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Tonwen Jones / Creative capsule

Here is our seventh CREATIVE CAPSULE. This month, we invite you to meet Tonwen Jones, English illustrator based in Brighton full of vintage references and surrealist creations who revisits with humour funnily the daily life. Good discover!

Describe your creative lab in a few words?
Inspirational, fun and close to the sea.

In two sentences, how would you describe your work technique?
I am predominately a collage illustrator who combines photographs (often vintage), hand drawn elements, patterns, textures and paper ephemera. I scan and assemble everything in photoshop and end up with a digital illustration file that tends to have a comical take on everyday life.

What is the project of which you are most proud of?
London Zoo Map for the new Lion Exhibit and several of my illustrated maps that were featured in the Gestalten book ‘Mind the Map’ showcasing maps and cartography. It was a proud moment!

What are your favourite colors to create?
Bright pinks and blues with maybe a hint of mustard.

Why did you become an artist?
It was in my blood. Both my parents are artists so I’ve always been surrounded by art, printmaking presses and interesting artefacts.

In four words, how would you describe your style of illustration?
Humorous, vintage, eclectic and colourful.

What is the project of your dreams?
Illustrating my own book of maps, some real and some of the imagination.

What does a typical day in the life of Tonwen looks like?
I always start the day with a fresh pot of coffee and once I turn my computer on, I also tune into Radio6 Music. I often browse through several blogs for some inspiration and then I make a start on whatever job I’m working on at the time. After several hours of drawing and assembling in photoshop, I might pop out for a stroll in the North Laines district in Brighton to browse through the flea markets to get some inspiration or along the seafront to get some fresh air. Then I get back to my drawing board and feel fully charged to start drawing again. I often work late and several of us often get a take out if we have a big job on!

What inspires you?
Exhibitions, junk shops, museums and the seaside where I live.

What is your favourite blog or website?
Ape on the Moon (apeonthemoon.com) and Design sponge (designsponge.com)

You may like

Tonwen Jones / New creations / London

Editorial / Swimming Magazine
Map of Bexhill-on-Sea
Greeting cards and household linens on sale at her beach kiosk
Illustrations: Tonwen Jones

Tonwen Jones / Freudin Magazin / Germany

Editorial / Key moments of 2023 / Freudin Magazin
Illustrations: Tonwen Jones

Tonwen Jones / CDscope magzine of Caisse des Dépôts / Paris

Tonwen Jones has created a series of illustrations for the Focus section of the Caisse des Dépôts CDscope journal. And, an illustrated map of the Landes region, on the Atlantic coast in France.