Today we’d like to introduce you to Aillen Taylor.
Hi Aillen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started as a freelance illustrator in 1990, when I was hired to create interior illustrations for a speculative fiction magazine and for tabletop role-playing companies. From there, I worked for local companies in the RTP until I was accepted into the Joe Kubert School of Cartooning and Graphic Arts. I was trained there to create comic-book-style artwork, cartooning, and illustration. I did more freelance work in the comic industry after I left school, until the comic bubble popped. Then I moved to newspapers and trade magazines as a layout artist and went back to work for role-playing companies until the internet started to take off. I began self-teaching web coding and got jobs as a web designer. In 2008, I moved from traditional art techniques to digital art. Since then, I have continued doing my artwork for hire and have lately been focusing on horror and alternative artwork.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road was never smooth for me. I am mostly a self-taught artist, except for my time at art school, but I was too busy trying to get my assignments done to really digest what they were showing me. I have gone through a couple of economic bubbles, recessions, and market trends that said you didn’t need graphic art to sell your work.
This last big bump was when I switched to being a digital artist. I was stubborn and could not get used to looking at the screen while my hand worked on a tablet. Now I feel as if I don’t know whether I can go back.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Wow, that is a big question. I specialized in doing science fiction, fantasy, pinup/alt, and horror artwork. I love creating pen-and-ink illustrations in any of these genres. I am known for my science-fiction technical illustrations and for drawing bodies with realistic proportions.
What sets me apart? I guess a couple of things. One, I can draw in five American comic-book styles, and I can ink in eight. I can draw in 16 different manga styles and four European comic styles, and I paint using techniques ranging from Bob Ross to the Hillenbrand Brothers.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I love to give credit to my wife, Robin Samuels. She has been my cheerleader, sounding board, and critic who does not pull punches. Mike Chen, who was an instructor at my art school. He was the one who took me aside and showed me how to ink and what it takes to be a good inker.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aillenartworks.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aillen.taylor.2025
- Other: @aillentaylor.bsky.social
