Illustration Sharing the Dreams

The drawing of Yowdi Santiar, 24, has gained recognition among global illustrators. However, he remains humble. Yowdi still opens the door to those who want to learn.

KOMPAS/CORNELIUS HELMY HERLAMBANG

Yowdi Santiar

The drawing of Yowdi Santiar, 24, has gained recognition among global illustrators. In addition to being used as T-shirt designs and album cover sfor domestic and foreign metal bands, several Hollywood films also use his pictures as a promotional medium. However, he remains humble. Yowdi still opens the door to those who want to learn.

Tucked between a narrow alley in the densely populated area of Sadang Salip, Bandung City, West Java, this 4 by 3 square meter studio is where Yowdi makes Indonesia proud. In the past year, three Hollywood movie posters were made here. Interestingly, the work from the studio that was built at a cost of Rp 5 million is trusted to be a window for expensive movies.

After winning a contest held by Talent House, Yowdi made three Hollywood movie posters. Those costly films are It Chapter Two, Zombieland: Double Tap and Terminator Dark Fate. There is a television program, Carnival Row, that is directed by Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne.

Money was not the main goal, but the pride of being able to compete with illustrators from many countries.

"The prize of the competition was US$ 2,000. Money was not the main goal, but the pride of being able to compete with illustrators from many countries," he said.

Yowdi\'s work for the film Terminator Dark Fate is indeed hard to ignore. The posters bridges classical style with present-day technological design.This is in line with the storyline of the film itself, when the two central figures, Terminator 1 and 2 have a reunion.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (Robot T-800) returns to acting with Linda Hamilton (Sarah Conner) in this edition. They face the Rev-9 antagonist robot, whose skull is the main background of the poster.

Rev-9\'s eyes flash ferociously with a flame behind him. However, it is not only dominated by red and black colors, an impression of contrast is strongly shown with the sky green and ocean blue images.

"I like the picture and the contrasting colors inspired by metal band images. In my opinion, images will look alive if given the appropriate contrast effect," he said.

KOMPAS/CORNELIUS HELMY HERLAMBANG

Yowdi Santiar

Not immediately winning

Yowdi\'s talent did not go unnoticed as a child. He often made Japanese animated cartoon images, such as Captain Tsubasa, Digimon and Yu-gi-Oh. He even often won painting and coloring competitions.

His talent became more prominent when he was in high school. His acquaintance with metal bands increasingly emphasized his interest.

He began to focus on hard and intense images, such as skulls, flames and the dominance of black and red. He learned from anyone and anywhere. Yowdi often came to the illustrators gathering event and learned new knowledge in cyberspace.

"In the past, one picture was sold for Rp 50,000. Gradually, because it was promising, I was serious about accepting orders. The money was for watching music concerts, I didn\'t think about saving to get married like now," said this single man. He estimated there are thousands of designs that he has made for hundreds of bands.

I didn\'t think about saving to get married like now.

One of the important moments when he was acquainted with Soni Wicaksono, an illustrator from Surabaya, East Java. He did not meet face to face, but often discussed through social media or other means of communication. "From Mas Soni, I found out that there is a competition for Hollywood movie poster at Talent House," he said.

The first time he tried, Yowdi did not immediately win. For example, when he failed to win in a poster competition for the film Annabelle Come Home, the third sequel of Annabelle. Seven images were sent, but none were selected.

However, Yowdi got an unexpected bonus. Katie Sarife, who plays Daniela Rios, wrote a private message on his Instagram account. "You beat me to it," Katie said, commenting on Yowdi\'s Anabelle Come Home poster.

No matter losing or winning, later he got paired with It Chapter Two. There is no central figure in Pennywise. Instead, he drew a picture of the carnival atmosphere in the cold and tense city of Derry. "Derry is Calling" was written on one of the notice boards in a poster made by Yowdi.

After winning, Yowdi was increasingly known to many people from a number of countries. His social media accounts are filled with not only praise, but also questions. Many people want to learn from him.

Kompas

Yowdi Santiar

"The number can be up to tens of hundreds per month. In principle, I don\'t want to be stingy in sharing knowledge with people who have big dreams," he said.

Septian Masnaputra\'s question is an example. He and Yowdi had never met face to face before. "Mas Yowdi, what is usually your brushing mechanism and how to make it smooth but textured?" Septian wrote.

"Actually, it is in finishing, it makes it smooth but textured. Make a new layer. Then the pattern is overlaid, then the layer will be soft overlayed," replied Yowdi.

Long before Yowdi\'s name was known, he had shared his knowledge with the people around him. All for free without a penny. One of those who learned was Edy Haryants, 25, Yowdi\'s friend. He has been working as a screen printing worker since 2014.

Edy said, knowledge from Yowdi effectively boosted his screen printing business in the past year. He gave an example of how to improve the design example of his customer.

Many design examples come in non-ideal conditions, such as not too clear colors or poor image resolution. With the knowledge of separating colors digitally, he can more creatively improve it for the sake of consumer satisfaction.

With better design skills, Edy is also skillful in promoting his business on social media. In the past, promotion was done by word of mouth, he is now free to make advertisements in digital form. Digital promotion makes its products widely known. Now, two national films have used screen printing products to promote their films.

"Yowdi\'s requirements are simple, as long as people wants to learn, he will answer all questions," said Edy.

Family support was essential for me to achieve greater things.

Now, Yowdi said, he still wanted to continue learning many new things. One of his targets is selling a variety of images that match his interests and talents. He feels he has been working too long for consumer orders or adjusting to the theme of the competition.

He has already started it through a wider network of international illustrators and consumers. He intensely establishes communication with fellow illustrators from a number of countries. They praise or criticize their works each other as a better learning tool.

With a wider network, Yowdi believes the world of illustration can continue to thrive. He is still pessimistic if he only works domestically, illustrations will be difficult to develop. Appreciation for domestic illustrations is still minimal.

"It\'s different from other countries. Britain, for example. I already have consumers who used to buy 100 of my illustrations to be marketed there. I am free to draw pictures, whatever I make is definitely bought," he said.

Yowdi knows the road is not easy. However, he always believes that everything is not impossible. The experience has convinced his family and it increases his enthusiasm. Now, when his work has become known to the world, that view has changed. The family-owned home yard which is now turned into a studio for Yowdi to work is a proof of the family’s support.

"Family support was essential for me to achieve greater things. Certainly, it is doable if there is intention and confidence," he said.

Yowdi Santiar,

Born: 23 March 1995

Education:

- SMK PU Bandung (Graduated in 2013)

- SMPN 40 Bandung (Graduated in 2010)

- SDN Haurpancuh Bandung (Graduated in 2007)