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3DTotal : Your portfolio consists of a combination of works; some very beautiful soft narrative artworks, and more ‘punchy’ bold cartoon Illustrations. Which would you say you get most satisfaction from as finished artworks?
Olivier : I think that I prefer my soft narrative artworks, because they make me dream when I draw them and see them finished. I always try to find a particular atmosphere and lighting and it’s often a little story for me and the people who see them. So that’s why I am so interested in creating a children’s book. My cartoon illustrations are funnier because they don’t have too much of a narrative; when I want to draw a funny scene I often choose a cartoon style with my bold outlines - it’s very different!
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3DTotal : You talk about ‘finding a particular atmosphere’; can you talk us through some of the techniques that you use to create those fantastic cloud, mist and steam effects in your artworks?
Olivier : When I do an illustration, I often draw a sketch to get the correct construction and design. Then I often scan it and set it at 20% opacity and I put in the colours of all the elements. I decide where to put the lightning source that will give me the principal atmosphere, using a big aerographer brush in a dark colour. I can then add the shadows using a medium grey in multiply mode. At this point, I am always viewing my illustration in small to see if the unit is correct. When all the shadows seem to be ok, I then add some lighting using white in overlay mode (it’s a magic moment!). After that, I sometimes add a material texture to give a less computerised effect. Then I put in some clouds with a very light aerographer brush for the atmosphere. When all seems to be correct I often copy and apply my work; I use a watercolour filter and I copy this picture in my artwork. I put this “water coloured” version in overlay mode and give more or less contrast using a mask. I often draw like this, but sometimes I draw some speed paintings in my own style …although, I’m not quite Ryan Church!
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3DTotal : So Olivier, what do you do in your spare time when you’re away from your computer screen?
Olivier : I often go to see live shows; like dance, new circus shows, and street shows that will probably inspire me in my drawings. Sometimes I play my guitar, as many people do, or I juggle when the weather is good!
But my favourite past-time is Seventies design; every week I go to second-hand trade shows with my wife to find beautiful Seventies light-fittings and furniture. I really like the Seventies era and I think that it was the most creative approach to object design that we ever had. Seventies design is so crazy, round and colourful, it’s so incredible, it seems to come from another world! So, I spend some time repairing old furniture, so you can imagine the decoration of my apartment! |
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3DTotal : You mention “another world”; do you think that you like to escape to these other worlds, through your artwork and by decorating your apartment in this style, to escape the ‘here and now’?
Olivier : Yes, it’s a kind of escape - I am creating my own world; a round and coloured world that helps me to live… It’s my small nest…
3DTotal : So Olivier, I have to ask, do you have a life-long dream that you would like to fulfil?
Olivier : Well, I have many, many dreams, like creating books, furniture, and perhaps one day even creating a place - perhaps an attraction park, why not! So, I simply want to create again and again and again… That’s my life-long dream!
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3DTotal : Many thanks for chatting with me Olivier. I wish you the very best of luck with your
first children’s book adventure, and of course, please don’t ever stop dreaming!!
Olivier : Many thanks to you Lynette and to 3DTotal for this interview.
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