Talya Modlin shares illustrated gems from her sketchbook

Date
22 May 2017

On Chicago-based illustrator Talya Modlin’s Tumblr is a rare treat once in a while. The independent comic book artist shares scans of the gems from her sketchbook, illustrations that ramble across pages, narratives, and styles of drawing.

Talya shares these excerpts “because I feel those particular drawings are some of the truest representations of my work – very rarely are they stepping stones to something else,” she tells It’s Nice That. “When I say true what I mean is, when I make or see these drawings it is the same way in which I would relate to my reflection rather than a photograph of myself. My sketches are always ultimately closer to how I envision my work to be.”

Illustrators and designers often share works in progress or the beginning of an idea on blogs or Instagram, but the charming quality of Talya’s is that they are singular stories. “They come from a particular place of semi-meditation and not so much heavy skill-honing or project solving.” The result is imagery that is “relaxed, loose, doodley day dreaminess in a moment that would otherwise be lost, which is what interests me.”

Talya’s larger work involves comic book strips and accordion books telling the story of her developed characters (which you can read about here). However, these works are approached the same way as her more snapshot sketches. “I try to approach all other work the same way, to leave good portions up to chance, just like I do when I sit down to openly draw. That way, I’m direct as possible.”

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Talya Modlin

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Talya Modlin

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Talya Modlin

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Talya Modlin

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Talya Modlin

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Talya Modlin

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Talya Modlin

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Talya Modlin

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Talya Modlin

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Talya Modlin

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Talya Modlin

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About the Author

Lucy Bourton

Lucy (she/her) is the senior editor at Insights, a research-driven department with It's Nice That. Get in contact with her for potential Insights collaborations or to discuss Insights' fortnightly column, POV. Lucy has been a part of the team at It's Nice That since 2016, first joining as a staff writer after graduating from Chelsea College of Art with a degree in Graphic Design Communication.

lb@itsnicethat.com

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