I believe illustration is a science as much as it is a discipline of art. It is important to have versatile and high quality artistic skills, however it is just as important to understand the psychological, cultural and human context of the client.
I hold a BSc degree in Geology from University of Manchester, graduated with 2:1 - it is a subject which also involved sketching and keen observation, but during the course I realised I required creative freedom in my career.
I am now a student in Loughborough University studying BA Graphic Communication and Illustration, using the course to strengthen the skills I developed in my personal time. I operate art social media under the personal brand 'vishariya', creating and selling artwork at various conventions in the UK.
Outside of illustration, I have a part-time job tutoring students in Maths, English, Chemistry, Physics, Geography and French. My hobbies include music, films, hiking, writing poetry and learning Japanese.