YinXin He is shortlisted for the project Steppenwolf in the WIA2021 New Talent Commercial Publishing Category! Find out more about this illustrator and their shortlisted project:
What’s your favourite thing about your shortlisted project?
To appropriately understand Steppenwolf I had to read some analysis, essay, author’s biography and a little about psychology, which was not only beneficial for the project but also upcoming projects. The historical context and content of the book allowed me to work with surrealism and expressionism, which made the creative process very enjoyable.
What materials did you use?
The whole project contains two parts: the main story was created with acrylic paint while the illustrations for the Treatise of Steppenwolf was pencil drawings.
What processes did you use?
Like other illustrators I worked with different sketches first, for the compositions. After I had finished drawing/painting I put all the artworks through Photoshop to get the effects that I wanted.
How long did it take?
About three months, it was my graduation project.
What are your plans for the future?
For the moment, my interest in illustration still remains in literature illustration for adults. I’m working on another book as a personal project.
What is your dream commission?
I would really love to be commissioned by Folio Society or Beehive Books.
If you could work for/with anyone who would it be? Lars Henkel, he’s always a great inspiration and an illustrator that I really look up to. I’m also a big fan of Dave Mckean.