Kate Aspen

Kate Aspen is an Artist and Illustrator based in Norwich, with a fondness for the macabre, she creates colourful and cosy illustrations celebrating the multifaceted beauty of the weird and wonderful world we live in.

Tell us about yourself!

I'm lucky to have been painting and drawing since childhood and couldn't imagine a life without it. I draw inspiration from a vast variety of sources spanning from children’s picture books to horror films and folklore. Medieval and gothic artworks also influence my work hugely.

I like to combine stereotypically cute, cosy and creepy subject matter regularly. Whether it be a wholesome wooded landscape, or a rotting skull covered in mushrooms and bugs, I enjoy painting the nitty gritty details of the natural world through a lens of both humour and humble appreciation. Though most of the time I'm really just painting what I think is beautiful and brings me joy!

I almost exclusively use gouache paint to make my illustrations. Though I also enjoy using other traditional mediums such as ink, pencil and watercolour. I avoid
using Photoshop or Procreate as much as I can, it doesn’t bring me as much satisfaction as working by hand does. Though I do finalise my work digitally at times when a more graphic and polished approach is required. I love playing
with colour and contrast, and I tend to subconsciously stick to themes in my artwork. This means I usually have multiple sketchbooks on the go.

Where do you work?

I work from my cosy home studio in Norwich England, surrounded by plants, art and trinkets.

What do you get up to when you aren’t illustrating or designing?

In my spare time I love exploring the countryside, museums and historical sites. The natural world will always be an endless source of inspiration for me.

Find out more

@kate_aspen

kate-aspen.com