Bigheads: Matt Taylor

• Matthew Taylor studied at Bucks New University and has been practicing as an illustrator for 12 years.
• He originally studied creative advertising, but didn't like his degree. He would always visualise the ideas that he was coming up with.
• Matt works at his home in Chichester in his spare-room studio; his wife is also an illustrator.
• Makes lots of posters and book covers alongside some editorial.
• USP? Colour choice and composition.

• When being asked where he would like his work to exist, he stated that he was happy at the moment, and is enjoying his practice as well as the direction of his work.
• It is important to be aware of brand identity. You get asked to do more of what people can see. If you show that you can already do something it makes you more employable. Set yourself projects to prove this.

How he makes work

• RE: The Great Salt Lake-all done without reference (as opposed to usually doing that) and the work was created using only photoshop and a wacom cintiq.
• Key tools were using layers and opacity as well as KYLE WEBSTER's set of custom brushes.
• Images come together by using shutter stock and drawing over them; working in colour at the early stages with the aim of balancing the image.

Attitude to work and Illustration

• When it comes to drawing in general, he doesn't draw for himself because there is no time. 
• How does he keep himself going? 'Its my job' he says. It is easy to fall into fine art habits like 'artists block' which makes clients angry and then you get no money.
• It's a serious thing, if you take it seriously people will treat you seriously.
• He works 9-6.30 days; when a brief comes in he starts straight away.
• Is his work still evolving? Yes. You can be limited with tools. Since working with the wacom intuous cintiq his work is so much better and allows a more hand drawn feel.

Conclusion

• What would you have said to yourself as a student? NEVER WORK FOR FREE. 
• Never be attempted to do work for free just to get exposure because this devalues what you do and make illustration seem like a hobby. NOT GOOD.
• Find your own voice and be good at the thing you do instead of trying to copy.