What better place to start than at the beginning... would you like to introduce yourself to Matin Lapin readers?
Hello my name is Lucy Farfort and I’m a freelance illustrator based in Newcastle Upon Tyne. I create everything from logos and web graphics to greetings cards and prints which I sell from shops and online.
How long have you been drawing and crafting, and how did you first get into it?
I think I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil, but I started selling my work and working freelance for about the last 5 years. Crafting is something that I got into more recently and it's something I really mainly do for fun these days & concentrate on the illustration.
I was about 14 when I decided I wanted to get into illustration following an introduction by my cousin to anime and in particular Akira. I was hooked and knew that I wanted to get into this. Unfortunately I’ve not quite made it as a manga artist but being a freelance illustrator is good enough for me.
That's super neat, I'd love to see some of your manga-style work, if you still do any of it! Did you decide at that age that you wanted to get formal training or did you teach yourself?
I went to Uni and got a degree in illustration and animation. Although to be fair I didn’t really learn that much. Since coming out of Uni I pretty much started again. I taught myself how to use Photoshop and Illustrator and began from there.
I'm so glad there is someone else out there who is of the same opinion - I don't feel my degree taught me all that much, though I'm still glad I did it, despite my work being completely different to the stuff I did then. How has your work changed since you started, if at all?
It's changed a lot I would say. When I was at Uni and before, I was a complete traditionalist and refused to use a computer in anyway to aid my work. I painted and was a big mono print fan. However since learning Photoshop I use this a lot in my work and it's become more mixed media. However, I still start each piece of work as a pencil drawing and this won’t ever change as I love drawing.
Me too! Give me a sunny day, some paper and pencils and I'll be a happy girl!
Your work is full of animals - is that your main inspiration?
My biggest constant inspiration is nature and everyday stuff. I normally take inspiration from things rather than other people’s work as I think this can be dangerous. The last thing I want to do is emulate a popular style or produce a piece of work around a particular theme because its in vogue. However I do love looking at new work.
It's hard to choose a favourite, but I just love your fox illustration - what is your favourite project and why?
Not always, but most of the time its the latest piece of work I’ve created that is my favourite so given that my favourite changes. At the moment my fave is ’In Flight’ (the owl piece). This is the newest piece I’ve created for sale as a print.
I'm very pleased with the way the details in the feathers worked out and the colours. It was an idea I had in my head for ages so I was relieved when it was complete and I was finally satisfied with the outcome - it was hard work to do.
It must have taken ages - but it was worth it, it's gorgeous! When you're not painting or drawing, what else do you like to do?
I love making clothing and other textile items and if I had time I would certainly do more of this. I also enjoy reading, climbing, kayaking and walking amongst the trees through woodland.
That sounds like a splendid way to spend your time! Finally, would you like to share an interesting fact about yourself?
I once rode from Newcastle Upon Tyne to Glastonbury (for the festival) on the back of a motorbike for 12 hours. By the end I had a numb bum!
Thank you so much for answering my questions, Lucy!
If you would like to see or read about more of Lucy's work, check her out here:
2 hellos:
Ooh! Ooh! I like this!
I'm very glad! Plus Lucy is awesome, so she'll be glad too :)
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