British illustrator Abbie Reilly graduated from Birmingham City University’s illustration course. Her approach to image-making is shaped by writing and sketching. ‘I usually keep a sketchbook full of lists of ideas and elements, rather than preliminary illustrations – I sketch out elements of each idea and then translate this digitally and almost jigsaw each element together,’ she says.
Citing Birmingham’s brutalist architecture and harsh shapes among her inspirations, she’s also relatively new to colour. ‘I have endless battles with finding harmony in the colours I use,’ she says, ‘Even though my work is digital, I'm quite tactile when it comes to working, so having a physical colour palette is the best way for me to create the right tone and feel for my illustrations.’
Abbie Reilly. Dream collaborator: ‘I would say Carhartt WIP. For the past few years, I have been surrounded by skate culture and always respected the brand for championing diverse styles of illustration.’
The showcased project grew out of creative struggles in lockdown. ‘These visuals are based around lockdown meditation within the home, inspired by Adam Martin’s GABA meditation podcast.’ The visuals are ‘almost a form of self-portrait, of how I felt at the time, basically battling to relax’.
INFORMATION
-
Alexandre de Betak on getting lost to find himself in LondonAs the world-renowned artistic director opens his first personal studio in London during Frieze Week, Alexandre de Betak reflects on leaving the fashion runway behind to explore light, space and creative freedom
-
Step inside Faye Toogood's intimate cabinet of curiosities at PAD LondonFor PAD London 2025, (until 19 October) Faye Toogood presents The Magpie’s Nest with Friedman Benda
-
Vivo launches OriginOS 6, for a smooth and intelligent mobile experienceSuperior AI, next-level graphics and a seamless user experience make this Vivo’s most sophisticated operating system yet
-
Rory Hamovit: Wallpaper* Next Generation 2021Our Next Generation 2021 showcase shines a light on 21 outstanding graduates from around the globe, Wallpaper’s pick of the best new talent in seven creative fields. Here, we profile LA photographer Rory Hamovit.
-
Igor Pjörrt: Wallpaper* Next Generation 2021Our Next Generation 2021 showcase shines a light on 21 outstanding graduates from around the globe, Wallpaper’s pick of the best new talent in seven creative fields. Here we profile Igor Pjörrt, photography graduate of ECAL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
-
Weichi He Peng: Wallpaper* Next Generation 2021Our Next Generation 2021 showcase shines a light on 21 outstanding graduates from around the globe, Wallpaper’s pick of the best new talent in seven creative fields. Here, we profile ECAL graduate Weichi He Peng.
-
Ioanna Sakellaraki: Wallpaper* Next Generation 2021Our Next Generation 2021 showcase shines a light on 21 outstanding graduates from around the globe, Wallpaper’s pick of the best new talent in seven creative fields. Here, we profile graduate of Royal College of Art, London, Ioanna Sakellaraki.
-
Olivia Joan: Wallpaper* Next Generation 2021Our Next Generation 2021 showcase shines a light on 21 outstanding graduates from around the globe, Wallpaper’s pick of the best new talent in seven creative fields. Here, we profile graduate of Parsons School of Design, New York, Olivia Joan.
