This is a series of illustrated interviews made in partnership with Brilliant Artists, a London based artist agency representing a tightly curated roster of established and up and coming illustrative talent. The concept behind is always the same: 5 inputs to which illustrators respond through sketches. Not something complex and elaborate, but just sketches on paper, as when as children we give shape to our imagination.
Brilliant Artists is “a compact illustration agency nurturing creative talent” with expertise in commercial campaigns & communications, exhibitions, traditional and digital media.
Working from a railway arch in South London Grace Helmer creates hand painted, boldly coloured, brushstroke-y illustrations from thin layers of oil paint, embracing the mistakes that often turn out better than the plan. Her work is inspired by travel, life events, natural forms and the buzz of cities. Learning to work more spontaneously outside of the studio and she pushed herself away from perfection in favour of bold mark making to create playful illustrations that evoke a strong sense of place and atmosphere.