As an artist, I have some key traits in my workflow that help me to realise my work successfully while also adding my own distinct voice as an illustrator. Here are just a few ♥
Form follows nature: Natural form is a central principle in my work. I seldom use imagery that could be described as industrial or ‘man-made’; there are so many attributes to natural occurrence that are strong enough to include in my work that there is little room for less appealing aesthetics.
Smooth, curved design and delicate detail are hallmarks of my artistic taste, and this is commonly evident in my work.
Distinctly feminine: I much prefer drawing female form (and typical ‘related’ imagery) as opposed to male figures- traditional anatomy means the standard male is drawn with strong, sharper shapes as opposed to females, whom are portrayed with soft curves and a wider range of body types.
There’s no catch here- women are simply more aesthetically interesting to me!
Grown organically: Development is something that happens continuously in my work, from the first concept to the final product. Often, some of the most successful or visually interesting aspects in my artwork are added in as needed (in other words, not planned from the outset).
By creating in this way, I am able to add extra embellishment and detail where time allows, which would otherwise be restricted from the start if I had planned in advance. My concepts grow ‘organically’ as I fully flesh out and realise the wider picture through a variety of added elements during the entire production- my artistic process is a living thing right up to completion.
Worldly influence: Drawing from life -and being inspired by life- are two of the most essential traits of a well versed artist.
Travel is a huge part of my life, and by visiting new places and experiencing new environments and cultures, I can create more interesting artwork that captures a wide range of audiences.
A calm disposition: As someone who struggles with an anxiety disorder, it’s a given that the overarching theme in my work focuses on calmness- this isn’t always the anchor point of the work, but as an artist I find it difficult to include design elements that have an adverse affect on maintaining this ideal- for example, clashing colours, angular form and jarring imagery.
In the same way that feng shui creates a calming effect in the home, I aim for my artwork to lessen tension and evoke tranquility through visual concept.
chalon joy collingwood 