My name is Helen Lo. I am currently a Year 2 illustration student studying at University of Edinburgh. I am still unsure about my art career but I have been learning a lot these 2 years studying illustration. I experimented a lot with my techniques and explored various themes within my artwork. I am planning to get an internship this summer.

I am studying illustration which basically is to break down a complex idea through visual narratives. Instead of using words to explain the concept, illustrators use pictures to create a visual impact and allow an easier understanding. Now, I often use illustrations to express my views on different ethical and social issues. I have learned to think outside the box to avoid cliché imagery. And I often try to use as little words as possible in my work and just let the image speak for itself.

Art courses in university are really intense. We often get a brief and will need to submit a final within 2 weeks on average. Sometimes we will get a brief in the morning and will be asked to submit a well thought-out composition in the afternoon. All-nighters are inevitable but it is quite satisfying to complete a brief.

I did mostly paintings when studying Art in Holyport College. I mainly used watercolor and acrylic. Occasionally I would do some pencil sketches. I didn’t like doing printmaking because I didn’t like how rigid it looked and felt.

My artwork during GCSE was in a relatively realistic style. As I progressed through my art studies, they have become more and more illustrative and expressive. This was because I no longer saw the fun and purpose of copying pictures. I found that it was more interesting and challenging to explore my interests and create my own world within my artwork. So my final piece for my A level project (“Nocturnal”) was literally in cartoon style. At that time, I didn’t want to explore any deep and complicated theme. All I wanted to do was to have fun with it.

To be honest, when I was studying Art during GCSE and A-levels, I didn’t really understand what “developing an artwork” meant. All I did was draw things that related to the brief and tried linking up the themes when sorting my portfolio at the end in order to create a “flow”. Of course now I fully understand what it meant and what I was actually supposed to do.

Arts education allows us to observe and appreciate the world around us. It also serves as a tool for us to express ourselves and voice out opinions. And of course, art is a great way for us to take a break from our busy schedule.

My advice to a young Holyport Artist would be don’t give up on art even though you may dislike the GCSE and A-levels art curriculum. Keep sticking to it and get a good-enough score that will get you into a nice art school because that’s the reality if you don’t want to be a starving artist. It will all be worth it because studying art in university is a great experience and will help you a lot with your art and career.