Advocate artists “Tyanim” are a husband and wife team that goes by the names Thierry and Yinxuan. Both specialise in 3D work, however Thierry is an animator whilst Yinxuan is an illustrator. Read on to find out a little more about each, and to see there work on the Advocate website click here.

What is your place and year of birth?

Thierry: I was born in France in 1980 and my wife was Born In China in 1983.

Where did you grow up/where do you now live?

Thierry: I grew up in Nancy, a nice little city in the north east of France.

Yinxuan: I grew up in Qing Huang Dao…

Thierry: God bless you.

Yinxuan: I didn’t sneeze stupid. It is the name of the place I grew up. It is also the place where the Great Wall of China began.

Any special childhood influences which lead to your artistic career?

Thierry: I spent my child hood watching cartoon and feature film. Aladdin from Disney was a shock to me. After that I knew my dream was to be a character animator.

Yinxuan: I always loved watching sketching and painting, I feel all art is telling a story, I am really inspired by that.

If you are not self-taught, what training did you undergo to become an artist?

Yinxuan: I have been to the Beijing School of Cinema and I graduated in 3D animation.

Thierry: 7  years ago I started learning animation alone using Richard Williams’s book, and last year in order to become a better animator I decided to join Animation Mentor School.

How would you describe your artwork?

Yinxuan: Cute, sexy and cartoony, I guess.

What methods do you usually employ in your art?

Yinxuan: I always start by gathering lots of reference of what I need in order to create characters, I also spend time thumbnailing and drawing with pencil and paper, and them I’ll move to my computer and start modelling in 3D.

Thierry: Well I start clicking and I hope for the best. Nah, just kidding.

How do you describe yourself when people ask about your career?

Thierry: I stop trying to describe myself, every time I say ‘I’m a Character animator’ most people say ‘what is that?’

Any key exhibitions/campaigns/published media you have participated in?

Yinxuan: I was interviewed by the magazine Effects Zone and my ‘toi et moi’ Illustration got published in the magazine 3D artists.

Are you a member of any artistic societies?

Thierry: I wanted to be member of a secret society, but I never find it.

Do you have a favourite piece that you have created?

Yinxuan: Every new one I finish is always my favourite.

Do you have any pets?

Yinxuan: I would like to have a cat.

If you weren’t an artist/illustrator, what do you think you’d be doing?

Thierry: When I was a kid I wanted to be a fireman, then I started using a computer.

Yinxuan: Owner of my own library or a shop selling various things for home.

Do you prefer the countryside or the city?

Thierry: City, definitely city.

Do you listen to music when you drawn/paint? If so, what kind?

Thierry: I’m not listening to music when I’m animating, I need to focus as much as I can.