Conor Nolan is an illustrator, printmaker and designer currently based in Dublin. You can spot Conor’s work through its bold shapes and bright, limited colour palettes inspired by the aesthetics of screen printing, risograph printing and collage. His work consists of a variety of characters and motifs, with interesting expressions, and always a touch of humour.
Conor also shared with us some of his inspirations, personal projects and plans for the future.
Take some time to get to know a bit more of his work. Have fun reading the interview!
1. Could you tell us a bit about yourself? where you are from, your background, etc.
Sure! My name’s Conor Nolan, I’m an illustrator from here in Dublin. I graduated from NCAD in 2016 and since then have managed to keep myself busy doing illustration in a variety of ways including printmaking, animation, packaging design, murals, brand identity and a bunch of other areas.
2. When and how did you first start making art?
So I was always drawing as a child as I think most people do, but I think most people stop when they get to a certain age and I kind of just didn’t. I was interested in art the whole way through school and when it came time to finish up, it was the only thing I could really see myself committing to. I was initially really interested in animation and at one point almost studied fine art sculpture, but ended up going down the route of visual communications and getting a solid base in graphic design which I think is still largely incorporated into what I do.
3. How would you define your artistic style?
It’s changing all the time and has a few different branches, but most of what I do is informed by bright shapes and characters, lots of texture, and a reduced and layered approach to colour and composition that’s largely influenced by screen printing, risograph, and collage.
4. What or who are your inspirations? (Where do you take your inspirations from)?
I think inspiration can come from really simple places. I draw a lot and any opportunity to make an interesting visual is a lot of fun for me. When I first got into art I was really interested in street photography by people like Garry Winogrand and Robert Frank, and I think their interest in small interactions they have with people has sort of rubbed off on me – subtle gestures, things people say in passing, that kind of thing. On the other end of things, the work of printmakers like Corita Kent, Marcus Oakley, Nathaniel Russell, really stand out to me, and I think there’s something in that combination that keeps me curious.