In the age of instant posting and live streaming, illustration is still one of those rare forms of narrative that aims to create an image with durability. Sketching, drawing, painting, erasing: they’re all still very human actions. And, as humans, they can be radically different and, at the same time, completely equal. We asked three contemporary fashion illustrators the same questions to discover if there are real differences between them or if, on the contrary, they share the same ideas despite depicting them differently.
Describe the characters you draw.
Bone structure and facial cavities are exaggerated, flesh is bleached, gender and sexual identity are confused; fashion drama queen and white staring pupils.
Your favourite artists/artworks.
Plenty of them! Recently I fell in love with the work of Bernard Buffet, since I saw his amazing exhibition in Paris; I’m an absolute fan of his self-portraits. I also adore Giovanni Boldini (specially for the movements of the dresses and the colors), El Greco, Gustave Moreau, and many more.
Current state of mind.
Trying not to listen to what’s going on in my mind; I could get anxious.
The inspirational figure that has influenced you the most.
Egon Schiele, for sure!
Your favourite bird.
White swan.
Your obsession.
Aestheticism, beauty, ugliness and gender identity.
Talent you would like to have.
Write songs and compose music, that’s genius!
Aspect of your work you like.
When people get interested by it.
Aspect of your work you don’t like.
When I try to please people.
Your work you’re most proud of.
My last acrylic painting. I worked on it for 2-3 months and now that it’s done, I’m very happy to see the result I’ve been looking for.
Your dream project.
I have so many dreams and projects. For example: I would love to have a brand, I would love to paint big oil paintings, I would love to work on a movie, etc. Some will just stay dreams, and some are more realizable for me. But I’m gonna follow my dreams for sure!
Your motto.
Stay focus, enjoy, and the show must go on!
Your definition of freedom.
Freedom is a state of mind; unleash it.
Describe the characters you draw.
Strong but vulnerable.
Your favourite artists/artworks.
Dieter Roth's sketchbooks, Alfred Wallis, Diane Arbus, Peter Doig, Picasso’s Vollard suite, Irving Penn’s flowers.
Current state of mind.
Muddled.
The inspirational figure that has influenced you the most.
Louise Bourgeois.
Your favourite bird.
Crow.
Your obsession.
The sea.
Talent you would like to have.
Singing.
Aspect of your work you like.
Holding brushes.
Aspect of your work you don’t like.
Cleaning brushes.
Your work you’re most proud of.
A/W16 collaboration with Dries Van Noten.
Your dream project.
Painting in a studio with a sea view, on a series of paintings with no brief or agenda.
Your motto.
Trust your eyes.
Name: Yuliya YG.
Birthplace: Kazakhstan.
Zodiac sign: Aquarius.
Zodiac sign: Aquarius.
Describe the characters you draw.
Painting interesting faces from the fashion industry.
Your favourite artists/artworks.
I love colourful portraits of Matisse, still lifes of Petrov-Vodkin like "Herring", face expressions in portraits made by Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso for his amazing colours, and also the precise portraiture paintings of 15th century made by Durer, Botticelli and Bellini.
Current state of mind.
Excited and curious, working on my upcoming exhibition.
The inspirational figure that has influenced you the most.
My biggest inspirations are art and photography, but not a figure particular. Maybe I will be able to answer this in the future.
Your favourite bird.
Parrot.
Your obsession.
Coffee and music.
Talent you would like to have.
To be able to play the piano.
Aspect of your work you like.
I feel very happy and fulfilled when I am painting. Depending on my mood I can paint during daytime or very late into the night and love the freedom it gives me.
Aspect of your work you don’t like.
The job of an artist demands that I am often alone for long periods of time. The result of this is I don't have as many chances as I would like to have to interact with people.
Your work you’re most proud of.
I don't remember who said that "the favourite artwork of an artist is his last one", so this is exactly about me. I am proud of all my artworks because each one means that I’m a step closer to becoming a better artist.
Your dream project.
My dream project would be to create a book of illustrations in collaboration with fashion brands.
Your motto.
Think big and dream bigger.Your definition of freedom: Freedom for me is the ability to do the things I love the most.
