Reza, it's so nice to finally connect and speak about your vision. Where are you from and how did you first become attracted to your style of work?

My name is Reza Afshar, I'm 30 years old and I'm an Iranian concept artist and illustrator. I've been professionally working for video games, movies and animations since 2012.

Actually it all started with reading fantasy novels and playing video games. Watching fantasy movies like "Lord of the Rings" also pushed me towards this style of working.

That’s awesome. What medium do you work in mostly? Is it digital painting, actual paint, or mixed media?

Well I usually do digital painting, but if I find some free time, I do traditional painting (actual painting) from time to time.

Very cool. I love the transportive, kind of narrative fantasy / science fiction work you do. When you come up with a concept, do you have the final piece in mind or do you begin and let the idea evolve as you paint?

Thank you. I don't usually have a final image in mind for my personal works and the idea just evolves through the process.

That’s really cool, that you allow the work to unfold in front of you. What’s the creative community like in Iran?

As far as I know, we don't really have a creative and artistic community in here. there were good ones when I started but I think in the recent years they have become less and less effective.

What are some fantasy novels that have inspired you? I also love to read, and it informs my work, so I’m curious to see what inputs you have.

Well I read "The White Mountains" trilogy written by John Christopher when I was 15. And then the "Harry Potter" novel series captured me as a teenager!

The stories of Edgar Allan Poe inspired me through the darkness that I bring to my work of course.

I should also mention 'The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket', 'The City and the Stars' by Arthur C. Clarke, and 'The Silmarillion' by Tolkien.

Great reccomendations, I'm going to dive in to some of those. 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons is a favorite that also reminds me of your work. I think you’d create some amazing scenes if you read it.

What advice would you give to a younger artist who is just getting started?

My advice for them is to learn and practice the artistic regularity basis in full attention, so they won't have to go backwards and face problems and difficulties in order to start their work.
They should also try to do whatever they are interested in and last but not least, they'd better not rush into it.