Clinton Lofthouse Interview

Tell us a little about yourself:

I grew up in Queensbury, Bradford. I believe art entered my life through my Grandad, Stanley Cowton. At a young age he would teach me about artists like Picasso and Hockney, and would help and encourage me to draw.

When I’m not creating art I like to explore my surroundings, England has so much history and cool landscapes i try to see as much of it as i can…which leads to my interest in the history of England. I am also a big fan of the paranormal.

When did you first begin to make art?

I began creating art when I was a young boy. I would draw my own comics in pen. Usually the content was quite grisly as I would draw monsters and ghouls. I was into horror at a very young age as my cousin would babysit me and let me watch anything I wanted, which was always a horror movie.

The kind of images I yearned to create, would only be possible by using Photoshop.

When did you first start using Photoshop and how did you learn?

I am self taught in Photoshop. I picked up a camera in 2011, I then pretty much started using Photoshop 4-6 months after that. The kind of images I yearned to create, would only be possible by using Photoshop.

My learning process was a mixture of reading books and watching YouTube videos. I always say half an hour a day is you need to be able to learn and master Photoshop.

What inspires you?

I am am artist. Everything inspires me which means my brain can be a very chaotic place haha. I’m inspired by movies, music and art. I can be inspired by a landscape or feeling a place gives me. If you can be inspired by life, then you will never run out of ideas!

Who are some of your favorite artists?

Too many to list them all but here are some……..My friend Joseph Parry, Renee Robyn, Aad Sommelling, Robert Cornelius, Erik Almas, Jacob Muller, Pratik Naik, Jesus Ramirez, Glyn Dewis, Dean Bradshaw…..this list could go on and on, but if you check out any of these artists and you will be inspired.

What is your typical process when creating a piece of art?

I always start off with an idea. I will then sketch that idea out various times till it is looking like a good composition. I always create myself little task sheets and go through step by step to make sure I have covered all bases.

My favourite technique is dodge and burn, it always has and probably will be till the end.

Where do you get your source materials from?

I try to use all my own images……but if I cannot find an image I need in my own library, I have no issues about using stock images. A lot of my images are a mixture of my own stock and other stock.

What is your favorite Photoshop trick/method at the moment?

My favourite technique is dodge and burn, it always has and probably will be till the end. There are so many things you can do with dodge and burn. From styling an image, retouching it or bringing out tiny details…..get to grips with dodge and burn and you will love it!

What is your favorite Photoshop tool or plugin at the moment?

My favourite plug in would probably be Topaz Detail or Clarity. It just finishes off your images really nice with some detail and sharpening.

What work of your own are you most proud of?

This is a hard question, I guess I like them all but I feel I can do better. I always think that my best is yet to come. But my favourite series I guess would be the sci-fi apocalypse series with Alt model Shelly D’inferno. The amount of badass imagery I created from one shoot in such a small space of time was quite an accomplishment.

What are you currently working on?

My next large project will be a Cyberpunk series set in the future. I will be creating a full story to go with the characters and the world it is set in. I have prop designers and outfit designers on board and a large group of models. I want to push the mood, style and colour work in my imagery to new levels!

What would you tell someone who is starting out making Photoshop art?

Half an hour practice a day is all it takes!