Meet A Local: GAKS

Lets talk about Gerrel Saunders aka Gaks. Gaks has to be, in my opinion, the most talented illustrator in Trinidad. His attention to detail and vector skills are jaw dropping. I believe it was his meticulous hair study that initially attracted my attention. It is only fitting that I begin my illustration journey with Gaks, as his work birthed my initial interest.

The main skill that I admire from him and would like to learn is his highly detailed hair illustrations. I must admit to being very lazy with the pen tool when it comes to hair. It gets pretty monotonous very quickly. I honestly cannot see myself illustrating hair alone but I do think this skill looks damn right amazing both in his portraits and standing alone.

All images belong to Gerrel Saunders

Now lets redirect the focus back to complete portraits. On Gaks' instagram I have found some of his work that I will use as a step by step guide to create a complete portrait of myself, in his style. Hopefully I do it justice, fingers crossed!

-S.R

Image Reveal

As stated in my previous post, I will be recreating one single portrait of myself using the styles of artists that have inspired me over the years. However, I did not include the portrait, until now.

Lets meet face tuh face

I am a Caribbean born Graphic Artist trying to discover her design identity. Your design identity is the definite factor that separates you from a sea graphic artists. Your characteristics, tastes and basically everything that makes you tick, helps refine this. The ways in which we are different, mirror the ways in which we design differently. You start each job designing in your unique style and build from there. My work should reflect me. Designing is a very personal experience, with each final art work (faw) representing not only me as an artist, but as me, Shanice.

Lately, however, my work seems to be falling short of my personal standards. I have realized that I do not have a style that represents me and I have attributed this to being the reason for my sudden downfall. Without a style there is no foundation to build upon and my art seems to have no direction. Maybe I did have a particular style once, but in the last two years of constantly designing for clients, and their style preferences, I seem to be lost. In my opinion at this stage in my career, it is too easy to lose yourself because your clients' preferences trump yours.

How can I design for clients, if I cannot design for myself? This is the beginning of my journey to discover myself and my style. My main interest has always been vector portrait illustrations, which are few and far in between in my current job. My aim is to select inspirational artists who have mastered the art of portrait illustrations and use them as a guide. I will re-create a single portrait of myself, using their various styles and techniques to hopefully develop a style of my own. Ultimately at the end of this journey I can have a style starting point that can be modified and refined to suit the needs of potential clients.

-S.R