How did you get started in illustration? Did you always want to be an artist?
I enjoyed drawing from an early age and studied illustration at college, but it took many years of working as a graphic designer before deciding to specialise in conceptual illustration.
How do you approach a new illustration, where do you start?
I synthesise the brief into its basic elements then begin sketching until an idea appears. At that point I switch my pencil for a mouse and start the process of working it up on the computer.
What inspires you?
Trying to offer a new solution to familiar topics.
What’s been your favourite topic to illustrate / favourite illustration and why?
I support animal welfare organisations with my work - feels good to be able to engage with a wide audience and spread a message for good which supports the incredible work that these people do on the ground.
What’s been your most challenging commission?
I created a series of 100 icons to support the release of a new eye medication in the U.S. - there were a lot of overlaps within the topics but the icons needed to be easily readable but very distinct from one another.
What is your favourite medium to work with and why?
It’s a pencil and a mouse! I used to paint but I like the efficiency of working digitally - for me it’s about the simplicity of communicating an idea rather than the medium.
What does your workspace say about you? Include a photo.
I can work pretty much anywhere - started out working on the train with a laptop during my daily commute - now it’s a trestle table in my home studio but it’s still no frills - white desk, sketch book, iMac.
What bit of kit can’t you live without?
Retractable pencil.
Do you have any other creative endeavours outside of illustration?
I create children’s books which overlaps with illustration but is for a very different audience and I get to work with publishers around the world.
Name a favourite artist or an artist who inspires you.
Quentin Blake - very different from me but I marvel how he can get so much personality from so few marks.
Patrick's 2 Minute Self-Portrait
Nope - if anyone saw the quality of my sketches it would be 'game over'.
Illustrator Interview: Patrick George
Describe your work in three words.
Conceptual - unexpected - playful
How did you get started in illustration? Did you always want to be an artist?
I enjoyed drawing from an early age and studied illustration at college, but it took many years of working as a graphic designer before deciding to specialise in conceptual illustration.
How do you approach a new illustration, where do you start?
I synthesise the brief into its basic elements then begin sketching until an idea appears. At that point I switch my pencil for a mouse and start the process of working it up on the computer.
What inspires you?
Trying to offer a new solution to familiar topics.
What’s been your favourite topic to illustrate / favourite illustration and why?
I support animal welfare organisations with my work - feels good to be able to engage with a wide audience and spread a message for good which supports the incredible work that these people do on the ground.
What’s been your most challenging commission?
I created a series of 100 icons to support the release of a new eye medication in the U.S. - there were a lot of overlaps within the topics but the icons needed to be easily readable but very distinct from one another.
What is your favourite medium to work with and why?
It’s a pencil and a mouse! I used to paint but I like the efficiency of working digitally - for me it’s about the simplicity of communicating an idea rather than the medium.
What does your workspace say about you? Include a photo.
I can work pretty much anywhere - started out working on the train with a laptop during my daily commute - now it’s a trestle table in my home studio but it’s still no frills - white desk, sketch book, iMac.
What bit of kit can’t you live without?
Retractable pencil.
Do you have any other creative endeavours outside of illustration?
I create children’s books which overlaps with illustration but is for a very different audience and I get to work with publishers around the world.
Name a favourite artist or an artist who inspires you.
Quentin Blake - very different from me but I marvel how he can get so much personality from so few marks.
Patrick's 2 Minute Self-Portrait
Nope - if anyone saw the quality of my sketches it would be 'game over'.
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