Illustrator Samuel Gull talks about his psychedelic artwork for The Wytches

Samuel Gull is a London based illustrator best known for his consistently brilliant artwork for The Wytches. Ahead of their extremely buzzed about second album All Your Happy Life we spoke to Samuel about his development as an illustrator and the influences for his psychedelic stylistic work.

Originally studying illustration at Middlesex, Samuel is currently completing a masters in design at Central Saint Martins. He explained that studying a BA was vital in his growth as an artist, “It definitely helped my development on the illustration course as I spent that period of time experimenting with print and ceramic design. It was only until I left university I started to intensely introduce colour in my work. I decided after designing the first Wytches record cover that I wanted to concentrate on different areas of design.”

Samuel’s involvement with The Wytches began after he and Kristen from the band were introduced through a mutual friend. In terms of his process Samuel explains: “I don’t really have a system, though I do think its important to keep a steady dialogue with the band.” The illustrators artwork is successful because of this constant communication he has with the band and has allowed Samuel to replicate their scuzzy sound with high contrast colour combinations and free-flowing characters.

“I also went on tour with them on and off in the space of two years”, he explains. “The more time I spent with them the more ideas I would get as I ended up watching them every night for however long the tour was. Now I don’t need to listen to them if I make images for them. I don’t think listening to the music has any more importance as spending time with whoever you’re working with. Finding out what someone’s favourite fruit is can be just as important as listening to the first or last track. As a result of our close relationship they give me free reign to do what ever I want. Sometimes it’s a good thing, other times it can be tricky.”

Although designing record sleeves wasn’t an aspect of design Samuel aspired to, it is a career path he is pleased about, “I’m glad I’ve fallen into it as they are fascinating artefacts that occupy all types of spaces across the world.” Record sleeves the illustrator admires and draws inspiration from include, Fripp and Eno Evening Star, Prince 1999, Spiritualized Lazer Guided Melodies, Grace Jones Nightclubbing and Kanye West Yeezus.

With The Wytches’ imminent album to be released on 30 September and a UK tour scheduled to begin in November expect to see plenty of Samuel’s artwork filling record shops and merchandise tables.