Sketchy Girls: 11 Cool Young Illustrators You Should Have on Your Radar
Illustration is everywhere. It's in all those books you read as a little kid, it's in textile prints and iPhone cases and magazine pages. But in a world that's becoming more and more digitized, sometimes we forget just how refreshing hand-drawn images are.
We rounded up some of the most promising female illustrators on the scene today to get a peek into their creative lives. From advice to inspiration, these girls have a whole lot of insight into what it takes to zero in on your passion and make it a career.
Click through to meet them all, and for even more talented emerging artists, check out Andrew Bevan's interviews with Jamie Lee Reardin, Ilse Valfré, Mami Kubota, and Avery Nejam in the June/July issue of Teen Vogue, on newsstands now.
All images courtesy of the artists; Design by Ashley Minette
1/12Their talent will seriously blow your mind.
Images courtesy of Ariella Elovic2/12<b><center><a href="http://ariellaelovic.com/" target="_blank">Ariella Elovic</a></center></b>
When did you first begin drawing?
When I was little, I'd spend summers transforming my childhood driveway into my own elaborate world with chalk—I've always been drawing. I enrolled in art courses throughout high school and majored in communication design at Washington University in St. Louis.
How would you describe your illustration style?
Quirky, playful, positive—but with a sense of humor and touch of sarcasm.
What are a few things that inspire you?
The grocery store, textiles, the people (and dogs) of New York City, and the work of Henri Matisse and Maira Kalman.
Do you have any advice for young artists?
Developing a strong visual voice for yourself will not only make finding work easier, it will also help you become a more confident and passionate self-advocate.
Images courtesy of Austen Claire Clements3/12<center><b><a href="http://www.austenclaire.com/" target="_blank">Austen Claire Clements</a></center></b>
How did you get started with illustration?
As a little girl I would flip through my mother's magazines, drooling over embroidered vests and camo prints (it was the '90s). But it was all so unattainable, so I started drawing myself in the garments and started living vicariously through my drawings.
What inspires your work?
Fashion magazines definitely still play a big role, but coming from an interdisciplinary art school, I find myself inspired by everything from film to fiction to sculpture.
What do you love most about illustrating?
I grew up in a family of five girls so I'm used to chaos, but when I'm illustrating, I feel completely isolated in my own imagination.
Images courtesy of Carmi Cioni4/12<center><b><a href="http://carmicioni.com/" target="_blank">Carmi Cioni</a></center></b>
How would you describe your illustration style?
My style is based on confident use of shape and rakish details, with a strong sense of form. It's mostly cheerful, often nostalgic, and sometimes a bit funky.
What inspire you?
My work is greatly inspired by mid-century design and illustration. Little Golden Books, Eames furniture, Yogi Bear, sewing patterns–I'm crazy for all of it! I love an elegant and strong use of shape whether it's in nature, on the runway, or at the grocery store.
What advice would you give to young people hoping to become professional illustrators?
My best advice is to make! Make something! Make anything! It's so easy to become paralyzed by all the creative content that already exists on the endless stream of blogs, Pinterest boards, and Instagram feeds. It's important to know when to push it all aside and just make. There's a Picasso quote that says, "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." How real is that?
Images courtesy of Elizabeth Graeber5/12<center><b><a href="http://elizabethgraeber.com/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Graeber</a></center></b>
When did your art education begin?
I studied illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art and am working as a freelance illustrator now.
How would you describe your illustration style?
Colorful, fun, and happy. My go-to materials are pen, ink, watercolor, and gouache paint on paper.
What do you do to find inspiration?
I like traveling and seeing new things. I take a sketchbook with me everywhere I go to document what I see in drawings. I'm inspired by color, pattern, food, plants, travel, and learning new things.
Images courtesy of Janice Wu6/12<center><b><a href="http://janice-wu.com/" target="_blank">Janice Wu</a></center></b>
How would you describe your illustration style?
I would describe my style as being within the realm of realism, with humor and playful charm. I can be quite a detail-oriented person, and I think that comes through in my work.
What inspires your art?
I address material culture and the ways in which meaning is placed on seemingly familiar objects. I've always been a collector of a variety of things. I had rocks and gems, candy wrappers, stickers, and stamp collections growing up, and I think the act of compiling and categorizing objects was influential on my artistic interests.
What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators?
I've found that having my work accessible online is crucial. Whether it's a blog documenting your creative process or a more refined website that showcases your portfolio, the internet is a great place for artists to share their work and gain exposure.
Images courtesy of Lizzy Stewart7/12<center><b><a href="http://www.abouttoday.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lizzy Stewart</a></center></b>
Describe your illustration experience so far.
I studied Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art, and after graduating, went straight into freelancing which I've been doing ever since!
What inspires you?
Lots of my work is autobiographical. I went to Helsinki recently, so I've been drawing a lot based on that. The writer/artist/illustrator Tove Jansson is a hero of mine and her work is very special. The music I listen to is important too! Lots of Scottish folk music.
What words of wisdom would you give to illustration students?
Don't draw what's fashionable or what you've seen other artists draw. Focus on the things that are unique to you: your favorite music or literature, a period of history you're fascinated by, perhaps even your own family history—carve your own niche!
Images courtesy of Joana Avillez8/12<center><b><a href="http://www.joanaavillez.com/" target="_blank">Joana Avillez</a></center></b>
How did you get started with illustration?
I grew up drawing with my dad every day. During dinner, on planes, outside all afternoon—it was our obsession. I went to the Rhode Island School of Design for painting, but never really felt comfortable with the gallery as the intended place for my work. I was much too interested in print and books and comics! Later I got my MFA from the School of Visual Arts in Illustration, and it really introduced me to the world of illustration.
Who inspires your work?
New Yorkers—they strive to stand out, and I love it! Sometimes I'll see a woman on the subway who's dressed like one of my characters, and she will haunt me for the rest of the week.
What do you love most about drawing?
I feel like it's limitless! Drawing has so many applications and not all of them have been thought of yet. But most of all, I love the space it lets me exist within: one where I can balance my analytical side with my imaginative, free-associating, childlike side.
Images courtesy of KT Smail9/12<center><b><a href="http://www.whatktdoes.com/" target="_blank">KT Smail</a></center></b>
When did your love of drawing begin?
I decided to specialize in illustration at Edinburgh College of Art because I love books. I love the interplay between words and pictures, and I wanted to learn the skill of visual communication. After college I worked really hard on unpaid illustration work, collaborating with lots of different people until I built up a good network and portfolio.
Where do you find inspiration?
At the moment, wildflowers, the purple hills of Scotland where I grew up, Matisse, botanicals of California, crystals, powdery colors, and bright, bright pink.
What do you love most about illustrating?
That every job is so different! One day I'm collaborating with photographers and art directors on magazine editorials, the next day I'm in my studio painting flowers, the next I'm creating illustrated sets for advertising. I also love that people and companies are rediscovering the value of handmade illustrations in an increasingly digital age. People will always respond to the magic of drawing, no matter how slick our world becomes.
Images courtesy of Kelly Smith10/12<center><b><a href="http://www.birdyandme.com.au/" target="_blank">Kelly Smith</a></center></b>
How would you describe your illustrations?
Subject-wise, it's all about fashion with a sprinkle of fantasy! It's a little bit edgy, but a little whimsical too.
What inspires you?
I find inspiration in so many places: an amazing face, a beautiful song lyric, a scene from a film, a gorgeous piece of clothing, an incredible fashion photograph. Sometimes one little word or image will trigger an idea.
What advice would you give to young illustrators?
You have to be proactive. It's a competitive industry and work doesn't just come to you—after all, no one will hire you if they don't know you exist. Submit your illustrations to open calls and competitions, and email the people you want to work with. At the very least, you're likely to get some great constructive feedback!
Images courtesy of Nina Cosford11/12<center><b><a href="http://www.ninacosford.com/" target="_blank">Nina Cosford</a></center></b>
What inspires your work?
I love to travel as much as I possibly can. It really helps me to step back from things and refresh my eyeballs and mind! Going somewhere new means new things to research and draw.
What do you love most about illustrating?
I'm always learning something through my work. For example, one day I'll be illustrating a pop-up book on Shakespeare, and the next day I'll be drawing a map of Amsterdam featuring the hippest places to hang out! Illustration is my way of understanding the world better, and if it enables others to approach things in a similar way then I feel I'm doing my job right.
What advice would you give to young people hoping to become professional illustrators?
I think if illustration is something you really want to do, then the sooner you become serious and professional about it the better. Do as much research as you can in terms of fees, contracts, and potential clients, and set up a website that shouts "you" the moment it loads on the screen.
Images courtesy of Paige Vickers12/12<center><b><a href="http://paigevickers.com/" target="_blank">Paige Vickers</a></center></b>
What has been your experience with illustration so far?
I graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art in 2012 and moved to New York after. During school I formed promotional habits and made some good contacts because, honestly, succeeding within illustration is based on a sliding scale of talent, friendships, and luck.
What inspires your work?
I know this goes without saying, but living in New York is a constant source of inspiration. Being surrounded by beautiful (and sometimes terrifying) people keeps me constantly interested in human nature and what separates and links us all.
What advice would you give to young illustrators?
In my experience, a lot of advice given to students about entering the world of illustration instills a constant fear of failure, but you have to turn that fear into a constant desire to create new and exciting work! Also, this is such mom life advice, but it's so important to be respectful and honest while networking—this will take you a lot further than compromising who you are to please those around you.
