Linn Olofsdotter, Illustrator Answers Some Questions

Below are some answers to questions I frequently receive.

How and when did you decide to become an illustrator?
– I never intended to become an illustrator I didn’t even know I could draw before I was 20. I first went to school for advertising which led me to graphic design school. There I was exposed to some illustration but it wasn’t until someone told me to create a website for my illustrations, which were more like doodles, that I started illustrating for real. After not finishing my degree I worked as a designer and art director for a motion graphics company my husband and I started in Brazil. After a couple of years i moved to USA to work as an art director at the Boston Ad agency Modernista! It was during my time in Boston that I realized that it was illustration more than anything else that I wanted to do, so I left my job to pursue a career as a freelance illustrator instead. I think it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

How would you describe your style?
– I don’t really like describing my style. I’m not even sure I have one, or maybe I have many styles. When I started and felt a bit ashamed that I was working on a computer. It felt like I was cheating and I think that contributed immensely to what my style is today. I didn’t want it to look like computer art.
I love creating moods and atmospheres that are somewhat magical.

How did you find work when you started out as an illustrator?
– I’ve been extremely lucky when it comes to work. One of the first things I did was to make a website. This process was a bit different in 2002 when I launched it. There were a handful popular design portals and I was lucky enough to be posted on most of them. This generated a lot of traffic on my site and people started to show interest in my work. From the beginning I was mostly invited to make illustrations for design books and artistic projects, which didn’t pay, but I was just happy to get my work out there and ultimately that is was brought me paid jobs.

What is your design process?
– Some clients give me free hands to do basically whatever I want while others like to direct every line. However, when I get a project I always ask the client to reference some pieces from my work that they like so I have an idea of what they are expecting style-wise, If they want me to work with photographs or if it’s just pure illustration etc. That way I can also see how brave the client is and how far I can push the illustration. From there I usually start drawing, either using Bic pencils or MICRON ink pens. I don’t really do sketches but I doodle. I also make elements and drawings that will be the main part of the illustration. Mark-making and texture making is also a big part of my process. The background textures are sometimes painted, sometimes photographed. Ultimately my illustrations are digital collages. I have a library of approx. 50GB of textures that I’ve made over the years. I basically scan everything. When I feel that I have a good start I begin building my image using Photoshop. I work in layers and usually end up with 200-300 of them before I’m done, which can be really great if a client wants a change that only affects one layer, but when a “small” change in fact means I have to change 50 layers it’s not as much fun.
If the illustration is for advertising I usually go through 3 rounds of revisions. I keep in touch with the client either through email or phone and all files are delivered digitally.

What inspires you?
– I find inspiration in different atmospheres in my surroundings. I love those magical moments when you just find yourself surrounded by beauty. It can be a dramatic shadow or just a beautiful porch full of flowers.

What is your favorite medium to work with and why?
– I prefer to work with ink pens because of the possibility of drawing super fine lines. It’s also easy to fix mistakes with ink pens.

Who are your favorite artists and Illustrators?
-I don’t really have favorites, there are so many good ones but Egon Schiele originally inspired me to start drawing. Geoff Lillemon is just an inspiring person and Nando Costa is my favorite designer.

Can I use your illustrations on my website, blog or anywhere else?
– No. Sorry but I can not allow any kind of use of my illustrations without previous permission.

Can you please send me a highres file so I can print it myself?
-NO.

What are some of your works that you are most proud of?
– I really liked how the samsung campaign turned out and I am also happy with the images I made recently for Mateus.

What advice would you give a young illustrator?
– Just work hard and enjoy what you do and you’ll make it.

How much do you get paid for a typical illustration?
– It varies a lot depending on who the client is and what the usage and distribution is.
I have agents who represent me who take care of that most of the time.

How do get an agent?
– If you google illustration agent you will fin a ton. You’ll just have too look at who they represent and if you feel like you’d fit in and then contact them. They usually have guidelines on their sites how to apply.

What is a typical work day for you?
– There is no typical work day for me. It varies so much. One day I can sit and draw all day, another I’m working on the computer or take photographs. I usually watch movies while working. It helps me not to over think the work.

What was/were your favorite class(es) in college, or which one(s) helped the most to get you where you are now?
– I loved screen printing but life drawing was probably the most useful class I took.

What software do you use to create your works?
– Photoshop

Do you live in Brazil?
– No. I lived in Brazil for a couple of years but I now live in Portland, Oregon (USA)

What is your day job?
– I work full time as an illustrator.

Why have you moved around so much?
– When I was 12 I went to Vermont to stay with friends of my family for a couple of months and to go to school. After that I always knew I wanted to live abroad so at 16 I went to Australia for a year and after that nothing seemed difficult. There are just so many opportunities if you’re willing to move and take some risks. I’m very happy where I am right now though so I don’t think there will be another move in quite a while, unless something comes up.

How was it working with your husband, Nando Costa?
– Nando and I have very different styles and I think that’s why it’s worked so well for us to collaborate. Being two strong minded people it would be strange if it never led to arguments. We interpret things very differently so I think most arguments have been over how a design of mine should be animated. I say something, he hears something else Since we met Nando has been biggest supporter of my work. I probably wouldn’t even be an illustrator if it wasn’t for him. He saw my doodles on a notepad one day and told me I should color them in and make a website for them and that it would give me work. So I did and it did.
Linn Olofsdotter | Illustrator

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