Paperface

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Animals

Animation

Black & White

Cartoon & Humour

Character Design

Children

Food & Drink

Graphic

People

Vector

Graphic design of Ski and Mountain Homes spot

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Abstract blue watercolor artwork inspired by the ocean by Paperface

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Abstract floral line drawing on paper by Paperface

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"The Times You Changed the World" board book cover design

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The superfluous is dispensed with in favor of winning characters

Abi Langridge - aka Paperface - works in a bold, graphic style, creating illustrations that are expressive and powerful, yet lighthearted in tone and thoroughly charming.

Growing up in Grantham, Abi has been drawn to illustration since childhood. She received a degree in graphic design from Leeds University, before working in London and New York, later returning to the UK and settling in Yorkshire. Her time in the US is a big source of inspiration, with the landscape, culture, people, food and wildlife across the country feeding into her personal work.

Approach

Sketching and working digitally, Abi’s approach is informed by her graphic design training. She uses illustration to communicate, never to decorate, and it’s always about stripping away the noise and concentrating on the message and emotion of the piece.

Styles

There are two main threads in the Paperface portfolio. The first is based on clean and colourful line work, using strong, graphical forms to make an impact. Abi’s second style reveals her love of texture as she paints in loose brushstrokes, often creating characters in monotone shades and capturing all the nuances of hair and fur, wood grain, wrinkly skin and more…

Awards

2019 – World Illustration Awards – SAA Agents Award for New Talent

Impressions

Interview

Website

Send Enquiry

Interview

What led you to become an illustrator? I’ve been working as Graphic Designer for the past 11 years and went freelance about 5 years ago in order to concentrate more on illustration. I’ve always loved illustration and got to illustrate a job during my final year as a full-time designer - I think this really made me understand that I wanted to make the switch. Did you study illustration in college? I actually studied Graphic Design at Leeds Uni. Where did you grow up? I was born in Norwich and grew up in Grantham. Do you have a childhood memory relating to drawing/art that you hold dear? I was recently sorting through a pile of childhood stuff and came across a sketchbook of portraits containing one of my Mum, my Dad, Emma Forbes, Andi Peters and Dave Benson-Phillips. Clearly the most important people in my life at the time. Where do you live now and what drew you there? I live in Yorkshire now, in a tiny village called Saltaire where we’re lucky enough to be surrounded by nature and greenery. Before that my husband and I lived in Brooklyn, NY so i think the draw of a garden and lots of green, open space was a big one! Describe your studio for us. I either work down in the basement and when I start feeling like I’m turning into a troll, I work upstairs in the spare bedroom. Describe the view from your window. Basement: a leafy light well with the occasional grumpy frog thats fallen through the grate. Upstairs: lots and lots of trees. Who or What is your biggest inspiration? I think Instagram is brilliant for finding illustrators and inspiration - as long as you don’t fall down a rabbit hole! If I spend too long on there I actually feel totally unmotivated so it’s a balance. In terms of people, I love Geoff McFetridge and McBess - and I love flicking through books about old Disney animators’ sketches when I’m stuck for inspiration. How do you get your ideas? They can literally come from anywhere - having had to spend more time at home in the last few months, my home and local area has provided a lot of inspiration recently - flowers, trees, and wildlife have cropped up a lot. My husband also keeps bees, so that leads to endless bee-related inspiration - and more flowers! What are your interests outside of illustration? I love playing video games, I’m in the middle of Disco Elysium at the moment and it’s so weird and beautifully done. What is the first record you bought? Kids by Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue. I wish I was joking. What was your favourite assignment ever? I recently finished working on a job all about dogs and puppies! One of my favourite subject matters! What would be your dream commission? I’d love to illustrate a kid’s picture book. Or anything cake related. What is the best use of illustration you have ever seen? I still absolutely love Robin Davey’s illustrations for Oscar Healthcare in the US. It was a perfect example of copy and illustration working in harmony to make a very dry subject matter accessible and engaging. I also love Franz Lang’s illustration for MailChimp - so unexpected and brimming with personality. What makes a good client brief? Something that isn’t too locked in place and has room for exploration. How much of your work is hand drawn? My process involves going back and forth between hand drawn and digital until there’s a nice balance of clean shapes and wobble. How do you envisage illustration evolving? I think hopefully it will continue to be seen as a very valuable communication tool, as opposed to ‘pretty pictures’ that can be taken or left. The more it is commissioned and seen out in the world delivering messages that move people, I think the understanding of what it can achieve in the right setting will keep growing. How do you keep on trend and up to date in our quickly changing industry? I try not to look! The pressure to ‘keep up to date’ is a bit of a trap that invades lots of layers of life and I think it’s more important to understand what you’re trying to say with your work. It’s interesting and important to keep your eye on what’s happening in the industry but you can’t let trends dictate what direction you go in. What is your go-to comfort food? Nachos What movie can you watch over and over? The Sting What do you listen to when you’re illustrating? The ‘Stuff You Should Know’ podcast What is the last show you binged? Ashamed to say - Tiger King - I was getting desperate! What was the last exhibition you saw and loved? Good Grief, Charlie Brown! at Somerset House last year What was the last concert you went to? Going out to a gig seems like such a distant memory! But think it was First Aid Kit at Leeds Academy. What is your favourite book? I love the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett What do you do when you have creative block? Flick through illustration books or get on Pinterest - I love old Disney books and video game art books. What is your go-to karaoke song? ‘(Everything I Do) I Do it For You’ by Bryan Adams

A teenager reading The Field Junior publication

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Illustrated chicken characters from Who Flew the Coop? card game

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Colorful card game with chicken characters and cards displayed

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Sunsave illustrations showcase the future of solar energy

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A relatable life shift cartoon published in The Guardian

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Infographic-style visual of common returns for Scholastic magazine

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KSB Miniatures Collection by Cincinnati Magazine

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Illustration of family on a colorful amusement park ride by Paperface

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Phonics flashcards featuring animals and letters by Paperface

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Three cartoon monkeys dancing, playing drum, and hanging from branch

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Illustration of Joni the Jellyfish holding two pitchers with juice by Paperface

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Illustration of Luna the Lion with phonics sound and laughing llamas by Paperface

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Sunsave utilizes bespoke illustrations to highlight solar energy solutions

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Two cartoon kids in green hoodies and yellow hats showing different expressions

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Stickers pattern for The Guardian cost of living crisis campaign

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Cute animal character of a swimming bear

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Unique descriptor sketch created for Outlinx's website design

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IWD Portrait Series featuring influential women like Agnieszka Rojewska

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Portraiture of George Harrison, capturing his musical legacy

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Line and color portrait of musician Ringo Starr

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Illustration of two people toasting wine in cans by Paperface

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Black and white design of Sheffield skyline

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Legal problems in Hollywood mega-mergers and their impact

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Architectural plans for retirement village buildings and structures

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Astronauts in spacecraft observing floating wine bottles in space by Paperface

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Minimalist botanical still life with plants and glassware by Paperface

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Two tennis players holding drinks and rackets near shelf, illustration by Paperface

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Prize Fish - The Guardian Right Now campaign

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Vouvray graphical design showcasing the essence of wine

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Illustration of dog in bone-patterned coat being blow-dried by hand, Paperface

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Paperface

Selected illustrations

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Colorful classroom signs for primary school with student illustrations by Paperface

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Who Flew the Coop card game with chicken characters and instructions

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Colorful illustrated chicken characters from a card game

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Book cover of Doctor Waffle If You Ask an Axolotl with pink axolotl by Paperface

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Person carrying a tall stack of books and boxes by Paperface

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Roadtrip stops guide by Cincinnati Magazine for travelers

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Illustration of four colorful cartoon characters by Paperface in different settings

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Cartoon crocodile standing upright with crossed arms and a smile.

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Illustrated spots for Scholastic MATH on common online returns

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Crocodile playing triangle, monkey, and bear with maracas illustration

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Two cartoon girls with blonde hair in purple tops on yellow background

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Vector illustration of Ski board and sticks

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Three pink robots holding phones around a QR code OUTLINX by Paperface

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Minimalist black and white line art of woman, artwork by Paperface

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Depiction of Singer-songwriter and musician, John Lennon

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Illustration of man stomping grapes in tub holding wine book by Paperface.

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Toasting the remarkable success of Malbec wine

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Little crispy marshmallow graphic design

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Clear and informative retirement village map

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Creative crocodile graphics for an engaging children's book

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Wine bottles and glasses showing alternatives to Pinot Grigio by Paperface

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Diver toasting with a crab underwater by Paperface

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Suite of compelling art for Guardian Right Now campaign

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The Guardian Right Now campaign designed by Paperface

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Woman relaxing in chair with book and wine glass by Paperface

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Digital work for an engaging online wine marketplace

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Vector art of comforting drinks perfect for wintry nights

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Wild seed packaging for Ollie's Honey Company

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Must-see roadtrip stops featured in Cincinnati Magazine

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Created a character named Little Gem for Treetops Hospice

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Playful dog cartoon for The Field Junior

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Diversity-themed spot created for Deutsche Post

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Finding the right school illustrated in line and color art

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Board book for kids who helped trial a COVID vaccine

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Cartoon portrait of David Hockney wearing glasses and hat by Paperface

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Three colorful animated chicken characters on pastel backgrounds

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Vivid illustration depicts a solar energy for Sunsave

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Illustration of two people reading a map inside a car at night

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Understanding the most frequent online returns

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Discover the best road trip stops in Cincinnati Magazine

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Illustration of Clawdia Winkledog character wearing a plaid dress by Paperface

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Illustration of a smiling bear holding a tambourine

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Illustrated phonics card of Joni the Jellyfish by Paperface

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Luna the Lion with three colorful birds by Paperface

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Graphic design for Saltaire Parade event

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Black and white mural with yellow lettering depicting artist tools and figures

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Two cheerful children making heart and thumbs up gestures

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Were-Coconut character with eyes and mouth by Paperface

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Illustration of robot arm holding phone with connected gadgets by Paperface

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Minimalist black and white portrait of woman wearing glasses by Paperface

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Man reading a book with wine, sitting on stacked books by Paperface

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Line and color art of Women celebrating Pink Champagne

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Black and white illustration of book store

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Wine to lamb pairing dishes food and drink illustration

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Illustrated Retirement Village map by Paperface showing villages and landmarks

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Packaging design for Crown Walls & Ceilings Matt Emulsion Paint

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Mozzarella cheese melting points through creative artwork

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Interactive virtual wine tasting experience

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Influencers spotlighted in The Guardian Right Now campaign on social media

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The Guardian Right Now campaign by Paperface

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food & drink Vineyards Among the Battlefields

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Open children's music book showing songs and animal illustrations by Paperface

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