Nikko Barber has been described as having “his own niche of rich, earthy tones and folk art characteristics”. He’s happy with that description. After completing a degree in Illustration, Nikko spent several years travelling around Europe, living in various squats, abandoned villages, vans, and an allotment shed.
Yearning to get back in the studio, he has recently settled down to focus on illustrating. The last two years have seen him transition from using traditional mixed media techniques to producing predominantly digitally rendered work. However, the digital tablet has failed to usurp his relationship with the sketchbook, and he maintains a passionate, if somewhat erratic affair, with his 2B pencil.
Please describe a typical day?
Cup of tea while reading the news, then down to work, either on paper or straight onto the computer with my tablet. More tea and procrastination. Perhaps an hour or two contacting publishers and other potential clients, or maybe a trip to the post office to send out some promotional postcards. Update my website/facebook/print site. At some point in the afternoon I will start to question my decision to work as a freelance illustrator. Then I remember all the terrible jobs I’ve done in my life and that makes me feel better about what I’m doing now. I’m not good at working in the evening so I go to do some Thai Boxing or go to meet friends for a beer.
What is your working environment like?
I work at home on a big, self-made L-shaped desk with the usual stuff; scanner, computer, sketchpad, tablet. In front of me, a lovely, big window.
I think most people reading this will be familiar with the perils of working at home. One day I hope to find a nice shared studio with an internet connection!
How did you get into illustration?
After a shaky introduction during my Foundation course, I later rediscovered illustration while taking time out from education. Inspired by the novels of Mervyn Peake, I started to draw the characters from his Gormenghast series. I went on to do a degree in Illustration, and I absolutely loved it. I still miss working in a big, bright studio with my contemporaries, and the tutors on hand to advise you.
Who / What are some of your influences and inspirations?
Firstly all the fantastic kids books my Dad read to me every night- “Angry Arthur”, “Where the Wild Things Are”, “Burglar Bill” to name but a few.
The artists Alistair Skinner and Katharine Meynell encouraged and guided me at a critical time, and my University tutors were also fantastic.
The illustrator Ben Newman, a friend and contemporary of mine, is always a source of inspiration.
What is your favourite type of commercial project and why?
One that triggers a visual response that you never knew you could have come up with. Commercial briefs are often really dull, but I relish the challenge to create a visually engaging illustration for an article/idea that may be fairly uninteresting.
Have you initiated your own illustration projects? How does this compare (pros/cons) to clients commissioning you to do work?
I always prefer external briefs, as they are usually something that you never would have considered working on before, therefore the outcome is often fresh and pleasantly surprising- that’s how you move forward with your work.
Right now I’m collaborating with a writer on a children’s book project. I had been trying for so long to come up with a story/idea myself, but after a while I found they became tired and uninteresting. When you collaborate, you bounce ideas off each other, the idea/story evolves and you have an external critic on hand who understands the project.
What is something new you have noticed or learned recently?
Well I’m incredibly excited about all the social uprisings that are erupting all over North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
I’m from the UK, and I have to admit I was particularly (pleasantly) surprised by the reaction of the students and other people in the UK to recent measures being introduced by the Conservative government. Public service cutbacks and increased university fees have been met with occupations, riots, and walk-outs -all very exciting!
Top 5 favourite things in life
- Victory of the oppressed over the oppressor
- Nostalgic euphoria triggered by certain scents
- Mutual aid in action.
- Cold beer on a Mediterranean evening
- Solidarity
Top 5 bands/singers
- Prince
- Fall of Efrafa
- Steve Perry
- Tempah T
- At the Gates
Can you suggest 3 artists or illustrators we should check out?
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