Sandman's Apprentice by Wojak (w74)
The Influences and Process Behind the 100-Piece Series
I’m beyond thrilled to share this stunning new series by the artist known as Wojak—an exceptionally prolific digital creator with a truly unique and original voice.
In Sandman’s Apprentice, a series of 100 works, Wojak draws inspiration from artists such as J.M.W. Turner, Rembrandt, and Da Vinci, alongside Freud’s theories of the unconscious and Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman. The result is a collection of abstract pieces that feel both intangible and strangely familiar.
The series is built on a process he developed for himself called the '5-Layer Method', which begins with unconscious mark-making and evolves through layers of color, light, texture, and analog gestures. This process ensures consistency throughout the series while providing a solid foundation from which the artist intentionally explores the boundaries of speed and depth, all while embracing moments of discovery and serendipity.
This series invites viewers to experience a range of emotions—from awe to melancholy—through dream-like compositions that do what abstract art does best: transform real-world complexities into their essential, evocative forms.
Inspiration
At the heart of Sandman’s Apprentice lies a fascination with the subconscious and its dreamlike landscapes. Through the filter of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman and by Sigmund Freud’s The Interpretation of Dreams, Wojak blurs the boundaries between the tangible and the surreal.
At first glance, the collection as a whole evokes the influence of the masters of light and shadow, whether through the stormy horizons of J.M.W. Turner or the dramatic chiaroscuro of Rembrandt.
The textures in the collection clearly take influence from classic painting while remaining firmly rooted in modern techniques. Though Wojak’s process begins and ends in abstraction, it gives the impression of an old figurative painting dissolved into pure color and texture, leaving behind only a lingering sense of familiarity—much like a fleeting memory or a dream half-remembered.
To go a level deeper, each Apprentice is named after what the artist describes as a 'nature spirit,' or otherwise real and mythical figures from history that embody archetypal or transcendental qualities. You’ll find that the names often relate to the visual elements of the piece, whether it be in color, composition, or in the nature of its gestures.
All of these influences—classical to modern, tangible to surreal—come together to create an original collection that spans the emotional spectrum and is imbued with a sense of spiritual depth.
Process
Central to the creation of Sandman’s Apprentice is the '5-Layer Method'. While clearly defined, it allows plenty of room for creative discovery. This structured approach allowed him to quickly scale up to 100 pieces, each with a completely unique form, while maintaining cohesiveness throughout the collection.
“I wanted to see how fast and far I could push this process.” - Wojak
Layer 1: Form Establishment
"The process begins with unconscious mark-making, where I work with minimal thought. After an hour or so, subtle forms and compositions begin to emerge, creating the foundation for the piece."
Layer 2: Color
"Once the composition of the landscape is clear, I use gestures and marks to establish a flat landscape, adding color without focusing on light or natural details. This creates a base layer of pure tone and form."
Layer 3: Light Play
"At this stage, I use shaders to establish lighting on a dark digital canvas. The lighting gamma and tone are then overlaid onto the flat landscape, creating a dynamic interplay of shadow and illumination."
Layer 4: Texture
"Using shaders again, I add physical textures to the piece, layering them to create a tactile sense of depth and atmosphere."
Layer 5: Paint Drips and Analog Mark-Making
"Finally, I integrate analog gestures—paint drips, marks, and irregularities—into the digital canvas, adding the final human touch to the work."
Examples from the Collection
All works have a high resolution of 6000x8000 with 200 DPI (lowered here due to limitations), so I highly recommend going to each of the mint pages and zooming in.
An Artist to Watch
Only three years into his artistic journey, Wojak has already established himself as an emerging talent to watch. This is a person with an incredible work ethic, spending countless hours working on art, sometimes producing up to 20 pieces in a day. His output is a testament to his love for the craft, his curiosity, and an accelerated evolution.
I’m very excited to see where Wojak’s work leads him in the next year and beyond. For now, I’ll be constantly revisiting Sandman's Apprentice for inspiration and new discoveries in the details.
Please do yourself a favor and take a moment to explore the series. Zoom in on the textures, follow the movement of gestures, and let yourself connect with the works that speak to you.
If one of the pieces resonates with you, don’t hesitate to make an offer.
This is a series that rewards time and curiosity.
Dream on.
-LW❤️🔥