Lize Meddings
Hullo, I am Lize. I am twenty-one, but I am most definitely not an adult yet. I just graduated this year and spend almost all of my time drawing comics and other such things, and a little bit of my time trying to finish Majora’s Mask (the N64 Zelda game).
When did you decide you wanted to be illustrator?
I actually never considered being an illustrator during my A-Levels. I did a lot of animation though and decided I definitely wanted to go to university, so my parents suggested going to do something I really enjoyed. I applied for animation courses and it turned out that the course wasn’t running the year I applied, and illustration seemed like the logical choice. Thank God I did, I can’t imagine doing anything else now, lame as that sounds. Saying that, when I was eleven I told all my teachers I was going to draw cats for Disney (someone watched the Aristocats a few too many times).
Would you recommend studying at art school?
I would. I would also say you definitely get out what you put in. For the first two years I didn’t really try and I had like zero confidence about my work and stuff. But by the third I decided it was time to stop faffing about and try harder. And I did, and I am glad I did before it was too late. It’s also (obviously) really good for meeting like-minded people, so yes. Do it.
Could you describe your typical day?
Drink too much coffee, maybe panic about the future a little (caffeine’s fault). And draw whatever I need to draw. I tend to not leave the house much. Or get dressed, I think I have more ‘house clothes’ than real clothes. I go through a lot of shows as well when I am working, a lot of cartoons and a lot of Parks and Recreation.
What’s the best thing about being an illustrator?
I really love making comics and zines and the feedback they get, it’s so nice having someone appreciate something you’ve put time and effort into. And at the moment sitting around drawing and watching cartoons all day is a pretty big plus. I also got asked to draw something on the wall of the men’s toilets down my local pub, so I drew longcat. That was a pretty big moment in my life.
What’s the worst thing about being an illustrator?
At the moment it’s the lack of stability, like financial stability, but I’m gonna be mega naive and just hope it’ll get there. And obviously self doubt sucks, I have friends who are freaking brilliant at illustration and it makes me die a little inside/want to punch them in the face.
If you weren’t an illustrator, what would you be?
Well when I was younger I wanted to be a Spice Girl but I really think that ship has sailed. It’s tricky, I think I’d like to be involved in film, like sets and make-up and things. But I really can’t see myself doing anything else.
Any other tips you could share?
Just try and do one productive thing a day, and don’t beat yourself up. And if it ever gets to the early hours of the morning and you’re feeling awfully deflated, whack on some Kate Bush and remember that you are damn good at what you do. I do that pretty much daily.
lizemeddings.tumblr.
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