How do you make something so abstract, so catchy and yet elegant and chic on flat? Well, Beth Fraser has mastered it. Not only does she bring figures to life with effortless charm, but for her, drawing isn’t work – it’s pure fun!
Your first drawings as a kid?
It’s always been figurative drawing, very much people and costume focused.
Is Illustration a tool or an art form, and why?
I’ve always understood it as illustration tells a narrative, art tells an emotion. Though I do think the best results come from combining the two.
Colour or line?
Line, and consequently, shape.
What do you think about when you draw?
I think, "how I can push this figure into the most believable yet abstract pose?". It’s usually my second or third take that it all comes together, then I go from there.
Character or situation?
Character.
How did you find your style?
Constant playing. Constant sketchbooking. I see the beginnings of upcoming stylistic phases creeping into the sketchbook, they probably don't bloom until a year later when your hands have caught up with your head.
Advice for beginners?
Don’t compare lanes or journeys, focus on enjoying your creativity and finding your style naturally.
You have to be your work’s biggest fan!
Your favourite artists in general? It could be anyone from any art field, why these?
Currently in love with Tarsila Do Amaral, she’s the perfect balance of illustrative and art, seeing her work at the RA this year was special. And of course, Nara Yoshitomo, for the same reason!
Your favourite illustrators? Name at least 3.
Blessed to know and love illustrators Anjelica Roselyn, Samuel Harrison and Jess Bird - the gc is artist therapy!
Practice or talent?
Offtt... Practice.
Your favourite places in the world?
People watching from a street table, in a cute outfit with a bowl of olives. If that happens to be a street in Spain or Portugal then even better.
I have sketchbooks full of characters from my travels, my favourite place/sketchbook would probably be 2019 Havanna, Cuba.
What do you need to have a productive workday?
Tea and a good playlist, in the morning sun. I’m really not productive past 2pm, though having a deadline does wonders for productivity…
Do you think of drawing as work or as fun?
C’mon. It’s so fun!
Have you ever been stuck creatively, and how have you dealt with it?
Knowing that it is part of the creative process is a big help, the aforementioned group chat does wonders for the creative self-esteem.
Please make a little drawing of Trickster as a fantasy character: