COVER ART

COVER ART Ellie Francesca Design

Name - Ellie Francesca Watson Age - 24 Where are you based?

I’m from Runcorn and work from Hazlehurst Studios, which is on the High Street.

How long have you been creating art?

Since I first picked up a pencil! But I’ve been running my business ‘Ellie Francesca Design’ for just over 18 months now.

How did you first get into it?

I’ve always enjoyed drawing. I find it relaxing. Well, most of the time! As for portraiture, I’ve no idea how that all started. I’ve still got portraits I’ve drawn dating as far back as 2005. I get a real kick out of that moment when a portrait comes to life and begins to look like a real person. It’s all in the eyes! There’s no doubt that the human face is my favourite thing to draw. Towards the end of college, I realised that if I wanted to be a successful portrait artist, I would have to have some sort of ‘commercial’ aspect to my work. Something people could recognise & relate to. That’s when I started drawing popular musicians. Music is my second love after portraiture, so to put the two together was a very natural fit.

What training do you have?

I studied Art & Design at Mid Cheshire College, and then stayed on to get my HND in Fine Art, I thoroughly enjoyed my 4 years there.

All my portraits are hand-drawn using a mix of Charcoal, Graphite and Ink. I scan the original portraits and turn them into prints. My style is very traditional. Other than removing the background, absolutely no digital editing is done to my drawings. Mainly because I’m a technophobe and I don’t know how to!

What is the inspiration for these pieces?

My work is for music lovers, by a music lover. My portraits are my way of paying tribute to the musicians that both myself & many others so greatly admire. It’s a real labour of love.

What are the aims for your art?

My main aim is always to produce work I’m proud of. I could never try and sell work that I’m not 100% happy with myself. And of course, to improve and become a better artist as a result. If other people like my work too, then brilliant! That’s the ideal scenario! I get such a buzz when a customer sends me a photograph of one of my prints hanging on their walls or tells me how much the person they gifted it to loved it. It’s such a great feeling.

Where can people find you on social media?

Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EllieFrancescaDesign Instagram : @ellie.francesca.design Facebook : @EllieFrancescaDesign Twitter : @EllieFranDesign 5