18.08.15
Words by:

We caught up with Lynnie Zulu, the London and Africa inspired artist behind our bold poster illustration.

When did you first start illustrating?

Ever since I can remember I have been drawing, as I grew up I realised that it was all I wanted to do. I’m very much motivated by the fact that you’re creating something new that didn’t exist before, no matter how small; those raw ideas can be a catalyst for your creativity. Drawing from imagination is my main motivator, as each drawing leads onto the next and the topics I focus on then solidify.

I studied Illustration at Kingston University and then moved straight to east London to pursue freelance illustration.

How did your style develop? 

Colour has always been one of the dominant elements of my style, whilst my subject matter is now on the more positive side of the spectrum, although during my uni years I mostly worked in black ink and created pieces about the darker side of human nature. My style developed in this area probably because I wanted to get as far away from the cliche of sweet, jolly children’s books. When I left university my style shook up in a big way and I found myself creating my best and most honest work. My current themes of pattern and colour all manifested from there.

Are there any specific cultures or time periods that have influenced you in a big way?

A lot of my influences are all connected in some way; my love for Africa and all the colour, music and boldness- mixed with the vibrancy of London life and the diversity of its cultures. Music and fashion periods from the 1980s and 90s are great references- there’s a wonderful celebration of colour and pattern in those periods which I love to bring into my work.

Your recent poster is a mix of bold colour and black panels. What is it about his mix that appeals to you?

For my poster I used paint pens that come in limited range of colours, mostly primary. I’m always interested in what outcomes the colour combinations create. In this piece I wanted to create combinations that echo a circus like atmosphere mixed with a Japanese 1960’s feel.

Can you talk us through your methods for this poster?

I’ve always been attracted to art that contains raw energy. It’s very important that my work reflects a fresh quality and doesn’t look too premeditated. I’m obsessed with sketchbooks for this very reason and find them the most inspiring place to come back to. Recently I’ve been trying to reveal the raw qualities in my work and draw attention to the pencil lines and make them an important part of the aesthetic. I usually work in panels in my sketchbooks so this is also something I wanted to bring forward and apply it as a style.

And is that the way you usually work?

I usually work straight onto larger scales using bold flat colour, bigger shapes and less line work. Sometimes it’s pre-planned in my sketchbooks, sometimes it’s a totally spontaneous piece. Photoshop very rarely comes into my work.

Are you working on anything particular at the moment or is it top secret?

Very excited about my collaboration with Native Shoes, our collection will be launching later in August! I’ve also got some secret projects that i’ll be able to talk about in the coming months!

When you’re not creating art, what else do you get up to? 

I’m mostly very solitary when I’m illustrating so on my time out I love to make the most of the city I live in and get up to no good with friends. Catching up with exhibitions and going to gigs are some of my favourite things to do on time out.

See more of Lynnie’s work over on her website