@alexander_mostov

17/11/2016

Instagram: @alexander_mostov Tumblr: alexandermostov.tumblr.com Dribbble: www.dribbble.com/alexander_mostov Website: www.alexanderillustration.com

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

Hello! I’m Alexander. I’m a freelance illustrator living in Seattle, Washington with my girlfriend, lots of plants, and a mischievous little dog named Dziga. I was born in Ohio where I was heavily influenced by my Grandmother to whom I attribute my taste in mid-century modern furniture, woodland creatures, and things made of walnut. I originally planned on being an architect and even got a 4-year degree in architecture. However, I decided that the profession of architecture was not going to fulfill me creatively and I switched to illustration. alexandermostov-1

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

A client recently told me my drawings are a blend of midcentury and contemporary which I think is apt. For characters, I like to incorporate a lot of childlike or naive elements like simple lines to represent facial features. My color palettes are usually minimal and lean heavily in one direction (all warm tones, pastels, etc.). I often create scenes that could occur in real, everyday life, yet have very little interest in drawing things that look objectively “real”.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

It is hard to deny the seemingly endless potential of digital mediums like Photoshop. That being said, there is something about a chunky brush stroke that just can't be replicated on screen. I also love graphite and gouache.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I start with pencil sketches that I develop into inked drawings. I use a light board to draw texture over the inked drawings and then scan everything into Photoshop where I organize and color. At the very end I bring in some additional textures I create with an ink brayer to make some parts looks extra gritty.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

Lately: Life Without Buildings (band); Black Mirror (TV show); other contemporary illustrators.

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

I often incorporate bits of magic realism that I wish were in the “real” world into the my pictures. As a consequence these ideas are bouncing around my subconscious so much they end up becoming part of my real world after all. alexandermostov-2

7. Where did you study?

I studied architecture at Clemson University. My illustration knowledge is self-taught.

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

I will probably still be doing freelance illustration, hopefully my style and project lineup will have evolved.

9. What about in ten?

I have thought it would be fulfilling to teach as an adjunct professor in addition to continuing my illustration career. I would pursue that opportunity if it became available later on.