Oliver Wetter,
Illustrator & Art Director
Company
Fantasio fine Arts / Fantabulous Visions*
About you:
Fantasio Fine Arts emerged to turn ideas into working commercial value.
How long have you been doing illustration work?
I´m in the creative business since 6 years now.
What got you started on this career path?
A book cover commission from a Bavarian agency, way back this was one year before I plunged into the fulltime business, actually I based my freelancing efforts on that agency. Gladly my client network expanded and developed into a greater business and area since then.
Describe your work in a Tweet (140 characters).
I´m an artist, collaborator and conceiver of Fantabulous Visions. I love to create worlds out of brief descriptions.
What makes you and your work different from others?
So far I heard clients say that they appreciate my ability to listen actively, personally I believe that it is my aim to deliver on time.
Tell us about some of the clients you've worked for/campaigns you've worked on.
Most are book publishers, some are more known than others, Blanvalet/Randomhouse for example, but I do also illustrations for independent authors and small publishing companies.
What's been your favourite?
While there are many, my favorite clients are independent authors, they know what they want and there´s no middlemen. Howard W. Lewis is one of the authors for him I did the most work till date; roughly 60 chapter illustrations and three cover artworks for his novel:"The essence of Daedalus Rimes".
He brings me to San Diego Comic-Convention this year, this will be a blast!
If you could work on any project for any company/organisation, what would it be and who would it be for?
Directing a movie with either Tim Burton or Guillermo del Torro.
What's been the most important lesson you've learnt?
The pareto principle - concentrate on the 20% that make 80% of your business.
What frustrates you the most about you career?
Nothing.
What's the best advice you've ever received, and who from?
Greg Spalenka once wrote me: "Every kind of promotion is important" and I remember that I posted that in big letters on a paper next to my desk.
What's your favourite thing about illustration?
Collaboration.
What gadget, gizmo, or tool can't you live without.
My graphic tablet, a Wacom Intuos 4, if I´m on the go I can hardly live without my IPad.
What's your favourite app?
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have 10 liter lung volume, but don´t know what to do with it.
If you were given a super power, what would you choose?
Levitating, would make things and life so much easier.
If you were a biscuit, what sort would you be?
White chocolate, Almond and Peanutbutter with a hint of Scottish Shortbread.
Where would you go in a time machine?
Probably London, Victorian era.