iPad illustrator UU focuses on the “joy” of drawing rather than the final result

For a long time, the illustrator UU believed the neighbourhood he lived in was much less “attractive” than other cities he had visited. Living in the same place for over 20 years, UU had become somewhat desensitised to his surroundings. But after seeking out a more “personal” creative direction in his work, he found himself looking closer to home. “These scenes were some that other people would never see if they weren’t here,” UU says. “I realised that what I draw can be new to people. These are my surroundings, and my moments.”

The resulting series, Tree View from My Terrace, depicts UU’s everyday scenes; the local cafe he passes on his way to work, the stairs in his house, a self portrait in the mirror, the arm of his wife working beside him visible. Focusing on such quiet, seemingly insignificant moments gives the series an intriguing intimacy and perspective, like spending a moment looking through the lens of UU’s eyes.

UU views his overall creative approach as being heavily informed by two events while he was studying for masters at the RCA. During his favourite class – life drawing – UU was advised to “draw the line out of observation, not with the assumption”. It was this guidance that not only helped UU hone his technique, but also to feel the “pure joy” in his practice. “I felt a sense of liberation as I was drawing, and I didn’t have to worry too much about small things, for example, what the results would be.”

It was during this time that UU also attended David Hockney’s 2012 RCA show, which included the artist’s iPad drawings. “I was amazed that an artist who had already achieved great commercial success was creating beautiful images that exceeded the unique characteristics of devices and software – with an electronic device that anyone could use,” says UU. What most compelled UU, was the ways in which he saw Hockney to be focusing on the “nature” of drawing, rather than the results.

Later, when UU picked up illustration after a career in design, he wanted to draw “without obstacles” in a cost effective way, and found himself turning to his iPad. Now, UU uses two different sized iPads and one phone with a stylus for more off the cuff moments. To ensure less processed look (despite working on an electronic device), UU uses minimal brushes – one with a dark line and one with a “cloudy” line – and doesn’t use any post-processing features, for fears of twisting shapes or altering colours.

In terms of reception, one thing that UU loves is how his work seems to resonate differently with everyone. “Whenever I have the chance to talk to viewers and hear their perspectives, it’s often very different depending on who they are and their experience,” says UU. “I believe it completes the work.” Having finally settled on his niche and living as a full-time artist, UU is excited about what the future may hold. “Now that I’m about to turn 40, I think the important thing is to keep walking down this path and not worry too much about the right direction or the final destination,” he says. “I still don’t know exactly where I’m headed, but I want to work steadily as I’m travelling on this beautiful road, enjoying the scenes I find on the way.”