Inspired

Paul Davis
Illustrator

Generally speaking, inspiration comes from all around me. People on the street, magazines I read, exhibitions I see and music I listen to.

I am very interested in contemporary illustration emerging from the UK, particularly character-based work that has itself risen from the graffiti world stretching as far away as South America. Recent events such as Secret Wars, in Shoreditch, have really helped to showcase some of the best young UK talent in this area, which has become more and more commercially popular.

From this area, I would say that Jon Burgerman has had a positive effect upon my work. By looking at his illustrations I have learned to loosen my style into a more relaxed, fluid form, less concerned with absolute perfection and more concerned with interesting composition and use of colour.

This has also led me to really try to use negative space in new ways, seeking to provide the viewer with a variety of options when looking at my work.

More traditionally, I love the work of Egon Schiele, Vincent van Gogh, Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Heath Robinson and Katsushika Hokusai, all amazing artists trying to portray the world in new and exciting ways.