Mark Conlan

Mark Conlan is a multi disciplined Illustrator from Dublin, Ireland. Currently working and living in Melbourne.

Curator’s note: Mark Conlan is a bit of a big name in the illustration biz. As this article goes on to reveal, he has only been working as a full-time illustrator since 2015 but has already amassed a pretty impressive client list. So he’s doing something right. Mark has an irresistibly organic style, which is perfect for playfully visualising all sorts of topics. This is probably why that client list is only going to keep on growing. We are certainly huge fans and if you’re new to his work, then welcome to the ever-growing fan group!

Can you talk us through your creative process? You seem to do a lot of sketching; do you always begin working with a pencil and paper?

Yeah for me this is the most natural process and probably the most creative too. I carry a notebook most places with me so I can sketch when creativity strikes. Its often the best way for me to switch off too, an evening in front of the TV is when my best ideas come :) I often then have this reference I can refer to whenever I need some ideas.

I believe you’re currently living and working in Melbourne. How is the creative scene there and how does it compare to Dublin and London, where you’ve lived previously? 

Yeah I am based in Melbourne now, I have been here for the past four years. It’s such a great city, full of vibrancy and creativity. The creative scene is pretty big here just like London. Nowadays, I think most big cities have the same kind of creative scene. There’s not much that separates them all. That’s such a big bonus especially being a creative. We are spoilt for choice for galleries, exhibitions, cool creatives to collab with and to hang out with too. I think Melbourne differentiates itself through its emphasis on street art. If you ever take a walk through the city you have an abundance of really amazing street art.

Bespoke illustration for Toggl’s blog content.

You have a whimsical, endearing visual style which is simultaneously refined and beautiful. Have you always produced work in this way or did it take time to develop this aesthetic?

I draw a lot, well I try to draw a lot. This is definitely the biggest contributor to finding my own style. Getting time to draw over and over and fill up countless sketchbooks is not only good for the mental health, it’s also fantastic for developing your own style and finding a coherent voice through your concepts. I definitely think I am still finding my style still though, I don't think that one day we just find ourselves as creatives and that’s it, I think its more of an evolutionary process that we just keep developing on as we learn more and more about creativity and ourselves. I think as a creative you are never going to be 100% happy with the work you produce, it think this is an important factor in pushing you constantly to keep getting better.

I think what makes your work unique is the combination of such vibrant colour, tactile texture and playful characters. Do you have a go-to toolbox of brushes or colour palettes that you tend to reach for or is there always a certain window of experimentation at the outset of each piece?  

I definitely think I have become quite comfortable over the years with what works best for me in some aspects. I have refined a certain set of brushes and textures that I love.  I have a good grasp over the level of texture and mark making that I input into my work. I think this has almost become a part of my style now. So yeah, I have got quite comfortable. But nowadays I am getting that urge to start experimenting some more. I literally just bought some new brushes the other days so hopefully I can start getting more texture in there somehow :) But I think its super important to keep experimenting as you don't wanna hang around that safe zone for too long either, that’s dangerous :)

One of many illustrations for Stripe’s Increment Magazine.

Have you always been an illustrator? Was there ever any chance you’d pursue anything else?

No I haven't always been an illustrator, I am still relatively new to this game. I only began working as an illustrator back in 2015 when we moved to Melbourne. I have always been an illustrative type of guy, it's always been something I was keen on but never really knew you could do it solely as a career. I studied animation back in Ireland in the Irish school of animation and then on arriving in London, I began working as a designer. I worked across various agencies across UI, UX, web design, branding and some very small illustrative works, like logos etc. Before leaving London I was definitely beginning to explore the idea of becoming an Illustrator and the passion began burning strongly. I worked on some small design jobs on arriving in Melbourne but then I took the plunge to becoming a full time illustrator. I haven't looked back since.

Growing up, what did you see yourself doing? If you could have told your teenage self you’d be be killing it as a freelance illustrator, would you have believed it?

Funnily enough, I was always that kid who drew (I still do all the time). I would always get art sets as presents and I always said that I wanted to become a cartoonist. I guess I said that as I didn't really know what it would lead to but I wasn't that far off in the end. I think as I became a teenager, I become a little more fine art inclined but on finishing school, animation was looking like a more viable career path and a whole lot more fun. All in all, I haven't veered too much off the path throughout the journey.

The Furrow Collaboration

Am I right in thinking you attended the ‘Irish College of Animation’ in Dublin? Were you ever tempted to pursue animation further?

Yeah I sure did. It was such a fantastic course and definitely helped me into the position I am in now. Maybe I just wasn't the best animator or I came out of college at a bad time but there wasn't many opportunities in Dublin. I was definitely keen but this kind of made me lose my passion or confidence in animation. I think I am more of a conceptual/illustrative person anyway so I had that to fall back on and instead I explored the design route, which was great and taught me so much.

You (semi) recently collaborated with James Mabery for the animated short: ‘Unexpected Discoveries’. Do you often collaborate with other creatives? Are you able to talk us through how you approach a shared project like this?

I did. This was such a fun collaboration and the result was so good, thanks to James. These are dream projects that we don't often get the time to work on. James approached me about the artwork for ‘Unexpected Discoveries’ that I had created and said that he would love to bring it to life. I didn't really have a whole lot to do apart from the original concepts and artwork and James worked his magic. So the process was so linear from my point of view and I got to see this beautiful animation at the end of it all.

Collaboration with James Mabery for the animated short ‘Unexpected Discoveries’.

What drives you? What motivates you to get out of bed each morning?

It's pretty simple this one, it's getting to do what I love to do everyday. I know that sounds slightly cliché but sometimes I think we tend to forget how grateful we should be to do what we love. Some people never get a chance in life to pursue their passions and here we are everyday living that dream. Thanks Universe :)

You’ve produced illustrations for a pretty impressive client list, including Coca Cola, The New York Times and AirBnB to name a few. What’s it like working with these big names? I presume there’s always a little added pressure to try and exceed expectations for these high-profile projects?

I try not treat any client different from any other. I believe the process should be the same otherwise you can get so caught up in the pressure that a big name can exude on your creativity. It’s important to be yourself and produce the work that you love as this is why they came to you in the first place.

Artwork to celebrate the solar eclipse, commissioned by Airbnb.

Would you mind briefly talking us through your career history thus far? What have you learnt from your experience to date and what encouraged you to become a full-time freelance illustrator?

I think I have kind of covered this a bit in another question but the most valuable lesson I have learnt is to be Patient. Be patient as it’s all not going to arrive on your door straight away, it takes time to build up work that you and an audience appreciates. Be kind and work hard :)

You have a considerable following on social media, particularly on Instagram. What’s your take on the role of social media within the industry today? It can obviously be a great resource for self-promotion and gathering inspiration, right? How much consideration do you give to what you publish online?

This is a huge topic of conversation these days. I feel Instagram has had its hay-day and is on a slow decline as of this algorithm that they are toying with on a constant basis. Just like Facebook, it’s getting too monetised and not as fun as it used to be. Like any other platforms or forms of social, they will come and go. So I try to keep having fun everyday and not be too precious with it all as someday I might have to rely on not having that audience. The role of social is so important to gain an audience and even get your clients from, but I think we tend to place too much importance and emphasis on succeeding there and producing work for what will get likes. I think as artists we should be looking at other ways to get attention. It's more important to just be yourself and have fun as at the end of the day it’s just a social platform.

‘Spring break’ campaign for Airbnb’s asian market.

We always like to wrap up with these final few questions. I personally always think our failings and how we learn from them shape our future work. Did you ever have any doubts? Was there a notable tough moment and if so, how did you learn from it? 

Yeah for sure. Early on when I became an illustrator full time, it was slow, there were days where I doubted everything I was producing and if I had made a huge mistake. But as I said before, being patient and persevering got me to where I am now. I still get times like this now, where it gets slower than usual but that’s the joy of the freelance life. I keep myself busy at all times, whether it’s personal work or working on the business side of things, that helps and makes you stronger in the long run.

Who or what inspires you? Is there anyone’s story that you would particularly like to hear from? (We might be able to help with that!) 

Oh I think we are so spoilt these days, there is so much inspiration around us. Platforms like Instagram and Behance allow us to see so much beautiful work, although lately I don't see as many of the artists work I love because of the algorithm (rant). There are so many artists I admire, like Lisk Feng, Abbey Lossing, Quentin Monge to name a few. Aside from other artists work, I try to be open to getting my inspiration from anything and anywhere, like a walk through the park, the sun shinning through the studio window or even just a song can empower the creativity within. For me its all about interpretation and remaining open to that as best I can.

Finally, what's your aim for the future?

For me, it's to remain as consistent as I can and to keep producing work that I love and work that can still provoke a smile or a reaction of some sort. I need to get my work out there more and do some larger scale projects including some murals. I just need someone who has done some before to give me a hand. So if you are reading this, please get in touch and let's paint some walls. I also wanna see my artwork on a tram, not sure why just think it would be cool.

Collaboration with Etsy for their World of Etsy sale event.

You can view more of Mark’s magnificent work over at his website: markconlan.com or if you’re willing to put up with that blasted algorithm, check out his Instagram too.