The perfect antidote to the rain it’s raining outside, Gaurab Thakali – the mastermind behind the colorful and lively illustrations – was first on stage for this month’s Nicer Tuesdays. “I draw a lot”, he began, before presenting us with the rest of his vast production which ranges from landscapes, illustrated scenes to musical works. From dancing to people-to-people interactions, Gaurab showed us how he draws inspiration from the everyday life around him, especially scenes and moments from his South London home and his hometown in Nepal.
Then, Gaurab deepened his process which usually starts with sketchy drawings. “I think it’s very important to see something right in front of me – something tangible – so that I can imagine what the next step will be from there,” he shared. Shortly after, he showed us beautiful examples of how his sketches will evolve into room posters, sketches for musicians or magazines. Whether small or large scale, created digitally or by analogy, Gaurab’s style remains consistent, a technique he has thoroughly refined over the years.
And, when he’s not illustrating the bustle of life around him, Gaurab is immensely inspired by his interests in skateboarding and music. “Growing up as a skateboarder, I always dreamed of having one of my images (or a few of my images) on a board,” he shared. Working with Korahn, a Bristol-based company, Gaurab realized that dream and showed us the limitless limits of what can be done on a board. The rest of the conference focused on other notable projects, such as artworks – large, small and more graphic – for musicians such as Hannibal Buress and Nicholas Daley. Oh and he also showed us a great 2D animation at the end, with music composed by Dennis Bovell. It was a treat to watch and listen to, enjoy!