Julia Plath

Illustrator

©Michael Orth

Figurative illustrations

Julia collects screenshots from films
She is inspired by the work of fellow artists
Her works often evoke nostalgic sentiments

Julia Plath lives in Hamburg. At the HAW, she earned both her bachelor's and her master's degree in Illustration. Julia’s work is strongly figurative, full of symbolism and meaning. Many of her works contain nostalgic elements and a hint of melancholy. The works of other artists inspire Julia. The spectrum ranges from Renaissance painters such as Jacopo da Pontormo to filmmakers like Ingmar Bergman or Jacques Demy. Generally, films are a major source of inspiration for her. In this case Julia prefers films with elaborate set designs like the old Czech fairy tale films with their real special effects. She has a huge collection of screenshots from film scenes on her computer. In her recently submitted master's thesis, she discusses the role of the Doppelgangers that keep appearing in her illustrations and often very much look like her.

Interview

©Michael Orth

Who are the Doppelgangers in your illustrations?: I think it is the case with most artists that their art has a lot to do with themselves. For me, it is no different. My free work tends to feature people who look like me.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: My illustrations are first drawn on a piece of paper using a pencil in the traditional manner. I then use Photoshop to digitally colour them. Most of the time, I experiment with many colour combinations and often I end up deciding on a red-green combination for my composition.
What do you advise aspiring illustrators?: Networking with colleagues is a very good idea. I also suggest that you think about the professional direction you wish to take as an illustrator as early as possible. I believe it's crucial to become familiar with the tasks that self-employment entails if you want to go down the freelance path.
What is an unforgettable moment in your career?: In response to a competition I took part in at the HAW I was invited to attend an artist in residence programme with the famous children's novelist Cornelia Funke. She runs a small farm with four apartments in Tuscany and invites creative women just starting their careers to receive advice and assistance.

Julia Plath is a rising star: she began her career in 2018