Hi everyone
I can’t believe this is my last post of the year. Back in August, when I started « My two cents », I just wanted to give it a go until December. No pressure just one newsletter, then a second etc…Time flies! Previously in my newsletter, I decided to spend December thinking about what I want to achieve as an illustrator.
The first step was to restock some items like watercolours and Arches hot pressed paper. Recently, I discovered granulated watercolour and treated myself to two sets from Essee and Claire Chi Studio, both handmade and gorgeous, even if I’m a bit disappointed because Essee forgot to send me a part of my order… I also realised that working with a limited colour palette is the best for me as it gives boundaries to work within. Limited colours mean that I am deliberately limiting some decisions to focus on composition, contrast & the mood that I want to create.
I also had the chance to attend an online event with the great Lizzy Stewart on creating a Graphic Novel. The talk was great, full of helpful advice and exercises, if you don’t know Lizzy you need to check her substack
.Even if these things seem to have nothing in common, they forced me to confront my fears and listen to a small voice in me that I tried to keep silent: I’m a storyteller so it’s time to tell things with my drawings, with or without words.
I’m an artist, that’s my real job but I’m working as a librarian to fund my practice. That’s a switch in my mind and I can say that it’s quite liberating because I’m giving myself the right to use my voice. There’s no need to be envious of other people’s life because all we can do is play with the cards we have.
There are two paths I’ll explore in 2023: being an artist and what it’s like to be an authorial illustrator. This is something I’ve been dreaming of for years but fear got in the way, not it’s time to see what’s behind it.
So for the « authorial illustrator » path
I’ll create a series of illustrations linked to two kinds of projects that I’m attracted to: illustrating a book cover and illustrating some classics. Think Wuthering Heigh, Little red riding hood or a Christmas carol. It means that first, I read the book and then create the artwork so I don’t know yet how I can organise that but I’ll do my best.
I will also illustrate a graphic novel with my husband: he writes and I illustrate. Once again, I’ll have to organise the timeframe and dive into some notes taken during the talk with Lizzy Stewart but I’ll do it anyway.
The second path is creating a body of work as an artist.
I want to explore themes like emotions, loneliness, time, and childhood memories because these things are the chore of my work but I never managed to develop that side. It’s not very clear yet but I hope to talk about it later in my next newsletter.
I need to learn the fundamentals of drawing like how to use colours, contrast, composition and people. I renew my subscription to the life drawing classes from Draw Brighton and subscribed to many YouTube channels about art. Let’s be honest, if I could skip all this, I would! Impatient is my weakness but it’s a step that I can’t get away from.
That’s all from me for this year, I wish you a peaceful holiday season. Thank you so much for being here. Take care of yourself, and we'll talk again next year.
Love,
Stevelyne ( oh yes I decided to use my first name instead of BC for Boujou Chantal ! Chantal is the name of my cat and Boujou means Hello with an accent from Normandy)
It's interesting to hear the perspective of an illustrator! I don't know many.
P.S Do you have a twitter? We should follow each other. Mine is @C02misr
Stevelyne, I love what you said about working with a limited color palette, how it gives you some boundaries to work within, and how it limits the range of certain creative options while enabling you to focus on others. It resonated so strongly with me.
I’m a writer who focuses on creative nonfiction--memoir, short essays, and such. For about 4-5 years though, I’ve also maintained a daily haiku practice. The structural limits of writing 5-7-5 haiku help me select words and images in a careful, deliberate way. There’s no room for excess, no space to squander. No need for frills and flourishes. Haiku is a place where my mind is alive and present and deeply attentive.
All this to say it’s interesting that you use boundaries in your creative work too. On some level, conscious or subconscious, it’s among the reasons I find your illustrations so appealing!
~ Susan