It all starts with an outline, a sketch, then builds, layer by intricate layer, into a fully realized character complete with dramatized facial features grounded by details like dangly earrings and dainty barrettes. In between, illustrator and content creator Tina Tran, or “I’m a Wonder” as she is known on YouTube, saturates her sketches in pinks, blues, and purples, layering hues to add dimension to her figures. Tran works in a variety of mediums including watercolors, gouache paint, markers, and colored pencil to create her signature realism-meets-cartoonish style.

Tran draws inspiration from pop culture and fashion when dreaming up the strong, feminine figures that dominate her work. Warm, rosy skin tones contrasted against cool-tone shadows enhance her sometimes witchy aesthetic. Tran will often use a digital graphics program called Procreate when drawing her initial sketches, printing out the final outline and lightly tracing it onto paper using a light pad before diving into color. Based in Toronto, Canada, Tran’s YouTube channel is dedicated to providing her hundreds of thousands of followers with an inside-look into her artistic processes, testing out new tools and taking suggestions on what to sketch next. Press play on any of her uploads and you’ll find yourself entranced by Tina Tran’s effortless virtuosity.

You can check out more of their work here. 

1. What is the first creative project you remember?

The first thing that comes to mind was when I was in high school. There was a school project in my art class where we were split up into small groups and assigned to design and paint one of the classroom doors. My group chose the Cosmetology classroom which was and is perfectly suited for the type of illustration work I like to make, heavily influenced by beauty trends and fashion. Even though it was just a school project, I think the reason it stands out for me is because it was the first time I was seeing my work in a different kind of context other than just in my sketchbook.

2. Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Vibrant, magical, fierce.

3. What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

Thus far, I think the most fulfilling collaboration I’ve been a part of is becoming a brand ambassador for DeSerres, a Canadian art supply company. I used to be a sales employee at DeSerres for many years, so it is really gratifying to now be working with them in a totally different capacity as an artist and not just a retail worker. It really felt like a full circle moment and helped give me some perspective on how far I’ve come.

4. What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

Creating my YouTube channel, which is more like an ongoing series of projects rather than just one, has been rewarding and eye opening for me as an artist and a person. It has reminded me that we as people and artists can have a significant impact and occupy a larger space in people’s lives than we might think. Sometimes I will question the work that I make and feel as though what I am contributing is not enough, but then I’ll receive a comment from someone telling me that I inspired them to get back into painting, or to quit their corporate job to pursue their passion. I continue to be surprised and humbled by the generosity of my followers.

5. Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?

I think that it’s a little bit of both. I’m sure that some people are born with a higher inclination for creativity than the average person but how one cultivates that creativity over their lifetime makes a big difference. The environment that you grow up in, the type of content you consume, the hobbies you adopt, the people you surround yourself with, all of these things contribute to enriching your creativity and the work you produce.

6. What’s the last dream you had?

Unfortunately, I rarely remember my dreams and if I do, they are usually extremely mundane. My friend once joked that perhaps my brain uses up all of its creative ideas while I’m awake and thus, there is nothing creative left for when I am asleep.

7. One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

To be honest, I am not the type of person or artist who has the desire for a long term legacy. Knowing that my art lives in people’s homes as decoration and inspiration, knowing that people take time out of their day to watch my videos as motivation for their own art creation or to just simply keep them company, if my work resonates with people in any way, whether it be on a small or large scale, then that is perfectly good enough for me.

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