Abs Jamel Questions

Where are you from & have you always known you wanted to be a creative?

I’m an Artist from the UK, I’ve lived in a few cities but now reside in the creative cultural hub of Bristol.

Yeah, I guess from a really early age of always had a deep fascination with the arts in one form or another. I’ve always been drawing for as long as I can remember. I can still vividly picture drawing Superman and Batman with a friend in primary school and messy around with crayons when I was in nursery.

How did you get started in this industry and what inspired you?

I used to have a job as a Graphic Designer at an Architectural company but when the financial recession hit, the company had to let go of most the their workforce, one of them being me. After this, I decided I didn’t want to work for a corporation and leave my fate in someone else’s hands, so I decided to go freelance and try doing something I loved. Obviously at the start it was a struggle getting your name  & work out there, but being part of Bristol’s creative scene, connecting with other artists, and feeding off that shared energy made a huge difference. That sense of community kept me going and gave me the push to keep carving out my own path.

Who are your biggest artistic influences, and how have they impacted your work?

To be honest, I don’t really have any big artistic influences these days. I love seeing every Artists work whether they’re a big name or a local Artist. Each of whom will always have an impact on the way you see art and maybe influence certain aspects of your work. It’s always great to find new artists you admire and finding work you feel you have a connection with.

How has your style evolved over the course of your career?

My style is always evolving, I love learning new techniques that I can bring into my work. For example I used to always illustrate either by hand or using digital software. I then began experimenting with spray paint, which opened the door to large-scale murals and a completely different way of thinking about space and expression. From there, the work started to move beyond flat surfaces altogether, leading me into sculpture—exploring form, texture, and dimension in a much more physical way.

How do you balance your personal style with the clients ideas on a project?

It’s actually come more easily than I expected. I guess when clients see my work and would like to hire me for the commission they have a certain aesthetic in mind. So when it comes to bouncing ideas around with the client things flow a lot more creatively.

Can you outline your creative process from initial concept to final piece?

Things always start with a brief from a client, once we’re good to go all I need is a pencil and my sketch pad. I’ll usually create several ideas for the client to have a look at and consider. They will then usually give me their feedback on the artwork and maybe give me some more things to add or take out of the illustration. This will happen until both parties are happy to progress.

I’ll then create the vector illustrations for the client to show the client some colour formats etc. If their happy with it then I’ll get the artwork ready for print or whatever deliverable they need for the project.

Do you have a favourite soundtrack or type of Music you listen to when you’re working?

I prefer rock music but to be honest happy to listen to whatever as long as it gets me in the zone.

What is your favourite medium/tools to work with and why? Has your approach changed over the years?

I still love the aspect of drawing everything my hand first to be honest. I never want to loose that ability. I still find it strange using a wacom or something like an apple pencil.

Do you have a piece of work that you are most proud of? 

One of my pieces that I’m proud of was probably the branding work I did for Collective Arts Festival in Canada. It was just so great being involved in a project like that and then to go out there and see all your work come to fruition was just a great feeling.

Do you have a favourite type of project to work on, and why?

I really enjoy doing murals or live drawings these days. I guess it gives you a chance to work on a larger scale and it’s always a nice change to be out of the studio instead of staring at a computer all day.

What's is a typical day look like for you as a professional illustrator?

I usually start the day at 6am, get myself and my family sorted for the morning then head to the studio for around 9am. I try to always sort out admin stuff straight away, like emails or invoices etc. Just so the rest of the day can be spent fully in creative mode without distractions pulling me back.

If I’m working on a commission with a client I’ll get to work on that next and liaise with the client throughout the day. Or if it’s a more of a self initiated piece, things are a bit more relaxed and I can work at my own pace.

I usually try to finish around 5 to pick up my child from nursery, then spend the evening with the family. If I have deadline to meet or just need to get work sorted for the next day then I’ll work a few more hours to get things where they need to be.

What software do you use and why?

I use Adobe Creative suite but also use Affinity Designer. I started using affinity designer a few years back and still love it. It’s very easy to use if you grew up using Adobe and has pretty much all the same benefits plus some more extra features in there. To be honest they’re both great to use, both having the pros and cons but the use will vary on the type of work I’m doing.

How do you balance work/life balance with a young family? 

Trying to have a structure to your day usually helps, but of course people with kids usually know that it goes out the window. I guess you just have adapt to what life throws at you and take each day as it comes.

What is your opinion of the use of ai in the illustration industry?

I absolutely disagree with the use of it. I detest it!!

I guess the fundamentals of being a creative to create ideas yourself. I sometimes hear creatives using ai to develop their ideas and concepts and to be honest I think that’s just awful. Being a creative means your meant to be creative! Also, during your career you’ll soon develop your own style which ai can never match or beat.

If you could go back and give your younger self a piece of career advice, what would it be? 

Beware the robots are coming!

Do you have 3 tips you could you give to aspiring illustrators looking to break into the industry?

Draw everyday, anything big or small.

Get yourself out there, or meet Artists, go to exhibitions and hang out with Artists in you’re local community.

Learn to trust your own abilities as an Artist, you will be your biggest critic, always learn from your errors.

What has helped you most in your career as an illustrator?

Persistence!