Alix Hillmer

We discover the secret recipe behind the illustrator's unique style and how she uses her sketchbook as a medium to test out new tools

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Scrolling through Alix Hillmer's Instagram page, it's not difficult to lose track of time. Predominantly a digital character artist, she melds colourful with creepy in her cartoon creations inspired by monsters, manga and myths. But open her sketchbook and there's more to be found: experiments in traditional mediums and brand new styles. We got the chance to sit down with Alix, who shared her journey, passions and processes with us.

What got you started as an artist? Was there a desire to tell stories visually, or were you inspired by any other artists' work?

I've always been into art and wanted to create something colourful and fun. I grew up around art at home. Both of my parents are artists themselves. We have always had – and they still have – an art studio at home.

I would always sneak sheets of paper and Micron pens from my dad to draw from shoujo manga and Sailor Moon. I loved the characters and the magic of the worlds they were in, so I would create my own characters and stories for them. As I got online, I began to see the work of artists from all over the world. That exposed me to so many different styles and techniques that I wanted to learn myself and replicate within my own artwork.

I started to take art more seriously as I got into my 20s. After spending a few years in a fine art program in college, I began to gravitate to character design and illustration. I focused on creating fun, engaging characters that, to me, told their own interesting stories. The visual language using shapes, colours, clothing, expressions and settings truly captures me and is always something I continue to work towards.

You manage to make the dark and creepy bright, cute and colourful. Was this always your intention or has that revealed itself over time?