We have been long time fans of artist Vania Zouravliov’s (Vol. 16) darkly poetic and richly detailed works so when we recently asked if the artist would be willing to allow us a coveted peek in his sketchbook for our new ‘Inside the Sketchbook Series’ (view the first in this series here), we were excited to see what would be revealed. In stark contrast to his finished pieces, many of his sketches appear looser; yet still retain familiar themes and the signature features of his figures. Read a short interview and view more images of his sketchbook below, here on Hi-Fructose.
Do you often sketch out ideas before working them into finished pieces?
The sketches for my personal work are usually very loose. Most of them serve as reminders if I suddenly come up with an idea and do not want to forgetit in a few days . With commercial work, not only is the sketching pretty much obligatory, it has to be fairly tight (although I don’t think mine is) and indicativeof the the final artwork.
Some of your sketches feel looser, less controlled than your finished works. Do you feel you have more freedom in form and style in your sketchbook?
It’s certainly a different kind of experience. More like humming as apposed to proper singing in front of people.I find it very relaxing and tranquil. I feel that a lot of my artistic decisions are made subconsciously and with sketching it’s even more so.
Have you always kept a sketchbook ?
I think originally it was just loose bits of paper and then later I became very interested in making little hand made books and collages.I love when a book is made as a beautiful object.
Do you feel your sketches influence your finished works?
Only marginally. Many of my finished drawings are time consuming so it’s very important for me to allow for them to develop and to be able to make quite dramatic changes in the process.
Do you find that when looking back through old sketchbooks that there is a sense of personal history in them as well ?
Very much so. A lot my sketchbooks are more like scrapbooks . There are photos and old tickets alongside drawings. I pick them up very rarely as looking through old personal stuff inevitably puts me in a very melancholic state.
