ANNA BOURS: Exclusive Interview

By Eva Fydrych

ANNA

Occupation: Fashion Illustrator

City: Barcelona, Spain

All artwork by Anna Bours / Dollhouse

FASHION STUDIO: How did you become a fashion illustrator?

ANNA: Ever since I could hold a pencil, I was doodling and sketching every spare moment I had. Fashion, poses, photography, fabrics and textures always fascinated me. But it took me quite some years to figure out that fashion illustration contained all the aspects I aimed for and to take a big decision to really try to make a career out of it. I�ve been working for many years as a Pattern Maker / Illustrator for clothing labels, and as a Graphic Designer.

For the last few years I felt the need to dedicate more time on fashion illustration, to improve my skills, as I never really had the time beside my job to improve my drawing techniques. So last year I decided to take the big step and quit my job, went on an inspiring four month trip through South East Asia, something I�ve always wanted to do in my life. With all the sketches and pictures I made in Asia I started as soon as I came back to convert them into illustrations and started my own company: Dollhouse Fashion Illustrations.

FASHION STUDIO: Where do you get your inspiration from?

ANNA: Mainly, I am inspired by the female figure and her world. I find inspiration in a wide variety of places. Many images are crossing my eye every day on the streets of Barcelona; I find inspiration at my doorstep. But also in magazines, blogs, prints, organic textures, patterns, a beautiful picture or song, unique style/clothing-combinations, and runway shows. All above brings the urge in me to mix the inspiration and convert it into a lovely drawing.

But it was my trip to Asia that inspired me so much that I finally decided to start for real as a fashion illustrator. When I was there, I was all the time sketching and making pictures of people, flowers, and details of architecture in temples as well as ancient Asian illustrations.

FASHION STUDIO: How do you create your illustrations? What tools do you use?

ANNA: I make a big cup of coffee, check my email, my Facebook Fan Page, then I get my task list in order. I�ll start normally with my closest deadline, using client photos or reference I�ve found and collected. I always like to experiment so the process is never really the same. For the sketches I use ink and/or pencils. Then I color the illustration digitally and I shade and illuminate with digital brushes the drawing in Illustrator and Photoshop.

FASHION STUDIO: What would you like to achieve in fashion?

ANNA: I just want to keep doing what I love - drawing all day, expanding my audience, working on challenging and fun projects, collaborating with inspiring artists, having gallery shows, and much more�

FASHION STUDIO: Which fashion designers do you admire?

ANNA: Anything with a whimsical quirk, a strong, elegant but dolly look will catch my eye. I love the designs of Yves St. Laurent, D&G, Gucci, Dior, and Marc Jacobs. But what I love to do is picking various elements from known and up-and-coming designers and create a unique dollhouse look.

FASHION STUDIO: How would you describe your wardrobe and personal style?

ANNA: My style can best be defined as a mix and match of different styles, mostly a mix of vintage styles (40's until the 80's) with a modern/fresh touch. My dollies reflect my favorite style and wardrobe.

FASHION STUDIO: What does the word 'beauty' mean to you?

ANNA: Beauty is everything. Whether it is nature, art or our day-to-day lives. Things are filled with beauty, even if it�s only a small fiber. I find beauty in the oddest things sometimes, but that just adds to it.

FASHION STUDIO: Which projects are you currently working on?

ANNA: I�m currently working on some Illustrations for a fashion-comic for a great magazine. I�ve never done a comic before so I�m quite excited. I�m working on an illustration for another magazine, making some illustrations for a Designer's Lookbook and creating Illustrations for an exhibition in December. I�m collaborating with a shoe label, by creating some illustrations for their expo event.

You can keep up with my new work and what I�m up to on my Facebook Fan Page. I post projects as I do them or after they�ve been published for their intended use.

FASHION STUDIO: Thank you and good luck with your plans.

All artwork by Anna Bours

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Website: DOLLHOUSE - FINE ART PRINTS & DRAWINGS

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