Chris Hall lives in a little village based in the North West of England. His illustration style is influenced by narrative and dreamlike ideas and concepts. He finds inspiration in everyday objects and the people around him. "It gives me great pleasure to find a unique angle or twist on any illustration."
I think I have the straightest nose in illustration. I had reconstructive cosmetic surgery on it following a mountain bike accident. This was few months before my wedding as well.
I have always been interested in illustration throughout my creative graphic design career (which is the discipline I started in). I worked in several in-house prints companies, then two years ago I decided to follow my passion and became a full-time freelance illustrator… I haven't looked back since.
I think everyday life inspires me and going to new gallery exhibitions which I try to do on regular bases. One artist that really inspires me is James Jean his art is on another level.
Most typical days involve me starting of by going to a local coffee shop to get my morning caffeine fix and plan out what I need to get done for the day. I use a bullet journal system which I can’t recommend enough it keeps me focused, then I head back into my studio to get started on any active client projects or personal projects that I have in the pipeline when things are more quiet. I will nearly always do some exercise during the day and this defiantly keeps me more on track and focused.
Usually I will do a walk or go for a swim this nearly always makes me see the creative problem from a different perspective or angle. If this doesn’t work I drink a lot of coffee and drive on through it.
Jenny Wren's Deli & Bakery (UK), Ideas Fortress (San Fransico) and GroundBreak Productions (UK). These clients were fantastic to work with, they pushed my illustrations skills fully and let me have creative freedom which produced some brilliant projects.
I usually start with pencil and paper at the beginning stage of the ideas. I will then move into photoshop and use a Cintiq 27QHD which is attached to my iMac. I have recently bought an iPad Pro & Apple Pencil which I have started using more to create concepts and sketches instead of pencil and paper.
I'm actually using Instagram more for inspiration these days but I do go on. www.itsnicethat.com & creativebloq.com.
I would defiantly say staying on top of the less creative tasks such as invoicing and marketing also try to keep organised. These seem less important than the creative side but they are essentially to successfully building your freelance career. This is defiantly something I have had to learn the hard way myself.
I think I had my dream project last year when I was commissioned by a local pie shop to do some illustrations. Being born in Wigan this was fantastic! I didn't get paid in Pie's though, that would be the ultimate dream.
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