Louisiana native Morgan Allain, a.k.a. The Inkling Girl, is a self-proclaimed "nerd" and she reflects this in the geeky nature of her art. I had the opportunity of discovering her art at the 2013 Wizard World Comicon here in Austin. There were so many cool artists in the Artists' Alley at Comicon and Morgan's booth was an instant favorite. From the first look through her artist portfolio I could appreciate her unique artistic style. It is with this creative flair that she re-creates images from television and movies. She also makes wonderful original depictions of animals. Her preferred mediums are watercolor, ink and colored pencil. It's a family affair, being that her husband Danny is an artist as well and sometimes they get to work together. 

Where did your artistic journey begin?

Drawing is something I have enjoyed for as long as I can remember. My grade school teachers would comment on that, in fact. I started becoming really interested in it around 14 and just kept at it. Took lessons here and there, but I was really just self-taught until college.

I attended McNeese State University and I have a B.A. in Art; my concentration was printmaking. Mostly relief printing; linocuts were my favorite. Never took painting of any kind in college. Printmaking was too expensive for a recently graduated newlywed working at Starbucks. I bought a watercolor set after I graduated, just to tinker with.

How would you describe your style?

Ooh. I don’t even know if I have a style! I guess maybe it’s sort of pop art inspired. I feel like my style is always evolving and changing. I really enjoy finding people that appreciate art that showcases stuff I've loved since childhood. Artists who have influenced me are Audrey Kawasaki, Glenn Arthur, Olga Noes and Tony DiTerlizzi.

What things inspire you to create art?  

I find inspiration in many many things: Books, Movies, television, animals and other artists. I've been a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer since my teens, so I have a whole series of portraits of the characters. I love the movie Labyrinth and have created many pieces from it. I love painting birds! I don’t think I’ll ever tire of painting birds.

At what point did you begin to consider yourself an artist?

Gosh, even now I don’t always consider myself an artist. Most days I’m just me: a total geek, a wife and mom… just a girl who loves to create. I think the day I start putting “artist” in front of all my other roles is the day I need to chill.

What is your favorite project created in your current medium? 

Usually whatever the last thing I drew/painted is my favorite. I’m most fond of my peacock, “Blue Wild” and “Skull Candy Kitty” at the moment.

Would you like to share a little about collaborating with your husband on artwork?

Danny and I collaborate once in a while. We both always have some projects or commissions going on, so we can’t combine forces often. The last collaborative piece we did was called “Cherry Bomb.” Danny did the initial drawing, which I then transferred to watercolor paper and painted. We were both really pleased with the final piece; it was so much fun to see our distinct styles mesh that way.

Fun fact: when Danny and I were being interviewed by the priest that performed our wedding, he (the priest) asked each of us what we loved most about one another. I said something sweet about how Danny is so genuinely kind, blah blah blah. Danny said, and I quote, "she's good at drawing!" 

Yep. That's what he loves most about me. Haha!!

What is your creative process like from start to end?

It tends to change from project to project. Portraits always begin as sketches on scratch paper which I then transfer to watercolor paper with the help of a light box. I usually paint the background first, then start with the shadows on the face and slowly build up with many translucent layers. With the birds, I just wing it (ba-dum-tshh!). I grab a colored pencil and do a messy sketch on my watercolor paper and just go from there.  I rarely plan what I’m going to do, and I never know where it will end up. I just let it happen. I almost always listen to audiobooks while I work. Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, Sabriel, Sarah Dessen books… I’m such a nerd!

What exposure have you had?

Ha! Um. I've only been in a few shows. I’m terrible at proactively promoting myself! 

Do you have any regrets in your life as an artist?

I wish I had made more time for it before my daughter was born. I really slacked off from college graduation until she was born. I still painted, but not nearly as much as I do now. I worked a lot and used that as an excuse. Since then I’ve realized that was a pathetic excuse, I can nurse an infant while painting!

What plans do you have for the future of your art?

My only plan is to continue creating, continue growing.

Do you have any advice for artists just starting out?

Draw as often as you can. Find other artists. Push yourself, branch out!

How do you promote your work both on and off the internet? 

On the internet I promote myself via social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, DeviantArt. Off the internet, well… Unless I’m at a con or festival, I don’t really promote myself.

See more of Morgan's artwork at the following links:

The Inkling on Society6

Twitter: @theinklinggirl

Facebook page

Etsy

Instagram: @the_inkling_girl

All images © Morgan Allain

Most illustrators have a preferred style and favorite medium to work with. Some work with markers, others with pens, and yet others use their artistic talent in computers. The process in general stays the same; it begins with an idea, molded to suit the artist's style, and then is brought to life on paper or board.  Here are three popular types that you may well be familiar with.

Humor

These illustrations are characterized by the expression of the absurd and of otherwise uncomfortable situations. Humorous illustrations often involve a wide range of topics: irreverent, critical, realistic and sometimes burlesque. Generally, the characters exhibit striking features and look cartoonish and funny. This type of drawing takes lots creative imagination, irony, and the ability to come up with a laughable side to a story. In other words, these artists are always considering different ways of making a joke out of an unfunny situation.

Henri Gerbault [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Modern Gothic

Another style that is found in many publications is the modern Gothic, which has several expressive characteristics. A key feature is its oppressive presence and strong medieval appearance. Characters in modern Gothic have a particular dark kind of quality while at the same time a sense of freedom in movement. The Gothic style can be described as an internal rebellion that does not accept the idea of "good" as promoted by society in general. Stories delivered in this style also tend to contain illustrations of medieval clothing, furnishings, weapons and utensils, among other things.

By Theodore Von Holst (1810-1844)
(Tate Britain. Private collection, Bath.)[Public domain]

Manga

Manga comics and cartoons or anime have a unique style hailing from Japan. The characters’ facial expressions play an important role in the Manga style. The Manga illustrator connects with the viewer or reader through emotive eyes on faces with often exaggerated features.  These faces are still sweet and will be perfectly designed to tell a story.  Drawing the lines of manga characters is essentially based on accuracy and sensitivity. Manga illustrations not only must have excellent form but, usually emphasize inking techniques specialized to create each character. 

The Looking Glass Wars, Alyss & characters © Frank Beddor

This simple overview with samples and explanations of some styles of illustrative art can serve as a primer.  If you would like to learn more, check out this previous article which tackles the question What is Illustrative Art? 

The Fundamentals of Photo-Illustration in Photoshop

An illustration is graphical representation created by drawing, sketching, painting, digital rendering, lithographic or woodcut printing, etc. of things real or imagined. The term illustration comes from the Latin word meaning enlighten. In fact, in the medieval age illustrations were called illuminations.  Illustration is often found in the sphere of commercial or popular media.  An illustration artist can choose to work with existing styles or create their own. Beyond the ability to draw, it is necessary to have a sharp eye for creating illustration that tells a story. These artists can produce masterful expressive images which serve practical application. Illustrative art is a form that is defined by its context not medium.

Illustration artists have the unique gift of communicating their ideas and telling stories through their visual renderings. Not every artist can be an illustrator but illustrators are artists. Visually striking imagery in illustration can also be paired to work with something else, adding personality or character to that other thing without overwhelming it.  Such is the role of illustration in books, cartoons, calendars, billboards, clothing, packaging, store displays, posters, cover art, and comic books to clarify or embellish something else. This is the context that illustrators work within.

"Breaking Home Ties" Satu... Buy From Art.com Various museum exhibitions, magazines and art galleries have featured the works of illustrators, however, some consider them less important compared with fine artists and graphic designers. Illustrative art is subject to condescension. What is popular and fun is so often hard to take seriously by the elite of the art world, yet that does not change the fact that illustrators are creative and competent artists. Original illustration art from renowned book, poster and magazine illustrators can bring high dollar values at auction. Norman Rockwell's his painting "Breaking Home Ties" sold in a 2006 Sotheby's auction for over 15 million dollars.

Illustrations are important to the advertising industry.   Illustrating  is a  rewarding career for both making fans happy and being paid for doing so. Commercial illustration copy with artwork created by leading advertising agency McCann Erickson has won awards. Another look at context will set apart the fine art and illustrative art forms: Andy Warhol started out working as an ad and magazine illustrator; however, Warhol’s work that represented irony in advertisement was considered separate from illustration. 

"real" by estherfib
 source

If you find you have a talent for conveying real life concepts into meaningful illustrations and have confidence in your style, it is time to rise above the mundane and promote your illustrative work. If you are such an artist, please share with us in the comments section. To read more on examples of illustrative art continue with this article:  Examples of Illustration Styles.

© Rebecca H Knight