Computer Arts - UK (2020-06)

CINDY KANG

pure imagination serves as a mode of expression

for the ideas that I aim to portray through my

illustration work.

COLOUR INSPIRATIONS

Sometimes I fall in love with the colours present

in particular photographs and use them directly

in my art. In addition, I often edit the colours in

the photo to fit the tones and warmth of the mood

I want to create in the illustration. I’m then able to

create a colour palette based on the edited photo

that I can apply to the artwork.

Just a tint of the colour can create a wildly

different mood, so I work on colours more than

any other step. Because I enjoy creating a warm

story and atmosphere, I predominantly use

pictures of sunsets as a colour reference.

Even when the artwork isn’t entirely based

on photographs – perhaps it’s a flat illustration

with a simple coloured background – you can still

find useful colour inspiration from photographs.

You might identify colours that impart a sense of

coolness to the image, what colours are present

in the shadows, and those colours that just work

beautifully together.

LIGHT AND SHADOW

Towards the end of the illustrating process, I study

the photo reference again to find out the light and

shadow shapes. Shadows can have a strong visual

impact on the atmosphere of a composition. The

TOP

Adding an imaginary

figure to a photo can

enhance storytelling.

ABOVE

I play with colours to

inform moods.

“JUST A TINT OF
THE COLOUR CAN
CREATE A DIFFERENT
MOOD, SO I WORK ON
COLOURS MORE THAN
ANY OTHER STEP”