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Artist Spotlight: Rufia Tarafder Character Creator
Rufi Tarafder is a character creator as well as one of Princeton’s newest Ambassadors! We love her unique character design and how she uses Princeton Brushes to create her pieces. Learn more about Rufi and her favorite Princeton brushes to use below!
What was your journey like to become an artist?
Even though I’ve always been painting, ever since I was a little kid. I haven’t taken artistic pursuit seriously till 2019 when my friend and I decided to open a small handmade bookmark shop. Even though that little shop didn’t work out in the market sense since we were viciously underselling, it has helped both of us gain confidence in art.
Since then, I’ve launched my own creative business, Autumn & art, and started selling my artwork. I ended up taking my business full-time last year and haven’t looked back since! I’m working on my first Skillshare class and in the process of opening my online shop. I feel very blessed to be doing what I love every day and am so thankful for the support I've been given. I’m so very thankful.
What’s the best piece of art advice you’ve been given?
Practice! I’m sure you've been told that many times as well, but I think regular practice makes all the difference. I understand it might not be possible for you to practice every day but having a routine of practicing even once a week or twice a week, really can help you in the long run.
What are your creative inspirations?
It’s absolutely other artists and my fellow peers. I’m very much inspired by their creative process and how they interpret the subject in their own unique way which got me thinking about how I should go about finding my way and what makes sense to me. I feel like if one day other artists stop sharing their work, I would stop creating too.
Another way for me to find inspiration is through books. I’m an avid reader. When I was young, I’d draw characters that I’d read in fairy tales. Still, now I get inspired by the things I read all the time.
Why did you choose to do character design?
It’s more that it chose me. I’d always read all kinds of fantasy fairy tales and I’d try to draw the characters I’ve read about. At first, they’d turn out quite horrid if I say so myself. It’d be nothing like how I pictured it in my head. Ya, it was kind of a learning curve, but I feel like with character design I could express myself more intimately than with any other form of art I’ve ever tried.
What medium do you use the most and why?
I use watercolors the most. When I was younger it was the only medium that was available to me, so I’ve used it for the longest time. But now I mix up lots of different mediums together like inks, gouache, and coloring pencils, sometimes even acrylic pens. Also, recently I’ve been trying alcohol markers, but I feel like it’s not for me. To be honest I’ve never found any medium as flexible as watercolors. Hands down, watercolors, any day.
What piece of advice would you give someone who wants to be a character creator?
Let your imagination run wild. Like LITERALLY. Do not think about what makes sense and what doesn’t, just let your imagination carry you through. Let all the fantastic stories and characters that you’ve ever read come to life.
What are your favorite Princeton Brushes to use?
The Princeton Velvetouch round brushes are my absolute favorite. I feel like these brushes hold the perfect amount of water, not too much, not too little. A delight to do blending with, so much so that I don’t even have to dab it onto a paper towel to soak up excess water. And I want to mention the Velvetouch Spotter brushes, I feel like they’re perfect line art brushes for me. There's something about the size and weight, the bristle, and how it fits perfectly in my hand. I don’t think I can ever change anything else.
Where can we find more of your work?
You can find my art and custom characters on Instagram @autumnnart.
Thanks, Rufi for sharing your journey as a character creator with us! Princeton Brush offers many options if you’re looking for the perfect mixed-media paintbrush! Some of our favorites are Velvetouch and Select!