Tom Bagshaw Interview

A few weeks ago I emailed Tom Bagshaw asking if he would answer my questions. And he did, this is his reply.

Q. What’s your favourite illustration/commission you have work on?

A. Ive quite a few pieces over the years that ive really liked, obviously i prefer to do work for shows as theres no real client to have to deal with so you can really do what you want but for my illustration work i think my favourite piece of the last year was a couple of small editorial pieces for the daily telegraph, the art editor was pretty flexible and the end result went down well with everyone.

Q. Who are your main influences?

A. If you mean artistically, not really sure- i like a lot of different styles but im mainly drawn to figurative pieces, the old masters were a major influence on me as a kid. I also enjoy graphic design, packaging, illustration, comics, architecture, fashion, photography... pretty much anything visual, unlike a lot of artists i dont get motivated by music which some find quite odd.

Q. Some of your work contains limited colour. Is it something you think about before you start illustration, or do you think about it later?

A. Its a very considered thing for me- i like a more muted colour scheme, i rarely use a really bright palette, if i do its mainly accent and its more reserved for my illustration work. I tend to sketch in grayscale so colour can be separated from tonal value etc, its usually something that happens a bit later in the process.

Q. Have you always used digital programs like Photoshop/Painter? Or that came into your work before or after you started working as a professional illustrator?

A. I used traditional media like acrylic, oil, ink, airbrushing for years- i only went digital about 8 years or so, i very rarely even pick up a pencil these days ;)

Q. What advice would you give to someone about trying to get their work out there?

A. Use social networks, get a blog and a website or at least one of them and promote all you can, joing places like little chimp, society 6, illustration mundo- these places can help get your work out in front of a range of people who may want to commission you.