…Lastly, as an illustrator you stuck to a distinct style and created a product line with that style. While doing so did you ever face the dilemma that it would feel restrictive in terms of exploring different mediums and styles. I being a less experienced artist too aspire to have a product line based on my artwork and I do understand how it requires to be cohesive, having said that I am often conflicted with thoughts of wanting to explore more mediums and styles as I haven't fully extracted my potential. So, to sum it up if I were to develop a product around a particular style can I variate within that exploring more mediums, adding newer textures, brush effects etc. and mature the style as I grow? as I still don't work with a distinct style.
-S.S.
Dear S,
When I was in uni, I had a very different illustration style. In fact, I really didn’t have a style as how I drew changed every few months, depending on the new medium I found fun or discovered at the time. It was not until I started working on Chumbak, and I had more things to draw than time to experiment, that my style stayed put. Having said that, since then (i.e., way over a decade ago) to now, my style has changed or rather evolved tremendously.
A style I absolutely loved drawing in was with cut-out magazine pictures. Very collage-y. This was when I was in university!
One of my mentors when starting out, Bill Wood, could draw in a variety of styles. I realized this worked to his benefit because clients came to him for multiple types of projects, from kids' books to instructional booklets. So from then on, I realized style may not be the only reason why one gets clients. I ultimately got stuck on a style because I drew in a way I was most comfortable and also the one that was quickest for me to churn out drawings.
Because I’ve been in the field for many years, my style is an expectation from my work when a client approaches me. But this also means that potential clients may not approach me because of it (for example, a serious topic might not seem like something I would be able to render in my illustrations even if I actually can). So, if you feel like you’re not comfortable with a style, you need not have one. Experiment! You may stick to one ultimately, or you may not- both can work!
When it comes to products too, it’s kind of like going to a shop. Sometimes you go to a shop where you like the ‘style’ of products that are sold, but sometimes there is a shop that has cool things and not a particular ‘look’ running through all the merchandise. Again, both work, both are fun!
Hope this helps! And all the best on your drawing journey :)
Love, Alicia