KELLY SMITH

This week I have found another amazing fashion illustrator, her name is Kelly smith. She is a freelance illustrator who is based in Tasmania, Australia.  After she was graduated from The Tasmanian School of Art in 2006 with the Bachelor of Fine Arts, she decided to establish her dream as a freelance illustrator. Since then, she has sky-rocketed to stardom by working with some local and international world-known clients including Vogue Australia, Vice magazine, Mambo Goddess and General Pants co. She was also featured in some editions of Vogue Australia, Shop till you drop, and many other clients' publication media. Because of her passion in fashion, she then continued her career as an illustrator specialized in both portraiture & fashion illustration. Because of her desire in film & fairytale, she always took inspiration from those two subjects to keep on fueling her source of creativity, Kelly's work of art is always a spectacle in itself. Based with pencil strokes and keeping those until the final touches of her illustration, her work has its own trademark. Her fine detailed pencil work captures a likeness to her subjects, either they are objects or people whom she found inspiring. Traditionally and initially created on one layer, Kelly Smith adds in water color to give it a touch of soft translucent color shade without diminishing the effect of her original pencil strokes. Later on, she digitally edits her work by adding subtle hints of color and softness.

In a recent interview, Kelly Smith was asked to give tips on how to be an established illustrator. Her answer was that you had to "... be true to your own style...". It can be tempting to try to mould yourself into what you think you should be or mimic a successful artist. But people will always respond to work that's unique, so embrace that. I learned that I would have to create a style that is entirely my own if I want to pursue a career as an illustrator. Kelly also said that submitting work to as many competitions and call-outs is as essential as well because it would challenge us to be better and better as we are fueled with the feedback and exposure those would offer us with.