Illustration Teardowns: Jessica Brilli

A homage to Jessica Brilli, a painter/illustrator who combines modern graphic design sensibilities with mid-century aesthetics

Illustration Teardowns — illustrated by Rob Levin

In the spirit of UX Teardowns, I’ll be looking at illustrators that catch my eye, and try to analyze what makes their work so compelling. Please note that all illustrations hereinafter, unless stated otherwise, are the express work of the artist I’m reviewing; I do not take any credit for their works! Also, I will try to be careful to post links back to the artist’s site — so if you click their image it will link through.

According to her about page, Jessica Brilli earned her BFA in painting at the University of Rhode Island, and received a certificate in graphic design from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, MA. Her work is influenced by Kodachrome slides as she brings renewed life to forgotten images, evoking relatable memories of childhood and family stories. Having painted all her life, her gallery works are oil paintings on canvas or panel, but, I sense they are quite informed by her sensitivity to contemporary graphic design. Let’s take a look…

Gorgeous oil paintings with a relatable narrative—organic figures juxtapose with geometric shapes and straight lines—Jessica’s work pay homage to both traditional mid-century painted illustrations and contemporary graphics

Observations

Here are some noteworthy characteristics I noticed in her work:

• Amazingly straight lines! She uses pin-strip tape to achieve this. Here’s a time lapse video of her using this technique.
• With a pop art aesthetic reminiscent of artists like David Hockney, Marjorie Strider, and Alan Katz, Jessica brings a slightly more graphical element to her paintings—mind you, the execution is all analog oils on canvas or panel—but, there’s an accuracy of line and restraint that reminds me of a well executed digital painting.
• Use of depth of field contrasted against the focal point is achieved by using simple shapes for landscape mountains, clouds, and other background elements. Focal point emphasized.
• In above two images, great example of rule of thirds compositional placement.
• Minimal color palettes.

Sand Key

• Contrast of broad geometric shapes (horizon/sea/sky, triangular highway which neatly contrasts the Sand Key sign while creating a nice parallel line!), to more complex shapes on the interior.
• Analogous (blue and green), and almost monochromatic tones with slightest hint of complimentary (e.g. the tinges of red against the green)
• Not flat :) While there’s an almost vector feel to certain specific elements, if you look closely, there’s use of gradation. The focal figures, cars, etc., all have highlight and shadow.
• Above said, there’s an almost serigraph or screen-printed sense to the forms. Here’s an interesting breakdown of Anne S. Faust on the Silkscreen Print Process. To be clear, I’m just saying that the forms remind me of this; again, Jessica’s are oils on canvas/panel.

Diagonal lines help to create interest and lead the eye through the composition. How many triangles can you find?

• As I look at her works, I notice there’s a strategic use of diagonals to lead the eye.
• Judicious use of reflections and shadows.

So, what do you think about Jessica’s work? Does it move you? Why?

Rob Levin does technical things by day and illustration by night. You can view his blog at https://developtodesign.com and illustration at: https://www.behance.net/roblevin. Also, you may like to read more of the illustration teardowns articles.

Previous in series: Soulful Isometrics. Next in series: Italian Illustrators

Also, you may like one of my other illustration teardowns.