Pixellated inks Creative inspiration comes in many forms, in this Malaysian artist’s studio
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Creative inspiration comes in many forms, in this Malaysian artist Kael Ngu’s studio.
My studio is located just right beside my living room. It’s separated by a tinted glass wall that enables me to see outside of my studio, rather than having to work in a fully enclosed space.
The studio’s design is pretty straightforward. On one side we have a fully extended L-shaped workstation where I work together with my wife, and on the other side there’s a wall of well-lit shelves filled with books and toys. This is actually our first studio after we bought our first house, and I designed everything myself for the contractors to follow.
I’ve long dreamt on having an extended L-shaped working area, where I can just wheel my chair around whenever I wanted to switch from working digitally to traditionally, or vice versa. We also wanted a space for us to sit and chill on the floor when we take a break, so there’s a space in the middle of the room that separates the bookshelves from our working area.
I like to surround myself with artworks from artists who I admire, particularly if they’re originals. Every time I hold their work in my hand, I can literally feel their passion and
I’m proud of my art, and I’m always happy when I look at the results I’ve achieved
dedication in their craft, and that really pushes me to work harder.
I work at home like any other nerd, so it’s important to remind myself that there’s always someone better out there. If I can’t afford to own their originals, I’ll buy their prints instead. I place them mainly in my traditional corner to “supervise” me when I draw. That way I have no reason to slack!
A SENSE OF PRIDE
While I like to look at other artists’ work, I also study my own pieces from time to time. I’m proud of my art, and I’m always happy when I look at the results I’ve achieved (while keeping my ego level in check, for sure!). When I want to take a break from drawing, I reach out to the shelves behind to flip through some art books or comics.
These days I rarely have the chance to read them, and I mainly collect books with visuals that I love. Looking through them really inspires me and usually kicks me back to my desk to continue working.
I’ve also started collecting figurines and statues. They serve as trophies for all my hard work, and also to make up for all those lost childhood moments when I couldn’t buy what I wanted. Now that I’m able to, why not?
Kael is an illustrator providing covers for the comic industry. His clients include Marvel Comics, DC Comics and IDW Publishing. See more of his work at kaelngu.com.
Alien #1 cover original art that I hang in a customised acrylic frame. I display a lot of other artists’ work, but I also display my proudest piece in this corner, and I can switch the art around from time to time. Although acrylic frames aren’t ideal for displaying original pieces, I just love the classy and clean look of it!
My wife assists me in filing all my paperwork, contracts and invoices so I can focus on drawing. She also helps me with packing and mailing out my original art and signed comic books!
Andy Brase’s Yoda lithograph that I purchased from Bottleneck Gallery. Some time later the gallery approached me to collaborate on some prints. I felt like a fan boy turned into a working partner!
I’ve wirelessly connected this PS5 Dualsense controller to my PC so I can remote play my PS5 when I work. Is it for research purposes? Or just an excuse to play? Maybe both? You never know…
A clock showing the local time in London, where my art representative lives. I’m seven hours ahead of him, so I need to know what time he’s awake whenever we need to communicate.
Boxes of comic books with covers I’ve done that requires signatures or comments. Retailers tend to send them to me to sign and return back, so often there are piles of books on the floor.
My collectibles gallery. For some reason I like to touch and hold my collections, so I designed an open section. The downside? Lots of dusting!
For this cover of Sinister War #1 I tried to recall my visit to NYC. There are so many water tanks on the rooftops, smoke and pigeons!
Various original art and prints in my traditional corner. I make sure that I’m fully juiced up when I start working!
This massive 60x30-inch Kim Jung Gi lithograph hangs in my dining area, and I can stare at it while I eat. Digesting nutrients, and digesting inspiration…
I can watch the TV in the living room from my workspace. Sometimes I wonder how I can still be productive with so many entertainment options around me, but hey – if you work hard, you get to play hard!
Spawn #303 became one of the rarest conventionexclusive covers, soaring in value on the secondary market. I regret not keep more copies for myself!
I read a range of comic genres. From US superhero comics, to European, to Hong Kong manhua, Japanese manga, or even comics produced locally in Malaysia.
A view from my living room. I hate enclosed spaces so having a see-through glass wall lets us mentally breathe.
Gunpla! I find building model kits is a great way to relax your mind, and makes me feel 10 years old again.
Some rare items on my work desk: scripts from the comic book that I’m working on at the moment, accompanied by a Death Note lithograph from the master Takeshi Obata!