Q&A with Joshua Andrew Grubbs

Joshua Andrew Grubbs works as a 3D modeler and illustrator for the hit show Archer. He explains that “illustration would be most easily compared to a key frame animator with some pretty significant differences, including character design.”

“As for 3D I get to model, texture and light scenes based on our storyboards if they need to be built, if not I get to use a library of assets to arrange scenes and shots which later get sent to our Background Painting department to get polished to fit the style of Archer.”

So, how on God’s Green Earth? did you get hired to work on and draw Archer?

Stephen Slesinski and a ruined 5 year plan. I had been working for a call center doing tech support for 4 years (after doing freelance art for the previous 4 years) when I realized that I was probably going to get stuck doing tech support forever. After I took the gun out of my mouth (metaphorically speaking) I decided that I needed to try and get back to production level speeds and fill in the gaps in my artistic knowledge. I made a five year plan and started doing a drawing a day and posting it on every social networking site I could think of. THAT is key because every artist (and human) has a small part of them that wants to be the center of attention. By posting the work every day and getting likes and followers you get a small modicum of validation.

About 3 months into this plan Stephen posted on twitter that the Archer team, which he was a Lead Illustrator for was hiring, and I being only 3 months into my 5 year plan decided I wasn’t ready for and let it sail on past. A couple weeks later he messaged me telling me he had been following my posts and asking why he hadn’t seen a portfolio or resume come through. After logically explaining that I wouldn’t be a valuable asset as I had just started flexing my fingers again and wouldn’t want to waste anyone’s time, he retorted something to the affect of “shut your pie hole and get me your resume and portfolio” and a couple months later I was driving about 700 miles to Atlanta.

– one of JG’s daily sketches, unfinished, in process.

We’re so glad you took that chance! And it’s inspiring to see someone overcome their fear and desire for perfection enough to take such a chance, and it really paid off. Congratulations!
Do you like the show? Do you think it’s funny?

That is simply a foolish question to ask. I obviously have taste and as anyone with taste who has seen the show knows, it’s funny.

 

Smartass. Which is one of the reasons you fit in so well at Floyd County, I guess. But also very true. I love the show. What are some of your artistic influences?

My Grandmother on my mother’s side was pretty influential early on, just by always having us draw and paint when she would babysit us. It’s easiest to list the artists who inspired me autobiographically: loved Redrawing Ninja Turtles as a kid (don’t know any of the artists names though), Then came Marvel Comics and The X-Men, Barry Windsor-Smith, Art Adams, Adam and Andy Kubert, Jim Lee, and Joe Madureira… did I mention Barry Windsor-Smith? I don’t think I did. Barry Windsor-Smith.

When it comes to cartoons in my childhood Bruce Timm and Shane Glines, And let’s not forget fantasy art book covers and Magic the Gathering, with people like Michael Whelan, Mark Poole and Ciruelo Cabral. Then came Blizzard and the world of Diablo and Warcraft (not the world though), Samwise Didier, Chris Metzen, Justin Thavirat, and ALL of their Cinematic Department After that We hit college and the list just gets far too large. BUT I have to at least mention Feng Zhu, Genndy Tartakovsky, and Burne Hogarth.

What are some of your favorite animation inspirations?

Any of the Bruce Timm shows, Samurai Jack, Howl’s Moving Castle, Iron Giant and The Incredibles, Cowboy Bebop the Movie, Ghost In the Shell, Akira, FLCL, Sleeping Beauty, Animaniacs, Every Blizzard Cinematic since the 1st Diablo.

 

How did you study to do what you do?

I read and have read tons of books. Drew and drew a lot when I got done with that I drew some more, then I tried painting, and airbrushing, and working in 3d and then I drew some more.

How did you learn to mesh your 2d art and animation together?

I’d advise against what I did but I got into debt and went to college. If you have the brain for it and the social savvy, I suggest buying books, being dedicated and social network the fuck out of life.

 

Do you do other art besides animation?

Yes. Technically I do very little animation but, I work mainly digitally now days as it is faster and easier to disseminate results to people, but I paint work in 3D sculpture, sketch, pretty much whatever I have time for.

What kind of art do you love to do most? Enjoy seeing or experiencing most?

I’m kind of a shitty art appreciator really. For the most part I care more about doing than looking. Though the I love seeing the stuff the people around me make, that and drawings of beautiful women. Nice thing about them in my opinion is even if you only make them 80% as hot as they look in real life you already have a masterpiece of art.

 

What advice do you have to offer people who might want your job?

I have a gun. Don’t even think about it. I know how to dispose of evidence…… Oh you meant a comparable job…. GOTCHA…. Use the same rules as you would if there was someone you wanted to date, be in a relationship with, or get laid by. Don’t be over eager, work hard but make it seem like its nothing, move to where all the attractive ones are, don’t lie, grow some confidence or fake a bit of some.

What are the best and worst advantages to working on such a popular, badass show?

I get to do art for, possibly, my favorite show on TV (definitely top 10). There are no downsides.

 

Bonus question: what’s your favorite meal?

Ones that include food. Ones that aren’t really meals. Everyone knows that. Sheesh…

 

Joshua Andrew Grubbs is a native of  PA, who now lives and works somewhere ‘round Floyd County, GA USA. If you’d like to watch Josh work his magic, there’s a sweet video of the progression of this drawing here!