illustrations Archives - MyTrendTales MyTrendTales Mon, 04 Nov 2024 08:39:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 Stephan Schmitz’s Illustrations Will Make You Think Long and Hard About Modern Life https://mytrendtales.com/stephan-schmitzs-illustrations-will-make-you-think-long-and-hard-about-modern-life/ Tue, 05 Nov 2024 10:43:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=9052 Stephan Schmitz is a Zurich, Switzerland-based artist who creates illustrations that usually have a profound effect on anyone who sees them. They are not only exceptionally done but also contain messages and symbolism that will make you think long and hard about modern life. Schmitz’s artworks show everyday situations on a seemingly exaggerated scale that […]

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Stephan Schmitz is a Zurich, Switzerland-based artist who creates illustrations that usually have a profound effect on anyone who sees them. They are not only exceptionally done but also contain messages and symbolism that will make you think long and hard about modern life.

Schmitz’s artworks show everyday situations on a seemingly exaggerated scale that looks less outrageous the more you look at it.

For example, one of his illustrations shows a family sitting at a dinner table. But while the rest of the family is eating their meal, the father is shown converting half of it into a working desk and being fully focused on his job. This perfectly captures the modern work culture that sees people taking their work home and letting it consume them.

According to Schmitz, he aims to “surprise” the viewer with his works while making them think about a certain subject and encouraging them to figure out the message behind it.

“I think it is very satisfying for the person looking at the image to decipher the image and understand what the artist meant by it. Basically like understanding a joke or seeing a magic trick,” Schmitz shared in a recent chat with Bored Panda.

Scroll down to check out more of Schmitz’s thought-provoking works below.

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Marco Melgrati’s Illustrations are a Powerful Commentary on Today’s Society https://mytrendtales.com/marco-melgratis-illustrations-are-a-powerful-commentary-on-todays-society/ Wed, 15 Nov 2023 08:15:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8478 Humans are constantly progressing, exploring uncharted territories, and embracing technology. But by doing so, we are relinquishing control over our lives to all the things that are supposed to make it easier. This and other challenges that today’s society is dealing with are at the focal point of Italian artist Marco Melgrati’s work. Melgrati creates […]

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Humans are constantly progressing, exploring uncharted territories, and embracing technology. But by doing so, we are relinquishing control over our lives to all the things that are supposed to make it easier. This and other challenges that today’s society is dealing with are at the focal point of Italian artist Marco Melgrati’s work.

Melgrati creates captivating illustrations that serve as a powerful commentary on today’s society. They range from criticism to satire and skepticism but always make the viewer wonder about the world we live in. 

In some of his recent works, Melgrati focused on the influence of artificial intelligence and its growing role in our lives. These illustrations imagine a dark reality in which humans will rely on technology for creativity while they do physical work.

According to Melgrati, his works are influenced by everything he sees in the world that surrounds him, and this allows him to never have a lack of inspiration.

“When I’m drawing for myself, I just do what comes to mind,” said Melgrati in a recent interview. “Recently I’m moving quite often, changing place helps me to find inspiration and have different visions of reality.”

Continue scrolling to check out more of these unique and thought-provoking artworks.

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The Rich, Colorful Illustrations of Hélène Baum https://mytrendtales.com/the-rich-colorful-illustrations-of-helene-baum/ Wed, 30 Aug 2023 08:30:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8033 Hélène Baum’s illustrations promote happiness by their sheer vitality and vibrancy. Based in Berlin, she’s part French, part German, and has also spent some time in London as a child, making her the poster child of multi-culturalism. Her diverse background also plays a role in her illustrations. “I think it’s helped me to keep an […]

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Hélène Baum’s illustrations promote happiness by their sheer vitality and vibrancy. Based in Berlin, she’s part French, part German, and has also spent some time in London as a child, making her the poster child of multi-culturalism.

Her diverse background also plays a role in her illustrations. “I think it’s helped me to keep an open mind, to try and look at things from multiple point of views and to get interested by a lot of diverse subjects, as opposed to staying fixed on one topic,” said Baum in an interview with The Klean. “It’s also what has led me to dive into this whole mythology/legends theme,” she notes.

According to Baum, she’s been drawing ever since she could hold a pen. “It’s always been my favorite activity and it was clear very early that I would end up doing something artistic,” she notes. And yet, it took her some time to commit herself to illustration. Having studied graphic design in Lyon, she worked many years as a graphic designer, practicing painting and playing around with Illustrator in the evenings after work.

It was only by the end of 2016, that she finally took the plunge, quit her full-time job, and hoped for the best. In hindsight, she needn’t worry too much. With a growing fanbase online, her artworks have been used in various contexts, from editorial pieces and children’s books to advertising, with clients such as The New York Times, Vox, Penguin Random House, and Women Who Do Stuff.

“My work is based on my perspective and experience,” says Baum, “I’m not sure you can really dissociate them. Although I don’t translate my experiences in images in a literal way.”

Color is key to understanding her imagery. “Color is the most important element of my work and in general,” she stresses. “It has a huge impact on me mentally and physically. Vibrant colors make me happy and it’s quite an obsession really.” Scrolling through her Instagram page will make you happy just as well.

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Greek Artist Creates Intricate Drawings on Wood Slices https://mytrendtales.com/greek-artist-creates-intricate-drawings-on-wood-slices/ Mon, 05 Sep 2022 08:01:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8210 Talented artists don’t need an extensive color palette or impeccable canvas to create great works of art. One great example is Greek artist Melpomeni Chatzipanagiotou, who uses just pen and ink to create intricate drawings on wood slices. Despite working with limited material, Chatzipanagiotou manages to pack her wood illustrations with amazing details and captivating […]

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Talented artists don’t need an extensive color palette or impeccable canvas to create great works of art. One great example is Greek artist Melpomeni Chatzipanagiotou, who uses just pen and ink to create intricate drawings on wood slices.

Despite working with limited material, Chatzipanagiotou manages to pack her wood illustrations with amazing details and captivating scenes. These pieces often explore diverse themes, which is a result of the artist’s “broad interests,” as she explains on her official website.

Chatzipanagiotou’s creative process mainly focuses on “natural habitat and its living inhabitants“ that she pairs with some surreal elements in order to give her works an otherworldly touch.” She also looks to “pay homage to Mother Nature” while exploring themes on how all life is connected. This leads to drawings of flower-covered deer under a star-filled sky, dreamlike landscapes, and tranquil scenes of cabins in the woods. 

Aside from her wood slice illustrations, the artist also works on several other projects. This includes paper illustrations and drawings in a similar style. She is also working on a coloring book that will become available in 2023.

Chatzipanagiotou often shares her newest wood slice artworks on her official Instagram page, while some can also be purchased through her Etsy store. You can check out more of them below.

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The Narrative-Driven Illustrations of Luke Brookes https://mytrendtales.com/the-narrative-driven-illustrations-of-luke-brookes/ Mon, 25 Jul 2022 08:42:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8025 A good illustrator can capture a whole story within a single frame, bringing the story to life and inviting the viewer to explore its different layers. UK-based illustrator Luke Brookes understands the art of narrative intuitively. With a love of story-telling, his illustrations are both dynamic and incredibly detailed, presenting a cinematic-like universe with graphic […]

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A good illustrator can capture a whole story within a single frame, bringing the story to life and inviting the viewer to explore its different layers. UK-based illustrator Luke Brookes understands the art of narrative intuitively. With a love of story-telling, his illustrations are both dynamic and incredibly detailed, presenting a cinematic-like universe with graphic compositions that boast an atmospheric and energetic aesthetic.

Adopting a narrative-driven style, his work has won him awards, as well as collaborations with top brands and news outlets like BBC, Virgin, Mercedes, and Politico. Specializing in editorial work, Brookes has also created illustrations for books, advertising, and packaging.

“My work combines a strong graphic, narrative-driven style with dramatic lighting and a restricted color palette giving rise to vivid, graphic compositions that boast a futuristic aesthetic,” Brookes further described his practice in a piece published on Ape on the Moon. Another key feature in his work is his skillful use of lighting. Using shadows in his illustrations adds weight and is a key component of his visual narrative.

“My process has changed a bit over the years but I usually start with quickly sketched thumbnail drawings to solidify an idea and composition,” explains Brookes. “I try not to be to fussy with how polished the image is at this stage, it’s more like I’m thinking out loud on the paper.”

Color and texture are then applied digitally, using a Wacom tablet and Photoshop. “I always work with a limited palette, usually around 4–5 colors. I love how this makes me really consider where each color is going to be put down.”

But in the end, it all boils down to the narrative itself: “The narrative is so important to me,” stressed Brookes. “I’m really inspired by movies, great cinematography inspires so much of my work and I always approach a composition as if I were directing a movie,” he noted.

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Belgian Artist Draws Images Every Girl Can Relate To https://mytrendtales.com/belgian-artist-draws-images-every-girl-can-relate-to/ Mon, 06 Jun 2022 06:35:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=5941 Prudence is a girl who describes herself as an “awkward illustrator who loves making relatable comics and cartoon,” and “author of bad at adulating, good at feminism.” Years ago, she created an Instagram account called Planet Prudence where she shared her work as a way of journaling and keeping a diary, but in the form […]

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Prudence is a girl who describes herself as an “awkward illustrator who loves making relatable comics and cartoon,” and “author of bad at adulating, good at feminism.” Years ago, she created an Instagram account called Planet Prudence where she shared her work as a way of journaling and keeping a diary, but in the form of drawings.

“There were many people who found value and worth in my works because I spoke for those who were unable to speak up for themselves,” the artist shared on Bored Panda. “I created a community for people to show them that they are not alone.”

In these pandemic-ridden times, we could all use a bit of a pick-me-up, and Prudence’s drawings are just what the doctor ordered—primarily because they’re so darn relatable!

The Belgium-based Prudence says that she still finds inspiration in her own battle with mental health, her own thoughts and sometimes sorrows, and just everyday life. Her work has been followed by people from all around the world, and on her Instagram account, she attracted more than 768,000 admirers.

If you love her illustrations then follow her on Instagram for more!

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Mark Magnaye is a Young Illustrator on a Mission https://mytrendtales.com/mark-magnaye-is-a-young-illustrator-on-a-mission/ Mon, 16 May 2022 06:37:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8030 Don’t mistake simplicity for lack of ingenuity. In the case of visual art, achieving simplicity isn’t simple at all. Illustrator Mark Magnaye knows best. Describing himself as a “young illustrator on a mission”, his motto is: “keeping it simple”. His approach both informs his visual style and creative process, with the basis of his work: […]

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Don’t mistake simplicity for lack of ingenuity. In the case of visual art, achieving simplicity isn’t simple at all. Illustrator Mark Magnaye knows best. Describing himself as a “young illustrator on a mission”, his motto is: “keeping it simple”. His approach both informs his visual style and creative process, with the basis of his work: solid shapes and restricted color palettes.

Known also as BLOK or Blok Magnaye, Magnaye’s visual style is, indeed very much geometric, using blocks of color and shapes to construct his illustrated characters. “I try to use basic shapes in my compositions, and try to simplify complex shapes,” he remarked once in an interview with Sense of Creativity. “One AD I used to work with commented that the placing of elements in my work almost seem calculated. That is true indeed!”

Indeed, when it comes to his work, composition is key. Every slant, every curve, and every straight line is calculated in order to ensure the end piece is well balanced created to perfection.

Based in Bulacan, Philippines, Magnaye’s visual style is inspired by vintage children’s books, Charley Harper’s art, and vintage Eastern European poster art (especially Polish). “I think creativity is both nature and nurture,” says Magnaye. “Humanity is where it is right now because we create. Everyone has a spark of creativity within, some more than others. And like in anything, what we nurture thrives.”

His work includes both editorial work and personal projects that are in dialogue with his more personal experiences, day-to-day events, and pop culture. Selected clients include brands like Facebook and Apple and publications such as The Atlantic, The Guardian, and The Telegraph. Proving, once again, that aiming for simplicity is to be appreciated.

“Being an artist, illustrator goes beyond work,” says Blok. “It’s a lifestyle. I’ve been drawing since I was a kid and I can’t imagine a life where I’m not drawing or creating—what a depressing thought! Art of any form makes the world a whole lot better.” We stand by his words!

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Jena Holliday’s Illustrations Inspire Other Women to Keep Growing https://mytrendtales.com/jena-hollidays-illustrations-inspire-other-women-to-keep-growing/ Tue, 09 Nov 2021 06:16:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8040 Jena Holliday’s illustrations are very much a reflection—no, a continuation—of her identity as a woman and a mother. Describing herself as an illustrator, author, and a “creative mama from Minnesota”, her work is centered around women, serving as an empowering tool for her thousands of followers (to date, her Instagram page sports an impressive 35k […]

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Jena Holliday’s illustrations are very much a reflection—no, a continuation—of her identity as a woman and a mother. Describing herself as an illustrator, author, and a “creative mama from Minnesota”, her work is centered around women, serving as an empowering tool for her thousands of followers (to date, her Instagram page sports an impressive 35k fanbase).

“My work is inspired by growing up surrounded by women (4 sisters!) and finding that the beauty of our differences always made us stronger,” she writes on her personal website. Other sources of inspiration include diversity, honest motherhood, and her walk of faith (in fact, tying in with her faith, her studio/brand is named Spoonful of Faith).

According to Holliday, her creative spirit blossomed at an early age, but having grown up she put her love of art aside, launching first a career in marketing. “I have always been creative,” she shared in an interview with Creative Lady Collective. “From a young age, I would sketch comic strips and draw people I did life with. I never took it too seriously until after I finished college with a degree in marketing.”

But returning to her original passion was only a matter of time. For Holliday, it was motherhood that reignited her interest in art and illustration. “I decided that I wasn’t really doing what I loved to do, and then after the birth of my first child, I got an insane passion to go for what I always dreamed of,” she recalls.

Like in most cases, the internet happened. Sharing her work online drew other people in, and Holliday was commissioned to do the things she loved doing best. But the actual leap of faith into freelance work happened a while later—when she was pregnant with her second child.

“From there I’ve seen the need in the market for women, especially mothers, to be encouraged in being creative,” she notes. “I’ve also seen artists struggle with marketing and ‘selling’ their work and through my past experience and passion for art—I started teaching tips and tricks to women through Mother Creative, an online community I launched”.

These days, her clients include giants like Dove, HarperCollins, and Logitech. But her biggest audience has always remained the same: other women.

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Christoph Niemann’s Art is Simply Witty https://mytrendtales.com/christoph-niemanns-art-is-simply-witty/ Mon, 11 Jan 2021 06:46:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=6888 When it comes to illustration, Christoph Niemann is right at the very top. A seasoned illustrator, artist, and author, his work appears regularly on the covers of  The New Yorker,  National Geographic, and The New York Times Magazine, with corporate clients including giants like Google and The Museum of Modern Art. And with one million followers on Instagram, illustrators should […]

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When it comes to illustration, Christoph Niemann is right at the very top. A seasoned illustrator, artist, and author, his work appears regularly on the covers of  The New Yorker,  National Geographic, and The New York Times Magazine, with corporate clients including giants like Google and The Museum of Modern Art.

And with one million followers on Instagram, illustrators should take note of Niemann’s words of advice. One solid piece of advice is to explore different techniques and styles. “When I first came to New York it was my great luck that my portfolio did not showcase one specific visual style or technique,” he recalled in an interview with The Creative Independent. “I had everything in there, from vector graphics to pixel drawings.”

According to Niemann, his strong point is the ideas he comes up with, rather than a specific drawing style. “More than a specific visual style, my trademark has always been to autonomously, swiftly, and conceivably map out and execute an idea,” he stressed. “Nobody ever approached me asking for a drawing of, say, a dinosaur with a fridge as a head done ‘in my style.'”

His ideas have a certain wit to them, often incorporating physical objects into his illustrations (a man with a kettle instead of a head, a woman’s face constructed of fruit). His original approach to art making also makes him stand out as an author. Niemann’s books include the monograph  Sunday Sketching, WORDS, and Souvenir. His most recent book is Hopes and Dreams and it’s about a trip to meet an artistic hero in Los Angeles.

“Drawing a story is not unlike editing a text,” observes Niemann. “Do I add this adjective or leave it out? The central questions always need to be, how do I get the reader from A to B? If I drown them in descriptions, I lose the story. If I’m too economic, there’s no emotional connection. Everything I add or lose is based on the question of what happens communicatively. And this skill can be practiced like a musical instrument.”

The end result is relatively simple, cutting straight to the chase. But looks can be deceiving. According to Niemann, some drawings take 20 drafts to look like they came together in five seconds.

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Toma Vagner’s Inspired by Japanese Bubble Gum Wraps and IKEA Manuals https://mytrendtales.com/toma-vagners-inspired-by-japanese-bubble-gum-wraps-and-ikea-manuals/ Wed, 06 Jan 2021 09:12:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=6878 Award-winning artist and illustrator, Toma Vagner, admits that illustrating comes rather naturally to her. Born on a small island in Russia called Sakhalin, she moved to New York in 2013 to study art and has been living there ever since. “In terms of art forms, drawing is what I do and enjoy the most, and […]

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Award-winning artist and illustrator, Toma Vagner, admits that illustrating comes rather naturally to her. Born on a small island in Russia called Sakhalin, she moved to New York in 2013 to study art and has been living there ever since. “In terms of art forms, drawing is what I do and enjoy the most, and practiced for the longest time,” she shared in an interview with Prodibi Pixel Magazine.

And with clients like The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Bandcamp, as well as musicians and bands like Harry Styles, Birds in the Boneyard, and Santino—she’s kind of a big deal. “I’m just curious to see where my path will take me,” shared Vagner. “I’m often surprised when I open my email box – names and clients that I’d never expect to see there are interested in what I do, and I couldn’t ask for more.”

Vagner’s unique style is very much the result of her upbringing. According to Vagner, as the island of Sakhalin was close to Japan and Korea, she was influenced by both countries – an influence easily spotted throughout her illustrations. “I used to say that I’m inspired by Japanese bubble gum wraps and IKEA manuals – that’s true, but these are just a few of a myriad of visuals that I’m fascinated by,” she notes.

According to Vagner, inspiration is important, but putting down the hard work is more crucial. “Inspiration can be a nice push to bring yourself to start working, but you never know if you’ll be inspired today or not,” she reflects. “So I prefer to rely on my work ethic instead.”

Follow her Instagram page for more.

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ersion="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> illustrations Archives - MyTrendTales MyTrendTales Mon, 04 Nov 2024 08:39:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 Stephan Schmitz’s Illustrations Will Make You Think Long and Hard About Modern Life https://mytrendtales.com/stephan-schmitzs-illustrations-will-make-you-think-long-and-hard-about-modern-life/ Tue, 05 Nov 2024 10:43:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=9052 Stephan Schmitz is a Zurich, Switzerland-based artist who creates illustrations that usually have a profound effect on anyone who sees them. They are not only exceptionally done but also contain messages and symbolism that will make you think long and hard about modern life. Schmitz’s artworks show everyday situations on a seemingly exaggerated scale that […]

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Stephan Schmitz is a Zurich, Switzerland-based artist who creates illustrations that usually have a profound effect on anyone who sees them. They are not only exceptionally done but also contain messages and symbolism that will make you think long and hard about modern life.

Schmitz’s artworks show everyday situations on a seemingly exaggerated scale that looks less outrageous the more you look at it.

For example, one of his illustrations shows a family sitting at a dinner table. But while the rest of the family is eating their meal, the father is shown converting half of it into a working desk and being fully focused on his job. This perfectly captures the modern work culture that sees people taking their work home and letting it consume them.

According to Schmitz, he aims to “surprise” the viewer with his works while making them think about a certain subject and encouraging them to figure out the message behind it.

“I think it is very satisfying for the person looking at the image to decipher the image and understand what the artist meant by it. Basically like understanding a joke or seeing a magic trick,” Schmitz shared in a recent chat with Bored Panda.

Scroll down to check out more of Schmitz’s thought-provoking works below.

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Marco Melgrati’s Illustrations are a Powerful Commentary on Today’s Society https://mytrendtales.com/marco-melgratis-illustrations-are-a-powerful-commentary-on-todays-society/ Wed, 15 Nov 2023 08:15:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8478 Humans are constantly progressing, exploring uncharted territories, and embracing technology. But by doing so, we are relinquishing control over our lives to all the things that are supposed to make it easier. This and other challenges that today’s society is dealing with are at the focal point of Italian artist Marco Melgrati’s work. Melgrati creates […]

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Humans are constantly progressing, exploring uncharted territories, and embracing technology. But by doing so, we are relinquishing control over our lives to all the things that are supposed to make it easier. This and other challenges that today’s society is dealing with are at the focal point of Italian artist Marco Melgrati’s work.

Melgrati creates captivating illustrations that serve as a powerful commentary on today’s society. They range from criticism to satire and skepticism but always make the viewer wonder about the world we live in. 

In some of his recent works, Melgrati focused on the influence of artificial intelligence and its growing role in our lives. These illustrations imagine a dark reality in which humans will rely on technology for creativity while they do physical work.

According to Melgrati, his works are influenced by everything he sees in the world that surrounds him, and this allows him to never have a lack of inspiration.

“When I’m drawing for myself, I just do what comes to mind,” said Melgrati in a recent interview. “Recently I’m moving quite often, changing place helps me to find inspiration and have different visions of reality.”

Continue scrolling to check out more of these unique and thought-provoking artworks.

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The Rich, Colorful Illustrations of Hélène Baum https://mytrendtales.com/the-rich-colorful-illustrations-of-helene-baum/ Wed, 30 Aug 2023 08:30:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8033 Hélène Baum’s illustrations promote happiness by their sheer vitality and vibrancy. Based in Berlin, she’s part French, part German, and has also spent some time in London as a child, making her the poster child of multi-culturalism. Her diverse background also plays a role in her illustrations. “I think it’s helped me to keep an […]

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Hélène Baum’s illustrations promote happiness by their sheer vitality and vibrancy. Based in Berlin, she’s part French, part German, and has also spent some time in London as a child, making her the poster child of multi-culturalism.

Her diverse background also plays a role in her illustrations. “I think it’s helped me to keep an open mind, to try and look at things from multiple point of views and to get interested by a lot of diverse subjects, as opposed to staying fixed on one topic,” said Baum in an interview with The Klean. “It’s also what has led me to dive into this whole mythology/legends theme,” she notes.

According to Baum, she’s been drawing ever since she could hold a pen. “It’s always been my favorite activity and it was clear very early that I would end up doing something artistic,” she notes. And yet, it took her some time to commit herself to illustration. Having studied graphic design in Lyon, she worked many years as a graphic designer, practicing painting and playing around with Illustrator in the evenings after work.

It was only by the end of 2016, that she finally took the plunge, quit her full-time job, and hoped for the best. In hindsight, she needn’t worry too much. With a growing fanbase online, her artworks have been used in various contexts, from editorial pieces and children’s books to advertising, with clients such as The New York Times, Vox, Penguin Random House, and Women Who Do Stuff.

“My work is based on my perspective and experience,” says Baum, “I’m not sure you can really dissociate them. Although I don’t translate my experiences in images in a literal way.”

Color is key to understanding her imagery. “Color is the most important element of my work and in general,” she stresses. “It has a huge impact on me mentally and physically. Vibrant colors make me happy and it’s quite an obsession really.” Scrolling through her Instagram page will make you happy just as well.

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Greek Artist Creates Intricate Drawings on Wood Slices https://mytrendtales.com/greek-artist-creates-intricate-drawings-on-wood-slices/ Mon, 05 Sep 2022 08:01:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8210 Talented artists don’t need an extensive color palette or impeccable canvas to create great works of art. One great example is Greek artist Melpomeni Chatzipanagiotou, who uses just pen and ink to create intricate drawings on wood slices. Despite working with limited material, Chatzipanagiotou manages to pack her wood illustrations with amazing details and captivating […]

The post Greek Artist Creates Intricate Drawings on Wood Slices appeared first on MyTrendTales.

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Talented artists don’t need an extensive color palette or impeccable canvas to create great works of art. One great example is Greek artist Melpomeni Chatzipanagiotou, who uses just pen and ink to create intricate drawings on wood slices.

Despite working with limited material, Chatzipanagiotou manages to pack her wood illustrations with amazing details and captivating scenes. These pieces often explore diverse themes, which is a result of the artist’s “broad interests,” as she explains on her official website.

Chatzipanagiotou’s creative process mainly focuses on “natural habitat and its living inhabitants“ that she pairs with some surreal elements in order to give her works an otherworldly touch.” She also looks to “pay homage to Mother Nature” while exploring themes on how all life is connected. This leads to drawings of flower-covered deer under a star-filled sky, dreamlike landscapes, and tranquil scenes of cabins in the woods. 

Aside from her wood slice illustrations, the artist also works on several other projects. This includes paper illustrations and drawings in a similar style. She is also working on a coloring book that will become available in 2023.

Chatzipanagiotou often shares her newest wood slice artworks on her official Instagram page, while some can also be purchased through her Etsy store. You can check out more of them below.

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The Narrative-Driven Illustrations of Luke Brookes https://mytrendtales.com/the-narrative-driven-illustrations-of-luke-brookes/ Mon, 25 Jul 2022 08:42:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8025 A good illustrator can capture a whole story within a single frame, bringing the story to life and inviting the viewer to explore its different layers. UK-based illustrator Luke Brookes understands the art of narrative intuitively. With a love of story-telling, his illustrations are both dynamic and incredibly detailed, presenting a cinematic-like universe with graphic […]

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A good illustrator can capture a whole story within a single frame, bringing the story to life and inviting the viewer to explore its different layers. UK-based illustrator Luke Brookes understands the art of narrative intuitively. With a love of story-telling, his illustrations are both dynamic and incredibly detailed, presenting a cinematic-like universe with graphic compositions that boast an atmospheric and energetic aesthetic.

Adopting a narrative-driven style, his work has won him awards, as well as collaborations with top brands and news outlets like BBC, Virgin, Mercedes, and Politico. Specializing in editorial work, Brookes has also created illustrations for books, advertising, and packaging.

“My work combines a strong graphic, narrative-driven style with dramatic lighting and a restricted color palette giving rise to vivid, graphic compositions that boast a futuristic aesthetic,” Brookes further described his practice in a piece published on Ape on the Moon. Another key feature in his work is his skillful use of lighting. Using shadows in his illustrations adds weight and is a key component of his visual narrative.

“My process has changed a bit over the years but I usually start with quickly sketched thumbnail drawings to solidify an idea and composition,” explains Brookes. “I try not to be to fussy with how polished the image is at this stage, it’s more like I’m thinking out loud on the paper.”

Color and texture are then applied digitally, using a Wacom tablet and Photoshop. “I always work with a limited palette, usually around 4–5 colors. I love how this makes me really consider where each color is going to be put down.”

But in the end, it all boils down to the narrative itself: “The narrative is so important to me,” stressed Brookes. “I’m really inspired by movies, great cinematography inspires so much of my work and I always approach a composition as if I were directing a movie,” he noted.

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Belgian Artist Draws Images Every Girl Can Relate To https://mytrendtales.com/belgian-artist-draws-images-every-girl-can-relate-to/ Mon, 06 Jun 2022 06:35:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=5941 Prudence is a girl who describes herself as an “awkward illustrator who loves making relatable comics and cartoon,” and “author of bad at adulating, good at feminism.” Years ago, she created an Instagram account called Planet Prudence where she shared her work as a way of journaling and keeping a diary, but in the form […]

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Prudence is a girl who describes herself as an “awkward illustrator who loves making relatable comics and cartoon,” and “author of bad at adulating, good at feminism.” Years ago, she created an Instagram account called Planet Prudence where she shared her work as a way of journaling and keeping a diary, but in the form of drawings.

“There were many people who found value and worth in my works because I spoke for those who were unable to speak up for themselves,” the artist shared on Bored Panda. “I created a community for people to show them that they are not alone.”

In these pandemic-ridden times, we could all use a bit of a pick-me-up, and Prudence’s drawings are just what the doctor ordered—primarily because they’re so darn relatable!

The Belgium-based Prudence says that she still finds inspiration in her own battle with mental health, her own thoughts and sometimes sorrows, and just everyday life. Her work has been followed by people from all around the world, and on her Instagram account, she attracted more than 768,000 admirers.

If you love her illustrations then follow her on Instagram for more!

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Mark Magnaye is a Young Illustrator on a Mission https://mytrendtales.com/mark-magnaye-is-a-young-illustrator-on-a-mission/ Mon, 16 May 2022 06:37:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8030 Don’t mistake simplicity for lack of ingenuity. In the case of visual art, achieving simplicity isn’t simple at all. Illustrator Mark Magnaye knows best. Describing himself as a “young illustrator on a mission”, his motto is: “keeping it simple”. His approach both informs his visual style and creative process, with the basis of his work: […]

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Don’t mistake simplicity for lack of ingenuity. In the case of visual art, achieving simplicity isn’t simple at all. Illustrator Mark Magnaye knows best. Describing himself as a “young illustrator on a mission”, his motto is: “keeping it simple”. His approach both informs his visual style and creative process, with the basis of his work: solid shapes and restricted color palettes.

Known also as BLOK or Blok Magnaye, Magnaye’s visual style is, indeed very much geometric, using blocks of color and shapes to construct his illustrated characters. “I try to use basic shapes in my compositions, and try to simplify complex shapes,” he remarked once in an interview with Sense of Creativity. “One AD I used to work with commented that the placing of elements in my work almost seem calculated. That is true indeed!”

Indeed, when it comes to his work, composition is key. Every slant, every curve, and every straight line is calculated in order to ensure the end piece is well balanced created to perfection.

Based in Bulacan, Philippines, Magnaye’s visual style is inspired by vintage children’s books, Charley Harper’s art, and vintage Eastern European poster art (especially Polish). “I think creativity is both nature and nurture,” says Magnaye. “Humanity is where it is right now because we create. Everyone has a spark of creativity within, some more than others. And like in anything, what we nurture thrives.”

His work includes both editorial work and personal projects that are in dialogue with his more personal experiences, day-to-day events, and pop culture. Selected clients include brands like Facebook and Apple and publications such as The Atlantic, The Guardian, and The Telegraph. Proving, once again, that aiming for simplicity is to be appreciated.

“Being an artist, illustrator goes beyond work,” says Blok. “It’s a lifestyle. I’ve been drawing since I was a kid and I can’t imagine a life where I’m not drawing or creating—what a depressing thought! Art of any form makes the world a whole lot better.” We stand by his words!

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Jena Holliday’s Illustrations Inspire Other Women to Keep Growing https://mytrendtales.com/jena-hollidays-illustrations-inspire-other-women-to-keep-growing/ Tue, 09 Nov 2021 06:16:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=8040 Jena Holliday’s illustrations are very much a reflection—no, a continuation—of her identity as a woman and a mother. Describing herself as an illustrator, author, and a “creative mama from Minnesota”, her work is centered around women, serving as an empowering tool for her thousands of followers (to date, her Instagram page sports an impressive 35k […]

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Jena Holliday’s illustrations are very much a reflection—no, a continuation—of her identity as a woman and a mother. Describing herself as an illustrator, author, and a “creative mama from Minnesota”, her work is centered around women, serving as an empowering tool for her thousands of followers (to date, her Instagram page sports an impressive 35k fanbase).

“My work is inspired by growing up surrounded by women (4 sisters!) and finding that the beauty of our differences always made us stronger,” she writes on her personal website. Other sources of inspiration include diversity, honest motherhood, and her walk of faith (in fact, tying in with her faith, her studio/brand is named Spoonful of Faith).

According to Holliday, her creative spirit blossomed at an early age, but having grown up she put her love of art aside, launching first a career in marketing. “I have always been creative,” she shared in an interview with Creative Lady Collective. “From a young age, I would sketch comic strips and draw people I did life with. I never took it too seriously until after I finished college with a degree in marketing.”

But returning to her original passion was only a matter of time. For Holliday, it was motherhood that reignited her interest in art and illustration. “I decided that I wasn’t really doing what I loved to do, and then after the birth of my first child, I got an insane passion to go for what I always dreamed of,” she recalls.

Like in most cases, the internet happened. Sharing her work online drew other people in, and Holliday was commissioned to do the things she loved doing best. But the actual leap of faith into freelance work happened a while later—when she was pregnant with her second child.

“From there I’ve seen the need in the market for women, especially mothers, to be encouraged in being creative,” she notes. “I’ve also seen artists struggle with marketing and ‘selling’ their work and through my past experience and passion for art—I started teaching tips and tricks to women through Mother Creative, an online community I launched”.

These days, her clients include giants like Dove, HarperCollins, and Logitech. But her biggest audience has always remained the same: other women.

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Christoph Niemann’s Art is Simply Witty https://mytrendtales.com/christoph-niemanns-art-is-simply-witty/ Mon, 11 Jan 2021 06:46:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=6888 When it comes to illustration, Christoph Niemann is right at the very top. A seasoned illustrator, artist, and author, his work appears regularly on the covers of  The New Yorker,  National Geographic, and The New York Times Magazine, with corporate clients including giants like Google and The Museum of Modern Art. And with one million followers on Instagram, illustrators should […]

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When it comes to illustration, Christoph Niemann is right at the very top. A seasoned illustrator, artist, and author, his work appears regularly on the covers of  The New Yorker,  National Geographic, and The New York Times Magazine, with corporate clients including giants like Google and The Museum of Modern Art.

And with one million followers on Instagram, illustrators should take note of Niemann’s words of advice. One solid piece of advice is to explore different techniques and styles. “When I first came to New York it was my great luck that my portfolio did not showcase one specific visual style or technique,” he recalled in an interview with The Creative Independent. “I had everything in there, from vector graphics to pixel drawings.”

According to Niemann, his strong point is the ideas he comes up with, rather than a specific drawing style. “More than a specific visual style, my trademark has always been to autonomously, swiftly, and conceivably map out and execute an idea,” he stressed. “Nobody ever approached me asking for a drawing of, say, a dinosaur with a fridge as a head done ‘in my style.'”

His ideas have a certain wit to them, often incorporating physical objects into his illustrations (a man with a kettle instead of a head, a woman’s face constructed of fruit). His original approach to art making also makes him stand out as an author. Niemann’s books include the monograph  Sunday Sketching, WORDS, and Souvenir. His most recent book is Hopes and Dreams and it’s about a trip to meet an artistic hero in Los Angeles.

“Drawing a story is not unlike editing a text,” observes Niemann. “Do I add this adjective or leave it out? The central questions always need to be, how do I get the reader from A to B? If I drown them in descriptions, I lose the story. If I’m too economic, there’s no emotional connection. Everything I add or lose is based on the question of what happens communicatively. And this skill can be practiced like a musical instrument.”

The end result is relatively simple, cutting straight to the chase. But looks can be deceiving. According to Niemann, some drawings take 20 drafts to look like they came together in five seconds.

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Toma Vagner’s Inspired by Japanese Bubble Gum Wraps and IKEA Manuals https://mytrendtales.com/toma-vagners-inspired-by-japanese-bubble-gum-wraps-and-ikea-manuals/ Wed, 06 Jan 2021 09:12:00 +0000 https://mytrendtales.com/?p=6878 Award-winning artist and illustrator, Toma Vagner, admits that illustrating comes rather naturally to her. Born on a small island in Russia called Sakhalin, she moved to New York in 2013 to study art and has been living there ever since. “In terms of art forms, drawing is what I do and enjoy the most, and […]

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Award-winning artist and illustrator, Toma Vagner, admits that illustrating comes rather naturally to her. Born on a small island in Russia called Sakhalin, she moved to New York in 2013 to study art and has been living there ever since. “In terms of art forms, drawing is what I do and enjoy the most, and practiced for the longest time,” she shared in an interview with Prodibi Pixel Magazine.

And with clients like The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Bandcamp, as well as musicians and bands like Harry Styles, Birds in the Boneyard, and Santino—she’s kind of a big deal. “I’m just curious to see where my path will take me,” shared Vagner. “I’m often surprised when I open my email box – names and clients that I’d never expect to see there are interested in what I do, and I couldn’t ask for more.”

Vagner’s unique style is very much the result of her upbringing. According to Vagner, as the island of Sakhalin was close to Japan and Korea, she was influenced by both countries – an influence easily spotted throughout her illustrations. “I used to say that I’m inspired by Japanese bubble gum wraps and IKEA manuals – that’s true, but these are just a few of a myriad of visuals that I’m fascinated by,” she notes.

According to Vagner, inspiration is important, but putting down the hard work is more crucial. “Inspiration can be a nice push to bring yourself to start working, but you never know if you’ll be inspired today or not,” she reflects. “So I prefer to rely on my work ethic instead.”

Follow her Instagram page for more.

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