This week, we are thrilled to spotlight a special guest, @creativenanda , who has provided her stunning and vibrant artwork for the design of our new Kaala B set . Fernanda is a talented young Brazilian artist who recently published her first book on design at the age of 21. Today, we are honored to have her join us to share her passion and insights into the world of art.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your artistic journey. What sparked your passion?
Hi! My name is Fernanda, and I’m a 21-year-old self-taught artist! I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, and making art has always been my passion. Growing up, I used to draw much more than the other kids, and I realized that I had a natural talent for it. I started my Instagram account just for fun when I was 14 years old, and now, I’m happy to say that we’ve grown to a community of over 125k friends. Currently, I work as an artist and dedicate a lot of time to studying, but drawing is what keeps me going, and I absolutely love what I do!
I would say that what sparked my passion is the beauty of the world that God created. Everywhere I look, I can see the hands of the Creator, and I’m inspired by that. I love observing the beauty of nature—the colors, the lights, and the shadows—and that’s what ignited my love for drawing. The ability of interpreting what you see and transferring it to the paper. Drawing never always has to be realistic. I think that what is most beautiful about a drawing is to see the perspective that the artist has of the world.
Your artwork features such stunning, unique character designs. What inspires the creative vision and techniques you use to bring these captivating figures to life?
I am inspired a lot by the artists that I follow on Instagram to create my characters. my favorite artist is Loish, by the way! She creates such stunning artworks that I could spend a day just admiring her drawings. I also use a lot of Pinterest and reference pictures to inspire my work. These tools help me a lot to learn new techniques and ensure my drawings maintain the correct proportions. Sometimes, while I’m drawing a character, I’m inspired by 5 or 6 different drawings I’ve come across on social media or Pinterest. This mix of influences helps me develop unique designs while incorporating different styles and ideas. Another thing that really helps me is watching time-lapse videos of my favorite artists drawing. Seeing their step-by-step process is incredibly helpful for learning and improving my own techniques.
When did you first start using Ohuhu products? What do you love about them?
I started using Ohuhu products in August of 2023. Since then, Ohuhu markers have been my favorite brand by far. They are incredibly smooth, and the markers last a long time—I’m still using the ones I got over a year ago! I always recommend them to anyone who asks about my favorite art supplies.
Ohuhu markers stand out because of their vibrant colors, making them a favorite among artists of all skill levels, including me! The ink is highly pigmented and doesn’t damage the paper, which is a big plus. They truly are the best markers I’ve used.
Another great feature is the variety of nibs they offer, including brush tips (my personal favorite), fine tips, chisel tips, and more. These options adapt perfectly to different artistic needs, making them versatile and reliable for any project.
You've published a book at a young age - that's an incredible accomplishment! Could you share the story behind this project and how it all got started?
Thank you so much! Creating my book Dynamic Character Design was such an incredible opportunity for me. When I was 19, Quarto Books connected me through Instagram. At first, I thought that it was a spam (lol). But then, they said to me that they wanted to do a meeting about the opportunity of doing a book that would teach how to draw in my style. I was so excited about it! Then, I had to write and create all the drawings of the book in just three months. It was challenging, but totally worth it. At the beginning of 2024, I launched my first book ever! I was thrilled with how it turned out, and I couldn’t be happier to share my art and techniques with others.
Since you're a self-taught artist, what tips or advice would you share with others who are trying to develop their own artistic style?
I would say, don’t be afraid of failing—just start drawing. Sometimes, it can feel overwhelming to stare at a blank piece of paper, not knowing what to do or where to start. But as Wayne Gretzky famously said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take." If you never start, you’ll never discover what you’re capable of or how far you can go. A great way to begin is by watching YouTube videos (I used to watch tons of tutorials on social media), learning from other artists by analyzing their processes, and experimenting with different methods. You can also invest in books that teach you how to draw (like my book!), and most importantly, never give up. Persistence and practice are the keys to improvement and creativity.
With your studies in law, how do you balance your time and focus between your artistic pursuits and academic work?
I’m not going to lie—studying law while working with art can be really challenging at times. However, I try to find balance between these two very different areas of my life. Discipline is essential for me to manage everything I need to do in a single day. Typically, I wake up around 6 a.m. and keep working or studying until 9 p.m. On exam days, I stay up even later to ensure I complete all my tasks. Despite the busy schedule, I genuinely enjoy studying law, so it never feels like a burden. Finding balance and maintaining discipline—including prioritizing sleep and exercise—are crucial for managing a demanding routine and successfully finishing all the work I have to do.
Looking ahead, is there a particular project or creative goal that you're currently focused on achieving next?
Yes, of course! I want to enhance my drawing abilities, particularly in creating landscapes and objects, in addition to characters. I also want to improve my skills in drawing light and shadows, which, for me, are such beautiful and impactful details in any artwork.
I would also love to open my own online shop someday and perhaps launch another book! Last but not least, it would be an absolute pleasure to continue working with Ohuhu, an incredible brand that I never imagined I’d have the privilege of collaborating with.