Turkey and South East Asia in Sketches by Faustine Clavert

It’s Monday again which means it’s time for me to introduce you to a new travelling artist. Today it’s French sketcher and painter Faustine Clavert who creates lovely watercolour sketches of places she has been to, including Turkey, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. How she came to live this life is inspiring, and you can read more about her story below.

Tell us a bit about yourself, Faustine

I’m Faustine, a 26-year-old French girl. I work as a freelancer, as an art director and interactive designer. I’m from the south of France and I studied graphic design in Paris. Before I became a freelancer, I worked in advertising companies in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and Lille (France). During my holidays, I started to travel: I did a one-month trip around the UK with a motorbike, a roadtrip in Lapland through Sweden and Norway, a trip to New York and Quebec, and some European capitals. Shame on me, at this time I didn’t have a sketchbook with me.

Cappodocia

I used to draw when I was younger, but I stopped when I started to work. One year ago, I quit the last company I worked with. Because of this and of other personal reasons, I was wasted at this time. I tried to find out what is the best way to focus and relax… sketching, of course! Yes, sketching was for me like… a therapy!

After few years without drawing, my first sketches were not really good. I visited Turkey with two friends of mine, and took black pencils and watercolor with me. Erasers were prohibited: I was looking for doing, more and more, to improve and to be more confident. Day after day, my work was better, as well as my mood.

Istanbul

Your travel sketches are very intricate and have a distinct style. How did this develop?

To relax my mind, I need to focus. So, for example, when I’m focusing on the minarets of a mosque or the windows of a building, my mind is free and nothing can bother me. Before I start a drawing, I visualize the lines and the colors. I start by thinking about the main idea, and then I go. I don’t mind making mistakes, as a wrong perspective, because I think mistakes can be beautiful and are part of my work. I use them instead of hide them.

Hanoi

What processes do you go through when sketching? Talk us through from start to finish

I do all my sketches on site. I often sit between 20 and 45 minutes on the floor, or at a terrace of a cafe. I walk then I stop as soon as I find something interesting, such as a strange shadow, a nice pattern, an imposing monument. Sometimes, when the place is crowded or the sun too hot, I do the main lines on site, then I go few meters away, under shade or in a quite place to put the color, the details, the patterns… If for one reason or another I can’t finish my drawing on site, I finish it anyway the same day, to still have in mind the atmosphere of the scenery. I don’t draw from photography, life is more fun outside!

Laos Countryside

It’s obvious you have travelled a lot. Where has been the most inspiring place for you to sketch and why?

I started to travel and to draw at the same time just one year ago. I did a trip to Turkey, then a trip to South-East Asia (the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), then I went to Portugal and the south of Spain. My last trip was in Dublin, early in January. Turkey really inspired me, because I restarted drawing here after so many years. First I was really shy because when you draw, people like to watch over your shoulder and make comments. But then I turned this as an advantage: I asked people to draw in my sketchbook, and get free drinks while speaking with local people!

What I liked in Turkey was the contrast between the crowded and historical Istanbul, and the quiet and the gorgeous nature of Cappadocia. I tried to adapt my style to these different places.

Laos is also special for me, because I met two travelers there whom I gave pencils and sketchbooks to, and I like to believe I gave them the will to draw while traveling!

Siem Reap

Aside from travel, what inspires your work?

Aside from travel, I’m inspired by some comics illustrators, like Guy Delisle, Nicolas de Crécy and Marjane Strapi. I wish I was better at drawing people to do some short stories… but I’m working on it! I’m also inspired by cinema and movies: I like the movement, and try to not make frozen drawings but sketches full of life. Michel Gondry may be my favorite director. I also really like the world of Hayao Miyazaki.

Cappadocia

If you could travel anywhere in the world to sketch, where would it be and why?

I work hard now to save money, and then to spend it to travel longer and further. I don’t have one dream destination, but a lot, and my dreams will be true one after the other. The sketches I did in Portugal, Spain and Dublin will be online on my website soon, and I’m preparing now my next big trip: Mongolia next summer! I can’t wait to be there, and I already bought my tools and paper. Before that I think I will find time to go in one or 2 european cities. And after, I have in mind Iceland, Patagonia and Nepal. Let’s see what will be the opportunities…

Vietnamese Countryside

Finally, do you have any tips for readers who are interested in sketching whilst they travel?

I have a tips for readers who are interested in sketching whilst they travel: do, do and do even more! (or produce, and produce more!) There is no secret to improve but produce a lot, and do not be shy or ashamed.

What do you like about Faustine’s work? Do you have a favourite sketch?

To see more of Faustine’s travel sketches, take a look at her site Iltawo where she displays them. To see her art direction and interactive design work, click here.

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