« L’enfance tropicale a laissée des traces dans mes dessins »

(version française below)

Each season, Bask in the Sun collaborates with several visual artists, photographers and illustrators for its tee and sweatshirt prints. Eléonore Ampuy is an illustrator born in Guadeloupe, who traveled extensively before settling in France and devoting herself to drawing. She has been signing prints for our collections for several years, so we asked her a few questions.

Who are you? Where are you from?

My name is Éléonore, but I don't use it much. I'm Nono most of the time and always when I sign my drawings. I was born in Guadeloupe in 1987, then moved to Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, then to the Basque Country. The Indian Ocean or the Atlantic has always been there in a corner of the frame. My tropical childhood has left its mark on my drawings and my imagination. Today, it's less tropical, as I live in Lamure sur Azergues in the Rhône region, where I work as an illustrator.

Every artist has her own style. So why did you go to illustration/comics school?

It's true that designers are often self-taught, but that doesn't mean they haven't learned to draw. I didn't find my "style" at school, I looked for it and worked on it, but I learned everything else there: proportions, observation. Art schools don't teach you to be an artist or draughtsman, but they can nourish, enrich and give a foundation to those who already are.

What are your favourite tools and media?

Indian ink and brush. I learned to draw by copying Hugo Pratt, Gotlib and Franquin, who use the deep black of Indian ink. I like the suppleness and finesse of the brush, it's movement. It suits me because my work is spontaneous - I need to do something, to put it directly on the paper and then think about it. Lately, I've been doing a lot of hand lettering. Drawing and writing are very closely linked and that interests me. For Bask in the Sun, you create festive, aquatic scenes.

It's a commissioned work. Is it far removed from your usual world?

Not at all. We're on the same wavelength. The first illustration printed on Bask in the Sun clothing was a drawing I'd already done before the commission. It was of bathers. So there's continuity.

We have the ocean in common. I grew up in the Basque country, so I'm familiar with the landscape and the world of the ocean. I was also struck by the colors and shapes of the Indian Ocean seabed. When I receive a brief asking me to illustrate marine animals, I'm pretty enthusiastic about the idea and the images are already there in my head.

We've been working together for several years now. What do you like about it?

I love working for Bask in the Sun because you come to me for my world, and that's not always the case. What's more, I appreciate and support the brand's ethics. Working with people who share your own values is important and feels good.

I'm also very interested in the medium: it's incredible to see my drawings appear on textiles, it's very rewarding. Seeing my illustrations laid out in "allover" also got me thinking about pattern composition. I love my job, and when commissioned work and creative work respond to each other, it's a win-win situation! The drawings I've done with Bask in the Sun will surely take me to other shores...

Every season, Bask in the sun works with several plastic artists, photographers and illustrators for its designs on tees and sweatshirts. Eléonore Ampuy is an illustrator, born in Guadeloupe, who has travelled a lot before settling down in France and focusing on drawing. She has signed designs of our collections for many years, the occasion to ask her some questions.

Who are you ? Where do you come from?

My name is Eléonore but this first name is not very useful. I am Nono most of the time and always when I sign my drawings. I was born in Guadeloupe in 1987, then I lived in Mayotte in the Indian ocean and finally in the Bask country. The Indian ocean and the Atlantique have always been present somewhere in the picture. My tropical childhood has influenced my drawings and left a mark in my imagination. Today is less tropical, I live in Lamure sur Azergues in the Rhône region where I am an illustrator.

Every illustrator has his / her own style. So, why going to illustration / comics schools?

It is true that most of the illustrators are autodidacts, but it doesn't mean that they didn't learn how to draw. I didn't find my "style" at school but I searched for it and worked on it and there I learnt all the rest: proportions, observation. Art schools don't teach how to become an artist or an illustrator but they can nourish, enrish and give the some basis to those who are already artists.

What are your favorite tools, supports?

Indian ink and brush. I learnt how to draw by copying Hugo Pratt, Gotlib and Franquin who use this deep black of Indian ink. I like the flexibility and the finesse of the brush, that is movement. It suits me well because my work is spontaneous. I have to do it directly on paper and then I think. Lately I made lots of letterings on paper. Brush took me slowely to that, drawing and lettering are closely linked and that is interesting.

For Bask in the sun, you make aquatic and festive life moments. This is a work on demand. Is it far from your usual universe?

We are on the same line. The first drawing printed on a Bask in the sun t-shirt was one already made, bathers, ocean as common points.

I grew up in the Bask country, I know these landscapes and the aquatic universe is familiar. I was also influenced by the Indian ocean, its colors and its shapes. When I receive a request for marine animals illustrations, it is quite enthusiastic and ideas are already in my mind.

We have been working together for some years now, what do you like in this collaboration?

I like working for Bask in the sun because you came to me for my universe and it is not always the case. Moreover I like and support the ethic of the brand, working with people who share the same values is important.

I am also interested in support: it is incredible to see my drawings appear on textiles, it is very gratifying. The fact of seeing my drawings in "allover" has also made me think on the composition of my designs. I love my work and when my work and the work on demand match, it is a win game. The drawings I made for Bask in the sun will surely take me to new shores...

Photo above: Mélanie Bordas Aubiès