London-based Illustrator Niall Grant has fabulous portfolio. He worked for Sony, Mediaskare Records and Basick Records. Niall started to take part in exhibitions only in 2011, but now he had 6 personal exhibitions! His artworks are full of brave search of answers for questions he asked himself and world. They are tender and wild, pastel and rich. Niall shared with us his future plans, dreams and daily artist’s routines.
L: Can you tell us a little bit about the process of creating one of your works?
NG: My artworks are often based on strong conceptual ideas, so to begin I establish what the image needs to communicate, and then produce a series of sketches concerning composition, color and texture. Once I have a clear idea in my head of what the final piece should look like, I’ll create a rough photomontage on the computer from stock imagery. When I’m pleased with that, I’ll print it out and start the drawing process! That’s when the magic happens. But I can’t be telling you anything about that can I…
L: What makes a good day in the studio?
NG: I often work at home because I just find everything is easier here. I can cook a hot meal, look for inspiration in magazines and watch a film if I feel like a break. I really don’t make the most of my studio!
L: Do you have a dream project and what would it be?
NG: A dream project would be something that challenges me positively, and forces me to willfully think differently. I often create Artworks in a similar process and state of mind, so it’d be great to perhaps collaborate with someone of a very different style.
As I’ve grown older I’ve found myself becoming more interested in commercial work and exhibitions. However, I originally became interested in Illustration as a result of Anime and Video Games concept art. It’d be so fulfilling to find myself back in that naïve passion. So I think my dream project would have to be studying in Japan under the teaching of Yoshitaka Amano. Not really a project as such, but a dream nonetheless.
L: What can we expect from Niall Grant in the future?
NG: Next year I plan to be a lot more productive in terms of exhibitions and commercial work. I’ll be trying to really get my work out there, and make a lot more of the same. I feel I’ve refined my drawing style, but I’d like to experiment more, with a particular emphasis on composition.
I’ve got my heart set on creating a screen-printed cook booklet during summer, so watch out for that one!
L: And our special question:) Imagine that you are sweets, what kind it would be and why?
NG: If I were a sweet… I’ve actually been described as a white fruit pastel before, during a holiday in Cyprus when I actually came back to England paler than when I went. But if I were given a choice in this, I’d be an earwax flavored Bertie Bean. I like to cause pain.
Thank you Niall!
