Interview: Elwira Pawlikowska
Elwira is an amazing freelance illustrator and concept artist.
Artist Workspace:
Pin Board: Despite appearances my easel does not serve for painting, but it's a place where I put current sketches and other super-important notes. Thanks to this solution I don't have to browse through piles of paper to find materials needed for my work.
Bookshelf: I call this furniture "my business shelf". Here I store my favorite books directly related with illustrating and freelancing. Here are also all the documents related with my business activity (agreements, invoices etc). And finally here are my painting tools. The most often used brushes are in a large jar. A cup with The Groke (my favorite cartoon character) contain colored pencils and special erasers. The text on the brown can indicates that there should be drinking chocolate, but right now there are watercolor paints. The white box on the bottom level contains many various tools I'm using in painting: salt, razors, brushes I seldom use, masking fluid and a palette for mixing paints.
Digital workplace: Even if I'm a traditional artist, most of my working space is covered with hardware. My working station consist of: a laptop with an additional large screen, a scanner (in the background), a graphic tablet and my oh-so-becoming headphones (Skyping with clients is actually the only situation when I use them). I've almost forgotten to mention about my cheerful mini-lamp!
Traditional workplace: The rest of my workplace is reserved for a board (70x50cm) and all the necessary tools that are usually orderly placed on my "business shelf".
Traditional tools: See? I told you that in the "chocolate can" there are only watercolor paints :). Also the tea box can be confusing, as it contains felt pens and pencils.
Under desks:Lastly a photo presenting area under my desks. Here I store large watercolor papers (in the basket on the left), paper for sketches and notes as well as rulers, set squares, a pair of compasses (in the black closet) and failed sketches (in the wastepaper basket).
What is the most important skill you need to do your job?
I'd say that it's empathy. It's very important to be able to understand client's needs even if he or she can not precisely put in words how exactly the illustration should look like. Almost like reading in someone's mind but with focus on capturing the right emotions and atmosphere 😃 Convincing mood is probably even more important ingredient of an illustration than pure technical skills (though I wouldn't underestimate technical skills!).
What are your top 3 favorite books related to your career?
"Fantasy Art Workshop" written by John Howe. The author have not only presented stages of development of his illustrations along with a whole bunch of tips, but also described his professional path and gave valuable information about freelancing. "Drawing & Painting Fantasy Landscapes & Cityscapes" by Rob Alexander and Martin McKenna. The subject couldn't fit me better! It's an inspiring set of works created by Rob Alexander and other fantasy artists, enriched with presentation of creating process . Moreover it contains tips on basics in art (composition, color theory, capturing the right mood etc.), descriptions of various landscapes elements and many types of fantasy places.
"Naturlära" by Lars Lerin. It is filled with hundreds of watercolor works painted by the most famous contemporary Swedish watercolor artist. The collection is just BREATHTAKING! You can find there all aspects of nature: from Swedish winter landscapes to... dead fish.
What is one thing besides art, that you simply can’t live without?
Music (well, it's actually also a form of art). I've been playing piano since I was 5 and for some time I've been also playing guitar. Moreover music accompanies me during my everyday 5km long walks and a large part of the work day. Even making covers for music albums feels especially interesting to me.
Was there ever something else you considered doing as a career?
For quite a long time I wanted to be an archeologist or paleontologist as I'm fascinated by the distant past. When I was a teenager I decided to be an illustrator, however I prepared also a "plan B" just in case I wouldn't succeed in this field. The plan was to be an architect (I have a master's degree in architecture).
To find more check out Elwira’s Deviant Art Page and website!
