WWW.EYEMAGAZINE.COM THE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF GRAPHIC DESIGN VOL .20
EMILIE KEMP SPECIAL
EMILIE EMILIE KEMP KEMP
Layout by Uzma Faheem &
Charlie Batsford
Interview by Uzma Faheem &
Charlie Batsford
PRINTMAKING & ILLUSTRATION
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Emilie Jayne Kemp is a student at The University of East London, who is currently studying a printmak- ing and illustration course. Now in her third year, Emilie has now adpated her unique style which first began when studying Art and Design at Chelmsford College, and has now developed not only further knowledge within her chosen field of design, but has also developed more skills in which she can apply into her future career. From university, Emilie hopes to have a career in primary school teaching, as well as being able to combine that with an on the side projects for writing and illustrating childrens books. By being able to combine both teaching and illustrating books, Emilie can not only talk to the school children and find out what they like, but will be able to see and find out what they don’t like, and what they might like in a book. Another reason for combining teaching and illus- trating is it will give Emilie chance to introduce her
own work to her target audience such as her classes. From that first hand experience Emilie will then be able to see how well her books will do with her potential target audience. Emilie is inspired by many artists. Of whom include William Morris, Jo Basford, and Laura Sa- tana. William Morris inspires Emilie within her work as she likes his style of which he uses fine details of print. Jo Basford inspires Emilies work in that Jo’s style is very cartoony, illustrative, and also shows a slight touch of detail too, which is a similar ap- proach to what Emilie uses. Laura Satana is another highly influencial artist within Emilies work. This is due to some of Emilies subject matters being female illustrations, which is Laura’s main subject matter within her work. By interviewing Emilie we got to find out more about Emilie as an artist, what inspires her within her works.
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Emilies Process
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C A R T O O N Y S T Y L E GET THE INSIGHTS and what influences Emilie in her work What are your favourite colours?
“My female illustrations are heavily influenced by pin up/tattoo art by the artist Laura Satana” Emilie Jayne Kemp
My favourite colour is purple. I like the fact that it is such a bright colour, yet it still manages to maintain a mysterious side to it. I have loved the colour purple ever since I can remember. I am known for my purple hair, and that is how I wish it to stay. I also like to express myself through colour and I do this through the use of purple. Whether it be through my artwork to my clothing.
Which of printmaking and illustration do you like/enjoy the most? Probably printmaking because it feels really hands on, and crafty, which I really enjoy. Also print- making is just another avenue I can go down when making work, as they both tie together nicely.
Why have you chosen this course? I chose this course because I was looking for a course that specifically taught illustration which is what I want for a career. When I was at college I really just enjoyed doing illustrations, but then we got introduced to printmaking. Ever since then I have had a passion for wanting to combine the both. I made my decision to go to UEL as it offered me the course that I was after, by combining both my passions.
What/who are your main inspirations? (if possible say why) I have a very cartoony style when drawing people and subjects. My female illustrations are heavily influenced by pin up/ tattoo art by the artist Laura Satana. I went mad for her work in college, so I’ve kept the influences. I really love detailed pattern and design, and I am a big fan of art nouveau, and William Morris prints. The fine details in these kind of styles fascinate me. Check out Jo Basford’s illustrations as they are how I would aspire to be in the future.
3. The final image was another etching that Emilie created using silver card. By simply scratching the surface with a sharp blade and gently peeling away some of the layers in doing so, the over- all print has a rough textured finish to it. Which works particularly well as it ties in with the rough and tough look of the subject matter that being the skull and diamond.
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Bad Taste
A R T N O U V E A U a n d h o w E m i l i e c r e a t e s h e r o w n
Here’s an Image of Emilie with her Axolotls which she enjoys spend- ing time with. Its brings across a certain unique quality that Emilie doesn’t always go for the obvious. Emilie keeps four Axolotls, two pink and two gold. They like to run laps in the tank and it wakes her up in the mornings. Especially the
What are your passions and interests? I keep Axolotls which are strange but cute looking amphibians which live in a large tank. I have two pink and two gold Axolotls, their natural colour is more of a sludgy brown/black. They’re a big part of me and I love them, I’ve had them for about a few years. I also took up pole dancing a couple of years ago. I do it for fun and fitness, and then all the other stuff that everyone likes to do like socialize with friends, T.V and Music. I also love the colour purple, I’ve had purple hair for about 5 years I always wear purple clothing, my room is purple and I just love it!
What is your favorite piece of work andwhy? Probably the piece I did for a project called “Bad Taste” just because I recieved the exact reaction I wanted and everyone found it funny which was great! It was an illustration piece including figures of Jamie Oliver the well known chef of our time to portray the idea of “taste” and the idea of bad was that I also included a figure of a clown and a “bad” part of his body was leading to Jamie Olivers mouth to represent “Bad Taste”. Which was hilarious and I used a different substance to portray my idea through this particular illustration. I like it because it also brings along a sense of controversy.
What medias do you work with most?
I plan to become a primary school teacher and to also write and illustrate childrens books. This has been my dream for quite a while now and look forward to achieving it too. I love being around children and me becoming an illustrator for child- rens books would mean a great deal to me as I’ll be involved in their learning process of a young age.
I mostly enjoy using a Pencil and Pen to illus- trate my artwork as it has a bold and effective finish. It stands out well as I also prefer work- ing on white paper with black pen because it brings out my illustrations a lot.
Four Axolotls
What are your future plans?
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1. A sketch that was done for the Garden of Eden project. Emilie was inspired by Jo Basford to create this peice as a simple illustration created with a black fineliner pen. She created so it could possibly be used as a Textile print.
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“I plan to become a primary school teacher and to also write and illustrate childrens books”
“Jo Basford is one of my main inspirations”