UO Interviews: Ryan Allister @handjazz
London based illustrator, Ryan Allister @handjazz talks to UO about his creative inspiration, process behind his visual prints and artists to look out for.
Where did your art and design journey begin and what inspires you to create?
Since my earliest memories the desire to draw things has always existed in some form or another - so the progression to becoming an illustrator happened naturally. I feel like I'm always learning and the endless striving to improve keeps driving me. Over time I've recognised a persistent desire to create something evocative from the ordinary and to use my imagination to visit some kind of surreal utopia for a while.
Tell us about the creative process behind your prints… Most of my ideas normally stem from a visual message that has inspired me. I'll normally have a core aim of what I want to illustrate based on this inspiration and I'll look at other related subject matter to find reference material to expand the idea. From there I’ll begin sketching and creating the composition for the artwork. All the line work is usually done first and once I'm happy with the structure I'll focus on creating the bold, striking colours that play a key part in my work.
How do you know when a piece is done?
Usually after a lot of deliberation! I have an obsession with getting colours just right, so I'll often spend a lot of time tweaking palettes and filters until I'm completely happy. Something in my brain clicks when I know it's finished.
Sum up your artistic style in 3 words: Hyper visual worlds.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I used to procrastinate a lot when it came to artwork until I was recommended a book titled 'The War of Art' by Steven Pressfield which really helped me get past this. Also, a certain quote has stayed with me for years. It helps me trigger things when I'm hesitating. "Start before you're ready".
Which emerging artists or artworks should we check out?
Way too many to mention them all, but three of my current favourites are:
Marie-Anne Mohanna - @mariemohanna
Carl Tai Thompson - @carltai
Robert Bidder - @robbidder
Since my earliest memories the desire to draw things has always existed in some form or another - so the progression to becoming an illustrator happened naturally. I feel like I'm always learning and the endless striving to improve keeps driving me. Over time I've recognised a persistent desire to create something evocative from the ordinary and to use my imagination to visit some kind of surreal utopia for a while.
Tell us about the creative process behind your prints… Most of my ideas normally stem from a visual message that has inspired me. I'll normally have a core aim of what I want to illustrate based on this inspiration and I'll look at other related subject matter to find reference material to expand the idea. From there I’ll begin sketching and creating the composition for the artwork. All the line work is usually done first and once I'm happy with the structure I'll focus on creating the bold, striking colours that play a key part in my work.
How do you know when a piece is done?
Usually after a lot of deliberation! I have an obsession with getting colours just right, so I'll often spend a lot of time tweaking palettes and filters until I'm completely happy. Something in my brain clicks when I know it's finished.
Sum up your artistic style in 3 words: Hyper visual worlds.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I used to procrastinate a lot when it came to artwork until I was recommended a book titled 'The War of Art' by Steven Pressfield which really helped me get past this. Also, a certain quote has stayed with me for years. It helps me trigger things when I'm hesitating. "Start before you're ready".
Which emerging artists or artworks should we check out?
Way too many to mention them all, but three of my current favourites are:
Marie-Anne Mohanna - @mariemohanna
Carl Tai Thompson - @carltai
Robert Bidder - @robbidder