Tsjisse Talsma's stylistically swift illustrations inspired by his travels

Tsjisse Talsma’s drawings have a movement to them, brushstrokes and pencil marks are swift but refined, creating illustrations that capture a moment.

Tsjisse’s style of illustration develops from his travels. “Throughout my student years I got to travel and live in a lot of different places,” he tells It’s Nice That. “I studied in Philadelphia, spent a month in New York, interned in London and backpacked when I could during the summers.” Gradually, but also instantly, these experiences inform Tsjisse’s work. “These travels and adaptations to different environments have been a big inspiration for me. I love to unravel new environments by drawing them on the spot in my sketchbook.” Tsjisse’s sketchbook is a key starting point for his work. “I draw, ink and paint the shapes in my illustrations by hand, most of my forms coming from my sketchbook. I colour and combine them digitally because I like how it creates this contrast between the hand-drawn textures and hard digital shapes and colours.”

Alongside travelling the illustrator cites constructivism as a stylistic reference. “The shapes and abstraction speak a language that I can relate to. Looking at an abstract painting gives me the same feeling as when I’m trying to unravel a new environment or city.” Very sweetly he also acknowledges his peers as inspiration. “I realise this sounds a bit cheesy, my friends and now studio/collective mates are a big influence.”