Rik Lee

Ever since I discovered Rik Lee's work a few years ago he has been one of my favourite contemporary artists. His illustrations tick so many boxes for me in terms of subject matter, techniques applied and the over all look of the work. One of the first features of his drawings that appeal to me is the use of tattoo imagery. Normally when he draws people they will have tattoos, and I adore the way in which he portrays ink on the skin. Tattoos are a real interest of mine anyway, and for me Rik Lee depicts them in such a beautiful way.

(Lee R, February 2011, Illustration, accessed 10th April 2012, http://riklee.tumblr.com/)

This is a very recent piece of his, and illustrates the way in which he draws tattoos very well. the blue ink compliments his perfectly blended pencil drawings. This piece also depicts another factor of his work which I adore really well. The way he draws hair. Every time I see a new illustration by him, I can not get over how perfectly he draws hair, with precise sections and beautiful wisps coming away from the main body of it.

(Lee R, December 2012, Illustration, accessed 10th April 2012, http://riklee.tumblr.com/)

I also love his use of animal imagery in his work. We share a love of cats and I like this piece in particular because it is entirely based around my favourite animal. I also like the use of colour and the paint drip effect in this illustration.