what inspires...
There’s such a lot of great and very varied illustration out there and I am constantly in awe of others' work! My painting methods are self-taught - my art college experience didn't teach technique! - but I prefer to draw than paint as I just love pencil and its pure, raw connection between brain and paper… often finding that illustrators’ sketches are even more fresh-looking than finished colour work (that definitely includes my own).I grew up with the Moomins, Mrs Pepperpot, Where The Wild Things Are, Winnie The Pooh, Alice In Wonderland, Watership Down (and many more)... such classic books with both idiosyncratic texts and illustrations, which I'm sure stay with us for life. There are too many contemporary illustrators whose work I like to list but I still favour the painterly look as opposed to the more obviously digitally produced images.
The work of many fine artists can press those same buttons - particularly their sketches and studies: Schiele, Picasso, Klimt, Modigliani... there’s a lot to feel enthusiastic about which keeps inspiring.