Jessica Horrocks 3

Here is some feedback that Jessica Horrocks gave me on my finished editorial piece:

Jessica Horrocks

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To Chloe Jones

Hi Chloe,

This looks cool! I like the stitching and handmade textures. The only thing I would suggest is perhaps lightening the background a little so that the cat stands out more and contrasts with the background, because it's a really nice element :)

On 26/03/2011, at 7:00 PM, Chloe Jones wrote:

Hi Jessica!

I have attached a copy of the work that I am currently working on in response to a coffee magazine article. The coffee is called Kopi Luwak and the idea is that there is a cat in Indonesia (where the coffee comes from) who eats coffee berries, these pass through the cats digestive system and out of its anus and these are then washed, dried and made into coffee beans which sells at £50 per cup.

I wanted to incorporate Indonesia themed colours and patterns and also the idea that 2+2=5 as you wouldn't expect this to come through a cat.

If you could possibly spare the time to offer some feedback it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you again for your kind responses :)

Chloe

Kopi Luwak

Here is the canvas that I have been working on over the last few days in response to the Kopi Luwak article that I am briefed to illustrate

Rudy Gutierrez

Rudy Gutierrez

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To chloejones2@live.co.uk

Attachments, pictures and links in this message have been blocked for your safety.

Show content | Always show content from rudygut@optonline.net

Hi Chloe,
Thanks for checking out my work!
Where are you studying? Can you send me a link to see your work or 
some jpgs?

1- I do use white but it is not always as prevalent because of the 
high saturated color that I have tended to use. White tends to make a 
color chalky and more pastel oriented which wouldn't work as much for 
the intensity that I have been going for.

2- I like to create kaleidoscopic pieces where there is a clear point 
and then elaboration on that point. i love the idea of improvisation 
on some of these pieces combined with a solid idea and then having 
fun seeing where it goes. Then it become about controlling the 
imagery with pushing and pulling element so that they don't obscure 
the idea but reinforce it. Sometimes it works and sometimes I have 
failed at it! However, there are many pieces where I want simple hard 
hitting simplicity or subtlety as well.

3- I don't have a set way of working. Somteimes it is dark to light 
and the opposite. In She Plays with the Darkness it was about 
capturing the mood and drama of a particular story that this painting 
was done for. It was a book cover. The story was about a woman who 
dance with rock paintings in a cave that came to life. Magical and 
moody.

4- I see art as an extension of who I am and illustration is an 
outlet that allows me to reach big numbers of people. Having said 
that I would say that everyday life, my loves and hates inspire what 
I do. I am very influenced by many artists, everyday lives and music 
has always been a big inspiration.
I feel that as an artist with a "gift" I have a responsibility to 
uplift and inspire others and to speak for those who maybe cannot.
there really isn't any blogs that I follow but I do think that it is 
important to constantly feed yourself by reading, watching movies, 
listening to music that speaks to you and generally choosing to view 
listen and watch things that will feed you in a way that will inform 
you and your art.

Much light to you and your art,
Rudy


On Mar 22, 2011, at 10:51 AM, webmaster@altpick.com wrote:

> This is an e-mail sent from a user of the AltPick.com web site:
>
> Sent from the altpick*com web page at:
> http://altpick.com/rudygutierrez
>
> -----
> User's Name: Chloe Jones
> User's E-mail: chloejones2@live.co.uk
> User's Telephone:
> -----
> This User's Message:
>
> Hi Rudy!
> I've been looking at your
> work recently for
> inspiration on an
> Indonesian themed
> project. The colours that
> you use are striking and
> fit well with what I'm
> doing. I'm currently
> studying in my second
> year towards my
> illustration degree and
> wondered if you could
> help me with a few points
> please?
>
> 1. You don't seem use a
> lot of white, is there any
> reason for this?
> 2. You don't seem to give
> yourself any space at all,
> the images are always
> really loaded, is there any
> particular reason why?
> 3. Do you work from a
> dark background to light
> or from a light
> background to dark? For
> example on 'She plays
> with the darkness' the
> background is particularly
> dark. Is there any reasons
> why?
> 4. What influences your
> work and are there any
> blogs you follow etc?
>
> Thanks very much for
> your time, if you have the
> time to reply it would be
> greatly appreciated, I
> understand that you are
> probably extremely busy.
> Thanks again
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Chloe
> - - - -

As from Katharine Asher, never be satisfied

I liked this piece of advice, it spurs me on to continue developing ideas and themes. If the deadline is 1 day or 1 month, use the time to its full potential, do not sit back and put your feet up!

Katharine Asher

Katharine Asher

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To chloejones2@live.co.uk

We've added this sender to your safe list. That way you can always see what they've sent you.

Dear Chloe:

Please refer to my own site

www.kathywyatt.com

if you go to Figurative ..TRADITIONAL

you will see my earlier work which was far more 'loaded'/ realistic.

I much prefer the spontanaeity that water colour gives me .... and I continually evolve my style to stop me getting bored and to keep in lines with trends.

Watercolour ...I use both tubes and blocks - W&N is my preference

What medium I use depends on the job, and the effect I require.

My advice is

• Never stop life drawing
• Never be satisfied with what you are doing
• Revisit your childhood and 'play' with different mediums

good luck K

Chloe Jones

To howdy@illustrationweb.com

Howdy Katharine!

I'm currently studying towards my illustration degree in my second yea. I have been looking at your work recently as I struggle with representing the figure. The way that you can manipulate the shape to do with it what you want/need is fantastic! I work similarly in that I have a lot of white space and use a minimalist approach. I was wondering if you could spare a few minutes to help me with a few points please?

1. Is there any reason that you work with a lot of white space? Are you scared of overloading your image etc.?

2. You work with watercolour a lot, is this your preferred media? Is there any reason why?

3. Your images are very fluid and suggest movement, do you ever work without this quality?

4. Do you work with watercolours from a palette or from tubes? Is there any easier option for you?

5. Do you always work so minimal? Do you have any images hwere they are completely overloaded?

Thanks for your time, I appreciate that you must be extremely busy. If you could manage to respond it would be greatly appreciated and help me towards my studies.

Keep up the fab work) :)

Kind Regards

Chloe

I like the fluidity of Katharine's work. The use of watercolour gives a great sense of movement, which my work does lack. I am drawn the Katharine's work because similarly to me she uses a lot of white space with minimal work. Also, I have a tendency to add eyes to everything I do to turn them into cute characters.

I like the piece of advice where she says not to ever be satisfied with anything that you do. Keep on developing and churning out work to find its true potential.

Jessica Horrocks 2

Yes please I'd love to see! Send something over for sure.

I've always struggled with finding my style, too. Or with sticking to a style! I'm not there yet, though I always tend to gravitate back towards graphite drawings, watercolour washes and pattern. Hmm. Cool, I've traveled briefly through the UK but mainly stayed in London and with some relatives in Buckinghamshire. Never been to Liverpool!

All the best,

Jess

On 24/03/2011, at 4:03 PM, Chloe Jones wrote:

Hi Jessica,

Thank you so much for your prompt response you have helped loads! (",)

I study at Stockport college through Liverpool John Moore's University. I love my course, I'm into everything at the moment and I struggling to find 'me' and my style I seem to be drawn towards more of a collage method, but will dabble in anything. When I'm next in I'll send you something over if you're interested

Thanks again muchly appreciated

Chloe

jessicahor​rocks@gmail​.com

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To Chloe Jones

Hi Chloe :)

Thank you for your email. I'm flattered that you're looking at my work for inspiration! Here's my answers to your questions:

1. You seem to construct your work manually, is this a preferred method for you? If so why?

Yes. It just feels more natural and comfortable for me to work with "traditional" mediums like pencils and paper, rather than digital mediums. I feel like I have more control, confidence and freedom with pencils rather than with a mouse or a drawing tablet. I majored in graphic design before I switched to illustration, and I had been spending SO much time on my computer that when I got the opportunity to focus solely on illustrating I felt a need to get away from the monitor. I often end up scanning drawings and playing with them digitally, to make patterns or more images. Overall, I think a combination of both "traditional" and digital techniques work the best for me right now.

2. Is there any reason why you like to use flora and fauna in your work?

I think it's all the intriguing details and room for creative license. It's definitely more of an aesthetic thing, though often a symbolic or metaphoric meaning will emerge later.

3. Where do you get your inspiration from? Do you trawl through blogs or are there significant artists you like?

Scientific illustrations always inspire me, and they're pretty easy to come by. The ones I find are mostly anonymous since they all fit into such a specific genre, though I'd like to investigate specific artists and their different styles more. Bookstores and vinyl/CD shops usually offer a plethora of inspiring graphics and illustrations for me. I like the tactility of handling illustrations/graphics in print, rather than just viewing them digitally.

4. Do you move about a lot, or are you quite a static illustrator? Does this impact your work any?

Quite static. I find that I have to feel comfortable in a space before I can make something I'm truly happy with. I suppose this impacts my work in that it allows for planning and careful time-consuming detail. My work isn't very spontaneous. I think if I moved about a lot it could possibly take on a more unpredictable, unrestrained quality.

Ok, well that's all. So where do you study? Are you enjoying your course? What kind of work do you make? I'm always interested in seeing the work of others!

Jess :)

On 22/03/2011, at 11:37 PM, Chloe Jones wrote:

Hi Jessica!

I have been looking at your work recently for inspiration on an Indonesian themed project. I like the delicacy of your lines and characters, I was just wondering if you could help me with a few points. I am currently studying in my second year towards an illustration degree and was wondering:

1. You seem to construct your work manually, is this a preferred method for you? If so why?

2. Is there any reason why you like to use flora and fauna in your work?

3. Where do you get your inspiration from? Do you trawl through blogs or are there significant artists you like?

4. Do you move about a lot, or are you quite a static illustrator? Does this impact your work any?

Thanks very much for your time, I understand that you are probably extremely busy, your time is much appreciated. I look forward to your response

Kind Regards

Chloe

In the black and pink image, Jessica uses collage but in a very subtle way. I like the way that her choice of newsprint comes through the artwork but it is not the central point. Jessica tends to use more illustrator collage than actual manual collage which I tend to work with.