Interview #40: The Art of Maguelone du Fou
All about Maguelone du Fou art process and editorial illustration work
Hello art community :)) Today’s is the 40th interview on the page! Can’t believe we’ve made it this far! I’d love to read in the comments what your favorite interview has been up to now.
For those just finding me - I’m Madalina, an artist and illustrator who loves discovering and talking to many fellow artists. I now share these conversations through bi-monthly interviews available to read for everyone :)
Maguelone du Fou is a French illustrator living in sunny Provence. Her work is deeply inspired by lush coastal landscapes, busy gardens, mundane life and Parisian cafes. She works with traditional techniques, such as watercolors, inks and gouache, to create a joyful and colorful world filled with unique details. Let's find out more about her artistic process and her journey into editorial illustration.
✎ Hi Maguelone and thank you for joining forArtists. How would you describe your artistic journey that led you to where you are today?
I started drawing in high school, and soon knew I wanted to make a career out of it. After graduation, I enrolled in a preparatory year at the Atelier de Sèvres, then entered the École Estienne in Paris, specializing in the book industry. This naturally led me to illustration.
✎ You’ve worked with many different clients, including Chanel, Hermès, The Parisianer, Financial Times London..Do you have a step-by-step approach that you follow with each client?
Yes, I've developed a fairly structured method, while remaining flexible depending on the project.
I always start by researching the topic to be illustrated. Then I propose two or three sketches to the client and wait for his feedback. Once the composition is approved, I move on to color.
When the illustration is finished, I scan it and send it to the client, making sure it stays true to the original, while being technically ready for use.
✎ Of all the projects you’ve done, which ones are you most fond of?
I'm particularly fond of projects where I'm given a lot of freedom and which tell a story, whether for children or adults. I like it when the image stands on its own, telling a story without the need for words.
And I also love writing: my second picture book, which I wrote and illustrated myself, will be out in bookshops this November by Editions Mango Jeunesse!
✎ Could you explain the artistic process for one of your illustrations?
I always start with preparatory pencil sketches, sometimes in several versions, to lay out the composition. I like to get this stage right before moving on to color.
Then I think about the mood I want to convey. I visualize the colors in my mind, and get started. I often start over once, sometimes twice, if the color balance isn’t working. I try not to push forward in the wrong direction and take courage to start again when necessary.
I then scan the illustration and make a few color and contrast adjustments digitally, while preserving the essence of the traditional work.
✎ Your color palette is so rich and vibrant. How do you usually choose colors while maintaining balance in your illustrations?
I almost always start with an emotion or a feeling: a time of day, a light, an environment.
I choose a dominant color, then build the balance around it, kind of like a musical score.
I like colors to interact, to create rhythm and harmony. I spend a lot of time observing my paper, testing and adjusting. I often have a small test palette next to me before I get started.
✎ What is your favorite medium combination? And what art tools and colors do you use most?
I work with inks (watercolor or acrylic), which I then combine with colored pencils, and sometimes pastels.
My brushes are very simple, but I always choose one with a fine tip.
I love the interplay between precision and spontaneity that mixed techniques allow for.
✎ How many art income streams do you juggle at once? And how do you manage them on a daily basis?
Today, my income comes mainly from client illustration work.
I also have some paintings available in various galleries, including the Slow Galerie in Paris. And two or three times a year, I open a temporary gallery where I offer prints and originals to people interested in my work.
✎ What advice would you give to artists who want to enter the editorial industry? What skills are needed and what are the main challenges of this job?
It's a demanding business, but there's room for every voice, every universe.
Build a coherent portfolio, develop your own style, be curious, persevere, and don't be afraid to take the plunge and meet people in person.
✎ What don't people know about you, the person behind the art?
I play guitar and am currently trying (very slowly!) the piano, in a very, very amateur way. But the important thing is to have fun, right? :))
☆☆ Learn more about Maguelone's work on her website and Instagram.
