A breakthrough moment

A commission from Blizzard finally managed to convince Valentina that she could succeed as a full-time professional artist

“I started my freelance career about six years ago, when I was around 19 or 20 years old. Before that I was mostly a hobbyist who enjoyed drawing in my free time – I didn’t think much about drawing for a living. Yet I always wanted to be an artist or an art teacher, so I always took a job that was connected with illustration or design.

There have probably been several instances that have had a positive impact on my career as an artist over the years, but the one that made me feel like that I was getting somewhere was when I was commissioned by DeviantART for Blizzard. I had to portray a Pandaren Monk from World of Warcraft.

The freedom I have while I do work for others usually depends on the client. Some supply a highly detailed brief, complete with the concept sketch, references, mood inspiration and story all in place. And there are others who only choose to state the style in which they want me to create the artwork, and then leave the concept and everything else up to me. If I receive a very detailed brief then I try to stick with it. I usually don’t have a problem with adapting to other people’s ideas or styles.

I’ve been part of the DeviantART community for many years, and I’ve known World of Warcraft since I was a little kid, so it was quite shocking when I received the commission – in a good way! I would never have even imagined that I’d get an opportunity to create art for Blizzard.”