Creative Maker Sessions: Tess Smith-Roberts

London-based illustrator Tess Smith-Roberts graduated from Kingston University in 2018, swiftly acquired an illustration agent, moved to London and now has her own studio space.

With an ever-present optimism and positivity, her personality translates directly into her practice. Her work mainly consists of big fat bold colours, funky shapes, and happy people, producing playful and characterful work. Fun is crucial to both her visual style and creative mindset, telling It's Nice That in an interview last year: “if I'm not having fun, then I’m not doing it right.”

Taking inspiration from food, particuarly an obsession with fruits due to their simple shapes but bright, fun colours, Tess has created many fruit themed products including a fruit scarf, a fruit vase, a fruit rug, fruit badges, fruit plates, a fruit tote bag, fruit prints, and a fruit T-shirt. A

Her growing list of clients include Bon Appetit, The New Yorker, Medium, Vogue, Pinterest and Soho House, plus collabs with Casetify and Chilly's Bottles.

Tess has gained fans for her Dating Comic series, illustrating fun and tragic stories sent in by her followers - the more outrageous the better!

Join us in conversation with Tess Smith-Roberts on Wednesday 6th July for a talk focused on how to diversify your income as an illustrator; as we explore her studio practice and creative work; collaborating with brands and building her business as a creative maker.

Part of our ongoing Creative Maker Series in conversation with artists, designers and illustrators worldwide. Tess Smith-Roberts joins our speaker & mentor line-up for Illustrated Merchandise - our refreshed 8-week course in making and selling. Enrolment closes Sunday 19th June.

Presented by Inkygoodness, in partnership with Inkygoodness Collective.

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Ticket includes 10-day access to the recording, hosted on our Vimeo page.