Interview for Aha Daily (*)

August 9, 2013, 11:09 pm

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digital photography and drawing. Which one was your first passion and - See more at: http://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.be/2012/12/interview-for-adobe-photoshop-just.html#sthash.SE23kNXe.dpuf

Introspection, 2013

digital photography and drawing. Which one was your first passion and - See more at: http://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.be/2012/12/interview-for-adobe-photoshop-just.html#sthash.SE23kNXe.dpuf

(You can also read the following interview at ahadaily.com)

digital photography and drawing. Which one was your first passion and - See more at: http://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.be/2012/12/interview-for-adobe-photoshop-just.html#sthash.SE23kNXe.dpuf

Nishu Kakkar: Tell us a little bit about yourself? Where is your home? How long have you been a visual artist? What factors favored you in becoming a successful visual artist today?

Ben Heine: I was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 1983, I moved to Brussels, Belgium, in 1990 and I now live in Rochefort, a small city in Belgium. I’ve been working on graphic projects, mainly illustration and photography, for over 20 years.

Different© Ben Heine

Well, I don’t think I’m a successful artist. Firstly because the graphic design industry is totally sick and insignificant in comparison to other creative industries such as music and film. Secondly because there are many aspects I need to improve in my personal evolution. It’s true I do have the chance to get exposure when I post a new creation, I suppose because I’m young and rather active on social networks, but exposure doesn’t pay bills! Exposure is an illusion and a rather useless fantasy. What matters now is generating money and making a decent living with my art or I'll have to stop it.

digital photography and drawing. Which one was your first passion and - See more at: http://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.be/2012/12/interview-for-adobe-photoshop-just.html#sthash.SE23kNXe.dpuf

I’ve always invested a lot of time and energy in my passions. I was doing things alone from the beginning, I have no assistants and I always learned on my own, so everything requires more time and efforts but it’s also very nice to be in control and to decide myself which direction to take! I despise those artists who pay a bunch of assistants to do the difficult work and don’t even credit them!

Theodor Heine born in 2012

What is your current state of mind before we continue with this interview?

Well, right now, it’s the middle of the night and many wishes, thoughts and hopes are spinning in my head. I’m contemplative, introspective, reflective and sensitive. I feel happy because I’ve had a beautiful baby boy who is now 1 year old. I also discovered some new passions that will help me not be blocked in my creative projects. I dream of harmony and I really wish I can keep growing as an artist.

Besides the various forms of visual arts seen from you so far, which new form/s can we expect from you in coming years?

Ben working on a music track

I plan to end my “Pencil Vs Camera” series. I’m always trying to develop and improve the concept so that it’s constantly changing. I don’t want people to get bored with this idea. I don’t know exactly what I’ll do next. I started making music and this passion is literally eating me alive and I wish I could spend 100% of my time on it but unfortunately I have too many ongoing graphic projects. I’ll need to find new ways to express and renew myself. It’s not going to be easy, but I’m sure it’s achievable.

Which has been your most memorable assignment and why?

I’m sorry, I can’t say, I really tend to forget all my past projects. I don’t remember any of them. I can only say some were a bit more time consuming and difficult to make than others.

We know that each of us has someone or something, which inspires our life and work. Can you tell us the true basis of your inspiration?

Inspiration comes from anywhere

Fear of death and anxiety are the main reasons giving me energy and motivation to create new projects. Childhood wounds are also playing an important role in my life as artist, bringing me the strength to surpass myself daily. Anything and everything, usually very small things, inspire me, I love to search for universal truths in tiny random events. Finally, I am a very competitive person, I like to test myself and to challenge others, of course, if I fail, I’ll try to fight more to succeed. If there is no chance at all, I'll simply give up and try something different.

What remains your biggest fear and biggest success as a multi skilled person?

One of my fears is to get lost in my different passions. Combining drawing and photography was rather easy so far. It’s harder to switch from my graphic to my music projects. But on the other hand, when I’ll have learned and mastered all the tools available in these fields, it will be a big strength and a powerful means of expression.

If you could live anywhere on this planet where would you build your dream home?

I think it could be in a quiet village in the USA, I'd love that!

List out your 5 most popular creations in your portfolio.

according to my sites stats:

Pencil Vs Camera 32©Ben Heine

No1: Pencil Vs Camera 73 (Double Identity, drawing, photo...) No2:Pencil Vs Camera 57 (Crow landing on girl in London) No3: Pencil Vs Camera 58 (Cat and dog, sweet duo in Spain) No4: Pencil Vs Camera 32 (Vertigo, optical illusion, in Germany...) No5: Planet Paris (Paris seen from the top of the Eiffel tower)

List out any 5 random sites/blogs from where you gain inspiration.

I’m not very proud to say that I almost never visit art blogs or other online resources. I don’t want to be influenced in any way. What I usually do is listen to news and science podcasts or music when I’m working. And I watch National Geographic or Discovery Channel during my breaks. That’s it.

If you could choose it, what would your legacy in the industry be? What is it that you want to be remembered for?

Innovation, fearlessness, unconventionality, independence.

What pieces of advice would you give to an amateur visual artist?

Ben Heine at Tour de France Photo

Be confident. Trust yourself. Try the untried. Learn from your mistakes and always remember that only efforts and hard work will bring you success, satisfaction and happiness. Be faithful and thankful to the people who helped and supported you and consider forgiving those who tried to destroy you. Don’t believe in providence. Always believe in your skills.

Which five words would your friends use to describe you?

Crazy, Solitary, hard worker, hyperactive, emotive.

(*)  Ahadaily.com is a blog about art, design and creative technologies

© 2013 Ben Heine

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My New Music Tracks

August 11, 2013, 12:58 am

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Ben Heine working on "Lion Walk" Soundtrack

Listen to my new creative sounds (here below), original works with an experimental progressive (sometimes psychedelic) vibe. You can listen to my other recent tracks at this link, via Soundcloud.

mainly progressive and minimal house music (original works). You can find more at this link. - See more at: http://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.be/search?updated-max=2013-08-08T07:43:00-07:00&max-results=12#sthash.S0n3Ek7u.dpuf

mainly progressive and minimal house music (original works). You can find more at this link. I'm - See more at: http://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.be/search?updated-max=2013-08-08T07:43:00-07:00&max-results=12#sthash.S0n3Ek7u.dpuf

mainly progressive and minimal house music (original works). You can find more at this link. - See more at: http://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.be/search?updated-max=2013-08-08T07:43:00-07:00&max-results=12#sthash.S0n3Ek7u.dpuf

mainly progressive and minimal house music (original works). You can find more at this link. I'm - See more at: http://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.be/search?updated-max=2013-08-08T07:43:00-07:00&max-results=12#sthash.S0n3Ek7u.dpuf

© 2013 Ben Heine

2013 Tour de France Photo

August 11, 2013, 2:36 am

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Time Traveler© 2013 Ben Heine

These are my final edited pictures taken during my 2013 "Tour De France Photo". You can view many backstage photos at this link. "Tour De France Photo" is an artistic event happening every year and gathering models, photographers, makeup artists, fashion designers and hair styling artists. (All photos: © 2013 Ben Heine)

ZigZag© 2013 Ben Heine

Old Times© 2013 Ben Heine

Machine From The Past 1© 2013 Ben Heine

Lights Will Guide You© 2013 Ben Heine

Panic© 2013 Ben Heine

Blue Window© 2013 Ben Heine

Stairs To Nowhere© 2013 Ben Heine

Dancer© 2013 Ben Heine

Cécile Dzinic© 2013 Ben Heine

Wrapper© 2013 Ben Heine

Come In© 2013 Ben Heine

Messy Room© 2013 Ben Heine

Sapphic Love© 2013 Ben Heine

Some Scars Never Fade© 2013 Ben Heine

James Bond Girl© 2013 Ben Heine

Machine From The Past 2© 2013 Ben Heine

Instant Beauty© 2013 Ben Heine

© 2013 Ben Heine

Taste Buds Making Of

August 11, 2013, 4:37 am

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"Taste Buds" by Ben Heine is a 27 m2 abstract painting meant to be a temporary decorative and highly colorful working space for Michelin Star Chefs Yves Mattagne (Sea Grill Restaurant) and Axel Colonna (CentPourCent Restaurant) during Culinaria 2013 gastronomy festival at Tour and Taxi Maritime Station in Brussels, Belgium.Watch the above time-lapse video to see the making of "Taste Buds" by Ben Heine. There was also an exhibition with some Pencil Vs Camera signed limited edition prints during the event. View the full photo report on Facebook or on this blog. Artwork, music and video: © 2013 Ben Heine.

© 2013 Ben Heine

Hidden Vision

August 11, 2013, 5:16 am

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Hidden Vision© 2013 Ben Heine

A portrait of Chinese model Zhuhu. I took this photo a few weeks ago in a forest near where I live in Rochefort, Belgium. You can view a detail here and my other photos with Zhuzhu here.

© 2013 Ben Heine

Don't forget me

August 11, 2013, 5:32 am

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Don't Forget Me© 2013 Ben Heine

New: Buy this photo. Don't forget me, because I'll never forget you. I took this photo in my garden in Rochefort, Belgium. This is a real hut with divine proportions. Model: Zhuzhu. You can view a detail of the above photo at this link and my other photos with Zhuzhu here.

© 2013 Ben Heine

Time Warp Animation

August 11, 2013, 11:15 am

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One of my new projects. I drew each frame one by one (really time consuming). I made the animation in a minimalist way on purpose, It's meant to be an illustration for my music. I created the music and sound effects from A to Z using synths, my new Roland drum kit and Ableton Live. I'll post another short animation soon and I might do some time-lapse projects as well in the near future. Thanks for watching!

Gun rotation sketches for Time Warp Animation

© 2013 Ben Heine

New Working Space

August 12, 2013, 2:53 am

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New working space

I just moved in a new house in the middle of a forest in Rochefort, Belgium. I have a new working space as well. My studio is now much bigger than before and I'll be able to start new projects including big size drawings, music and  more. Some crazy creative things might happen there.

The New House and Studio

Introspection - Self Portrait

© 2013 Ben Heine

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Some Thoughts

August 12, 2013, 3:14 am

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"Trials and tribulations play a major role in any worker’s life, especially for those self-made persons. Making mistakes helps us learn and grow, slowly but surely. When experience and knowledge replace incapacity and ignorance, then serious things can start and the sun will shine in your life" (Ben Heine, 2013) - More.

© 2013 Ben Heine

Less is More

August 12, 2013, 3:36 am

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Less is More© 2013 Ben Heine - Buy it as a print!

A nice project I made recently in my new studio. I covered the model Zhuzhu and the white background with hundreds of small black stickers. That made her look almost invisible at the end. I wanted to title this artwork "Chaos" or "Big Bang" but I finally chose "Less is More". Please, view the work in progress here below. New: Buy this artwork as a print!

1 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

2 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

3 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

4 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

5 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

6 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

7 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

8 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

9 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

10 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

11 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

12 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

13 - Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

Less is More - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

© 2013 Ben Heine

Pencil Vs Camera - 72

August 12, 2013, 4:55 am

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Pencil Vs Camera - 72© 2013 Ben Heine

Choose Peace, not violence! Bringing a different 3D effect in my Pencil Vs Camera series. This is more of an experimental work for my future projects. Parts of the paper have been cut in the last steps to give a stronger 3D illusion. Notes: The thin paper was moving each time I was adding charcoal/pencil strokes due to a small space between the wall and paper. That was making it more difficult to draw. I'll place the large paper on the floor for more stability next time I do a similar project. View the sketch in progress here below (6 steps).

Step 1 - Pencil Vs Camera 72 - Work in Progress© Ben Heine

Step 2 - Pencil Vs Camera 72 - Work in Progress© Ben Heine

Step 3 - Pencil Vs Camera 72 - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

Step 4 - Pencil Vs Camera 72 - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

Step 5 - Pencil Vs Camera 72 - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

Pencil Vs Camera 72 from opposite angle

Step 6 - Pencil Vs Camera 72 - Work in Progress © Ben Heine

© 2013 Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation

August 12, 2013, 5:41 am

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Another recent hand drawn animation (I drew each frame one by one, there are about 3,000 frames in total). I made this animation in a rather minimalist way. It's meant to be a simple video clip for my music (original musical composition as well) You can watch the above video in HD at this link (via Facebook) and view photos of the sketches and music in progress here below (26 pictures)...

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Music in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Music in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Music in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Music in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Music in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

Lion Walk Animation - Sketch in Progress © Ben Heine

© 2013 Ben Heine

Pencil Vs Camera - 73

August 13, 2013, 1:49 am

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Pencil Vs Camera - 73© Ben Heine | Buy a print today

A recent project I made in my new studio. Am I having a dissociative identity disorder or is this just anoptical illusion? Is this an invisible 3D mirror? Who will be the winner? You can view the sketch in progress here below (4 steps) and the complete Pencil Vs Camera series at this link.

Step 1 - Pencil Vs Camera 73 - Sketch in progress © Ben Heine

Step 2 - Pencil Vs Camera 73 - Sketch in progress © Ben Heine

Step 3 - Pencil Vs Camera 73 - Sketch in progress © Ben Heine

Step 4 - Pencil Vs Camera 73 - Sketch in progress © Ben Heine

© 2013 Ben Heine

Pencil Vs Camera - 74

September 25, 2013, 8:45 am

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Pencil Vs Camera - 74 © Ben Heine|Buy a print

My new giant 3D drawing featuring a tiger and an owl in a dense forest. It is part of my "Pencil Vs Camera" series (the concept is reversed in this image, the only piece of reality in the composition being the human model...). The wild animals and the forest are actually anamorphic sketches drawn on a huge piece of paper in my studio, no more, no less than optical illusions.

A quiet tiger, a scary owl and an imprudent artist, maybe an unexpected trio. I took the photo (using a tripod and a self timer) and also made the giant sketch (handmade, as usual). View the sketch in progress and some details here below to understand how it is made. New: find some prints of mine for sale (including the above picture) or some fun products and gifts with many of my other designs.

Step 1 - Image in progress © 2013 Ben Heine

Step 2 - Image in progress © 2013 Ben Heine

Step 3 - Image in progress © 2013 Ben Heine

Step 4 - Image in progress © 2013 Ben Heine

Detail © 2013 Ben Heine

Detail © 2013 Ben Heine

Detail © 2013 Ben Heine

© 2013 Ben Heine

© 2013 Ben Heine

Pencil Vs Camera - 75

October 16, 2013, 8:15 am

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Pencil Vs Camera - 75 © Ben Heine |Buy prints

Alone on a strange and endless podium. Abstraction, simplicity and anamorphosis. Each cylinder of this giant podium somehow symbolizes a challenge in life. I made this project recently in my studio in Belgium (mixed media, mixed techniques). I really love geometric abstraction. You can view the sketch in progress here below and the Pencil Vs Camera album at this link. New: find some prints of my photos for sale or some fun products and gifts with a selection of my designs. Thanks for watching.

New: find some prints of mine for sale (including the above picture) or some fun products and gifts with many of my other designs. - See more at: http://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.be/#sthash.8oohfcDl.dpuf

ew: find some prints of mine for sale (including the above picture) or some fun products and gifts with many of my other designs. - See more at: http://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.be/#sthash.8oohfcDl.dpuf

ew: find some prints of mine for sale (including the above picture) or some fun products and gifts with many of my other designs. - See more at: http://www.benjaminheine.blogspot.be/#sthash.8oohfcDl.dpuf

Step 1 - Image in progress © 2013 Ben Heine

Step 2 - Image in progress © 2013 Ben Heine

Step 3 - Image in progress © 2013 Ben Heine

Step 4 - Image in progress © 2013 Ben Heine

© 2013 Ben Heine

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Interview For Der Bildbearbeiter

August 7, 2013, 5:43 am

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Working on "Walking Lion" animation

What education do you have? Did you study?

I have a degree in Communication/Information. I also briefly studied Painting and Sculpture in an Art School in UK. You can view a short version of my CV on LinkedIn.
 

Did you learn your illustrating techniques by yourself?

Yes indeed, I learned most of the techniques I’m using on my own. I’m a self taught person in drawing and in Digital Photography (although I learned the basics of analog photography in my Journalism studies). 

Working on "Walking Lion"

What Software do you use? Do you use Photoshop or a 3D Software?

I use Adobe Photoshop mainly in my digital photography work and for some graphic projects. For my music projects, I use Ableton Live.

Do you still remember your very first commissioned artwork? If you do, what was it?

It was a large traditional acrylic painting featuring Buddha for an Asian restaurant in Hastings, UK. I was 18 y/o.

How would you describe your style? How did it develop through the years?

Many people tell me that my photos look like paintings. It’s because I paint and draw on them. Also, I’m mainly known for “Pencil Vs Camera”, a series mixing drawing and photography. So "mixed media" is what I'm the best at. This could be my style.

Working on "Walking Lion"

Where do you find your themes and subjects? Where does your inspiration come from?

I find inspiration mainly by observing people around me and by living intense experiences and emotions but strangely, inspiration comes from small and insignificant events most of the time.

What would you advise our readers to do to become an illustrator like you?

I would tell them to keep working hard and try developing a concept that has never been done before. Also, I'd suggest them to think about other jobs too, haha.

When you get a request for a new illustration, how do you start? (Do you make a lot of research? Do you travel to a particular place?)

I usually receive requests by email and then I choose the collaborations I find the most interesting. In some cases, I travel to meet the clients. It helps getting better results sometimes.
 

At Culinaria festival

Working with clients can be difficult, as they have their idea in mind that may not correspond with yours. How do you cope with such situations?

Exactly, it’s often difficult for both parties to be totally happy with the final work, so it’s important to establish the terms of collaboration from the beginning and to anticipate such conflicts.

Do you have a favorite image, which you have made yourself?

I would say this image is currently one of my favorite ones.

Who are your role models?

I admire people who managed to change the world in a positive way and who succeeded in bringing a bit of happiness and enjoyment in people’s life.
 

What do you do to relax?

I spend time with my family and I also like playing video games just to relax my brain between the projects I’m involved in.

Printed publication and interview in Der Bildbearbeiter, 2013

(*) Der Bildbearbeiter is a magazine about art and design for professionals. It's based in Germany.

©2013 - Ben Heine

Interview for Freepik (*)

December 10, 2013, 3:52 am

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Ben Heine working on "Less is More"

Nicoleta Ionescu: Please tell us, how does a typical day in the life of Ben Heine go?

Ben Heine: It usually goes like that: Wake up > Listen to music > Eat breakfast > Take care of my baby > Write emails > Work on art projects > Do some sport > Skype With partners > Organize or attend exhibitions > Dinner > Take care of my wife > Work more > Share on social networks > Sleep > Dream. 

How would you describe your personal style as an artist?

I like to mix different creative techniques, mixed media is what I'm the best at. My favorite art movements are Surrealism, Pop Art, Geometric Abstraction and Expressionism. 

How did “Pencil Vs Camera” occur to you and where is it heading right now?

Pencil Vs Camera - 72

I created my first Pencil Vs Camera image in April 2010. It's a concept that evolves permanently. It started with very simple black and white sketches on paper. With time, the drawings became more elaborated and creative. I then started doing colored illustrations on black paper. And I'm now doing huge 3D drawings on large paper, this is the latest innovation in this series.

How much time does an art piece take, in general?

I remember I could make several images in a week at the beginning of the series, it's now much more time consuming. It can take one or two weeks of intense work just to do one "good looking" Pencil Vs Camera image. 

What are your favorite medium and form of expression?

I enjoy abstract art more and more. It has less meaning but often more colors, more shapes and more emotions. I also like sculpture and music a lot.

Where do you find inspiration for your art projects?

In my own little despair. I tend to feel inspired when I'm sad or frustrated and I also have lots of ideas coming from the interactions I have with people around me. 

What is the greatest thing in contemporary art?

The concept is becoming more important that the final artwork. I don't know if it's great but that's what caught my attention.

Can you share some work secrets with the Freepik community of artists?

Artist are like magicians. They have many little and simple secrets. Here is something nobody knows: In some of my drawings in the Pencil Vs Camera series, I use black ballpoint pens from time to time to darken more some parts of my illustrations, because pencil is too grey or flat and not dark enough in my opinion.

What project are you working on right now?

Lots of administrative work to prepare future exhibitions. I'm impatient to start new creative projects.

Pencil or camera? Which one wins in the end? :)  

Pencil of course. Drawing is more powerful and limitless I think.

(*) Freepik is an online community that helps people find photos, illustrations and vectors to use for websites, banners, presentations, magazines...

Read some other interviews with Ben Heine

© 2013 Ben Heine

Interview Voor Volkswagen Magazine - NL (*)

December 11, 2013, 8:37 am

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© 2013 Ben Heine

(Version française à ce lien | English version here)

INTRO: Ben Heine, auteur van het edito in de herfsteditie van Volkswagen Magazine, is een multidisciplinair artiest die speelt met technieken en kunstdragers. Hij combineert fotografie en tekenkunst, zoals in de reeks ‘Pencil Vs Camera’, maar werkt ook met het menselijk lichaam, bijvoorbeeld in ‘Flesh and Acrylic’. Een echte virtuoos met een potlood, maar evengoed bedreven in digitale technieken. Ben Heine stapt moeiteloos van de ene wereld in de andere, en het resultaat is altijd verrassend.

Peyo Lissarrague: Je studeerde journalistiek maar leerde jezelf tekenen. Maakt dat het moeilijker om erkenning te krijgen van collega’s?

Ben Heine: Autodidact zijn, heeft zo zijn voor- en nadelen. Door het feit dat ik geen kunst gestudeerd heb, zijn er ongetwijfeld al deuren voor me gesloten gebleven. En bepaalde collega’s kijken misschien wat op me neer. Anderzijds geniet ik enorm veel vrijheid. Ik kan nieuwe wegen bewandelen, ik ben niet gebonden aan academische dogma’s of een bepaald type onderwijs. Ik teken al sinds mijn prille jeugd, met veel passie. Ik heb hard gewerkt, ik geloof niet echt in talent. Tekenaar word je door te tekenen. Door vol te houden.

Je studeerde journalistiek en je bent tekenaar… je had bijvoorbeeld ook actualiteitscartoonist kunnen worden. Waarom koos je voor een andere weg?  

Ik heb veel respect en bewondering voor actualiteitstekenaars. Het is heel moeilijk om in enkele pennentrekken complexe situaties uit te beelden. Persoonlijk leg ik me liever toe op universele zaken, niet zozeer op dagdagelijkse details. Ik ben geen artiest die graag polemiek opwekt. Ik ben geen wereldverbeteraar, maar wil wel een boodschap van liefde en vriendschap uitdragen. Ik wil iedereen bereiken, mensen samenbrengen in plaats van te provoceren.

Je laat je inspireren door artiesten zoals Magritte. Is kunst een spel?

Ja, ik geloof in humor in kunst. In een ludieke, kinderlijke kijk. Wat natuurlijk niet impliceert dat ik geen humanistische waarden verdedig of diepgang zou missen.

Dat is ook wat je doet in je reeks ‘Pencil Vs Camera’. Je verbergt je niet achter optische illusies maar figureert zelf in je werk. Is dat een keuze?  

Mijn hand verschijnt inderdaad in die reeks. Ik hou een tekening vast die in de foto geïntegreerd wordt. Ik voelde van in het begin instinctief aan dat dat nodig was om een evenwichtig geheel te creëren. Het is natuurlijk geen mooie vrouwenhand, mijn hand breekt de harmonie een beetje. Op die manier wilde ik het maximum uit het concept halen. Ik wilde een bruuske overgang creëren tussen de verbeelding en de realiteit van de foto. Zo zie je heel duidelijk dat er geen Photoshop aan te pas gekomen is. Ik hou de tekening echt vast en kadreer mijn foto zo dat de lijnen overeenkomen. Dat vraagt heel wat fysieke inspanning!

Jouw idee werd al veelvuldig hergebruikt …

Vooral reclamebureaus lieten zich al inspireren door het concept. Ik vind dat goed, dat bewijst dat het een goed idee is! Voor mij is ‘Pencil Vs Camera’ een beperkte reeks. Als ik honderd beelden heb, stop ik ermee. Ik ben momenteel al met andere projecten bezig. Voor ‘Digital Circlism’ maak ik pointillistische portretten van beroemdheden maar dan met grote stippen en cirkels. ‘Flesh and Acrylic’ is een project rond het lichaam. Ik beschilder levende modellen van kop tot teen en integreer ze in een trompe-l’oeuil. En vorig jaar startte ik een muzikaal project op… een nieuw avontuur.

(*) Volkswagen Magazine is het officiële tijdschrift van Volkswagen met auto-advies, de laatste nieuwe modellen van Volkswagen, wedstrijden maar ook lifestyle, sport en festivals. Lees dit interview op Volkswagen Magazine website.

Editorial, interview and cover in Volkswagen Magazine (2013)

Ben Heine art for an article in Volkswagen Magazine (2013)

© 2013 Ben Heine

Interview pour Volkswagen Magazine - FR (*)

December 11, 2013, 9:34 am

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© 2013 Ben Heine

(Nederlandstalige versie hier | English version here)

INTRO: Editorialiste de l’édition d’automne du Volkswagen Magazine, Ben Heine est un artiste multidisciplinaire qui sait jongler avec les techniques et les supports. Il mélange photo et dessin, notamment dans sa série ‘Pencil Vs Camera’, mais il travaille aussi sur le corps humain, dans ses œuvres ‘Flesh and Acrylic’. Virtuose du crayon, il utilise également volontiers le digital, passant sans difficulté de l’un à l’autre et offrant au regard des images toujours saisissantes.

Peyo Lissarrague: Vous avez fait des études de journalisme, mais vous avez appris le dessin en autodidacte. Cela rend la reconnaissance par vos pairs plus difficile?

Ben Heine: Il y a des avantages et des inconvénients à être un autodidacte. Le fait de ne pas avoir fait des études d’art poussées m’a sans doute parfois fermé des portes, et certains artistes me regardent peut-être avec condescendance. Mais c’est aussi une formidable liberté qui m’est donnée. Je peux sortir des sentiers battus, je ne suis pas prisonnier des canons académiques ou d’un enseignement typé. Et puis je dessine depuis ma plus tendre enfance, avec passion. J’ai beaucoup travaillé. Je ne crois pas vraiment au ‘don’. C’est en dessinant qu’on devient dessinateur. Avec persévérance.

Vous avez étudié le journalisme, vous êtes dessinateur… vous auriez pu choisir de devenir cartooniste d’actualité. Qu’est-ce qui vous a fait suivre une autre voie?

J’ai beaucoup de respect et d’admiration pour les dessinateurs d’actualité. Il est très difficile d’exprimer des situations complexes en quelques traits. Pour ma part, je préfère toucher à l’universel plutôt qu’aux détails du quotidien. Je ne suis pas un artiste polémique. Sans aller jusqu’à refaire le monde, c’est un message d’amour et d’amitié que j’ai envie de faire passer. Je veux parler à tout le monde, rassembler plutôt que provoquer.

Vous êtes inspiré par les surréalistes et notamment par Magritte. L’art est un jeu?

Oui je crois que nous devons mettre de l’humour dans l’art. Avoir un regard ludique, enfantin. Ce qui n’empêche pas de défendre des valeurs humanistes ou d’avoir de la profondeur.

Dans votre série ‘Pencil vs Camera’ vous jouez justement sur ces registres. Vous ne vous cantonnez pas dans l’illusion d’optique, puisque vous vous mettez en scène dans l’image. C’est un choix ?

Je fais en effet apparaître ma main dans cette série. Je tiens un dessin qui s’intègre à la photo, et ma main est bien visible. Instinctivement, j’ai dès le début senti que cela était nécessaire à l’équilibre du tout. Pourtant ce n’est pas une jolie main de femme, par exemple, ma grosse main d'homme casse un peu l’harmonie. Mais il le fallait pour aller au bout du concept et marquer l’irruption de l’imagination dans la réalité de la photo. Il fallait que l’on voit clairement que ce n’est pas un photomontage. Je tiens réellement le dessin à la main, et je cadre ma photo pour que les lignes correspondent. C’est très physique !

Votre idée a depuis été largement reprise…

Des agences de publicité notamment se sont ‘inspirées’ du concept. C’est bien, cela prouve que l’idée est bonne ! Pour moi, ‘Pencil Vs Camera’ est une série qui prendra fin un jour. Je m’arrêterai après avoir réalisé cent images. Je travaille déjà sur d’autres projets notamment ‘Digital Circlism’ où je réalise des portraits de célébrités à la manière pointilliste, mais avec des cercles de grande taille. J’ai également amorcé un travail autour du corps, ‘Flesh and Acrylic’, dans lequel je mets des modèles vivants en scène, entièrement peints et intégrés dans un trompe l’œil abstrait. Et puis j’ai commencé un projet musical il y a un an… une nouvelle aventure.

(*) Volkswagen Magazine est la publication officielle de la marque de voiture Volkswagen en Belgique. La revue propose des conseils auto, des infos sur les derniers modèles de voitures Volkswagen, des concours, mais parle aussi des tendances actuelles, de sport, d'art et de festivals. Retrouvez l'interview ci-dessus sur le site de Volkswagen Magazine à ce lien.

Editorial, interview, couverture - Volkswagen Magazine (2013)

Illustration pour un article dans Volkswagen Magazine (2013)

© 2013 Ben Heine

Interview for Volkswagen Magazine - EN (*)

December 12, 2013, 2:52 am

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© 2013 Ben Heine

(Version française à ce lien | Nederlandstalige versie hier)

INTRO: Editorial writer of the fall issue of Volkswagen Magazine, Ben Heine is a Belgian multidisciplinary artist who knows how to mix creative techniques. He is the inventor of Pencil Vs Camera, a creative concept blending drawing and photography. He also works on the human body in his Flesh and Acrylic series. Ben Heine plays with digital or traditional mediums, his artworks are always breathtaking.

Peyo Lissarrague: You have a degree in journalism, but you're a self-taught person in drawing. Is it more difficult to gain recognition from your peers in the art world?

Ben Heine: There are good and bad sides of being a self-made artist. I've certainly missed many professional opportunities and some other artists might look at me condescendingly. But it is also an amazing chance to be free from all the academic rules and dogmas. I can choose my own path. I have been drawing passionately since my early childhood. I have worked a lot. I don't believe in innate talent. You have to work with perseverance to become an expert in any discipline.

Having studied journalism, you could have become a political cartoonist, why did you choose something else?

I have a lot ot admiration for press cartoonists. It must very hard to illustrate complex political situations in a few lines. As far as I'm concerned, I prefer to express universal values instead of trivial everyday life details. I don't want to be a controversial artist and I'm not a politician. I prefer to gather rather than provoke. It is a message of love and friendship that I try to express. I  hope everybody understands the simple hidden messages I share in my images. 

You are inspired by the Surrealists, including Magritte. Do you believe Art is a game?

Yes, definitely, I think Art is a game and also a big illusion. In my work (especially in Pencil Vs Camera), I try to convey a childlike and humorous view of the world. This does not prevent me from defending deeper humanist values ​​as well.

In Pencil vs Camera, your hand or full body are part of the image composition. It is a choice?

My hand is indeed always clearly visible because I hold the piece of paper that fits into the picture. Intuitively, I felt from the beginning that it was a necessary choice to balance everything. Yet it is not a pretty woman's hand, it breaks a bit the harmony. But it was important to emphasize the contrast between imagination and reality and to show that the final artworks are not simple photomontages. I really hold a piece of paper and the drawing is always handmade. It involves a lot of work.

Your idea has since been widely adopted...

Advertising agencies have used my concept many times (in some cases, they just stole the idea...). It proves at least that it is a good concept. Pencil Vs Camera  is a series evolving permanently but it will be over soon or later, when it reaches one hundred images. I already started working on other projects such as Digital Circlism (​​portraits of celebrities with large circles) and Flesh and Acrylic (large abstract paintings with living models) and I started a musical project one year ago... a new adventure for me.

(*) Volkswagen Magazine is the official magazine of the Volkswagen car brand in Belgium. It delivers advices for Volkswagen car owners, information about the latest Volkswagen vehicles, competitions, articles about the latest technology trends, sport, art, culture and festivals. Read the above interview on Volkswagen Magazine website at this link (in French).

Editorial, interview, cover - Volkswagen Magazine (2013)

Illustration for an article in Volkswagen Magazine (2013)

© 2013 Ben Heine