Thomas Danthony Interview

This interview with Thomas Danthony- an illustrator who's work is really inspirational to me, tells a lot about his practice and the story of how he became an illustrator.

Hi Thomas, please tell us something about who you are and what you’re passionate about.

My name is Thomas Danthony. I am illustrator, designer and artist. I am from Montpellier, a city by the mediterranean sea in the south France and I have now been living in London for the last few years. Apart from creating pictures, I love climbing and spending time in the wild.

What first pushed you to be an illustrator? And what are some of the most important things you learned while doing so?

I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. After product design studies, I slowly realized that illustration was actually a possibility. And at the same time, people started to show interest in my work and I got my first commission. There are a lot of important lessons that I have learnt as an illustrator. It’s not just simply drawing, it’s how to run a business, from managing my clients, dealing with timelines and then of course constantly evolving my drawing. There is always something new and interesting to deal with, so you never get bored.

Your work has a beautiful combination of soft gradients and bold colours. Where do you find inspiration for this aesthetic? And how has it shaped your working process?

I find inspiration everywhere, from my everyday life, travels, photography, cinema, paintings… My working process is built around the finish I want with my pictures. But I also try to experiment as much as I can, to avoid being trapped in my own style / process. I work mainly with digital on commissions, but I also like to do screen prints and paintings. This actually helps me stay fresh with my digital work.

Are there any new themes of motifs you want to incorporate into your work, but haven’t had the chance yet?

I would definitely like to experiment more with textile design, pattern and installations. Packaging and objects are also something I am interested in.

Do you have any recent or upcoming projects that you’re particularly excited about?

I am working on a solo show but I am still in the process of finding the right place at the moment. It would be mainly paintings, so I am excited about getting my hands dirty and being able to spend less time in front of the screen!

Last but not least, could you share some advice to aspiring illustrators?

I think the key is to find your own voice and to draw things that make you happy. Some illustrators will naturally have a style easy to market and others not. This doesn’t mean one is better than the other. Keep your own touch, as long as you like what and how you draw, post it online and eventually someone will spot it!

http://blog.kuvva.com/2015/06/musing-with-thomas-danthony-the-illustrator-of-enthralling-images/