Meet the Artist : Coucou Illustration Part 2
- Mellow Days
- May 15, 2019
- 6 min read
Hello! We are back again with the second part! We have created a series of questions to discover the magical and sweet world of Cécile Metzger aka "Coucou Illustration". If you missed the first part and you'd like to see it, you can go here : Meet the Artist Coucou Illustration Part 1
Are there artists that inspire you?
Oh yes, many! All the books my parents read to me when I was little, obviously influenced me. But more concretely, the first illustrator whose work I admired from all aspects, and who convinced me that I wanted to become an illustrator and tell stories is Isabelle Arsenault. Her work is full of delicacy and yet it remains quite simple, that's what's beautiful. She uses little color, but shades of gray which are enough to create a poetic universe. It completes the text much more than it illustrates. It creates a universe in its own right. Without illustrations, the text would not be the same, and it probably wouldn't be as beautiful or touching. These are the kinds of illustrations I admire the most, and what I would like to strive for.
After my subscription to Instagram, it allowed me to discover many other artists and illustrators, all the more inspiring than the other. This network is a mine of super talented creative people! So the list is long, but if I were to name a few it would be : @anneliesdraws, @cecile_illustration, @rosieharbottle, @ghost_puff, @rachelvhillis, @gemmakoomen, @majasbok, , @aruallhuillier, @aikofukawa, @katepugsley... in fact, I can't name them all there's too many, but let's say it's a small sample ♥
Do you spend a lot of time drawing?
We don't always see all the aspects of the profession of an illustrator online. What we see are the notebooks, illustrations, sketches, work in progress ... but there's in fact quite another indispensable part to the smooth running of this profession, and it's all in the administration! Writing quotes, invoices, restarting customers, replying to emails, scanning the illustrations and "to clean" them on the computer, doing tax returns, keeping accounts, writing letters, and documents for administrations, ...
So, even if I'd like a lot to draw everyday, I can't. There are times when it's calmer at the administrative level, so I have a lot of time to spend with my paint tubes, pencils, and notebooks, but generally there is at least a day or two in a week where I don't really draw.
However, even on days when I do not have time to get out my watercolors and my brushes, I try to scribble a little something in my notebook. I've realized that drawing every day, even if it's only for a few minutes, helps to maintain the inspiration. Then from a very short sketch can come a very nice idea that can become something much bigger. So even if it's not always easy I try to do my best, to not neglect these small sketches when I don't have the time to do something more.
We often see you draw flowers and little characters, are there things you don't like or avoid drawing?
The list is long! But I would say that what gives me the most trouble are human characters. It's very strange because two years ago, it's what I preferred to draw and what I did the most. Then little by little I became interested in animals and flowers, and neglected human characters. I continued my way and practiced without including humans, focusing on animals, and now I really struggle to bring back these human characters into my little world. I always feel that the way I draw them doesn't agree with my animal characters at all. I would like to draw many types of humans, by size, gender, build, age, and different origins. I train regularly, probably not enough, but it's really something I'd like to develop.
What's your favorite drawing material (gouache, watercolor, colored pencils, ...)?
It's without doubt watercolor. I usually paint on hot pressed paper, which therefore has almost no texture, the grain is the finest possible. And I really like the way I can add a lot of detail on the flat areas, with a very small brush.
With watercolor, the illustration is built by layers, and it's a very interesting process. Sometimes, at first, I tell myself that I didn't do anything and that it looks like nothing. By just looking at the "flat areas" only, but finally after adding the details little by little, we see the image come alive and all goes back to order. It's a bit magical. :)
For a moment, I really wanted to work with colored pencils also, (many illustrators whose work I love use this medium), but I don't say why. I never really managed to "control" them. Still, I spent hours training with them and tried regularly, but for some reason or another they didn't really fit me. I can't give as much detail and personality to my characters or flowers when I use pencils. So, I remain faithful to my good old watercolors!
I have also rediscovered gouache recently. Although I still have to practice a lot, I really like their opaque side. Gouache allows to add more clear details on a darker color, (for example) which isn't possible with watercolor. Finally, for doing sketches in my notebook I mostly use Copic or Promarker type alcohol markers, and a little colored pencils on top.
Can you describe your workspace a little (if you had a small picture of your office it would be great ^^)
I would love to have a pretty picture, worthy of Instagram or Pinterest to share, but unfortunately the reality is far from a beautiful white workshop, bright, and decorated with taste and elegance!
I'm dreaming about it, but I'm not there yet ... I'm work on a tiny, tiny table in the dining room. Which I moved right next to the window so I can benifit the maximum amount of natural light, especially in winter - and also heating (I'm always cold)!
As it's very small and I don't have any storage available. I store my equipment in my room, drawers, dressers, crates, and small boxes. I put away the material each time I finish using it and leave it the next day. I hope one day I'll have a room just for that, full of plants of all kinds, and where I can leave my watercolor in place from one day to the next!
Outside of illustration, do you have another passion?
Not really... I played piano for 10 years when I was younger, but as I didn't really take the time to practice regularly. I feel as if I'm losing what I learned little by little... it makes me a little sad, I would have to fix that. If laughter is a passion, then I think it would be my second passion. And then eating too. :)
You will soon be opening up your own shop (which I can't wait to discover!). Can you tell us a little more? Is there an opening date planned, what will we find there?
Indeed, it's a project which I've been working on for several months now! I would've never suspected it before I started this, but it takes a lot longer than I thought. First, there's all the "administrative labyrinth" to get the correct social status in order to sell "derivatives", and now I still have to organize everything, order more office supplies, to prepare orders, paper stocks to print, etc ...
And then, with my luck, my printer broke down a month ago and is under repair for a seemingly indefinite period! I planned to open the shop at the end of May, but as long as I don't recover my printer, unfortunately, I can't do any printing... So, I'm waiting to get it back to announce a date :) I'm crossing my fingers, normally it's coming soon!
I plan to sell reproductions of my illustrations, hand-painted polymer clay brooches and magnets, stationery, postcards, ... I don't want to say too much because I'm trying (so badly) to keep a few surprises for the opening!
Before finishing the interview, I would like to ask you 5 last small questions :
What's your favorite color?
I would say mustard yellow or aquagreen.
What's your favorite food?
The most difficult question in the world! I'd say pasta with four cheeses!
If you has a time machine, which era would you choose?
The 60's I think. I'm a big fan of the Beatles, so if I could slip into one of their concerts, it'd be magical.
Your favorite series or movie?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Minds, by Michel Gondry. I haven't seen it in a long time, but every time I think about it, I get emotional.
Is there a place you'd like to visit?
Yes, many! But the one at the top of my list is Japan. Thank you very much Cecile for answering all of our questions! ♥
For those of you who'd wish to discover a little more of her world, you can find her on these social platforms :
Instagram : @coucou_illustration
Youtube : Coucou Illustration
Facebook : @coucou.illustrations
Blog : www.oocoucou.blogspot.fr
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