Nikki Pilkington

The first biographical point of interest that I wish to write about is illustrator Nikki Pilkington. I recently discovered her work at the 'Pick Me Up' exhibition at Somerset House in London. Of all the pieces of work I saw during the day spent there, I was instantly drawn towards hers the most. I was a bit heartbroken that I couldn't afford to buy one of her illustrations as they were all for sale. There are so many reasons why I am attracted towards her work. The style of drawing I love, realistic with a real hint of fashion to it. I love the use of colour in her illustrations, I feel it works well contrasted with the pencil drawn facial features and hair of her women. I also feel that her work is truly quirky, with many pieces having a 3D pop out element to them.

(Pilkington N, 2012, illustration from Glorious Truths 'Pick Me Up 2012', accessed 03 April 2012, http://www.nikipilkington.com/index.php?/archive/glorious-truths-for-pick-me-up-2012/)


This is the first illustration of Nikki's that I layed eyes upon at the exhibition. It is one of my favourite's from her 'Glorious Truths' collection displayed at the show. I love the pop out feathers, luminous colours and use of animals in the piece.


As I was viewing Glorious Truths at Pick Me Up, I had a thought that made me quite sad. It was the realisation that her work might not be at all appreciated by critics, particularly those with a fine art background, purely because of the materials used and fashion twist central to much of her work.


 I looked up some reviews and was pleasantly surprised that the writer of this one from 'Join The Studio' had come to overlook the pencil technique used and eventually grew to appreciate the skill in which it is applied. - ' I have to admit, when I first found Niki Pilkington, an artist in North Wales, I was groundlessly yet slightly skeptical of her work. But as I scrolled through her collection and kept staring at each wonderfully rendered portrait, I found myself liking her compositions more and more.' (Nikki Pilkington >> (Awesome Collection), March 26th 2011, accessed 03 April 2012, <http://jointhestudio.com/2011/03/niki-pilkington-awesome-collection/>) The writer admits that the use of pencil is probably what 'threw them off' because it's not a technique used predominantly in Fine Art.