is heavily influenced by my experiences in childhood, from viewing cartoons to being forced to grow up fast. There is something comforting to me to use a more cartoon-like style. I also have a relationship with art that has to do with my in person relationships and experiences. My work is a result of my connection to the artistic and creative process as much as it is my messages and missions. There's something so special about the physical part of art to me. Before I could afford a tablet, laptop, or paid software, a 2b pencil and a dollar store notebook were my sword and shield. As I moved forward pencil and paper never left the process as a result of my entire family giving them to me, and my addiction to stationery. Trading cards and picture books are things I grew up around. I had picture books around me that I adore, and my aunt and uncle, like many millennials, had books of pokemon, digimon, and Yu-gi-oh cards that they would let me see and not touch.
The way I make my work is heavily influenced by my experiences in childhood, from viewing cartoons to being forced to grow up fast. There is something comforting to me to use a more cartoon-like style. I also have a relationship with art that has to do with my in person relationships and experiences. My work is a result of my connection to the artistic and creative process as much as it is my messages and missions. There's something so special about the physical part of art to me. Before I could afford a tablet, laptop, or paid software, a 2b pencil and a dollar store notebook were my sword and shield. As I moved forward pencil and paper never left the process as a result of my entire family giving them to me, and my addiction to stationery. Trading cards and picture books are things I grew up around. I had picture books around me that I adore, and my aunt and uncle, like many millennials, had books of pokemon, digimon, and Yu-gi-oh cards that they would let me see and not touch.
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