“Digital art is an amazing medium because everyone uses it so very differently from one another”
Just Sketch Me is a Free 3D posing and scene creation tool, created by Herman Marthinus and Simon-Kai Garvie to allow artists to create their own drawing references.
This amazing and intuitive app is one of the most popular among digital artists, illustrators, and concept artists, reaching more than 100 000 users from all over the world.
In this Q&A we have the opportunity to talk with Dante Ludolf, the content marketing, and community manager, and he shares with PoseSpace the value proposition of JustSketchMe, their passion for illustration, digital art, and more.
What’s the story behind JustSketchMe? How did you guys come up with the idea?
Herman Marthinus and Simon-Kai Garvie founded our app about 4 years ago when they looked at a little wooden art mannequin gracing their desks and thought, hey, that should be digital! After slapping together a posable 3D mannequin and publishing it online, they started seeing some very positive responses and decided to invest more time and effort into making it an amazing and viable product. I joined about two years ago to market JustSketchMe via content and community and we now boast more than 100 000 monthly users.
What is the value proposition of JustSketchMe? What can artists find on your website that they can’t find on other similar platforms?
I’d say there’s a degree of control and granularity when creating a custom drawing reference in JustSketchMe that you can’t find elsewhere. We’ve put a lot of thought into making the app a joy to use and although there is a learning curve, once you get the hang of it JustSketchMe integrates seamlessly into your workflow. We also boast a huge selection of posable models and props to make use of and this greatly expands the possibilities of what you can do with the app.
What are you guys most passionate about in illustration and conceptual art?
Seeing people bring their concepts to life. Digital art is an amazing medium because everyone uses it so very differently from one another, but when it is used in a way that makes sense to an artist’s idea and output it really is a beautiful thing. I really appreciate someone running with a super specific idea and nailing the execution, no matter how strange or unexpected.
What advice would you give to a person starting in the world of 3D drawings or illustration?
Go slow. Watch tutorials. Use references. Steady your drawing hand. Oh, and remember that you can undo it. 😉
Have you guys used PoseSpace? Have a favorite model?
I have indeed! Your search/ criteria refinement function for finding references is amazing. There is truly a wealth of resources for artists on here.
What do you think will be the illustration and conceptual art trend in 2023?
This is tough because tokenization and AI art are really big right now and people are either super excited about it or very, very scared. I would say that we will either be seeing more of that, like for instance AI art interventions by real artists, or a complete 180-degree turn to traditional mediums to eschew the rapid and rocky advancement of things like machine learning artworks and NFTs.
What is the most valuable lesson you guys have learned in JustSketchMe so far?
Having worked and collaborated with artists all over the world I’d say the biggest lesson I’ve seen being learned is the concept of value. Your time and skills and output are all of the value and should be treated accordingly.
I’ve also seen a lot of people put digital artists down by using the logic that everyone could do it and it is a super easy endeavor. To that, I always say, if it really was that easy, everyone would.
Website: justsketch.me
Instagram: @justsketch.me