A short journey through the Dollhouse with Anna Bours
Let’s get acquainted. Talk a little bit about yourself.
I’m a Dutch Illustrator & creator of Dollhouse nestled in the beautiful city Barcelona. I happily weave my imagination for clients across the world, applying hand-drawn and computer-based imagery to a range of visual mediums; from fine arts to fashion, from editorial to advertising, to books and textiles and much much more.
I’ve been working as a Pattern Maker/Illustrator for clothing labels, as a Designer for online shops and beside that some freelance work as an Interior Stylist & Graphic Designer.
For the last few years I already felt the need to dedicate more time on fashion illustration, to improve my skills, as I never really had the time beside my job to improve my drawing techniques. So last year I decided to take the big step and quit my job, went on an inspiring four month trip through SE Asia, something I’ve always wanted to do in my life. With all the sketches and pictures I made in Asia I started as soon as I came back to convert them into illustrations and started my own company, Dollhouse fashion illustrations.
How do you describe the stories behind your artwork?
Mainly, I am inspired by the female figure and her world. But I’m also influenced by Fashion, Art and Fashion Photography.
I find inspiration in a wide variety of places. Many images are crossing my eye every day in magazines, internet & my surroundings, a print, pattern or a beautiful picture or song. Girls with a unique style walking on the street here in Fashion Metropolitan Barcelona & runway shows that bring the urge in me above to mix all this inspiration and convert it into a lovely drawing.
Living between Barcelona and Amsterdam I feel at ease with the visual landscapes of both cities. As art and fashion capitals, they are a byword for innovation, creativity and metropolitan edge. I also find inspiration at my doorstep.
Why fashion illustrations? Why dollhouse?
I remember when I was young I saw an illustration of Antonio Lopez and I was immediately in love with his style, the simplicity in his line-work and elegance in the coloring. Since then I knew I wanted to become a fashion illustrator. As I mostly draw girls I’ve called them my ‘Dolls’, as people around me also started calling them like that. That’s why when I decided to start my own business it was not difficult to think about a catchy name and place to ‘store’ all my Dolls. It’s like a little Dollhouse where I dress the Dolls, give them a ‘Look’ with matching accessories and a good ‘hairdo’ for every situation!
I know you have a passion for dolls, but why? Do you remember which doll marked your childhood?
I can’t really mark one doll, but always loved cute things that inspire me a lot. Blythe Dolls, Manga Fashionistas, Geishas are some of those that inspired me a lot in my drawings. Also from each of them I pick some elements and I used it in my work trying to obtain a feminine, catchy gesture or movement.
Mention your favorite artists/photographers/architects or simply people that inspires you?
My favorite artists are: Antonio Lopez, Miss Van, Jordi Labanda, Andy Warhol.
But also Dali and his perfection in detail and colouring and the beautiful Art Prints. It can simply be a beautiful mood picture, unique color combinations, or a beautiful handcrafted piece of fabric/texture. When I was travelling in South East Asia I got inspired by their very own culture and its traditions/religions which are shown in their beautiful architecture and prints.
Also the beautiful nature, full of wild orchids and bright almost illuminating colors inspired me, and the people with their beautiful gestures, which had a big impact on my style and view as an illustrator.
What are your favorites art supplies/software/computer and why do you use them?
My process of illustrating is fairly simple. For the sketches I use Japanese Traditional Ink and Copic, Pantone Pencils.
Once the illustration is finished, I scan them and clean the backgrounds/adjust contrast and color them with my Wacom pencil in Adobe Photoshop & Adobe Illustrator.
How would you describe your style of your painting? How did you get to that style?
My Illustrations have a unique intricacy in the linear detail. Whimsical style, moody colours and intricate illuminating floral backgrounds. That’s what distinguishes my work with others in my industry. I’m a self-taught artist. Though I’ve learned a lot working as a pattern maker and designer previously. I use all the techniques I’ve learned in very diverse jobs and join them in my illustrations.
I followed some illustration courses from a designer who used to work for Desigual, about how to use adobe illustrator in combination with prints and linework and they helped me to improve my technique and style.
How do you sell your fashion illustrations? Do you print them on t-shirts or paintings or books?
I sell Dollhouse Prints to clients all over the world.
Beside that I’m working together with a couple of editorials from all over the world. I’m very excited to get more known in this area and get more collaborations with magazines and books. Beside my Dolls I’m selling Dollhouse Floral Wall Art on Canvas, which is going very well.
In the future I would like to design more interior decoration products with my prints on it: like wallpaper, tablecloths, curtains, etc.As I have been working as an Interior Stylist I love this part as well. I’m planning to diversify my business in the fashion industry. At this moment I’m collaborating with a great shoe designer to create a couple of Dollhouse vintage pumps. Next to that I’m creating prints for on Dollhouse Tees, Bags & Accessories. As I’ve just started it will go with tiny steps, but I love and enjoy every part of it.
Who are the clients who buy your art?
Most of the (online) magazines I’ve made some illustrations for are mainly read by teenage girls and fashion-lovers.
Also people who are not in the fashion world, but just simply felt in love with my dolls and/ or patterns.
Do you have a daily job? Or you’re doing illustration full time?
In present I dedicate my full-time to fashion illustration. Beside that I do some graphic design work to earn some extra money.
Recommend 3 books and write how they inspired you?
I love fashion illustration books like ‘The Big Book of Fashion Illustration: A World Source book of Contemporary Illustration’ & ‘Fashion Illustration Next’.
It helped me a lot to see the various techniques that illustrators use in their work. But also to get to know the background & how they became a fashion illustrator. Next to that I have a lot of little Pattern and Print books which I bought in Asia on the street, with their beautiful Batik techniques, Chinese Ink on calligraphy paper and old traditional Asian prints and their lovely colours, full of inspiration for me.
In your opinion, there is a secret weapon that any illustrator should have it? Which one and why do you think that?
All artists change in a certain way the ‘reality’ into their own. In my opinion every Illustrator should be able to convert the inspiration they see around them (images, pictures, illustrations, patterns, clothes) into their own unique style.
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