#jdebbiel
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Creator Spotlight: @jdebbiel
Deb JJ Lee is a non-binary Korean artist based in Brooklyn, NY. They have appeared in the New Yorker, New York Times, NPR, Google, Radiolab, and more. Their award-winning graphic memoir, IN LIMBO, about mental illness and difficult relationships with trauma, released in March 2023 from First Second.
Below is our interview with Deb!
Have you ever had an art block? If so, how did you overcome it?
That implies I am over my art block, but I’m still in it! I think about Kiki’s Delivery Service a lot and how she had to stop doing a thing, and that you can’t really force it, and you have to let it come back to you. It’s a pretty humbling moment, realizing there is more to life than just drawing. I’ve been trying to consume other content like reading or watching movies—anything that is not drawing-related—and to trust that it will come back to me. I think not being afraid to do the small pieces before committing to the big pieces is helpful. Because big pieces are what I am known for, I dig myself into a deeper hole, thinking that each piece has to be bigger than the last one. So yeah! Relaxing and doing the small things before overcommitting to a big piece is the best way to go about it for me.
Which 3 famous artists (dead or alive) would you invite to your dinner party?
I feel like these are all artists that I have second-degree connections with! Jillian Tamaki, Victo Ngai, and Tillie Walden would be my picks!
What are your file name conventions?
…What file name conventions? I mean, I don’t have specific file name conventions, but I actually have a public Google Drive archive! But I usually put “djjl_whatever-the-title-is_final,” and I would always know it’s the final and legit version.
What is a recent creative project that you are proud of?
I did an illustration for the whiskey brand Johnnie Walker. It’s so wild because I only had four days to finish it, and it usually takes me a week and a half if I rush. And honestly, it’s probably one of my best pieces from this year, which is funny. It was for the Mid-Autumn festival, so I made it as Korean as possible.
How has technology changed the way you approach your work?
I only use my iPad to draw everything now, and if I want to pretend that I have a steady workstation, I’ll use my Cintiq. I still am not as comfortable on the Cintiq as I am on Procreate, but it’s still pretty solid and nice. That’s the good part about technology. The bad part about technology is how AI art has been messing things up for me. I’m currently in a lawsuit about AI art as a class rep. Some of my stuff got turned into AI art late last year, so I have to give a deposition at some point.
What is a convention experience that has stuck with you?
Honestly, they’re all good! I feel like Lightbox Expo has been really nice because it’s truly been a convention for artists. I feel like that’s where most of my audience is, and they’re all around because their purpose is to be better at art. That’s where a lot of original artists do well because they’re getting art they’re inspired by, not so much fanart. I like the Lightbox Expo because it encompasses the pure love of art very well.
Top tips on setting up an Artist Alley booth?
Use a Y axis, not just your X axis! Take advantage of it! Branding is also something to think about. It is definitely something I’m getting better at. Having an assistant is also very important. I’ve also heard that 8.5x11 to 12x18 inches is usually a good size for prints, but I also provide postcard-sized prints because sometimes people don’t want to commit to a larger size.
Who on Tumblr inspires you and why?
You know this is so funny. I’ve been following @alicexz for over a decade on Tumblr and other platforms. I’ve followed her work since high school, and we’ve only recently become peers. I found her, and we met for the first time in real life, and she recognized me. And then I found all my drawings from when I was in my Alice phase, back in high school, and I was like, “Yo, this is when I was trying to be you so badly!” and she was cracking up and was like “Wow, this is so good!” It was such a sweet moment. I wanted to take a picture of her holding my drawing up. It’s really nice because now we’re peers.
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing, Deb! Be sure to check out their Tumblr blog over at @jdebbiel.
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i don’t know what else to say except that AI art is no longer simply a source of creativity or a wonder of human creation. it has become actively hostile and destructive toward the very thing it pretends to uplift and celebrate. it is void of any human element, any soul or ounce of emotion or self-expression. continuing to use AI art knowing that it comes from theft and robbing artists of their livelihood is disgusting. they need your support now more than ever. stop giving these thieves your money and admiration.
[Image descriptions courtesy of @cryptid-deity: a series of screenshots from Deb JJ Lee’s twitter, @ jdebbiel.
Image 1 is a tweet that reads, “this... this is fucking sad. I don’t know what to do.” Included with the tweet are two images; one is a screenshot from a private text message conversation, the other is a collage of AI generated art that was sent to Lee in the text conversation.
Image 2 is a screenshot of only the text conversation, which shows multiple messages that were sent to Lee. There is a collage of AI art, then a text message that reads, “Sorry to bother you. It looks like someone on an AI subreddit is making a custom model and it reminds me a lot of your work. He isn’t telling anyone where the images are being sourced from.” Following is another collage of AI art, followed by the message, “Here’s another one.” The last message is a link to the subreddit.
Image 3 is another tweet that reads, “Oh so it *was* me,” with the word ‘was’ between asterisks for emphasis. The tweet includes two screenshots from the subreddit.
Image 4 is one of the subreddit screenshots. It is a post that reads, “Dreambooth model release! Say hello to kurzgesagtish!” Under these lines is a Reddit message that reads, “Sorry, this post was deleted by the person who originally posted it.”
Image 5 is the other subreddit screenshot. This post reads, “Results I got with a custom dreambooth model.” This post has the same deletion message as the former.
Image 6 is another tweet by Lee, which reads, “For comparison, here’s my art vs artist. I’m gonna cry.” Included is a collage of 8 works by Lee, which frame a photo of them. They follow up this tweet with another tweet, which reads, “If I see anyone I know using AI Art, they are dead to me.” The tweet includes multiple comparisons between Lee’s original art and an AI generated art piece based on it, judging by the subjects, colors, and lines.
Images 7, 8, and 9 are the examples from Lee’s tweet.
end description.]
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Phantom of The Opera by @jdebbiel
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etho of the slab variety ^-^
inspired by jdebbiel's work!! i love their art style so i decided to try smth similar and mess around w gradient mapping!
#seta art :)#i will not be tagging them bc uhhh interacting with people is spooky scary!! def go check out their acc though it should be linked :D#ethoslab#ethoslab fanart#etho#etho fanart#hermitcraft#hermitcraft fanart#this was fun but god gradient mapping is hard to get used to#its been so long since ive posted ive forgotten what to tag send help
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hi! im an art student and im supposed to research artists who inspire me for a 2D-Design project. Part of the project is finding out which artists inspire my inspirations. So, who are some artists who inspire you? (doesnt just have to be drawing, could be any type of artist)
thank u and ur art is cool :3
O BOY OKAY i’ll just drop a bunch of usernames !!!! these guys fill my heart w joy love etc (these r all twt username but probably same for other platforms as well)
puyogho
everydaylouie (for both his 3d, 2d , and music! )
keo_chuuu_
cronchybaguette
kowagos (instagram handle! and dear friend of mine)
AmiThompson_h
jdebbiel
splatbones
kevin_macross (instagram handle!)
spacecrumble (instagram handle!!!)
worthikids (animation but also music)
those are just off the top of my head! all of their work shapes my life a little bit everyday forever i feel
kevin macross n spacecrumble display quiet intimacy in their work that inspires me more than maybe anything else on this list. i rlly admire capturing that sorta muted but real emotion between people more than any technical or aesthetic work because it’s SO hard for me to do, i’d love to learn how to!
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My set up!! ...is a temporary depression cure for me
Credits to the artists!
Credit list!! ✨🥳
Donatello Bust @thecolinstein
4 big rise guys @anitasafonova
biblically accurate sonny angel @jdebbiel
Silly Donnie @appeypie
Fox scribble + Transparent fox (Taiwan) @magpie_egg
Thoma Dog (Kickstarter) @Hideawaymelon
Nickelodeon Slime @Nickelodeon
Minecraft Stickers @minecraft (5 below)
Knife and xacto knife @sewerbetta
Miku, Car bunny, small frog and bunny transparent stickers @liliuhms
Bug, slime ojisan, present mic (Japan) @bsidelabel5892
One Piece manga caps (Japan) @mugistore_info
Mushroom and daikon @sonyalei
Be gay do crime Nico @soia.jpg
One Piece flowers zine sticker sheet (Robin, Nami, ViVi) @ohcaramel
Marco @Aifo_zu
2003 Turtles, inhaler Donnie, autism creature Mikey, California girls Leo, Baby Donnie, Sheldon, Turtle logo, Genius Built logo, April’s bat, Raph’s Tonfa, Casey jr murder is okay, Anubis, Lesbian April @mushroomgrenade (me!)
#wacom#hatsune miku#miku#silly#tmnt#tmnt 2003#tmnt 2018#frog#minecraft#taiwan#dog#chikawa#bug#marco#one piece#nico di angelo#robin#nami#vivi#hobie#hobie brown#present mic#yamato#zoro#fox#leo#mikey#donnie#raph#sheldon
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Easing back into painting. A rather simple portrait study of Wednesday Addams from the new show.
This time I experimented with the colours following a cool gradient maps tutorial that can be found here (similar process in PS that I'm using): https://twitter.com/jdebbiel/status/1547600949731938306
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Heeeeey! ☺️ You've been tagged! You don't have to do anything if you don't want to, but if you'd like, list 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you! Learn to know your mutuals and followers! 💗💖💗 (if you've been tagged already I'm so sorry lol, but in that case maybe you have 5 other things that make you happy that you want to share!)
!!!!! @joy-girl!!! thanks for tagging me!!
things that make me happy...
no unread notifications on my phone
i really don't like having those red dots on my phone... or my computer... i'm the type of person that LOVES an empty inbox. it does absolute wonders for my brain. it's like cleaning up my digital room so to speak.
having an iced soy latte in the morning
i'm definitely not a functioning or happy person before i have my daily caffeine fix. the visible difference between the before and after is astounding. especially when i know i'll be having a long day ahead. but also i like the taste of a good ol' latte, so that's always a plus!
my wall of prints i've collected over the years of supporting artists
there's this saying i always throw out to my IRL friends about how i don't have any wall space because the entirety of it is filled with amazing pieces of art i've collected by artists who inspire me over the years. i've recently gotten the Everything Everywhere All At Once print by @jdebbiel at NYCC (hi deb! it's jas hehe) and i stare at it whenever i look up because of how pretty it is!
my overflowing bookshelf
i don't know if y'all know this about me, but i love my bookshelf. so much that the books on it are overflowing into various empty spaces around my tiny brooklyn room. i subscribe to a monthly book crate, and their books are soooo pretty that i must have them all out on display! one day, i'll get another bookshelf to combine with my already stacked one.
freshly dyed hair
i don't know if y'all also know this about me, but i like to dye my hair. but i don't trust myself enough to do it (with the intense amount of hair i have on my head), so i always go to a hair salon for it. and they make it look so good and style is so nicely. it makes me feel like i'm taking on an entirely new personality, and it's fun! rip to my scalp though.
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Deb JJ Lee (@jdebbiel) stopped by during NYCC 2023!
Deb JJ Lee is a non-binary Korean artist based in Brooklyn, NY. They have appeared in the New Yorker, New York Times, NPR, Google, Radiolab, and more. Their award-winning graphic memoir, IN LIMBO, about mental illness and difficult relationships with trauma, released in March 2023 from First Second.
Check out their Creator Spotlight here.
📸: Rob Douthat
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Speaking of influence on your style in the last post, care to talk about that a little more (or if you have before do you make remember where)? :) Who and what influenced you on your artistic journey, what helped lead the way to develop your style that we love very much and the artwork you create? I'm always glad to see artists and artworks I haven't known before and I'd love to hear about who is/was important to you.
That's sweet of you to ask. I've talked about this, yes, and I feel like I give different answers each time :D been making digital art for over a decade now, and professionally illustrating for at least three. Obsessed over loads of artists both alive and dead in that time, so for the sake of keeping it brief I'll mention contemporaries that I think are my biggest current inspirations? Some of these are illustrators, some are poster artists, all kick ass.
This is gonna turn into a follow-these-people list of recs; if you like alternative illustrated posters with striking color choices, check out Courtney Martin, Matt Ferguson, Tracie Ching, Rory Kurtz, and Olly Moss for obvious reasons. If you're curious to see the type of value grouping and creative compositions I chase after, they're the measuring stick.
If you're interested in what drives my passion for travel posters, see the work of Beverly Arce, Danielle Sylvan, Claire Hummel, or just the entire lineup of 59parks.net;
And for my personal illustration heroes check out Marie Bergeron, Natalie Dombois, Roma Gewska, Sam Hogg, Sibylline Meynet, or even folks who hang around here like @eleonorpiteira and @celialowenthal and @bunabi and @jdebbiel who I hope won't mind me putting them on blast. They're all so incredibly good at many-many different things that I selectively study and obsess over.
That last part is a good way to summarize my entire approach to contemporaries tbh; I live and breathe the joy of seeing these incredible artists put out banger after banger, but you won't see me wholesale ripping one of them off necessarily. It's more of a granular search for interesting bits and pieces I can deconstruct and assimilate. And that sort-of results into what's called my style? I guess?
Either way, go follow all these cool people please!
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Oh! I took @jdebbiel’s course last year and it was an absolute delight, I learned so much and I half want to explore some of the other thumbnails and do it again
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6!
6. Which artists inspire you right now?
REALLY SHY TO @ PEOPLE but i will happily direct u to sobsannix, bigsquidman, alleesaur, jdebbiel, marmastry, mrspider, steviefeesh, onenhillion these r just the ppl that r on the top of my head there so many more i love taking inspiration from every artist i follow
& if you wanna find more cool shit look at my insp tag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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i break into your blog immediately /j. artist asks time.
6) which artists inspire you right now?
13) show your favorite drawing from last year!
24) how do you deal with artblock?
:] skers
6: hmm the first few that come to mind are @/monsieureon @/jdebbiel and doggodrawings (on instagram, idk if they have a tumblr)
13: um uhh!!!! i cannot decide!!!! these are some of my favorites (i like the non-animal art that i did as an attempt to branch out from just beasts but cute beasties are always superior)
24: …
sit on my ass all day and scroll social media. bad chickenbunny. jail for chickenbunny for 1000 years.
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J'ai publié 2 536 fois en 2022
125 billets créés (5%)
2 411 billets reblogués (95%)
Les blogs que j'ai le plus reblogués :
@shy-and-reserved
@arthurpendragonns
@filmgifs
@fyeahmovies
@mike-mills
J'ai étiqueté 2 519 billets en 2022
Seulement 1% de mes billets ne comportaient pas de tag
#derry girls - 228 billets
#ichihime - 139 billets
#eurovision - 121 billets
#book - 110 billets
#bridgerton - 108 billets
#classical art - 107 billets
#jess speaks - 79 billets
#stranger things - 69 billets
#bleach - 59 billets
#house of the dragon - 55 billets
Longest Tag: 139 characters
#they're probably my fav relationship from the show and that's saying a lot because every single relationship of the show is brilliant and c
Mes billets vedette en 2022 :
n°5
ALSO one more thing about the jerin kiss : James almost never defend himself when Michelle is giving him shit and when he does it’s often a snarky remark under his breath but after the kiss he told Michelle loud and clear that it was none of her business because THAT was important to him enough for him to take a stand
550 notes - publié le 5 mai 2022
n°4
Giselle / The Nutcracker by 𝑺𝑨𝑵𝑺𝑨
558 notes - publié le 7 juin 2022
n°3
Voir l'intégralité du billet
682 notes - publié le 24 février 2022
n°2
Bridgerton by Tasia
978 notes - publié le 17 juillet 2022
Mon billet n°1 en 2022
Phantom of The Opera by @jdebbiel
3 790 notes - publié le 7 juin 2022
Obtenez votre année 2022 en revue sur Tumblr →
#tumblr2022#année en revue#mon année tumblr 2022 en revue#votre année tumblr en revue#year in review#my 2022 tumblr year in review#your tumblr year in review
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