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With so much digitalism around us, we always find it truly enchanting and inspiring to look at “handcrafted art”. Claudine O´Sullivan from Ireland, but London based, does wonderful illustrations – mainly fascinating portraits of all kind. And it couldn´t get any better- she also did a beautiful one especially for C-Heads! ♥
Describe yourself
I’m a 23 year old student from Dublin, living and studying in London. I drink lots of tea and I’m very clumsy!
When did you decide to become an illustrator?
I’ve always loved to draw and paint, after school I tried out a more academic degree in Journalism in Dublin. I then decided it wasn’t for me so I moved to London to study at London College of Fashion. Through experimentation and study I realised my strentgh and passion was to draw. I am now on an Illustration BA Degree Course in London.
Tell us a lil bit about ur portrait work
Illustration is all about narrative. I find faces fascinating, from the physicality of aging to the subtlety of expression. I find it challenging and exciting to try and capture an honest sense of whoever I’m drawing, through both subtle expression and often abstraction.
How long do you usually work on an illustration?
It depends! I try to draw every day when I can, a sketch can take less than 10 minutes and a detailed pencil illustration usually takes about 2 hours. For more conceptual pieces I can spend weeks perfecting and redoing things until I’m happy!
What techniques do you use?
All my sketches start off as pencil drawings, I then use a mix of watercolour, inks and coloured pencil. For larger pieces I usually work with acrylic paint on canvas.
Your inspirations?
My favourite artist in school was always Francis Bacon, I love his painting work and always like that he taught himself. I take great inspiration from portrait artists like Marco Wagner, Annabel Briens and Montse Bernal. I love David Shrigley’s work as it’s a total contrast to what I do, I find it really uplifting and amusing.
The best place in London?
I love Borough Market and Brick Lane Markets at the weekend. Primrose Hill is lovely in the summer and for the best view of the city!
5 things you can´t live without
People, Sleep, Cups of Tea, Comfy Shoes and Chocolate!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I hope to be a full time illustrator, somewhere! I’d love to make enough money to live on doing what I love.´
Interview by Christine and Sigrun Guggenberger
