Digital Painting Video

Hi Everyone,

I've uploaded some videos of me painting while talking about things that interest me, how I began my career as an independent artist, our studio "Imaginism Studios" and my learning process that got me to where I am today. Hope you'll enjoy and perhaps leave us some comments as well.

Bobby Chiu

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5

Subway Sketching still going strong!

Hi everyone,

It was another great day to go subway sketching yesterday even though I had a bit of a cold. We've recently lost a couple of our regulars: Jesse S. and Danesh. Jesse moved to Vancouver and Danesh moved all the way to Dubai. We wish them the very best and hope our paths will cross again in the future.
The good news is that we're still going on very strong and have picked up a couple more regulars. My friend Ian R. and a newcomer Shaun (hope I spelled that right) have become the latest regulars to our band of sketchers.

These pages were done by Bobby




These ones were done by Kei

FAIRY ART from our newest book "FAIRY SKETCHES"

$19.99
As always, it's FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Ok here's something thats long over due. This post is all about samples from Imaginism's newest book "Fairy Sketches." I'm extremely proud of this book because this is the first time I've teamed up with another artist to do the book . Her name is Kei Acedera, Imaginism's fantastic art director! We created the cover together as well as 2 other pieces in the book and tutorial.

Guest Artists:
Sergio Aragonés - Mad Magazine legend of legends, creator of "Groo the Wanderer"
Gavin Ball - Great Draftsman and all around nice guy
Linda Bergkvist - No fairy book would be the same without Linda. Multi award winning artist
Kevin Dart - I had the pleasure of meeting this amazing talent in San Diego.
Kitty Fung - Our friend and Anime prodigy
Robin Mitchell - My brother from another mother. Great friend and character designer.
Justin Ridge - A true talent! It was an absolute pleasure to have Justin in my book.

Here's some previews of Kei's super lovable fairies... and some of mine.

Samurai Sketch

Here's a little speed painting I did this morning... Took 40 minutes.

Toronto Comicon Fan Expo 2006 Review and Q&A - how to choose the right schools.

WOW! What a convention! It was a great treat to meet all of you fellow Torontonians and so so many familiar faces. The love I felt from my hometown made me so happy and proud to be Canadian. I was please to see so many talented up and comers from Sheridan and Seneca College displaying and selling their work.

Usually my fellow Imaginists take my wallet from me during conventions so that I don't end up buying up everything I see but this time I was able to hide a bit of cash from them and get some artwork from a handful of these talented people.

Many people have been telling me to write a bit more on our blog about more personal stuff, like voicing my opinion about anything on my mind. I can't promise anything but I will definitely make a conscious effort to do so more often.

One common question I got was how to pick the right art school to attend. Being a teacher myself, I'd like to say that you look for the good teachers but in all honesty it's more about the students. Don't get me wrong. The teachers are extremely important for the students to learn BUT... it seems to me that that's not enough. The students must want to learn.

I've seen many examples of many different schools where the teachers are great but the students as a collective just didn't have the motivation to work as hard as students from another school. If you look at the students of the schools you are choosing from, not only will it be a great indicator of how good the teachers are but more importantly when you look at it as a law of averages it will tell you how you'll end up (most likely). That's not to say that you are destined a to end up a certain way because of the school you choose but I do believe that you could reach a higher potential if you are surrounded by the right people.

That's why people want to work at certain studios more than others. It's usually not because of the supervisors or anything like that, it's the artists that work there - because motivation is infectious. Not only that but you'll learn as much from your peers than from your teachers if you're spending those long hours at school like you're supposed to.

Teachers only teach for a small fraction of your day. Where do you go for help if you don't have your teachers there? To your fellow students. Also sometimes it's easier to understand things if it's explained from a beginners point of view. Teachers sometimes forget how hard it was to learn certain aspects of art which could make it a bit more difficult for the students to learn. Which is why I always picture my classes in the eyes of the students as I write the curriculum. So far it seems to be working...

Anyhow there's my little bit of blah blah blahing for this week... here's a pic out of the Fairy Sketches book... enjoy!

Update - New site, New class, New book and Toronto Comicon!!

Hi everyone,

NEW SITE - I just wanted to update everyone on what Imaginism Studios has been up to lately. The studio has really taken off. Currently we're doing visual development on 2 tv shows and 1 feature as well as numerous other projects. One being a new version of the imaginismstudios.com site. Should be online early September so stay tuned!

NEW CLASS - The other thing I'd like to mention is you can now sign up for "DIGITAL PAINTING" at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario. I teach digital painting techiniques that can be applied to everyone's different styles. Start date is September 14. Click HERE for more details.

TORONTO COMICON - Sept. 1-3 We'll be at the Fan Expo in Toronto Canada. Come and say hi if you're in the neighbourhood. Our booth will be in the Artist Alley section.

NEW BOOK - The new book is almost here! Fairy Sketches will be out on Sept. 1 or 2nd at the Fan Expo and will be avalible on line early September - at the latest Sept. 6th. Look out for some great previews!
For the first time, I’ve asked someone to share my books with me.
Kei Acedera has stepped up from being a regular contributor to our books to becoming the new art director here at Imaginism Studios. Her ideas and sense of design are wonderfully appealing and come almost effortlessly.
And when you see her insanely cute and beautiful fairies, you’ll see why we chose this book to be the debut of the Art of Bobby Chiu and Kei Acedera.

Guest Artists:
Sergio Aragonés - Mad Magazine legend of legends, creator of "Groo the Wanderer"
Gavin Ball - Great Draftsman and all around nice guy
Linda Bergkvist - No fairy book would be the same without Linda. Multi award winning artist
Kevin Dart - I had the pleasure of meeting this amazing talent in San Diego.
Kitty Fung - Our friend and Anime prodigy
Robin Mitchell - My brother from another mother. Great friend and character designer.
Justin Ridge - A true talent! It was an absolute pleasure to have Justin in my book. We've been fans of him for a while now.

Here's a peek of the cover. Drawn by Kei Acedera. Painted by Bobby Chiu

Our California trip was an absolute blast! Thanks to all those that came out to see us. Special thanks goes out to our friend Dominic at DW for letting me send my many books and boxes to his place for me to pick up. Also a special thank you to my long time great friend Lora for showing us such amazing hospitality and for taking Kei and I to the beach! Above is a picture of our new Imaginism Studios logo that we recreated in the sand.

As well a special big thanks goes out to our friend Stephen Silver for taking us out to dinner with the gang.

It was also an absolute pleasure to meet John Nevarez, Patrick Morgan and Jose Lopez. I spent the most time talking with John N. and I was pleasantly surprised by how down to earth all these great artists are. Talented and humble.

Justin Ridge - it was great to finally meet you in person. You're just how Kei and I pictured you - very friendly and down to earth.

Sergio Aragones - what a quick hand! Fastest drawer in the world and very nice guy as well. He has a fatherly presence about him that was very relaxing.

Dean Yeagle - always a pleasure to see and talk with you. Thanks so much for your new book. It's on my shelf right now.
There's so many more artists that made our trip so great, I apologize if I leave anyone out.

Robin Mitchell - my homie from way back. Always a pleasure my friend.

David Coleman - Super cool dude. We'll have to hangout again.

Court Jones - What an amazing talent.

This being my first time there, I was pretty paranoid of doing anything wrong so I always went to sleep early and got up early. I'll definitely be more relaxed next year and hopefully Kei and I will be able to hang out more.

Next Convention: Chicago Wizard Comicon Aug 3-6, 2006