Exercise - Identifying tools and materials



Billie Jean Fig. 1.



Billie Jean - uses a combination of hand-drawn illustrations, photgraphs and collage together with a strong use of type and colour.  The contemporary feel of his work comes from his use of line work and symbolism, and each image is abound with metaphor, such as the simple but varied ideas and shapes surrounding the head in fig.1. which seem to represent his thoughts and individuality. Fig 2. shows the line drawings and images that connect through the decades.

Billie Jean Fig 2.



Peter Blake Fig. 3.








The work of Billie Jean holds some similarities for me with one of my favourite artists, Peter Blake, whose iconic images, especially in the world of music and album covers, and has remained in-vogue and inspirational for decades.
 The use of hand-drawn images, coupled with collage, type and a collection of symbols and pop art give a real retro feel.

Kate Gibb Fig. 5.

Kate Gibb Fig 6.

The work of Kate Gibb seems to be a natural continuation as far as similarities go with the two artists above with the use of photgraphy, collage and mixed media.

Renowned for her silk screen and textile designs she is best known for her work in fashion and music.

The following artists to me, seem to hold a connection, in the simplified look of their work, which shows illustration in its rawest form, pen and ink with a simple coloured wash. Peter Gates with his simple images captures the mood and subject perfectly with his colours and drawing style.

Peter Gates

Quentin Blake is one of my favourite illustrators, probably because I seem to have been looking at his
drawings most of my life, especially in this role as book illustrator for Roald Dhal. He has illustrated over 300 books and his style is unmistakeable, with its humour and originality, always a little off the wall.

Quentin Blake



Ollie East




Ollie East from Elbows Neat Little Rows



Ollie East follows on from this with his simple childlike images using metaphor and symbolism in his naive-like paintings and images. Another artist who has been working in the world of music, most recently for Elbow on their last two albums.

Banksy

David Foldvari

I see similarities in the techniques and medium used by Banksy and David Foldvari, below, not only in the use of Grafitti-style art, but also in the use of metaphor.

David Foldvari

 Sanna Annukka's work looks to me like bright vibrant printworks, with her use of folklore based symbolism, and vivid colours.


Sanna Annukka



Parra.

 I see some similarities in the work of Parra which seem to resemble screen printed posters and flyers. Hand rendered typefaces, minimal colours and exotic creatures adorn his work.

to be continued...