Artists Who Inspire My Work:
A Look at SamDoesArt
Every artist has a handful of creators who cracked something open in them. For me, SamDoesArt is one of those people. I came across his work at a point where I was still figuring out what my own visual language actually was — and watching how he built characters, told stories through illustration, and maintained a creative output that felt genuinely authentic completely shifted how I approach my own work.
What I Took From His Process
What strikes me most about SamDoesArt isn't just the quality of the illustrations — it's the consistency and the intention behind each piece. He documents his process openly, which is rare. You can see how his work evolves, how he experiments, and how he pushes through creative blocks without abandoning his style. That kind of creative honesty is something I try to carry into Fauxverse and every piece I make in Procreate.
"Your style isn't something you find — it's something you build by showing up and making work even when it's not perfect."
His character design approach also influenced how I think about the characters in my own stories. Jack Buddy, the brothers in Fauxverse, the NPC — they all have to feel like real people first, then animated characters second. Sam's work reminded me that the personality has to be in the lines, not just the script.
What Following the Right Artists Does For You
There's a version of "following artists" that's just collecting inspiration passively. Then there's a version where you're actively studying — breaking down why something works, how a colour palette creates mood, why a character silhouette is instantly readable. I try to do the second thing.
Other artists I keep close: independent animators building their own worlds on YouTube, Procreate creators who push what the software can actually do, and storytellers who don't wait for a studio to greenlight their ideas. That's the energy I want Fauxverse to carry.
- Study the artists who make work you wish you'd made.
- Break down the craft — don't just admire the output.
- Let influence pass through your own voice, not around it.
- Document your own process — it helps you and someone else.
The artists you follow shape the artist you become. Choose carefully, study deeply, and then put the phone down and go make something.