I’m Paula, a part-time illustrator and design student living in Germany.
How long have you been drawing or illustrating?
I remember when I was a little girl I had a friend living in my small village and we used to meet almost every day to draw horses. She was actually much better at drawing realistic horses than me. A few years later I lost the interest to draw things as they are and started my first illustrations on checkered sheets mostly during math lessons.
When did you feel like you discovered your style? How did it happen?
I think I just used the trial and error method. I tried out a lot of different mediums – everything that interested me. After some time I looked at the results and stumbled over a red thread: Big symbols, bright colors and clear shapes found their way to me somehow.
Use 1 word to describe your style
Sassy or cheeky
Who or what inspires you to illustrate? Music? Books?
When I’m not on a bus ride I like to listen to experimental hip hop or just sit with a cappuccino watching people - other people inspire me, the way they dress, they walk and talk.
How is like your process while creating?
Every one of my illustrations are based on a graphite sketch in my sketchbook. The best time for me to sketch is early in the morning while sipping my coffee. Then I scan those in and use them as a base.
When the lines are set I choose the colors.
Which tools do you use to illustrate?
My sketchbook and big graphite pen are my two most important tools in my entire life I guess. Beneath that I use my scanner, laptop and my graphic tablet.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Put yourself at the top of your to-do list every single day and the rest will fall into place. (second: make to-do-lists!)
How do you see yourself in the future?
I'd love to run some more creative courses and make illustrations for cool magazines and eat good cakes in nice places. I’m currently working on a children’s book for adults that I would love to publish.