Was this your first time entering the Fida awards and what motivated you to enter?

No, I had entered the 8th Awards six months earlier. I'd been flirting with fashion illustration for about six months, and then I spotted FIDA and their awards in my Instagram feed. I love a deadline, so I leapt at the chance to enter some work and try my luck with no preconceived ideas of what fashion illustration should be. I am a genuine fashion industry outsider.

Tell us a bit about your creative journey up to this point?

I have been a storyboard and concept artist for the last 11 years. Before that I illustrated children's books. My wife and I have also written and illustrated several best-selling how-to-draw titles for Hinkler Books in the noughties. 

What are your favourite materials/digital tech to work with?

I use a Wacom Intuos Pro tablet connected to my Macbook Pro. I am ashamed to say I have not picked up an actual pencil for 15 years. I don't know where I'd be without the undo button. 

Who are your favourite designers at the moment?

I have two favourite artists/designers. The character designer Hyoung T. Nam's incredible visceral concept art for The Last of Us beautifully portrays the anguish and raw emotion of its characters with loose, dynamic brushstrokes. And then there is Alice X. Zhang, who has elevated fan art to fine art. Every textured brush stroke, burst of light and color elevate her stunning portraits. 

Are there any artists or exhibitions that have inspired you recently?

I am going to cheat here and say Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse. To the hundreds of artists who contributed to this incredible animation feature, I bow down before you. You can pluck any frame from this film and be taken to art school. Every prominent design principle is on display and done with flare and bravery. It's a lot like the character of Miles. For someone who has a fear of colour, it taught me that sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. 

Are you working on anything interesting at the moment that you would like to share?

I'm keen to see how my fashion portraits work as fine art giclee prints. It's one thing to view one's art on a laptop and phone; however, it's a moment of truth when you print at size. 
If you had any advice for new talent what would that be?

Sure, in your early years, learn from the Masters, even copying their works. But once you have an inkling of your own style, keep on developing that incrementally year in and year out and take a break from analysing what everybody else does. Also, the skills I have learned, churning out storyboards and visuals, have positively impacted doing something very different like fashion illustration. Work begets work.

How can we see more of your work?

I have a fantastic new website showcasing my career work as a storyboard and concept artist and a wealth of new art catering to the fashion industry. I no longer use Instagram, as it drained my energy with little return. But I am now dedicating time to LinkedIn (which I neglected for many years) because it is so industry—and profession-focused. I can connect with a strong network of working artists, directors, brands, and agencies. 

Paul's portfolio