ERIN SUPINSKI Interview with the US illustratorMega art

Erin Supinski is a US illustrator I interviewed.

Erin is an illustrator living in Brooklyn.
In her free time, she likes out-of-the-city adventures, eating snacks, and trying to do pull-ups.
More about the US artist Erin Supinski.

Erin Supinski artwork based on Poland food

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF
My name is Erin Supinski. I am a recent graduate of the School of Visual Arts MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program. I currently live in Brooklyn with my boyfriend and our cats, Velcro and MurryPurry.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK?
Delicate. Subtle. Humorous. I work primarily in watercolor, though I do love drawing and would like to incorporate more.

Erin Supinski typography work for Bibliophile

PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR WORKING PROCESS
I love doing research! So when I start a major project, I start with doing a ton of research. Then I move on to the sketching phase. I make pretty rough sketches focusing mainly on composition. Then I very lightly draw a fairly detailed drawing onto my paper (usually arches 300lb hot press). Next I move in with watercolors. I start with the very lightest and most subtle washes, allowing the colors to bleed and run, and then I continue to build from there. When I think the painting is nearing completion, I’ll go in pull out the highlights, and I’ll take a dip pen or very fine brush to add fine details. I love the texture of the paint on the paper and the way watercolors bleed together, so I try to let that show through as much as possible.

Erin Supinski drawing of a girl waiting for the bus

HOW DOES YOUR ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCE YOUR ART?
Living in Brooklyn, I’m pretty spoiled by my proximity to really stunning art work. If I’m feeling uninspired I can be at any number of famous museums or world-class galleries to jump start the creative juices. But living in such a high-intensity city can take its toll, and lately I’ve been inclined to lock myself in my studio with a good audio book and work.

WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?
I’m a huge fan of naturalist painters like Maria Sibylla Merian, Mark Catesby or John James Audubon. I love their scientific approach and straightforward observations combined with an obvious appreciation for beauty and (I think) a sense of humor. On the more contemporary end of the spectrum I’m really inspired by the work of artists like Lauren Nassef, Leanne Shapton, Ruth Marten, and Lauren Redniss (to name a few).