@sakkie.du

Instagram: @sakkie.du

1. What’s your story? Where are you from?

My name is Du Kha Han. I was born in 1997, in a small province of Vietnam called Ca Mau. About the nickname Sakkie, it was taken after Sakura Haruno from the manga Naruto when I was a little kid. I've been in love with painting since I was very young. When my teacher asked me what I wanted to be in the future, I said "I want to be an Artist". The teacher thought it was just a silly and childish dream of a 9-year-old girl, but at that time, I knew that I was serious.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

For me, an illustration is more beautiful if it's clean and neat. Everything in this world is based on basic shapes and distinguished from each other. 

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

I have a strong love for vector art. Vector art makes things feel different. It's the best adaptation for my aesthetic. 

4. What is your artistic process like?

I'll look up some references on the internet to see how the other artists did with the topic I'm about to draw. Then, I sketch in my sketchbook, make some rough coloring to define the composition. After that, I'll make detail for each element. I use mostly Adobe Illustrator to draw, and PTS is for the final retouch. 

5. Who and/or what inspires your work? 

It's a funny story. One day, I accidentally found the ex-girlfriend of my husband's Instagram (she didn't use other social media). I discovered that she was an artist too. At the moment I saw her drawing, I thought "Wait, I love this stuff", and then I started to draw with Adobe Illustrator. Before that, I of course knew how to draw, but mostly I spent my time on Architecture and Interior Design. After a long time exploring the world of Illustration, I found out what I love and what I want to do. Charlie Davis is my most favourite artist. Mads Berge, Bemocs, Steve Scott are also the artists that inspire me a lot. 

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

It began to be my hobby, but then I decided to pursue my dream to be an Illustrator. I quit my job with a high salary as an Architect. Everything was difficult at first, but now I believe that I did the right thing.  

7. Where did you study?

I'm a self-taught Illustrator. However, I learned the basis of Art when I was in University. I graduated from the University of Architecture, my major is Architect. 

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I'll be able to draw anything popping up in my head. I'm now having many ideas, but with my lack of ability, I leave it in my head and try to draw things simply. However, I will keep learning and practicing to make myself a breakthrough. Looking back at myself for the last 2 years, I really made a big improvement and I'm not gonna stop.

9. What about in ten?

I hope I can be an Art Director and reach the international community of artists.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I want to illustrate the slice of life in my art. I'm not really into fantasy or abstract painting. My piece of art will bring a peaceful and gentle mood. I will try to define my own style of art. 

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

I love spicy food. There is a unique specialty food only in my province called "Banh Tam Cay" (meaning very very spicy noodles).

12. Favourite book?

5cm/s -Makoto Shinkai

13. Favourite genre of music? 

I don't have a specific favourite genre of music. I listen to every song that I find conformable. However, I have my most favourite singer: Daniela Andrade. She was the first singer my husband recommended for me when we first met. (But now he did not even remember her full name) 

14. What are your hobbies? 

When I was an Architect, my hobby was illustration. Now I'm an Illustrator, so my hobby is sleeping. Besides that, I play basketball, run in a Marathon tournament, go hiking, travel alone, and spread my love to dogs. 

15. If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

If I weren't an artist, I would be an Architect.