Restless Talent: Justin Lear

Hey Restless Colour Readers, check out the work of Justin Lear, a promising young Adelaide illustrator keeping traditional media alive.  

Hi there, my name is Justin Lear, and I’m an illustrator/ artist living in Torrens Park. I was born in Coonawarra, SA and ever since I was little I have been drawing. This eventuated into moving up to the big smoke to commence studies at UniSA. I discovered a love for painting in my second year of Visual Communication and haven’t looked back. I've been drawing ever since I can remember so from the age of 5 I always knew I wanted to do something involving this.  Looking through career guide books in high school I stumbled across ‘Illustration’ and that was it for me.

John Butler, Acrylic on Masonite

Mediums

Occasionally I’ll use mix media and pencil but the majority of the time I’ll use acrylic paint. I’m a sucker for acrylic, it’s just so easy to use, and the fact that it dries so quickly really lends itself to my loose and somewhat erratic style of painting. It’s awesome that I can just settle down with my palette and a dryer and just be in for a big continuous session at the easel.

Michael Caine, Acrylic on Masonite

Inspiration

I draw inspiration from traditional artwork and media, I tend to avoid digital, partly out of inability to use it, but also I find the use of traditional media more authentic and personal, more human. I’m not hating on digital artists, I have a lot of respect and envy for those who can do it well. I also draw inspiration from pop culture and celebrity, and like to combine that with portraiture, my favorite form of art. I like the idea of trying to capture the likeness (physically and in essence) of a universally recognizable and famous figure. I love editorial illustration, the whole process of brainstorming and combining key ideas to create a single image that acts as a visual narrative is really cool. These are the illustrations that not only call on your illustrative technique and skill, but also your creativity and ideas.

Achievements

There haven’t been a lot yet but it’s still early days... Uh, I’d say completing both an undergrad and postgrad in illustration is up there. Also selling a piece at my first exhibition was a great feeling and achievement. At this stage completing an illustration/artwork I’m happy with is an achievement- cherish the little things!

Dad at Robe, Acrylic on illustration board

Influences

I have to give a shout out to the entirety of my class during my uni course... the lecturers and fellow classmates. David Blaiklock, Robin Eley and Geert van Keulen are brilliant, great illustrators and very passionate about what they do. This came through in the way they taught and was extremely beneficial for us students. My fellow classmates (affectionately known as the illustration family) have influenced my work too. We were (and still are) a close knit group who help each other, give feedback and suggestions regarding our work. It’s really important to have a network of like minded people, who understand what you’re doing. So that’s the people who have influenced my work, as far as the artists go, there’s a pretty extensive list, I’ll just list a few...

Robin Eley- His work and the way he conducts himself is amazing. I was lucky enough to have him as my mentor in my graduate diploma.  I learnt a hell of a lot. Robert Hannaford- His work in portraiture and his loose yet realistic style is one I admire and aspire to. Anita Kunz- Not only the illustrative technique and skill, but also the fantastic concepts behind her works. I’m also inspired by art of the Renaissance, particularly Leonardo.  The work and style of Van Gogh and Edvard Munch is influential as well. There are plenty more illustrators / painters I admire and am influenced by, but we’d be here all day...

Addiction-Excess,  Acrylic on masonite

What the future holds 

Hmm, how deep. I would like to think the future holds success haha. My plan at this stage is to continue to develop my technical skills in illustration whilst saving money for the illustration academy, an intensive course of huge benefit to the career of an illustrator. That boding well, I would be very happy with a life where I can make a comfortable living solely from illustration. I would like to focus on portraiture and editorial illustration. Anything where concept plays a big part is pretty exciting.

Addiction-Secret, Mixed media on illustration board

Advice

Keep at it. Put yourself out there. Lifelong learning. Promote yourself. Build a network. There is nowhere to go but up, you’re only gonna get better at what you do. I think that’s a pretty awesome prospect.

Email: justinlearillustration@hotmail.com
Phone: 0488 773 849
Blog: http://justinlear.blogspot.com/