For this first research task we were to look at what illustrators were out there and what types of work are they doing? I picked out several of my favourite current illustrators, a few older ones and some that are new to me. I follow a lot of illustrators on Instagram and am privileged to be part of a great group of illustrators on Patreon. I didn't just want to cover artists I am friends with but also look at in depth artists from books and other websites. The illustrators I chose are mostly independent artists as this is the career path I am currently on and want to pursue. I included some book illustrators as well because the look and feel of their illustrations speak to me as well in terms of the feelings they evoke in me as a viewer and the style that they work in has characteristics that I resonate with.
Katnipp Illustrations Ltd
As you can see from my sketchbook pages I have made many notes on why I chose Katnipp Illustrations/ Catherine Kay. Kay's work is a true inspiration to me in many ways from her colour choices, style and themes of illustrations to the purposes of her drawings too.
Leigh Ellexson
Similar to Catherine Kay, I chose Leigh Ellexson because she is another independent artist who I admire and her work mirrors themes that I love, including colour choices, mixed media and a variety of ways she uses her work interests me also.
Apple Cheeks - Voice
Beatrix Potter
References:
Tiffany Tan is another independent artist I follow online who recently did this interview with Mossery, discussing the struggles in her life and how her art has given her a voice to speak out about what is important to her. This resonated with me and I wanted to include it in my research because I feel that for me as an introvert, art is definitely how I communicate the most to the world and drawing or painting gives me the opportunity to express myself in ways I couldn't with words. I also think that art can be used to change the world, to influence it and make it a better place. This is a topic that is very important to me and I would like to delve into this further.
Joy LaForme
Joy LaForme is an artist I came across a while ago when I was looking for artists who specialise in Folk Art style. I really like her delicate illustrations, colours and textures. These are techniques I like to include in my own work.
Beatrix Potter, a well known, well loved author and illustrator has been a big influence on my work for many years.
Raymond Briggs
Raymond Briggs, another long time influence and inspiration. The softness and warmth in his illustrations and the depth of story communicated is something I truly aspire to.
Forum discussions:
On the OCA Student led Discord forums I discussed other types of illustrators that they found inspiring. Beatrice Blue and artists on the AOI website were mentioned. It's interesting to see how fellow students are inspired by different artists. It was good to talk about this and see our differences.
Connections:
This research task was both interesting and challenging to me in that I really dug into why certain illustrators inspired me, what exactly they were doing and how that related to my own work. At times I found myself getting confused as I was looking at all these illustrators and my own voice was getting muddled in my mind. I took breaks from the task to help with that and came back to it which worked well as I noticed different things which led me to realise what I found most inspiring and why.
Stepping back from this task now, a little while on from when I initially started this, I realise that a lot of these artists show up in my own work in small ways, I see a bit of a comic style appearing in some of my personal illustrations by the use of bold lines and simple details, its also got me thinking about doing illustrations for causes I am passionate about. Recently an artist friend was a victim of the South African rioting and her art studio and parents business was cleared out. My friends and I have started a fund raising page and I am looking to do an illustrated sticker to try to raise some more. Researching what I might draw has been interesting and is growing my skills.
As I am wrapping up this research exercise I have noticed a occurring theme that is interesting to me, which is how art can influence the world in a more positive way and how it gives a voice to those who either cannot speak for themselves or who find it very difficult. This is something I would like to explore further.
Kay, C., 2021. Instagram. [online] Instagram.com. Available at: <https://www.instagram.com/katnippstudios/> [Accessed 9 August 2021].
Ellexson, L., 2021. Instagram. [online] Instagram.com. Available at: <https://www.instagram.com/leighellexson/> [Accessed 9 August 2021].
Tan, T., 2021. Instagram. [online] Instagram.com. Available at: <https://www.instagram.com/apple.cheeks/> [Accessed 9 August 2021].
Laforme, J., 2021. Instagram. [online] Instagram.com. Available at: <https://www.instagram.com/joylaforme/> [Accessed 9 August 2021].
Laforme, J., n.d. Folk art fusion Learn to draw and paint charming American folk art with a colorful, modern twist.
Potter, B., Linder, E., Linder, L. and Moore, A., 1972. The art of Beatrix Potter. London: F. Warne.
Briggs, R., n.d. The Snowman.
Briggs, R., n.d. The bear.
Youtube.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsAxmLQ3K7g> [Accessed 9 August 2021].
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