I am thrilled to present you with our artist of the week, Debbie Knight. Debbie is particularly renowned for her unique and insightful depictions of British wildlife, a theme that she will be focusing on our upcoming exhibition. She invites viewers to see the beauty and complexity of wildlife through her eyes, and we are eagerly anticipating her creations at the exhibition.
I was fortunate enough to have a personal conversation with Debbie about her artistic journey and the creative process she employs to bring her visions to life. This exclusive “in conversation” session allowed me to delve deeper into her work and understand the motivation and inspiration behind her work.
Can you walk me through your typical creative process from conception to completion?
For the artwork itself, it typically starts with a sighting of a particular bird or mammal that I’m drawn to. All my current wildlife work is created digitally on my iPad so using (wherever possible) my own photos as reference I use the canvas pretty much as I would a traditional one, deciding on orientation, brush types etc and begin with an outline of the subject and build it up slowly, intricately observing then applying the layers of colour & texture. My collection thus far uses a pastel brush as the main media and I sit each subject on a neutral textured background. I wanted to create a kind of soft realistic style to my illustrations that nods towards traditional natural history illustrations. Once I’ve built up the subject (after many days work!) I share it to my desktop computer where I incorporate it into my card & art print designs. My design skills have undoubtedly helped bring my artwork to life and I put as much consideration into the format, styling and materials they are printed on as I do creating the subject itself. On the back of my greetings cards, after a little research I write a line or two about the subject to add more interest. I like to add the Latin name on both prints and cards for each animal too. Once I’m happy with the layout (and triple checked everything!) I create print-ready artwork. I choose to use a trusted eco-friendly UK printer for my prints and cards and their turnaround is normally 7days+ so I have to plan ahead to get artwork back in time. I then eagerly await the postman!
How do you overcome creative blocks or challenges during your process?
I normally put my materials down and walk away. I always find some time out, then a revisit soon highlights what’s not working.
Are there any rituals or habits you have while working on your art?
I try not to set aside certain times of the day to draw, I like to be less rigid and draw whenever I feel like it. Although it normally flows better sitting in a comfy sofa with a cup of green tea.
How do you decide when a piece of art is finished?
Tricky! I think I just know when it looks right. Because I have created quite a few wildlife subjects now, I’ve gotten to know how much detail I need to add on each for it to flow across the collection.
How has your creative process evolved over the years?
Its changed immensely in style and the materials I use – I’ve previously used coloured pencils, black ink dots (pointillism), pastels, graphite, and acrylics to name a few but I always seem drawn to a sense of realism. In fact it’s only recently I feel like I now have a definitive style.
What part of the creative process do you find most satisfying?
Building up the layers of colour and seeing the subject come to life is very satisfying but so is seeing them in context, printed on the final product.
How do you manage the practical aspects of art making, like storage and studio space?
I do have a very small ‘under the stairs’ office from which I do all my computer work but the beauty of the iPad means I can pretty much sit anywhere and draw. Tasks like mounting & framing artwork and storing stock is not as easy. We’ve got plans for converting our conservatory into a proper office-cum-studio, so I hope to factor in some kind of organised storage for all my stock.
Who or what are your biggest artistic influences?
I am always drawn to scientific/ natural history illustrations but at the other end of the scale I love highly graphical illustrations and animations. Will Rose is a favourite – he produces some really cool animations based around wildlife and nature. I also love the work of Malika Favre – her work is so clever and stylishly simple at telling a story.
How do you find inspiration when it seems to elude you?
Generally I find a good walk does the world of good, there’s always something fascinating to find in nature.
How do you choose the materials you use for your pieces?
For my current illustrations, it’s a digital canvas with an Apple Pencil. Both allow me the perfect balance of freedom and control and fit with my desire to have less impact on the environment.
What next after this exhibition?
Who knows! Last year was a first for me taking my artwork to various craft markets and fairs so this year, I hope to build on that. I’d love to do more work with conservation / wildlife organisations too, perhaps creating bespoke illustrations based around building awareness of both the beauty of wildlife and the ever-increasing pressure it is under.
British Wildlife Exhibition
Preview: Friday 3rd May, 5pm to 8pm, come and meet Debbie at this special evening by RSVP here
Saturday 4th to Monday 6th May, 11am to 4pm Finchingfield Guildhall, Church Hill, CM7 4NN
Entry is free, and well-behaved dogs are also welcome.
Published by: Wonky Wheel & Debbie Knight