@_paulreid

Instagram: @_paulreid Twitter: @__paulreid Website: www.paul-reid.com  

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

I’m an illustrator based in the UK. Before that, I worked in agencies as a Graphic Designer. At the end of last year, I decided to quit my job so I could concentrate on illustration full-time.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

My background in graphic design influences my work. I like there to be a concept behind my illustrations. Stylistically, I suppose it’s simplistic characters, limited palettes, and subtle textures.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

Although all my work is digital I'd say my favourite medium is still the pencil. You might not see it in the final piece but it’s always used at the start of a project. It feels loose, natural and it’s fast to try out different ideas.

4. What is your artistic process like?

It always starts with searching for an idea. From a brief, I look at word association, play around with visual connections, anything that sparks a concept. From there it’s lots of thumbnail sketches, looking at different ideas and compositions. I select the best of those and draw them out as roughs. The chosen rough is then worked up digitally as a final piece.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

Mainly other illustrators, there’s so much great work out there, that’s hugely inspiring. It makes me want to create more, try to get better myself, experiment with personal work.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

It’s connected to loads in my life; music, film, theatre, what's hanging on my walls. When I’m creating something it can be completely relaxing, almost meditative. Or, at times, it can be frustrating and stressful.

7. Where did you study?

I studied Graphic Design in Newcastle.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?

I’ve spent the past few years working in agencies, so I’m in no great rush to go back. I want to be working ‘with' people instead of ‘for' people. Recently, editorial illustration has been my main focus. I’d like to expand on that. Book covers are on my wish list. I’d also love to get my hands dirty, work on some screen prints too. Still trying out new things, experimenting and exploring with different techniques and materials.

9. What about in ten?

Ten! Bloody hell, no idea. That’s too far away.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I want to create, I want people to pay me to create. And I want to be happy with what I create. That feeling when it’s going well, it’s a real buzz.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

I love food. If I could eat all day I would. A favourite, eggs. I love eggs.

12. Favourite book?

Hard to pick a single one; Confederacy of Dunces, The Humans, The Old Man and the Sea are three that I’ve really enjoyed.

13. Favourite genre of music?

That’s harder than the book question. I can’t pick a favourite.

14. What are your hobbies?

As I mentioned, I like eating. Is that a hobby? I’m also (slowly) doing up our house. I love the cinema and I paint.

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

At school, I did a ‘career test’ that finds a job to match your personality. My top result was Fishmonger. I love seafood, but our fishmongers isn’t the nicest smelling place, so I wouldn't want to do that. A while ago I was lucky enough to go on safari. Their Rangers seem to have pretty amazing jobs, I think that would be good.