An Interview with Wil Freeborn
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m Wil (or Wilbur) Freeborn, I live on the west coast of Scotland in Gourock. I commute everyday to Glasgow where I design web sites for BBC Scotland.
What made you decide to become an artist?
This is the second time around for me, I went to art college but stopped drawing for ages.
Moving away from the city I’ve started drawing again and don’t really want to stop. So, i’m learning things again.
Please describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc).
I don’t have many materials at all, just traveling with a small pencil box with fineliner pen, a papermate retractable pencil, a pentel brush and mountblanc fountain pen. I mostly use the fineliner but occasionally working with a pen gets too finicky so I’ll break out the fountain pen or brush.
When travelling, I’ll take a watercolour set and some pentel watercolour brushes. I can’t recommend these brushes enough they are absolutely incredible to use although they look real cheap.
I’m not too sure about technique. I started off using the contour technique of drawing (like Dan Price and …Danny Gregory of Everyday Matters) where you draw around the outline shape real slowly. It’s a great way to start drawing as you get pleasing results straight away. But I’ve been moving away from this technique and trying to focus on form and not worry too much about details.
Its not really a conscious thing its more i’m trying to draw real basic shapes first rather than trying to get everything I see down on paper. Its sort of shifting priorities making a picture rather than recording, if that makes sense?
Thats pretty much were I’m at the moment. I’d love to learn more about using watercolours rather than, erm “filling in”. I’m finding it pretty difficult as I’m moving away from a technique which I think i feel prettty safe with.
What are some of your current projects?
I’m working on an illustration job at the moment which is a bit of a secret (more details hopefully later). I’d like to have a show next year so I need to make some work that isn’t sketchbook based.
What advice would you give to artists who are just starting out?
I wouldn’t really worry about trying to draw “good”. I think if you can find a way of making drawing a part of your day to day life wether its drawing from life or your imagination or both, the technique will take care of itself. Its pretty weird trying to draw something everyday but soon you get into the rhythm of it and you’ll look back after a few months and see your own progress, it’s a great feeling. I couldn’t imagine not drawing any more.
Tell us a bit about the subject matter in your sketches on skineart.
I really like how illustration can give a sense of time and place. If you look at illustration through the ages during the 50s, 60s and 70s you really get a feeling of what it felt like to live in the decade. I’m not sure what this decade looks like! So, I guess I’m trying to find out.
Who are your favorite artists on skineart.com?
I tend to like the more random and strange drawings that appear every now and then. I think the regular contributors get into a way of drawing thats consistent and “good” but then again you get someone just putting up the craziest thing that will just surprise me with an energy I really like.
What are your portfolio sites/blog?
my main site is: http://www.ghostschool.co.uk
Besides creating fantastic artwork, what are your other hobbies?
I like to cycle as much as I can and would love to learn how to write well.
gabicampanario 10:58 am on September 18, 2008 | #
nice interview and fantastic work!
Bobomonkey 3:47 pm on September 18, 2008 | #
I really enjoy your work, I like what you do. When you think about it, that’s a pretty strong statement, few people get to make such a personnel impact on other individuals. Keep doing what your doing.
Lydia 9:38 pm on September 18, 2008 | #
Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed the interview and your work as well. I look forward to seeing lots more.
Joseph R Tomlinson 10:08 pm on September 18, 2008 | #
I really like your style, this was a good read, you give some excellent advice.
Jenni 9:22 am on September 19, 2008 | #
Congratulations! It’s good to know how you work.
ValD 11:30 am on September 22, 2008 | #
It is really interresting! Thanks for the interview! Never stop drawing!
Rudat 8:46 am on September 24, 2008 | #
I agree with the other comments, an interesting interview. Great artwork!
3lla 7:31 am on September 25, 2008 | #
I love your work, and it’s to find out somemore about you
crudely-chiseled-features 5:07 am on September 26, 2008 | #
Ditto ditto ditto
Ghostschool 11:47 am on September 28, 2008 | #
thankyou for the kind comments!