For over 30 years, Jean-Baptiste Monge has been busily honing his craft and working with a selection of the most-renowned creative studios across the planet, all while managing to maintain his independence as both an author and an illustrator.
We caught up with him to learn more about his career, how he’s managed to balance his creativity and integrity throughout his varied works, and why he’s concerned about the dangers of AI-generated art.
Hi Jean-Baptiste! You’ve been active for over three decades. How did you get started, and how did you get to where you are now?
I’ve always felt a strong attraction to pictures and imaginary worlds, and therefore, by extension, a strong interest and curiosity for drawings, paintings, sculptures and writing.
I was born before home computers, games consoles and other crazy hightech gizmos, so my culture and learning process came from books. We did have a TV at home but no video recorder, so the limited access my brother, sister and I had connected us to national channels.
By chance, there were sometimes great movies for us to watch, or sci-fi shows and excellent cartoons. Rarest of all were the fantasy movies, like Willow or Legend.
Five of us lived in a tiny flat. I shared a bedroom with my brother. We didn’t have a table for leisure activities, the only table was the dining table that was used for homework. I couldn’t draw at home but I did practise in my exercise book at school, much to the despair of my teachers, who considered me a hopeless dreamer.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
PAINT EPIC BATTLES IN TRADITIONAL INK
Warhammer illustrator THOMAS ELLIOTT shows you how to create an epic science fiction fight scene with this step-by-step guide
CONJURE MAGIC ILLUSTRATIONS
Daria Anako demonstrates her process for creating a whimsical piece of art with some spellbinding touches
First Impressions
We discover the early influences that inspired the artist
ZBrush for iPad
GAME CHANGER The desktop version of popular 3D sculpting software ZBrush has been redesigned for iPad - and it's brilliant
BenQ GW2786TC
GET AN EYEFUL Don't scrimp out on your health with a monitor that's kind on the eyes and good for creative tasks
Huion Kamvas Pro 19
TABLET WARS An attractive pen display does an excellent job of balancing price and performance as it sets out to challenge its rivals in the mobile marketplace
DRAGON OFORCEC
Legendary D&D artist Larry Elmore explains the keys to crafting timeless fantasy art.
DUNGEON MASTERS
ImagineFX marks the milestone 50th anniversary of the launch of Dungeons & Dragons with a look at its rich tradition of illustration
Erik Ly
Gamer's haven Why the artist enjoys a maximalist aesthetic more than the minimalist approach.
2D meets 3D: How the workflows are merging
Interdimensional As VFX and animation evolve and tools become more accessible, Tanya Combrinck asks whether the separation between the mediums is reducing