Riikka Sormunen, once a fashion designer and illustrator, has transformed her bedroom into a full-time art studio where she now focuses on painting. Her previous experiences are evident in her meticulous attention to color, pattern, and detail. “I love to take time to design each object, fabric, room, and garden featured in my work,” Sormunen says.
Sormunen predominantly uses water-mixable oil paints on linen to explore themes of “pleasure, posing, sensory overload, and pareidolia.” Her process begins with mental planning and practicing paint application techniques. Although she carefully orchestrates every character’s pose and prop’s position, Sormunen deliberately leaves space for intuitive pattern design, akin to improvisation within a structured framework. She embraces a balance between control and spontaneity in her creative process.
Her inspirations include the early works of Lucien Freud, Ukiyo-e, Japanese woodblock prints, and the ethereal paintings of Inka Essenhigh. These influences contribute to her distinctive, playful, and escapist artistic style.
Related Topics:
Digital Cartoon Drawing:A Detailed Guide