Key Principles of Illustration

Through the ‘visual practice’ of observation, collecting, studying and exploring, illustration can contribute to a deeper understanding of the subject.

Research is sometimes more important than the final piece you create. "Notebook after notebook after notebook because I feel sick when I forget a potentially good idea." Illustrator Paul Davis elaborates on the fact that every little detail that reminds you of an undergoing project should be kept record of in a notebook. I agree it is essential to keep note of any imagery, written notes, photographs, sketches, doodles, I wish I could do it more myself... you can never have enough pictorial information to help you create new ideas. Research is the key... any successful project needs a basis to work from, it can act as a tool and a stimulant to produce a finalisation of what you have been working on. You can create a bank of knowledge by just recording your thoughts. I always forget potentially good ideas and it bugs me to death. If you collate information you create communication! You retain information by looking at mediums so why not record that information in to your own visual language and look back at it? You must know your practice. "I do get stuck but only because I have so many ideas"... one day.

The notion of 'inspiration' derives from constant inquiry, based on research, observation, recording and experimentation.

Collecting things stimulates the brain. It helps you think of something fresher. At the moment my wall is my base.. It is full of all kinds of imagery and little 'notes-to-self' about projects. My most recent area of interest being about the 'abnormal' and the 'distorted' An artist which has inspired me greatly in this project Audrey Niffenegger. Her perfectly distorted images just make me feel a mixture of disgust, intrigue and fear.

This image "Self portrait as Siamese twins" has immensely inspired me. The way the two women are integrated as one is the first blatant thing I noticed, my eye then straight away hit the posture of the 'two-in-one' figure both bent backwards with their hands on each hip and two legs facing straight on. The thing that fascinates me about this painting is the normality on the women's faces.. Don't get me wrong I have no problem at all with the rare occurrence of conjoined twins however I can not get my head around how this happens completely naturally within the womb and cannot be stopped, yet when the "baby/babies" are born, we look on and feel a slight feeling of disgust and awe at how unnatural it looks. How is something so biologically natural become so unnatural to the human eye?

Inspiration can start anywhere and end up as the most polar opposite finalisation of your first idea.