I’ve been a TBFH fan for a while now and I’ve wanted an opportunity to feature him on HipHipUK. UK week is just that opportunity. For those of you new to Fitz you can look forward to beautifully drawn illustrations with masses of tongue in cheek humour. The thing I like most about Fitz is just how much of this humour and character comes through in his illustrations. Read the interview in the full post.
So firstly and most important of all, you’re a t-shirt enthusiast right?
Yeah, big time! I’ve got a stack of them crammed into my drawers but they’re starting to take over the flat. The love started when I was little and used to go to Newquay on holiday. Every year I’d spend my holiday money on a Hot-Tuna tee and wear it non-stop until the following summer.
Tell us where we can find some of your designs on t’s?
Whats your favourite apparel company?
Too hard. Too hard. There are SO many good places to get tees from. The internet is wicked. You don’t even have to try them on. See a tee you like then it’s just a few clicks, enter some numbers and a few days later you get a parcel through the post. Magic. Magic but slightly dangerous in an obsessive kinda way.
How did you first get interested in illustration?
I guess it all started when I was little. I was always drawing something or other. My wallpaper was all Hanna-Barbera characters so I used to sit for hours on end copying them. Then once I’d finished I’d draw them all again.
What would you say your first big break was, when you thought I could do this full time?
I don’t know about big break but I decided to go full time in 2003. About a year earlier I’d started drawing pictures after work, famous people (or not so in some case) with rhymes next to them. I built a website with them all and started to email it out to people.I’d been a bit was lost in my 9-5 job for a while so when I got a couple of commissions in I just decided to go for it full time. I didn’t realise how hard work it’d be but I wouldn’t change things.
You have a off the wall sense of humour, I really like that this carries through into your work, do you think this slightly more risqué approach leads to more of less freelance work?
Honestly. I really don’t know. I think clients can see a style and that’s what they initially go for. Once the briefs in it’s a case of knowing and understanding the client and toning the ‘risqué ness’ accordingly.
What’s cool stuffs in the pipeline at the moment?
I’ve got a few things on at the moment. I’m working on some characters for an animation project which should be pretty cool. I’ve also got some scribbles of my own that I’m planning to do something with.
Tell me about some of your illustration hero’s?
Yeah, I think so. There seems to be plenty going on. Lot’s of people doing lot’s of beautiful illustration. You don’t have to look too far to be inspired and impressed. I think that’s the case the world over at the moment.
Do you think there are enough resources/support for young british designers/illustrators?
There’s plenty of resources out there, it’s just a case of going and finding it for yourself. Identifying who to approach and then working out how to make contact. I think everyone has a slightly different method so it’s what ever works for you.Illustrating can be quite an isolated job but I’ve found talking with other illustrators, sharing experiences etc. is a good way of realising you’re not on your own.
What advice would you give to people trying to get into the industry?
Work hard, stay sane and enjoy yourself.
Looking back at your portfolio, which piece of work do you feel most proud of?
Good question… and one that I really don’t have a solid answer for (sorry). Every illustration is different so it’s hard to compare them and think “I’m most proud of that one”. Often there is just one tiny bit in an drawing that tickles me but it’d probably go unnoticed by someone else.I think the best answer would be that I’m proud of my portfolio as a whole. I can see development in it which is something that pleases me.
What would your dream freelance gig be?
One day it would be one thing and the next it could be something completely different. I’ve got a million dream gigs.I’d like to design a crazy golf course (does that count?). I love crazy golf.
