Sunday, October 6, 2013

Illustrations for Current Conservation Magazine

Every person who draws knows that there are two kinds of audiences – the cultured and the philistines. One never ever knows who will fall into which category until remarks are made about art.

Long ago, at the recommendation of a well wisher, I took my spanking new portfolio of illustrations enthusiastically to the big boss of a newspaper. The man's family had owned the newspaper for decades, he reeked wealth within his wood panelled room. The boss flipped through my portfolio politely and a trifle disdainfully declared, ‘who wants this sort of thing ya?’ Then he called an editor and said dismissively, ‘give her an article to illustrate’. I illustrated the article, I got paid many months later and that was all there was to it.

Fast forward to over a decade later, I went to meet the editor of an environmental magazine at the Indian Institute of Science campus. I was directed to a modern building full of light and air; the scientist who was editor of the magazine spoke very knowledgeably about illustration; he said he wanted the magazine to be a ‘platform for illustrators’ and he stated that the editors of the magazine ‘would like to build a relationship with the illustrators’.

The newspaper from years ago has over time reduced itself to a sensationalistic rag. As for the environmental magazine, when one looks at the content, the design, the quality of the printing and the visuals, the vision of the editors is apparent. 


The process for one of my illustrations can be seen over here >>>




9 comments:

Aarohi Singh said...

I love the second illustration. I seem to want to stop and stare at it...the colour coming out of black and white seems all the more intense. Though I think it's the print in the background set that aids the contrast more. Kind of transitionary.It's gorgeous.

pRiyA said...

You know Aarohi, I never thought about that, the print in the background aiding the contrast. It was all done so instinctively, but now that you've mentioned it, I think "but of course!" Thank you.

ArtPropelled said...

... and the cover! Congratulations Priya. It was so interesting to see your process.

Rod MacGregor said...

I like your process, it was interesting...for some reason on first glance at the cover, I didn't see this illustration as a 'collage'..It probably crossed my mind that the edges were very clean. But I was just enjoying it rather than deciphering it probably! The other illustration of the plant is beautiful..You show us how graphic art doesn't have to be made in a computer program...I like that because I rarely use any programs nowadays apart photoshop to clean things and crop if necessary.

Unknown said...

Sounds like this was a pleasurable experience, what a dream client! Beautiful work as always.

Nancy // and while we are here said...

What a great choice of theme for this magazine! The hand and the red earth... Your work is amazing!

And thank you also for sharing the link to this magazine, which I find really interesting!

Have a wonderful day! Hugs and congratulations for this fantastic job from Berlin!

Priya Sebastian said...

Thank you Robyn.

Rod, thank you as always for your very good comments on my work. It wouldn't even occur to me to do all this on a comp programme. It is so much more fun getting your hands dirty than staring at a screen.

It certainly was Jenni. Thank you :)

Nancy! Thank you so much :) The magazine will be having a new website soon.

Aarthi said...

love these illustrations.
Both the process and the final product.
More power to you
cheers

Priya Sebastian said...

Cheers Aarthi!
:)