I think Patrick Gannon's style of illustration is quite unique, and shows how hand rendered techniques can still look fresh and modern. The artist uses cut and torn paper of different colours, textures and patterns against backdrops of either more paper or wood. I love the jagged edges and the 3D quality of the different layers. In the top example, the black ninja is a strong and modern element, influenced by urban/street styles. The dainty, patterned ninjas as well as the delicate, washy background form quite a contrast and I really like the combining of these two stylistic ideas using such an unusual process.I think Gannon's illustrations are a great example of how you don't have to be a slave to technology to produce work that is new and different.
1 comment:
An interesting example of contemporary Japanese illustration; Gannon's use of layers of paper to build up his illustrations adds a lovely edge to his work and I agree with you, demonstrates that sometimes using a computer may not be the best option - some of the illustrations in his porfolio built up using a few block colours on a wooden background are the ones I found most effective. Using paper as more than a material to draw upon has seen a recent rise in illustration - although a completely different style, children's illustrator Lauren Child was one of the first I came across a couple of years ago. You may also like the work of Zara Wood's work, alot of which is used for editorials. The book 'illusive: contemporary illustration and it's context' is worth a look if this area of design interests you and is a good reference source.
Post a Comment