How music taught this artist to experiment in his digital painting

Raised in Paris, Thomas Brissot studied fine arts and illustration at the École des Arts Décoratifs in Strasbourg. After over a decade as a concept artist in games and animation, he now focuses on digital painting and illustration, creating atmospheric fantasy and science-fiction worlds designed to exist as standalone images, high-quality prints and books.

We caught up with him to learn more about how he got started in concept art and how his career has developed. For more inspiration, see our other features on digital artists.

Where did you grow up and how has this influenced your art?

I grew up in Paris in the 1980s, a city rich in culture and history. I spent a lot of time in museums, read manga and comic books, and played many video games that are now considered retro classics.

At home, my mother dedicated an entire shelf to books about painters, so I was surrounded by images of all kinds and genres. Looking back, I think my work sits at the crossroads of all those influences – fine art, popular culture, games, and illustration – without ever feeling the need to separate them.

What, outside of art, has most influenced your artwork through the years?

Introspection and getting to know myself better have had a huge impact on my work over time. I’ve also been playing jazz for about 25 years and learned two different instruments.

Music taught me a lot about rhythm, improvisation, and intuition, and I often borrow ideas and wisdom from composers and musicians as much as from painters. It helped me build bridges between disciplines and stay open to experimentation.

Exploring the digital medium, finding interesting ways to paint light, volumes, their perception and expression. This gang rules the underworld, its reach touching Kaolin’s elite; meeting them by docks or trains means trouble.