Tickle artists #169: interview with Stanler Videnat

1) Do you want to tell us something about yourself and your art?

I’m Stanler Videnat and I’ve been a tickle artist for two months at the time of this interview, mostly focusing on feet. I started drawing like three or four years ago. At first I was making my art on paper, just for myself, drawing my favorite characters from anime and games. After first few months of drawing I bought a graphic tablet, but getting used to it was too hard, so I continued making traditional art. Two months ago I decided to give my tablet another chance and start making my arts public on DeviantArt. That’s how my journey as a public artist started. And by the way, sorry for my English XD

2) What techniques do you use to draw? Do you have a favorite artist that inspires you?

I use Krita and the graphic tablet I mentioned to make my arts. I’m not trying to mimic anyone’s art style, though sometimes I get inspired with the way some other artists draw certain objects. Currently I don’t have a specific artist who inspires me – basically everyone I’m watching on DeviantArt and other platforms is my inspiration in a way! Though when I started drawing for myself, I think four artists – VarinillaIce, topagentbrian, Arbustro and Codricor1– were my biggest inspiration. Not that they’re not anymore, I just know more artists now 😉

3) How much was the passion for drawing born in you? And the one for the tickle?

I tried drawing for the first time during the lockdown in 2020. At first I was drawing some regular characters, then in 2022 or 2023 I made my first tickle art, showing a catgirl being bound in stocks and her feet being scribbled on. Now I find it terrible, but hey, each journey has to start somewhere xD

4) What are the tickling scenarios that you prefer to draw?

Mostly innocent, playful tickle scenarios, like revenge, punishment or a prank. I don’t like “cruel tickler kidnapper” scenarios too much – I mean, sometimes they are good, but I prefer the cute ones ^^

5) What are the aspects of tickling that you intend to represent with your art? Example: the laughing, the wriggling, the relationship between tickler and ticklee?

I think the most important and the hardest thing to draw is the expression of a ticklee. My mentor (?) Johnsjons1 inspired me with the way he draws his ticklee’s foot reactions – even when the face is not visible, you can see how the ticklee reacts to certain touches, taps, pokes, whatever. But on the other hand, the ticklee can always just curl the toes and keep them still like this, so I think even more important is facial expression. Maybe that’s because I’m still a beginner, but showing how much the ticklee reacts is hard!

6) Online there are countless photos and videos of tickling sessions. In your opinion, what do illustrations offer more than images of real life?

The illustrations can be more creative in my opinion. You can use the tools you don’t have at home, tickle a fictional character, basically anything you can imagine ^^

7) In your opinion, what makes tickling so interesting for fans of this phenomenon?

That probably depends on the person. Some people like ticklees being more subtle, stifling their giggles and trying to keep still, some people like them screaming and wiggling like crazy. If I had to point out certain elements, that would be laughing, wiggling and verbal reactions, like asking for more or asking for a break.

8) What are your works of which you are most proud?

I’m proud of every single art I’ve made – even those that look quite bad today xD – as long as I know I put effort into them. I cannot be proud of the works I made in a hurry just to post anything and keep my account alive xD But if I had to point out the best of the best, it would be art trades with my friend JayeTK and some of my latest works.

9) Do you have any particular artistic goals for the future?

I always wanted to be a popular tickle artist – but not to earn money from it. If I ever open paid commissions, I would treat it more as some tip jar, not the most important part of my career. I just enjoy the fact I’m developing my skills, and that people love my art ^^

10) Do you think AIs will end up enriching or impoverishing the art of tickling representations?

I think AI tickle arts will never be better than hand made tickle arts. Not that I’m 100% against it, because if someone doesn’t have drawing skills, nor the money for a commision, then it might be the only way for them to create the stuff they want to see. The only problem is using someone’s art without their consent and to modify them with AI / make own arts based on it with AI. That’s the only thing I’m against.