Rob Snow's recipe for success!

INGREDIENTS

1 creative person, slightly matured
2 tablespoons aptitude
1 piece of aesthetic flavoring
6lbs hard work and sweat
4 ideas more than most
salt of the earth to taste

Take a creative person and stir in the aptitude thoroughly, from the start. In time, mix in the aesthetic flavoring with the most appropriate tool at hand, and then fold into the mix as much of the hard work and sweat that the mix can take. Sprinkle in the ideas. The more the better, and finally as all is cooking, a pinch of salt of the earth to give it the necessary character. Leave to cook over time and serve when required. Tasty treat in a tasteless world.

the days before pixels

Rob started his drawing from an early age, and developed his skills the traditional way, before computers were around. Over twenty years since Rob graduated, he has still stuck by the trusted pencil to aid in the design and develop of artwork, as well as using it as a main part of his aesthetic armory.

To keep in trim with his art skills, Rob tries to do some drawing, regardless if it is for a commission or his own project developments. Rob tends to find that he works best using a trusty Faber-Castell 3B pencil. But has an array of other materials and media that he uses to produce his artwork.

Bending the mind, not breaking the pencil

During the Master stage of the education programme, Rob Snow was introduced to Edward DeBono's "Lateral Thinking" technique. Not only was this a revelation in terms of helping with the course, but has added vitality to the process of creating new and refreshing concepts in his work.

The basis of the method is to use multiple paths of ideas in order to have at least one of them succeed to a good conclusion. This can be achieved in many forms, but must focus on the idea. Ideas are the seed of a good conclusion. The more varied the initial idea stage is the better chance that one of these concepts can be drawn into play in the final artwork.

The practice of creative/lateral thinking is employed in all of the commissions undertaken now, and can be seen most evident in the new book published in 2012. That recites some of the moments of 'lateral thinking' clarity that occurred when ideas were born.

The digitizing Rob Snow

Even though the career path started without the use of computer technology. Graduating in 1989, saw the college bring in their first Apple II computers to the lab. The development was strongly aspected toward the traditional skills involved in drawing media.

As computers became more frequent and commonplace, the switch to learn the technology came to be. Not only using computers for art and multimedia design, but understanding the importance of the world wide web. Programming websites since Netscape was a common place on all computers. Thought a designer by trade, the development of the programming skills plays an important part of Rob's work practice.

Today, with the aid of some of the latest applications and design practices, Rob has armed his creative portfolio with the ability to generate stunning and creative website designs. Knowing the aesthetic aspect as well as the programming side, the homogenous affects are evident in this area of design.

A book of dreams by Rob Snow

Remembering as a child all the fascinating books, and book images that came alone with growing up, it was always a dream to put my own art into the bound volume of a book. In the year 2012, I finally succeeded with the release of "Animal Behaviour". A collection of my own art prints bound into one volume, and accompanied with short anecdotes of how the ideas came to be.

These superbly detailed pencil illustrations, all depicting animal characters in strangely human situations, were a combination of a 8 months work in both traditional form and digital rendering. All now available as art prints online, or as the companion book from Blurb.

There are big plans to continue the self-publishing aspect of the work. The second in the series in already in the pipeline, and many other books are ready to be started. In addition, Rob Snow is looking at finding ways to publish his children's stories he has written over the years.

Fresco work of Rob Snow

When hearing the news that he was to become a father, Rob decided to put his art skills to use, and designed a mural to paint onto the wall of his daughter's bedroom. This was the starting point to a new range of services that is provided by this creative artist. The original artwork was a full four wall image of a fishing boat returning to the island of Santorini, with a dolphin swimming beside.

Rob's first commission in the mural painting area, came when a food service outlet, Martilo, asked for the mural effect to be used to cover the store walls. After 100 hours of work and some back-breaking painting, the store was complete. It has now become a focus for the community where it sits, and many a customer stand in awe of the work that colours the shop.

For interest in this field of work, contact Rob through the contact form.

The future of Rob Snow | Creative

The life of a freelancer is basically a roller-coaster. You can never be sure that all the effort that gets put in is rewarded in return by fortune or fame. This year marks 23 years in freelancing. Each year has it's own stories. Each year has it's triumphs and failures. The good part however, being a creative, is that deep down there is a strong desire to want to continue.

Apart from the daily grind of commissions, the years have presented me with a series of opportunities that have made the experience more rewarding; these include the work done with Ritzenhoff Glass. Seeing artwork placed on exquisite crystal, with your name on it, is a grand reward. And more recently. The publication of my first illustration book; "Animal Behaviour" has given back a little joy and motivation to explore my own projects again.

The future plans are for a second Animal Behaviour book. Which is in the pipeline. Also, looking at developing and publishing several children's stories; writing and illustrating them. As writing is a relatively new part of my arsenal, there is a pile of self-motivated projects that can be seen in development in the blog, here on the site.

The Influencing Rob Snow

Rob's first recollection of art was E.H.Shephard's Winnie the Pooh. Using this as a point of inspiration, Rob started to draw and copy the artwork. Later on in life, Rob started to do Art 'A' Level, which included the history of art. There he discovered his true influence; Vincent Van Gogh. Loving the style and passion of this great artist.

With respect to others, Rob has a great admiration for the impressionists, as well as more contemporary artists. In the graphic novel field, Rob appreciates the work of John Hughes.

Trying to embrace art as much as possible, Rob plays music as he works his art, and tries to take time to seek out talent in film and photography. All aspects of art have become an admiration to Rob, as he tries to envelope himself in this filed, to become more inspired and creative.

Plug-in to the Apple Store

Applications used

Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Dreamweaver
Adobe After Effects

To enable the delivery of top quality work in digital form, Rob tries to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in industry standard applications. Although Rob prefers to develop work traditionally, the end result also has a possible digital output. And using his trusty Macintosh set-up, Rob can deliver the product you require in the format you require.

In addition to working digitally on many art projects, Rob also adds his learnings skills into the melee in the form of tutorials. Short videos to help people understand the necessary requirements involved in developing certain aspects of digital art that have been discovered along the way.