10 Questions with Chong Liu

Chong Liu is a New York-based concept artist and digital illustrator, originally from China. He graduated from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Digital Media before furthering his studies at the School of Visual Arts in New York, specializing in digital art and 3D animation.

Early in his creative career, Chong served as an indie animation director. His animated short film "NoWhereMan" garnered over 30 national and regional awards in film and animation, including recognition from the Los Angeles Film Awards, Festigious International Film Awards, and the New York Film Awards in 2020.

With expertise in digital painting and concept design, Chong has collaborated with various design teams, publishers, and game studios on a freelance basis. His clients have included Google, Media Monk, Digital Domain, Serenity Forge, and Coed Studios. Notably, in 2020, he contributed to the interior design of the 2020 Biden & Harris Election Center.

Chong transitioned to a full-time role as a concept artist at Ubisoft SFO in 2022. Alongside his digital work, he has recently delved into the realm of oil painting and illustration, showcasing his artwork at the Sasse Museum of Art, Camelback Gallery, and Maryland Federation of Art in 2024.

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ARTIST STATEMENT

As a digital illustrator and concept artist immersed in the dynamic world of game development, Chong Liu’s creative journey is a fusion of imagination and technical expertise. His work is a testament to my passion for bringing fantastical worlds to life, and captivating audiences through visually compelling narratives.

In the realm of digital illustration, Chong explores the intersection of traditional artistry and cutting-edge technology. His process involves meticulous attention to detail, utilizing a diverse palette of digital tools to craft vibrant and evocative pieces. Whether depicting otherworldly landscapes, charismatic characters, or intricate scenes, each artwork is an opportunity to transport viewers to realms beyond the confines of reality.

INTERVIEW

First of all, could you share a bit about your background and studies? What pivotal experiences or training have shaped you into the artist you are today?

My journey into art began when I was just a kid. I was obsessed with Japanese anime and Hollywood movies, and that love for them shaped my artistic style as I grew up. With my parents' support, I decided to take my passion for art more seriously during high school art classes. Fast forward to 2018, I graduated from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Digital Media. In the same year, I came to New York to further my studies in digital art and 3D animation, fueled by my ambition to become a professional digital artist and concept designer for the entertainment industry.

How did your journey from China to New York influence your artistic development? 

My time in China means a lot to me. With my parents' strong support, I focused on my studies and art. When I look back at my art from then, I feel critical of its quality but appreciate its honesty and creativity. My undergraduate school was very artistic, with professors encouraging us to explore our tastes and aesthetics, regardless of the industry or job market. However, things changed when I moved to New York, a city focused on commercialism with a fully developed art industry. Over the years in New York City, I've learned a valuable lesson every artist should know: how to earn yourself a living as an artist. Keeping this in mind, I began studying art theories, digital tools, and social skills more systematically to break into the art industry. Ultimately, my journey from China to New York shifted my art focus from self-expression to practicality.

You've collaborated with various design teams, publishers, and game studios. How do these collaborative experiences inform your individual artistic practice?

Most of the time, when working on commercial projects with design teams and game studios, being efficient is crucial for artists. So, to meet the demand for quickly conceptualizing ideas and creating fast art pieces for clients, I discovered the incredible power of 3D programs and delved into the 3D world. I developed a habit of using 3D tools to solve design problems and even embraced some happy accidents they produced for my personal art. Additionally, working with 3D tools slightly shifted my mindset to observe things in a more three-dimensional way.
One collaborative project that stands out to me is when I started my journey as a professional artist in 2022. I had the amazing opportunity to work with the great filmmaker Daniel Goldhaber on his new sci-fi horror film. My role was as a concept artist and keyframe illustrator, helping visualize the characters and scenes from his script. It was my first time reading a film script from start to finish and translating key moments into digital paintings. This creative experience expanded my artistic horizons significantly and introduced me to the world of cinematography. It also highlighted the power of storytelling through sequences of images. Since then, "Narrative" has become a fundamental element in my artwork.

As someone with expertise in digital painting and concept design, what drew you to explore the realm of oil painting and traditional illustration?

I remember when I was building my design portfolio and applying for concept artist jobs. Besides my regular 8-hour daytime work, I would continue working on digital concept art projects until bedtime. However, I realized that spending extra hours on my portfolio didn't bring me much joy. In recent years, as I gradually adapted to and mastered my job responsibilities, I feel it's time to pick up my paintbrush again and engage in something I loved during my school days, such as oil painting and illustration. Last year, I began learning oil painting from Christopher Pugliese, a New York-based oil painter. The time spent in his studio fills me with a sense of serenity that I've longed for classical music fills the air, and everyone is immersed in their world of art, leaving everything else behind.

Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you approach translating ideas into visual form? And how does it differ from your digital work?

For me, the process of designing concepts and creating digital art can be quite distinct. Design calls for inspiration, but rational thinking is essential for transforming those inspirations into visual forms. In the initial stages, I would gather as many references as I could, such as images, videos, and texts. Then, I narrow down these references considering the project's needs, limitations, style, cultural context, etc. I find digital tools and 3D programs helpful for speeding up my production process.
There's no set process for me when it comes to creating art pieces because it's a deeply personal experience. Sometimes, an artwork might stem from a doodle I made on paper years ago, or it could be inspired by a news image that catches my attention – whatever sparks my creativity. While the field I work in often emphasizes "process," I find freedom in allowing my personal art creation to flow without a fixed process.

How do you navigate the intersection between "traditional artistry and cutting-edge technology" in your work? Are there specific techniques or tools you find particularly effective in merging these realms?

The convenience technology offers these days is truly remarkable, especially in making computer graphics much easier and accessible for everyone. I'm quite open to these creative tools and enjoy experimenting with new technologies. For instance, I installed a 3D program last year called Character Creator, which can generate real-time 3D character animations or renders. I used it to create a narrative image sequence consisting of 30 fully rendered images. These tools have truly elevated my creative abilities to another level.
One thing I'd like to highlight is that while technology can indeed enhance artistic creativity, it's also easy to lose control by relying on it too much. Without a solid art background and training, artwork can become more driven by technology than by one's inspirations and observations. It's important to strike a balance and ensure that technology serves as a tool to complement and enhance our artistic vision rather than overusing it.

When creating digital illustrations or concept designs, what aspects of storytelling or world-building do you prioritize?

I always remind myself about theming when creating illustrations for concept designs. In design pieces, it's crucial to maintain a clear, engaging, and coherent theme. This requires me to carefully select elements to ensure that each object in the frame serves a specific theme or function that reflects the subject matter. It also drives me to spend time researching before I begin constructing the conceptual world. This extra time allows me to delve deeper into the project's story and background. When it comes to illustrations, a captivating theme can inspire me to explore more possibilities. It might even lead to turning a single illustration into a series based on that theme. Themes have the power to fuel creativity and drive artistic exploration.

How do you envision the evolution of your artistic style and practice in the coming years? Are there specific themes or concepts you're interested in exploring further?

Since I'm currently learning traditional painting in my spare time, I aim to continue exploring my personal art style. Hopefully, I can develop a distinct and consistent style over the next few years, enabling me to produce artwork more efficiently. As for potential art projects in the future, there are several topics on my mind that I can't wait to explore. For example, being a big fan of mysterious incidents, I'm considering creating an illustration series or comic art based on some of my favorite mysterious incidents, like the Dyatlov Pass and the Roswell Incident. I aim to reinterpret these mysteries and visualize them using my artistic style. In terms of my career, I'm eager to delve deeper into the game production world. As a concept artist accustomed to working in a supportive role, I've had many opportunities to collaborate with other departments in my studio. This has sparked my interest in understanding the work of different positions within the game industry. Therefore, I plan to learn some level-design fundamentals and become more acquainted with common game engines in the coming years.

With the emergence of new technologies like AI and AI-generated content, what are your thoughts on their impact on the art world? Do you perceive them as opportunities for growth or potential threats?

Unfortunately, AI has already begun replacing some entry-level jobs in the industry, contributing to the significant layoffs that have occurred in the game industry in recent years. Many aspiring digital artists traditionally began their careers by working on low-budget projects or collaborating with small vendors and outsourcers. However, these opportunities are now being taken over by AI, leading to a decline in available jobs for artists. Whether we like it or not, as artists, we must accept the impact brought by AI and adapt accordingly.
For me, I tried to incorporate AI into my design process, which turned out great for handling minor tasks. AI can generate ideas that I may not have considered otherwise, which has proven to be quite helpful. However, when it comes to dealing with complex tasks or client work, AI still falls short. This is because a good design or artwork is not something that can be simply generated by inputting prompts into a machine. It's a culmination of the artist's aesthetic, experience, and the mindset they're in while creating the artwork. AI may assist, but it cannot fully replicate the creative essence of human artistry.
The rise of AI prompts me to consider several questions before starting a new project: Will this artwork resemble something created by AI? Will it be distinctive enough to hold value amidst the abundance of AI-generated art? Is there an opportunity to push boundaries and make this artwork stand out from typical AI creations? These questions encourage me to strive for uniqueness and innovation in my art, ensuring that it resonates with viewers on a deeper level.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.