Rising blood
Some passions begin almost as soon as we can hold a pencil, and for 13-year-old Camille Deguara Faure, art has been part of her life from the very beginning. Whether she’s bringing favourite characters to life or creating entirely new worlds from her imagination, every drawing tells a story. With creativity running through her family and a determination to keep improving, Camille is already making her mark as a young artist with an exciting future ahead. We sat down with her to find out what inspires her, what she dreams of creating, and where she hopes her artistic journey will take her.
Q: When did you first realise that drawing was more than just a hobby and something you truly loved?
I’ve always loved art, and I’ve been surrounded by it for as long as I can remember because lots of people in my family are artists. I started drawing when I was very young, even if it was just little scribbles at first. I think I realised it was more than just a hobby when I was around 11 or 12. That’s when I started discovering artists who really inspired me and began practising almost every day. I also started thinking about art as something I’d love to do in the future, not just in my free time.
Q: If you could spend a whole day creating art with any artist—past or present—who would you choose and why?
I think I would choose Tim Burton. I’ve always loved his unique style and the way he creates such interesting and unforgettable characters. I really enjoy drawing his characters, and his work inspires me a lot. I think it would be amazing to see how he comes up with his ideas and designs. I feel like I would learn so much from him, especially about creating my own characters and telling stories through art.
Q: Your artwork often includes characters from films and books, as well as your own creations. Which do you enjoy drawing more, and what inspires your original characters?
I honestly enjoy both. Drawing characters from books, films, and TV shows that I love is always fun because I like drawing them in my own style. At the same time, creating my own characters is one of my favourite things to do because I can use my imagination and make them completely unique. I get inspiration from books, movies, TV shows, artists I admire, and sometimes even everyday life. I also enjoy giving my characters their own personalities and stories.
Q: Is there a new artistic skill or medium you’d love to learn in the future?
I would really love to learn animation. I’ve always been fascinated by animated films and series, and I think it would be amazing to bring my own characters to life. One of my biggest dreams is to create my own animated series or film one day. Learning animation would help me combine my love of drawing, storytelling, and character design.
Q: Every artist has a favourite piece. Which artwork are you most proud of so far, and what makes it special to you?
I think I’d choose a painting I did recently of Tim Burton characters. I spent a lot of time working on it, and I really enjoyed creating it. It was quite challenging, but I’m really proud of how it turned out.
Q: What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or don’t know what to draw? Where do you find inspiration?
I usually write a list of ideas and then choose the one I feel most excited about. For inspiration, it depends on what I’m in the mood to draw. Sometimes I get ideas from books, films, or things I see every day.
Q: If you could design anything in the future—a book cover, a video game, an animated film, or something else—what would be your dream project?
Probably an animated film or series based on my own characters. I already enjoy making up stories and lore for them, so it would be amazing to bring them to life.
Q: If you could turn your passion into your dream job, what would you love to do when you grow up, and why?
I’d love to be an illustrator or an animator. I also think teaching art could be really fun because I’d enjoy helping other people learn to draw.
Q: Imagine one of your drawings came to life for a day—which character would you choose, and what adventure would you go on together?
I think I’d choose the Phantom of the Opera. I’d love to explore 19th-century Paris with him and wander around the creepy opera house. I think it would be really exciting.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to other young people who love drawing but are afraid to share their artwork with the world?
If you’re proud of your art and it makes you happy, don’t be afraid to share it. If people are negative, just ignore them. Be proud of what you create because art takes a lot of time and hard work, and everyone starts somewhere.
