Fresh from reviewing at the HIVEArts event the same evening, David Simper legged it down to a crowded Tea Amantes tea room and gallery to catch Darren Elwell’s latest show.
Darren Elwell is a freelance illustrator and experienced teacher based in Lytham St Annes. He is inspired by the graphic and dynamic style of American comic books he adored as a teenager. With experience in packaging design, advertising, and illustration projects for a diverse range of clients, Darren has plenty of opportunities to exploit his distinctive style. Here he exhibits personal work based on his own vision.
I previously reviewed Darren’s show at HIVEArts and had been impressed by the technical ability shown in putting these images together, the drawing skill, the colour choices and the composition, and was keen to see this new set of work. The photographs hopefully show how striking this work is and sometimes complex. While some of the images are referenced, they are all drawn before being processed into prints and mixed media.
I asked Darren how he felt his work had moved forward since the last time we’d spoken.
“I think that the work at HIVE was somewhat more instinctive; so it was quicker, but I felt I had to get it done in a week. Partly because I’ve had a lot more work to do in my day job, I’ve had to think about this work a little bit more; so a lot more thought has gone into what goes into it, composition and what’s going to go where and how I’m going to do it,” he explains.
“The previous work was fine, but I’m definitely happier with the quality of this set.”
I ask what techniques have been used to produce these pieces.
“It’s still the same techniques: little bits of print-making, using acetone; there’s still lots of collage, spray painting, and then tonnes of drawing because that’s still my first passion. The thing with most of the one-off pieces is that there used to be (pauses) I used to use all the same techniques on separate pieces of work; so I’d do spray painted stuff, or I’d do drawing, or I’d do ink stuff. It’s only since I’ve brought everything together that it’s worked more and there’s more of a singular vision. It all just looks good as a set.”
So does the work contain any found images or has everything been drawn?
“I use some reference, but it’s all been dawn; I still have the paper drawings. Wednesday Adams was one of my favourite ones to do: I saw the programme that same week and had to get it all done. I’ve got prints of that one, which has been one of the more popular ones.”
I ask where Darren intends to take his work next.
“I need to find more places to put stuff,” he replies. The biggest thing for me is getting people to see my work; I’m not a ruthless self-promoter. I want to get my work into situations where as many people as possible get to see it. So that’s the next stage: finding the best venues.”
Naturally Darren was in an excellent venue right then. Thanks to him for outlining the process and techniques behind his work.
The venue was particularly this night with a lively buzz of conversation. Thanks as ever to the Tea Amantes team for providing the snacks and keeping us topped up with drinks.
Darren’s work is on display until 6th October 2024. Not to be missed.
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