Shweta Mohapatra – a graduate from NID (National Institute of Design), Ahmedabad, and a post-diploma holder from PASCA (Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Arts), France.
In her own words, ‘She is the happiest person when given a handmade paper, pencils and paint’ and watch her creativity unfold!!!
For an artist the inspiration can come from any quarter – an ordinary room, a typical wired city or beautiful lush gardens – so evident in Shweta’s art work.
Animationxpress’ Ishpreet Chandock recently caught up with her, talking about her passion for drawing, her inspirations and admiration for art and lots more….
When did you understand that you had found your way as an illustrator?
As a kid I loved to draw, like most kids, but I kept drawing in my adolescent and then after school I joined NID, it was fantastic you are exposed to so much visual medium, and you have like minded classmates, so much creative energy, exchange of ideas and drawing, once you fall in love with it, it’s very difficult to give it up…isn’t it
How did you get into children’s book illustrations?
After I graduated, I was working as a freelance television promo producer, in Mumbai. A senior of mine from NID, who had illustrated for ILFS, School Net, suggested that I show them my sketches and drawing, I did not have a blog back then so I did and they gave me to do my first book. ‘Marrima’s Rag Doll’ this was a UNICEF book in2005, after that I went on to do 4 more books for them, and that’s how I started illustrating for children’s book.
What inspires you the most to unleash your creativity?
That’s a tough one, but I think there is so much around us and to soak in and take it in. Visually it could be anything like something out of popular culture iconography, various Indian art forms, something I see on the Internet, magazine etc. but most importantly, I am always inspired by my travels and meeting really driven creative people.
Did you have any formal training in this field? Do you think it’s necessary to have some basic training?
I went to National Institute of Design (NID, Ahmedabad), and graduated in animation filmmaking, and then I went on to do my post-baccalaureate in contemporary art. I never really trained as an Illustrator, but had a very strong background in drawing and story telling (animation film design). I do not think one needs to have institutionalized training in illustration, but one needs to have the enthusiasm for drawing, story telling and have a good imagination and a good color sense- that is very important.
Your work is has a refreshing look to it that stands out well in a growing sea of Illustration. What are some visual influences that make their way into your work?
My influences keep changing, and thus I feel my work is constantly evolving, the way I illustrated 5-6 years ago is very different from how I illustrate now, which is actually quite exciting for me personally, it will be interesting to see how it will be in the next 5 years or so.
Your Illustrations seem to be a great combination of traditional and digital techniques. Could you describe the technical side of your creative process?
I draw everything on paper, scan it, take it on Photoshop, I fill colors, change colors etc. Most time I use Photoshop mainly as an editing tool, I have all my elements rendered and drawn and then I size them, clean them, place them etc.
Could you share your mental approach to developing concepts for your Illustrations?
When I am working on a specific project I ask authors to give me photographs, if I can travel and take my own photographs it’s great. I look at films for references, if I like a frame I pause and sketch it out. I make rough drafts as I go along and then start work.
How do you select the projects – you must be having some favorite topicswhich you want to do but some different kind are offered to you by publishers. How do you strike a balance between the two?
Oh yes, I love to draw animals of all shape and size and food. So I really look forward to projects with them. Subjects or editors I am not comfortable with I just don’t take on those projects.
How has been your experience teaching this art form?
I love teaching, interacting. It’s really challenging and I am always relearning the basics. Students can really amaze you. For example you can teach a class of students the same thing, and give the same assignment – yet each will come up with unique solutions, everyone has their own strengths and challenges and it’s great to work with them in a group as well as individually.
You are a jack of various works, what do you enjoy doing the most?
While illustrating, I really like rendering (poster, pencil work, charcoal) the most, I can really get into the zone, listen to the same music in a loop (it drives people around me mad) and I can go on for hours.
Tell us about your work for Travel and Leisure magazine, for their anniversary issue?
T&l (Travel and Leisure), India comes up with a ‘eat guide’ each year, it’s their list of go to places to eat in major cities across India. So this year they approached me to do the illustrations for them, we had a very tight schedule for this, so we went for something minimalistic, clean lines & graphic. I love illustrating food; it was really hectic but great fun.
Tell us more about your new book based on ‘Felix the penguin’?
Felix the penguin book is a part of a series called ‘Rainbow series’ there are 4 books in all, which I am working on. Hay House, India will publish these, the stories are written by Percy Shroff.
Which books, illustrations and illustrator do you find impressive?
Far too many, but not necessarily illustrators only, artists, graphic designers, animators, patachitra/miniature artists, photographers, filmmakers. Growing up in the 80’s I grew up with my fair share of Victor Dragunsky, Rojan, Marvel comics- (phantom, Manderek , Flash Gordon) Tinin and Amar Chitra Katha, so these are all time favorites . Some Children’s illustrated books I love- All books of David Weisner, Today is my day by Piet Grobler. Swimmy by Leo Leoni, Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, Cat in the Hat, And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems.
How does a freelance illustrator live (or survive)?
It is not easy to survive as an illustrator, especially in India where work is so disorganized, for example I don’t have an agent, so I have to do my own marketing, publicity, contracts which is not easy, because those are not my strong points and it really is a distraction from my real work. Then when you are working for publisher, most publishers here have no picture/art editors in their team; sometime it leads to big communication gaps. I illustrate because I really enjoy the process and that is a big incentive for me- that and the opportunity to get my work out there.
One day will your style branch out into other genres, for example into graphic journalism?
I hope so, but I don’t work with that objective. Like I said my style is always evolving so it will be great to see where it goes next.
What illustration festivals are a must to attend for an aspiring illustrator?
I don’t know of many festivals that only deal with illustration, for children book illustration Jump-start is a good place to meet authors, publishers etc. Comic con, India is also gaining momentum.
What advice would you like to offer to aspiring illustrator?
Draw, draw and draw. Also, look and really try to understand the things you like. There is nothing wrong with emulating a design or illustration you like; if you keep doing it your own personality will make it something new. If you have stories/ideas that you want to say, just start drawing and making drafts. You have to get their work out there (on web, seminars, and workshop) for everyone to see, start a blog, website. It might not be easy to get a first project, but organize your work well.
What’s on your horizon? What’s next for you?
I am just wrapping up 4 books ‘rainbow series” I am also designing the page layouts and book…I am looking forward to a break actually and then Once I have the mental space I can start afresh again