10 Questions with Tian Gao
Tian Gao is an art teacher based in Shanghai with a deep passion for digital art. A self-taught expert in modelling, programming, game design, and other related fields, she is proficient in a wide range of digital art software, including Blender, Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. She has also taught herself coding and developed VR and 3D art education games. Tian is dedicated to transforming traditional art education through the integration of digital art tools and techniques. As a skilled illustrator and comic artist, she has gained recognition in the commercial illustration and comics markets. Tian has won the prestigious MUSE Gold Award in Design 2024 and has been a signed artist with a prominent Chinese comic company, receiving high praise for her work. Known for her versatility in various artistic styles, Tian is particularly skilled in comics and flat illustration. Additionally, Tian has successfully guided students to participate in multiple editions of the Odyssey of the Mind and DI competitions, achieving an impressive global fourth-place finish.
Tian Gao - Portrait
ARTIST STATEMENT
Tian Gao's artistic philosophy centres on using her paintings to convey her thoughts and ideas. In her "Timelessness" series, for example, she strives to express her understanding of time through visual storytelling. She is passionate about merging traditional painting and craft techniques, such as Chinese paper-cutting and coloured pencil drawing, with modern digital methods. Her creative process begins with sketching in Procreate, followed by detailing in Clip Studio Paint (CSP), and final colour adjustments in Photoshop. At times, she incorporates 3D software like Blender to enhance spatial depth and perspective, adding another layer of complexity to her illustrations.
Echoes Through Eternity, Digital Illustration, 5399x2480 px, 2024 © Tian Gao
INTERVIEW
First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. Who are you, and when did you first get interested in art?
I am an illustrator, comic artist, and art teacher based in Shanghai. My identity has always been dual, as I not only have a deep passion for creating art and drawing inspiration from it but also dedicate myself to art education, sharing knowledge and aesthetic appreciation. My undergraduate studies focused on traditional Chinese painting. While I primarily use digital tools like computers, graphic tablets, and popular design software for my creations, my work often reflects the influence of traditional Chinese art forms, such as line drawing (baimiao) and paper-cutting art.
I have a strong passion for digital media as an art form, which not only enriches my creative endeavours but also breathes new life into my teaching. This approach makes my classes highly engaging for my students. Art has been a part of my life since my earliest memories. I started drawing as soon as I could hold a brush, excelling even in childhood activities like creating mosaics from fruit peels. My family recognized my talent and nurtured my artistic abilities. After earning my master's degree, I began working as an art teacher in a middle school in Shanghai while simultaneously pursuing my career as an illustrator and comic artist.
Ephemeral Within the Cosmos, Digital Illustration, 5399x2480 px, 2024 © Tian Gao
What led you to digital art? Why did you choose this medium over traditional ones, and what does it represent for you?
I believe that the core of both traditional and digital art is the same: they are both mediums to express the artist's thoughts and emotions, albeit through different techniques. However, I gravitated toward digital art because it offers me greater creative freedom and suits my needs and lifestyle better.
First, digital art eliminates the constraints of materials. Most digital painting software can emulate various styles, such as oil painting, watercolour, or even traditional Chinese techniques like ink painting and mineral pigments. This versatility allows me to experiment with different styles on a single platform without the need for expensive materials.
Second, digital art has a broader range of applications. Beyond traditional uses like packaging and illustration, combining digital art with tools like After Effects enables me to create animated illustrations. These dynamic works are particularly valuable in the digital age, as they can be used on websites, mobile apps, and other interactive platforms, ensuring wider reach and engagement.
Additionally, digital art is incredibly convenient. Since I started using an iPad for my work, I carry it with me almost everywhere, allowing me to capture ideas and inspiration anytime, anywhere. This portability significantly enhances my productivity while reducing costs. In contrast, traditional art often requires high-quality materials and large workspaces, while digital art only needs a computer and a small workstation, making it much more budget-friendly.
In summary, digital art not only overcomes many of the limitations of traditional art but also aligns better with the pace of modern life. Since graduating, I've almost entirely transitioned to digital art because it best represents my artistic vision and approach to creation.
As a self-taught digital artist, what challenges did you face while learning tools like Blender, Procreate, and Photoshop?
As a self-taught digital artist, I faced numerous challenges during the learning process. For tools like Procreate and Photoshop, the learning curve is relatively manageable because there are plenty of online tutorials available. With dedicated searching and careful study, it's possible to quickly grasp these tools. Moreover, the core principles of digital and traditional painting are fundamentally the same. The focus lies in improving artistic theory and aesthetics, while the medium itself is less critical.
However, 3D software like Blender is an entirely different world. While learning Blender, I encountered many challenges that couldn't simply be solved through YouTube tutorials. For instance, in character animation, my models often experienced clipping issues, which looked unappealing. Additionally, achieving certain rendering effects requires professional guidance and expertise.
That said, there's always a solution to every problem. I turned to online marketplaces, where I found businesses offering 3D modelling services and reached out to inquire if they provided consultation or training. Although several declined my requests, I eventually found a teacher who agreed to guide me (perhaps he was also looking for extra income at the time, LoL). I paid for a monthly mentorship, and he helped me overcome many technical hurdles. I am incredibly grateful for his assistance, which significantly advanced my skills in 3D modelling and animation.
Macau Where the Paddle Meets the Game, Digital Illustration, 2894x4039 px, 2024 © Tian Gao
The Joy of Volleyball, Digital Illustration, 2894x4039 px, 2024 © Tian Gao
Let's talk about your work. Your Timelessness series explores the concept of time. Can you explain the story or message behind this series?
I am currently in a unique phase of life where I've come to realize how astonishingly fast time seems to pass after turning 30. This realization might be tied to my family—I have a daughter who has grown up so quickly over the past few years and is now almost ten years old. Watching her grow, I often find myself marvelling at the fleeting nature of time. At the same time, I frequently look in the mirror and reflect on the traces that time has left on my face.
There was a time when I considered using cosmetic procedures to try to hold back the effects of time. However, I eventually came to understand that ageing is inevitable and that time itself cannot be captured or stopped. Perhaps weneed to look at time from a broader perspective. This realization became the inspiration behind my Timelessness series.
During the creation of this series, I came to understand that personal time, human time, and even the time of our planet are all incredibly brief and insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Trying to hold onto time is futile. However, we can make the most of the limited time we have by focusing on things that transcend time and carry deep meaning—such as companionship, family, love, art, and literature. This is the core message I aim to convey through my Timelessness series.
How do you combine traditional techniques like paper-cutting with modern digital tools in your work?
When designing illustrations for the Year of the Snake, I aimed to incorporate more traditional Chinese elements into the artwork. This led me to explore paper-cutting art, which, compared to traditional Chinese painting and figure line drawing, has a more grassroots appeal. Paper-cutting is a folk art commonly created by families during the Lunar New Year celebrations, making it more approachable and perfectly suited for New Year-themed illustrations.
Paper-cutting features many symbolic patterns. For instance, jagged shapes are often used to create gradient effects, which can be observed in many plant and floral designs in paper-cut art. By incorporating these jagged, hollowed-out shapes into my illustrations, I was able to evoke the essence of traditional paper-cutting.
Additionally, I integrated traditional Chinese motifs into my designs. In the Year of the Snake series, I used patterns such as the "longevity" motif, the "blessing" motif, and the plum blossom pattern. These motifs are widely utilized in paper-cutting art. By blending these traditional patterns into my illustrations, I not only enhanced the thematic expression of the artwork but also showcased the unique charm of paper-cutting as an art form.
Breaking Fusion The Art of Movement, Digital Illustration, 2894x4039 px, 2024 © Tian Gao
What does your typical creative process look like when starting a new project or series?
Before starting a new project, I begin by contemplating what I want to express. To find inspiration, I usually turn to reading—this could be magazines, news articles, or novels—as these sources often spark ideas and encourage reflection. Once I have finalized the theme, I select an artistic style that best complements it.
My creative styles are quite diverse, ranging from realistic to flat illustration. I choose the style based on the overall mood of the theme. For instance, in my Timelessness series, I wanted to evoke a sense of melancholy and poignant beauty, so I opted for a more realistic coloured pencil style. In contrast, my Sporty Cities series has a modern vibe, which is better suited to a stylish flat design.
After determining the theme and style, I use an iPad to create initial sketches and establish the color palette. I then finalize the artwork on a computer.
How has your experience as an art teacher influenced your personal artistic practice?
Being an art teacher requires a deep understanding of artworks from different eras and cultures to effectively pass on knowledge to students. In my experience, teaching is one of the best ways to learn. Over my decade-plus teaching career, I have gained profound insights into art theory, aesthetics, and art history.
As a student, I often admired famous masterpieces without fully grasping what made them exceptional. But now, I can precisely identify the aesthetic logic behind these works. This logic often transcends artistic styles and movements. For example, both the Realist painting The Gleaners and Mondrian's abstract work Composition with Red, Yellow, and Blueutilize triangular composition and primary colours.
This understanding of aesthetic principles has not only enriched my teaching but has also greatly influenced my artistic practice. By incorporating these principles into my own work, I've been able to create more cohesive and impactful pieces, improving both their structure and visual appeal.
Blessing Serpent, Digital Illustration, 2451x2511 px, 2024 © Tian Gao
Longevity Serpent with Peach, Digital Illustration, 2428x2270 px, 2024 © Tian Gao
Winning the MUSE Gold Award and working with a Chinese comic company are impressive achievements. Which of your projects are you most proud of and why?
If I had to choose the project I'm most proud of, it would be winning the MUSE Gold Award. Of course, having my comic works published and loved by readers is equally exciting, but submitting to the MUSE Design Awards was my very first attempt at an art competition.
For a long time, I lacked confidence in my work. I didn't participate in exhibitions or competitions, even when I had created pieces I considered to be well-crafted. I always assumed they wouldn't receive much attention or recognition. However, my Urban Movement series changed that. This series not only got selected for the Chinese Illustration Support Program and is set to be exhibited in Spring 2025 but also earned me the MUSE Gold Award.
This achievement significantly boosted my confidence and made me realize that my work can truly shine on larger stages. For this reason, I consider it the project I'm most proud of.
What advice would you give to students or aspiring artists interested in digital art and game design?
My advice is to create more, think more, and not get overly focused on the outcomes. Don't forget that the true passion for creating comes from a love for art itself. This is something I remind myself of as well. Many young artists entering the fields of painting and digital art may find that their work doesn't receive much attention, or that pieces they've spent a lot of time perfecting go unnoticed. This can feel incredibly discouraging. However, it's important to remember that the true joy in art lies in the creation process, not in the attention or money that may come from it.
Treasure Guardian Serpent, Digital Illustration, 2416x2337 px, 2024 © Tian Gao
Lastly, what future projects or themes are you most excited to explore in your art?
I want to use my brush to capture the place where I live—Shanghai. Shanghai is truly a city full of charm, blending tradition and modernity, with Eastern and Western art coexisting. The people who live here are equally fascinating. They love art, pursue quality of life, and are not concerned with the opinions of others, preferring instead to remain true to their inner selves. This attitude toward life deeply resonates with me. Therefore, I hope to use my art to document the lives of people in Shanghai and showcase the unique charm of this city.
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.
