For some of us, reading  novels,books and stories are kinda incomplete without the element of illustrations. I personally find it quite pleasing  looking at or through the pages with greatly detailed illustrations.I have always been a lover of comic books and action series,i also admire models, figures and experts in this field of art. But there is one personality that has really motivated me and has drawn me to this form of art.A French national, he was born on the 28th of November 1986.

         Florian Nicolle is a creative illustrator, artist and a bundle of talent. A figure that has redefined  the term "illustration". I have examined Florian's life and work, his style is rather unique and I will like to share this experience with fellow art lovers, friends and followers.


 Florian Nicolle

 

           

My encounter with Florian was not really expected, rather an outcome of fate and one of the magics of social media. I have read some books in the starwars series but one thing that also captivated me was the illustrations, I had a brief conversation with the icon and I had a great deal of satisfaction from what I got.



What really attracted you to the halls of creativity and art ?

Florian Nicolle ;

I would like to say that illustrations helps people to feel better in their life, but honestly, I am illustrator not really « artist », so basically my work is helping the clients to earn more money… lol From my side, my main objective is to create an image which is impactful (mostly emotionally) but also by its freshness. I try to find the balance between spontaneity and rigorous drawing (realism). While drawing a minimum of elements. All matter for me is the mood / feeling / energy.  

   

illustration commissioned for a Russian movie poster (The Geek)


 

When did you begin making illustrations ?

Florian Nicolle ;

I have always been attracted by images, since very little. It was naturally that I chose studies in this field.
I got a diploma in applied art and a degree in graphic design.
After my scholarship I started to draw and publish my illustrations (it was in 2009) and quickly I received amazing feedback and proposals.
Around 6 months later I lived of my freelance, and 1 year later I started to work for big clients (The first was Nike)


I did my studies at a time socials did not exist, and internet was not that much developed (despite I am 34 years old).
So my main inspiration to build my graphical personality was my teacher and school camaraderie.
Since I gave 12 years old, I remember I had the ideal goal to draw as if I write, with the same natural.
Today, when I receive a project, actually I can create an illustration « mechanically », no need for specific inspiration, I surely drew more than 1000 or 2000 illustrations in my career so far, so I don’t need a particular « mood » to be able to realize an illustration. My main goal is to see the client satisfied, and I do all for this.

So what inspires your illustrations ?

Florian Nicolle ;

it is an applied art, so you need to understand what the client expects and provide him exactly it. (No matter what you think, or your mood, your likes).

"It is an applied art..". Speaking of applied art I personally have one of my favourites from the studios of Florian's pen.

Portrait of Eve (2009), This is one the oldest and first illustrations by Florian Nicolle.



Another masterpiece I truely find inspiring is the illustration of the joker by Florian.



A practice illustration of the joker movie were the joker was played by american actor Joaquin phoenix ,the movie was officially streamed in cinemas from October 2019 and made ove $1 billion on box office.

So what was it like doing the starwars most wanted ?

Florian Nicolle ;
 
Working with Lucas films to illustrate the most wanted was a great experience for me
 I was contacted by Lucasfilm to realize the
book's cover of "MOST WANTED" a YA Novel about SOLO. This cover needed to represents the 2 principal characters of the movie, Alden Ehrenreich & Emilia Clarke. The actors needed to remain instantly recognizable, so I had to clean my style comparing my usual rough style.




Set before the events of Solo: A Star Wars Story! Han and Qi'ra don't have a lot in common other than not having a lot. They're street kids on the industrial planet Corellia, doing whatever it takes to get by, dreaming of something more. They each jump at a chance to prove themselves in the perilous world of Corellia's criminal underbelly, only to discover they are on the same mission for the same unscrupulous boss. When the job goes disastrously wrong, Han and Qi'ra are on the run–from pirates, a droid crime syndicate, the Empire, and their boss–and will have to learn to trust each other if they are going to survive.

You can purchase this book on amazon

What distinguishes an illustrator other artists ?

For me entirely there is no difference between an illustrator and an artist. Though, Florian thinks otherwise. For An illustrator is an artist who specializes in enhancing writing or elucidating concepts by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea.

So what is it that makes his work of art special, what distincts him from the others ?

 Florian Nicolle ;

I would say that what distinguish an illustrator from another is his personal style, and also his personal engagement in a project.
All we need to be notified from millions of other illustrators is be different, create something.

 What advice do you think you can give to young illustrators or illustration students that will aid them create masterpieces like yours ?

Florian Nicolle ;

I would advice to work on its own style and don’t be influenced by other illustrators . I see too much people trying to copy a trend or someone else work. This is a wrong way. I had started to draw at a time socials did not exist, and seeing  illustrations was possible only on old school books and on rare website like deviant art,so I had only me and my classroom camaraderie to really help me to find a style and of course my teachers

I think it was a better period to really work on ourself and let the natural goes alone, by practicing.  and finally getting a style coming alone like a signature, naturally, since always my dream was to be able to draw like I could write, 'naturally"it needed so much time to achieve it, but today I must say I am very happy of the result  .
MY goal in my illustrations is to find the perfect balance between spontaneity and realism
I want to transmit the emotion of the people drew, with the minimum of  "drawing"
that's why I have a kind of rough sketching style, with unfinished look.


That's quite unique for me to hear
 "...transmit the emotion of the people drew, with the minimum of drawing....".so this signature move is something which we can say distincts his illustrations from others. That's like saying he sells the story with less ink.

Florian ;


I start and finish as quick as possible, when I feel the essential is here. However, in order to traduces well the feeling and the character of the people drew, I spend more times on few essential parts (mostly the eyes)
however, I will never draw the hairs, or ears for example



Some of  Florian Nicolle's work.


 


 



 


















 

That's it folks works of art by a living legend Florian Nicolle, I owe him my personal gratitude for showing us his little big world of emense creativity. Expecte the next big thing.