Exploring the Land of Hyrule Through Ghirahim’s Eyes — An Interview With Linktober Artist Chibi-Haifish
Posted on January 23 2021 by Brittany Lindstrom
Every October, Zelda fans rejoice as our social media feeds light up with a plethora of new fan art thanks to Linktober‘s annual art challenge. Linktober is more than a month-long, daily drawing challenge though. It’s a community of artists that continuously show their love and passion for the Zelda franchise every day of the year. Be that through monthly drawing challenges or by sitting down to discuss their love of Linktober.
Before Linktober 2020, I had a chance to talk to Cassius, the artist behind Chibi-Haifisch, to discuss their work, their process, and their fascination with Skyward Sword‘s Ghirahim.
How did you first hear about Linktober and how long have you participated in it?
I first heard [about Linktober] through Stardust Cindy on Instagram. It was 2019 that I was convinced to share my sketches online for the first time. Since I already knew about Inktober, I was thinking about [participating] to improve my skills, but I didn’t like the prompts very much. I talked to Cindy about it, and she told me about Linktober. So I followed them on Instagram, saw their prompts and was immediately hooked.
Do you participate in any other drawing-a-day challenges throughout the year?
I do not. I use the rest of the year to participate in DTIYS (Draw This in Your Own Style) challenges from other amazing artists, and design some own characters I have. Since May 2020 I’ve realized how important actually art is for me. I’ve used two [Linktober monthly challenge] prompts this year. My time for art was a bit short this year thanks to the pandemic and my former working place.
How do you prepare for Linktober every year?
Ideally, I take my time to decide on a sheet and then I make a list with ideas I have for each prompt. Then, I can see if I actually can complete the list or if I need to switch in-between. I present the list to my husband to see if the ideas are creative enough, or if there can be more. Lastly, I begin one week before October 1st to draw, so that I won’t finish all 31 prompts before the challenge even starts. It’s the whole fun to draw throughout October!
Which prompt was the most challenging for you?
Definitely 2019’s Day 6 – Din. I challenged myself in 2019 further by including Ghirahim in each prompt, so not only the relation between the two was difficult, but also drawing the whole thing with new poses and a background was really hard for me. At that point I still was drawing traditionally.
Which game do you find most inspiring and why?
That is one hard question. Skyward Sword is very inspiring, because it had the Skyloft as extension of the playable area. But it lacked some time in development and felt incomplete. This on the other hand left enough room to add [my] own ideas to it and was inspirational in this way.
Breath of the Wild felt fresh. The graphics and landscape were art itself. It was a great experience to ride across the land and feel like Bob Ross’ art had come to life. It had overall great character design, artsy feeling coloring and amazing refurbishing of known and beloved places like Gerudo Town. It inspired me enough to make a whole story around this map and the new design.
Which character will you never get tired of drawing?
Definitely Ghirahim from Skyward Sword. I use Linktober with the Ghira-twist just to draw him better and better. After almost 10 years he still isn’t dull or boring for me.
How would you describe your art style? Do you draw digitally or traditionally?
I tend to have a mix of anime style and inking techniques. I mostly draw characters or design some on my own and want them full colored. Also I want them pretty and detailed, dynamic so I tend to work a few days on one artwork. When I am finished, I want to fall in love with the artwork.
Also I began traditionally, but in May 2020 I gifted myself a drawing tablet and found MY medium. Since then it’s all digital.
Any other comments you’d like to add?
I love to interact with people and encourage others to join Linktober or other lists. Keep exercising and don’t give up! If it’s too much for you at some point, just take a break, do something else and return later. I know it’s hard, but it’s worth it.
Be sure to check out Chibi-Haifisch’s gallery right here to see all their hard work!
If you’re an artist inspired by this interview and the work of Linktober artists, you don’t have to wait until October to get involved! Linktober hosts monthly challenges, and we here at Zelda Dungeon offer a weekly Artists of Legend challenge as well.
Have you seen any of Chibi-Haifisch’s artwork in the past? Have they inspired you to participate in Linktober? Let us know in the comments below!
Brittany Lindstrom is a writer for Zelda Dungeon. When not writing odes to snails in love, she spends a lot of time talking about Dungeons & Dragons on Twitter or sharing her art on Instagram.
