It’s the query on each designer’s thoughts: how do I get the type of work I actually need? If solely we had a easy reply (that’s a weblog put up for one more day). What we are able to inform you is that skilled lettering artist and illustrator Letters Pray, often known as Andy, appears to have cracked the code for himself.
Andy’s love for glyphs began again in 2015. After getting an iPad Professional he discovered himself hooked and absolutely dedicated to his craft. His profession is prospering, however Andy’s secret is that he doesn’t freelance solely. He works full-time at a artistic company, which permits his private lettering apply to flourish on the facet. In flip, his purchasers come to him as a result of they already love his model, which suggests he will get to work on tasks he actually connects with, like creating the duvet for our group calendar. It’s like hitting the artistic jackpot.
We caught up with Andy to learn the way he balances profession and fervour, what evokes him, in addition to his ideas for budding lettering artists.
Who’s Letters Pray? How did you get your begin?
I’m Andy. I’m from London however now reside in Bristol.
At uni, I used to be very drawn into note-taking and making my notebooks look participating and funky. This behavior bled into my work life, and I discovered myself lacking stuff in conferences as a result of I used to be busy perfecting thrives or working towards calligraphy. However I actually bought into hand lettering and illustration whereas working in a extremely boring job.
I began by doodling on bananas on my lunch break and sharing foolish stuff on Instagram. I used to be excited by what I noticed on the platform, looking different artists and getting impressed by all of the wonderful artwork they have been making, so I made a decision to get higher.
I discovered by shopping for supplies and attempting them out, working towards completely different kinds and approaches, watching movies and experimenting. After I bought an iPad Professional is when my journey actually took off, and I might be lettering each spare second I had.
As soon as I began sharing my experiments on Instagram, I discovered an entire group of artists who have been doing the identical type of stuff, simply at a a lot greater degree! From there—I feel round 2015—it turned an obsession. I discover one thing so satisfying about lettering. The thought is that now we have these varieties that everybody acknowledges, however there are infinite methods to reimagine them.
You presently steadiness a full-time company job with freelancing. What’s that journey been like?
I took a break from my 9-to-5 job in 2019 to go touring, and I did a little bit of freelance work on the street to assist myself. The touring bought interrupted by the pandemic, however I saved on working as a contract illustrator and lettering artist till 2021 once I began working at a artistic company once more.
Since I work a traditional job as effectively, I could be picky about which freelance work I tackle. After I was solely freelancing, I principally took on something that got here my approach as a result of I wanted the cash. I ended up taking up work I shouldn’t have, both as a result of it was an space I wasn’t expert in, the timings have been unrealistic or the funds was too low. I discovered so much, however it was robust.
I nonetheless take the odd freelance lettering mission after they come up. I like doing freelance work, significantly as a result of my purchasers come to me as a result of they already like my model. Which implies I’m most likely going to get pleasure from doing the job! I could be choosy about which jobs I work on—and once I take them on. Which means I solely actually find yourself engaged on tasks that I do know I can match into my schedule, and I do know it will likely be a mission I’m getting one thing out of. Whether or not it’s a method I like working in and may add to my portfolio, or the prospect to make use of a brand new course of, approach or software program that I wish to get some extra expertise in.
You’ve talked about Instagram a number of instances, and your feed is fairly full of lovely work. What function does it play in your apply?
For some time, I made it a rule to share one thing on Instagram daily. That was how I discovered to get higher and make stuff folks favored. Over the past couple of years, I’ve massively curbed my Instagram utilization and now I don’t actually put up a lot in any respect.
I nonetheless discover it helpful and it’s positively been an unimaginable software for me prior to now because it’s the place most of my purchasers have discovered me, and sometimes nonetheless do. And I like connecting with different designers and artists there, often doing collabs or simply supporting one another’s work. However I’ve to say that my psychological well being and focus ranges have massively improved since I finished utilizing it a lot.
I observed you’re employed analogue infrequently, utilizing a bodily sketchbook and pencil to begin. What’s the worth in going “again to fundamentals,” so to talk?
After I’m engaged on a shopper mission I’ll nearly at all times begin on my iPad and maintain the entire course of digital, as a result of I can work a lot quicker that approach. However just lately—and this sort of coincided with me taking a step again from Instagram—I’ve been drawn to working in bodily media once more.
The primary cause I did this was as a result of I spotted that I had turn into so reliant on the “undo/redo” cycle that comes with digital, that I had principally forgotten how to attract letters by hand. I went on a little bit of a re-learning journey that concerned numerous sketching, scribbling, attempting issues and difficult myself to make one thing that pleases me as a lot as one thing I had made on an iPad. Most of this I maintain to myself however I often wish to share a few of these experiments on-line, if I feel they’re adequate!
What are your must-have instruments?
Clearly my must-have instruments are my iPad and Procreate. I’m fairly conventional in that sense. My favourite brushes include the app: the ‘Flat Brush” might be my most used, after which ‘Spectra” and “Tamar” for textures. Apart from these I’ve a number of packs from True Grit Texture Provide that I exploit so much.
I like experimenting, although. I’ve been attempting to study a little bit of blender just lately and I at all times get pleasure from messing round with pattern-making software program like iOrnament only for enjoyable and to get the juices flowing. I additionally use the Affinity suite so much in my workflow. I discover their iPad apps actually intuitive. Apart from that, it’s nice to at all times have a pencil and sketchbook at hand.
The primary factor is getting used to all of the doable hand gestures. For instance, holding down two fingers to undo a collection of actions. I additionally use the export layers as PNGs once I’m making a layered AR piece, and that’s been actually helpful.
Any traits you see taking off within the subsequent yr?
By way of traits, you’ll be able to’t actually not point out AI. I feel over the following yr we’ll more and more see the impression of AI on design and illustration. Each within the sense of individuals utilizing it of their work, but in addition reacting towards it.
It’s what it’s. It clearly represents a seismic shift in what ‘picture making’ means in 2023. I’ve not used it a lot, however I can think about it being an attention-grabbing or enjoyable software for ideation. However on the finish of the day, I don’t suppose I want AI to assist me get impressed when there’s a lot cool shit out on the earth created by folks or nature.
That’s an effective way of placing it. Since we’re nearing the tip of our chat, the place can a artistic begin in the event that they wish to get into lettering?
Oof, that’s a difficult one. I’d say first you need to get understanding of how letters work. There’s a guide known as Home Industries Lettering Guide by Ken Barber that’s a extremely nice introduction with useful workout routines in it that reveals you the ropes.
Discover artists you want, and extra importantly, work out precisely what it’s you want about their work. Take inspiration from them however don’t copy them. Discover issues that please you and channel them into your individual work.
And bear in mind: inspiration doesn’t even want to come back from different lettering artists. It will possibly come from anyplace. I feel an important factor in creating a method is to at all times endeavor to make one thing that you simply love. Should you find it irresistible, you’ll wish to make extra, and in case you make extra your model will proceed to develop and evolve into one thing private to you.
We love that. So, what evokes you, Andy?
My inspiration comes from completely random locations. Typically I’ll see a texture on a lamp put up that I wish to incorporate into a chunk I’m doing. I discover inspiration in tactile issues. Avenue artwork is a giant factor. Knackered previous store indicators.
I’m an enormous movie nerd as effectively. I’ll typically take a movie’s tone or aesthetic and base a lettering piece round that. Basic movie posters are a giant one, significantly the wonderful painterly ones by artists like Drew Struzan. I additionally love matte work, idea artwork and graphic novels. I purchased an ideal guide just lately known as Anime Structure which I might flick by means of for hours and discover issues that excite me.
And clearly all of the wonderful artists I comply with on Instagram. Ah, there’s hundreds! @biksence is one in every of my all time faves. @matvoyce is killing it along with his movement work. Additionally The Excessive Street Design for at all times making me chuckle. Additionally I’d love to present Melisa (@girlsnguts) a particular shoutout. She is an illustrator I mentored final yr by means of Inventive Mentor Community, and he or she brings such insightful humor and vibrance to all of her work. Test her out!
