Osare is an award-winning TCG illustrator, known for his distinctive style, bold black line work, and intricate detail. To celebrate the launch of Vault X’s Artist Edition: Water, we caught up with Osare to learn more about his artistic journey, creative process, and the story behind the artwork featured in this special Artist Edition.
Inspired by Britain’s rich history of fossil hunters, myths, and legendary monsters, Osare imagined a surreal aquatic world where prehistoric life and folklore collide.
Let dive into the Q&A to learn more…
Can you tell us a bit about your journey as an artist, how did it all begin?
Osare: It all started with the drawing lessons my grandmother gave me when I was a child. Well, that’s partly a joke, although her teachings are still one of my guiding principles today. It all began when I entered a certain card illustration competition, this competition taught me an incredible amount and opened many doors for me as an artist.
What does a typical creative process look like for you from idea to finished piece?
Osare: I usually begin by gathering references and sketching out initial ideas. From there, I build several different concepts or worlds, develop them into rough sketches, and submit multiple proposals. After receiving feedback from the client, I refine the chosen direction until it becomes the final piece.
What tools or techniques do you enjoy using most?
Osare: At the moment, I mainly work with Procreate and Photoshop. In the future, I would like to expand my toolkit and explore other software and creative tools as well.
How do you approach creative blocks?
Osare: If the schedule allows it, I sometimes leave the project alone for a little while! During that time, I may work on other projects, but the problem is always somewhere in the back of my mind. More often than not, I eventually return to it and work through a process of trial and error until I find a better solution.
Can you walk us through the story behind the artwork used in this launch?
Osare: Since Vault X is a UK-based company, and the UK has such a rich history of paleontology, mythology, and fantasy, I felt it would be a missed opportunity not to draw inspiration from that background. The result was a chaotic fantasy world inspired by Western monsters, dinosaurs, reptiles, and even a touch of Japanese folklore and yokai culture.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Osare: Believe in your work and your artistic style, and keep creating no matter what. Sooner or later, someone will notice what you do.
If you have the opportunity, I also highly recommend entering competitions. When doing so, it can be helpful to think strategically as well, consider whether your style stands out, and what kinds of artistic approaches might be most effective in that particular context.
A huge thank you to Osare for his stunning artwork. Be sure to follow and support his work on Instagram and X: @osare_graffiti.