Based in London, Liza Malyan is a printmaker and illustrator mainly working on editorial prints and illustrations, as well as animated films for the likes of NHS and Penguin Random House. In her free time she also self-publishes small zines and comics and makes silly little prints to give to loved ones. Liza studied illustration at Kingston University, where she fell in love with print and print processes. Before starting at Kingston, she mainly created traditional still lives with fruit bowls. Now, Liza works as a part-time art teacher’s assistant at a small private art school for three days a week, and works on her own projects and commissions for the other four.
Her working process starts with a thought that turns into a drawing. Liza comments; “I try and start as quick and as silly as I can to take the pressure off”. A lot of the time she scans her drawing in and experiments with it digitally as well. When she works with printmaking, Liza gets as messy as she can; “I believe messiness is at the heart of creativity (also filling in the blank space as much I can helps me move forward with my work)”.
She uses a regular HB pencil and a ballpoint pen when drawing on paper, and then uses Adobe Photoshop for digitally colouring her drawings in. As a student, Liza had access to professional screen printing equipment, but now she uses a pair of old tights stretched over an old picture frame when working on silkscreen projects. Sticking with the nifty eco theme, she also uses lino and offcuts of wood and foam for relief printing. Liza states; “I try and reuse and repurpose materials as much as I can instead of buying things new. It’s more fun finding your equipment in bins or on ebay”.
The inspiration for Liza’s works comes from the things that surround her: her friends, her work, her bike etc. “I like to focus on everyday life and simple things, things we all experienced and will experience,” says the illustrator. Her favourite things to look to for inspiration also include: children’s books, long walks, birds, old toys, English folk music, quilts, and ceramics.
This year, Liza is looking forward to developing and experimenting with her practice even more. She hopes to expand her printmaking skills and try out techniques such as dry point. Liza is currently working on a secret little project, but hints that it will definitely involve birds! Keep your eyes peeled to see what this emerging illustrator is up to!
@kartinochkikartinki
www.lizamalyan.com
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