We’re sure most of you know well and admire the stunning artworks of Bec Winnel. Australian self-taught illustrator and graphic designer, Bec creates only women portraits - enchanting, delicate and very realistic. Bec’s women are like beautiful fairies from the world of dreams. One of the most interesting things about Bec is her precious technique. She works “by building layer upon layer of mixed mediums including acrylic, pastel, pencil, ink, pens, makeup, and anything she finds”. We are proud to publish our exclusive interview with Bec. Enjoy!
L: Can you tell us a little bit about the process of creating one of your works?
BW: I usually have an idea in my mind of the image I want to create. The next step is to collect a series of reference pictures to create a mood board and references of models in the poses I need. At this stage I usually go off in a different direction as I find myself inspired by so many beautiful images! The next stage is creating a concept / draft in photoshop. This is a combination of digital painting with my wacom and digital collage of photos. I plan approximately 80% of the drawing, the rest I like to let evolve when doing the physical drawing. It’s kind of exciting as a drawing can take on a life of its own and send me in yet another direction I wasn’t heading! I start my drawing with an overall light layer of either pastel or pencil and slowly build up lots and lots of increasingly darker and more detailed layers.
L: What makes a good day in the studio?
BW: A good day in the studio is when my room is clean and organised, music or a tv series is playing and Olive, Charlie and Audrey are sitting peacfully instead of fighting! (That’s my Chihuahua, Maltese and domestic cat! It’s mostly the Chihuahua stirring up the cat. She is a brave little thing!)
L: All your women are charming and tender, but with inner power. Why do you choose such type?
BW: I think the women I draw are my therapy and keep me sane! This sounds corny but they fill my life with genuine and unconditional love, strength and beauty. It’s like kind of empowering myself in a way with creating women who reflect qualities I wish to aim for in myself and wish more people in the world had. It’s always a bit of a guess why I choose to draw these girls, I’ve never known exactly why, it’s a completely subconscious, automated thing I feel compelled to do!
L: Tell us about your life outside of the art process? How do you like to spend your day off?
BW: My day off is more often than not spent catching up on cleaning and washing! Occasionally I get away for the weekend, it usually involves doing something nice with my family or friends. Getting out of the house is always good,
L: What are your thoughts about the arts scene in Australia? Do you see the difference between artists from here and USA for example?
BW: I have limited knowledge about all of the art scenes in Australia but from what I do see, the fine art world and the street art world are quite disconnected. There are a few fine art galleries who are bringing the street art to the gallery which is so great to see. I feel that America has a stronger following of the lowbrow art scene and gives it more respect than australia does. But as I said, this is only from my limited perspective! I talk to a lot of artists on line that I have met from various social media sites. Thinking about it now, I talk to more OS artists than Aussies ones, but this could be simply because there are more people in the rest of the world! All of them are pretty much the same, all want the same things and all are lovely!
L: Does your job as an illustrator influence your life? And how?
BW: I guess it does. At the moment I also work a full time day job to pay the bills. My illustration work is done at night and on the weekends so I guess it completely kills my social life and spare time but then again, if I wasn’t doing it, I’d be spending my spare time making art anyway!
L: And our special question:) Imagine that you are sweets, what kind it would be and why?
BW: I’d be a licorice all sort, because they are yummy, my pop’s favourite and look happy with all their stripes and colours :)
Thank you Bec!
