ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: WILL KIM

When did you start making GIFs? What was the first GIF you made?

My first GIF was a GIF/animated version of my painting series I worked on a few months ago, called ‘Messenger Series 4:

And I started making GIFs about 2 months ago. I am still fairly new to GIF but absolutely not new to animation!

What kind of a process do you go through to create your art?

I am from animation background and my main interest is to show movement and emotion. I use watercolor paint on paper for 'frame by frame’ 2d/hand painted animation, as a main tool but I also like experimenting with charcoals, pastels, and other mixed media for my animation.

You have a wide range of subject matter in your art…do you have a personal favorite subject you like to illustrate/paint?

Although it may seem like a wide range of subject, my main interest to is to celebrate and express different colors of life, spirits, and emotions. Because of my cinematic animation background, I usually have a series of animation scenes that connect from one to one another.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

Faith Hubley, Cornelius (Corny) Cole III, William Kentridge, Ryan Larkin, Oscar Kokoschka, Alfred Sisley, and Egon Schiele just to name a few.

What is your current or all-time favorite GIF?

Not sure, there are too many, including all the creative and amazing GIFs I see on Giphy and tumblr. I love all the animation works of my favorite animation artists I listed above. (Faith Hubley, Cornelius Cole III, William Kentridge, and Ryan Larkin)

Check out more of Will Kim’s beautiful GIFs on Giphy and download a custom screensaver of his art.