A few questions to Isabella // @_paperieur_

by | Mar 15, 2024 | Brand Friends

Isabella is all about urban illustration and we asked her a few questions about her and her art.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love being at home. My husband Chris and I bought an old half-timbered house in
2019 at the countryside. Here I have my own room for being creative.

What inspires you? Where do you get your inspiration from?

Everything and nothing. Often I see beautiful inspirations and implemented it in my style.

How long have you been drawing and how did you get started?

In 1998 I studied graphic design. Every kind of illustration was a big deal there. Object, landscapes, naked People… I hated it. After university I never did it again, until the lockdown. Then it goes very fast to find some of my old skills and still improving them.

How did you find your own style and how long did it take?

Still searching… Other people always telling me, that they can see my style. Me not ☺

How much time do you need from the idea to the finished drawing?

Mostly two hours but sometimes it could take up to 4 hours

You have created your own brush set with KUM Faded brushes, why do you think these brushes are so suitable for urban illustrations?

They are the perfect fit between soft and stable and the brush tips are very sharp.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to start with Urban Watercolor?

Don`t think so much, do it!

What do you do in real life?

I´m head of probs for various film and tv productions

Do you also have creative lows? What helps you to get out of them?

Netflix and chill. No pressure.

Have you ever thought about stopping social media?

No, never!

If you could interview anyone, who would it be and why?

Dave Grohl and Tylor Hawkins (RIP)

This is Sue // @sue_rahel

by | Mar 14, 2024 | Brand Ambassador

Ready for a journey into Sue’s magical world? We asked her a few questions about her art and she takes us through a step-by-step tutorial on how she approaches her illustrations. Get inspired.

Where do you see your recognition value?

At the moment, it‘s my small, cute figures that speak a little bit out of everyday life, but sometimes also bustle in surreal worlds. I‘m not exactly sure how I would describe my art, as I always perceive it as constantly
evolving. From an outside perspective, one may recognize my style, but for me, it‘s a process of growth and discovery. I feel compelled to try new things that have a powerful effect on me, but it‘s only with time that the changes will be noticeable from the outside.

Where do you see your recognition value?

At the moment, it‘s my small, cute figures that speak a little bit out of everyday life, but sometimes also bustle in surreal worlds. I‘m not exactly sure how I would describe my art, as I always perceive it as constantly
evolving. From an outside perspective, one may recognize my style, but for me, it‘s a process of growth and discovery. I feel compelled to try new things that have a powerful effect on me, but it‘s only with time that the changes will be noticeable from the outside.

HOW TO – BY SUE

On the way to to the creation of a painting, there is usually a thought, an emotion, a memory or a story behind it. The most important step, even before making the first stroke, is to capture and hold onto this moment mentally. It is less about achieving a perfect technique or avoiding mistakes, but much more about expressing something.
And because every person is unique and sees the world through their own eyes, the result will be just as unique if you let yourself go with it.

However, there are practical steps that help me along the way. I build up a sketch step by step, starting with lightly drawing the basic blocks I have in my head. In the second step, I refine these into smoother, more fluid shapes and adjust anything that doesn‘t match my vision yet. Finally, I sketch details.

Usually, I put together the color palette separately. I test color shades and color combinations so that the image is consistent. If someone prefers to paint a calm, harmonious picture, it is best to limit oneself to a few main colors and use different intensity levels of those colors. There‘s nothing wrong with using more colors either. In art, there is no right or wrong.

And then I start to apply the paint layer by layer. First a little lighter, so that I can still fix mistakes. Then I get darker and darker. I always take into account light and shadow sides. Finally, I add the details with a fine brush and opaque colors.

Anastasia Sälinger – @handgemalt

by | Aug 18, 2023 | Brand Ambassador

New brand ambassador in the spotlight

Anastasia Sälinger makes an appearance as a new brand ambassador for KUM!

It is with a good amount of pride and excitement that we are able to introduce our latest collaboration today – the talented Anastasia Sälinger, better known as @handgemalt on Instagram, is now officially part of the KUM family! The previous connection between Anastasia and KUM was already apparent in the form of a shared brush set, but after an inspiring encounter at our #kumtogether event, it quickly became clear that there is a lot more potential here. So we didn’t waste any time and immediately set about transforming this cooperation into a very special partnership.

A glimpse into Anastasia’s world

Behind the scenes: Who is Anastasia Sälinger?

Anastasia, born in 1991, was seized by her passion for drawing and painting at a young age. Over the years, she experimented with different media and techniques to expand her creative expression. Despite a creative break during her pharmacy studies, she found her way back to her true passion in 2019 – watercolour painting in combination with fineliners. This interplay of both materials allows her to tell visual stories that captivate viewers.

The floral beauty of @handgemalt

A special passion: Anastasia’s love for flowers

In the dazzling world of watercolour art, Anastasia is particularly fascinated by the diversity of flowers. From delicate buds to bright blossoms in all shades of colour, she captures the beauty of nature with precision and a touch of magic. Her illustrations convey lightness, freshness and the impulse to try it out for yourself.

Focus on inspiration and creativity

Influence and incentive: Anastasia’s creative approach

Anastasia has not only built up an impressive following with her relaxed and uncomplicated style, but is also committed to inspire others. She encourages her community to express their own creativity and to try new things. Every illustration she shares is an invitation to unleash the imagination and let the inner artist run free.

The synergy between KUM and @handgemalt

Strong together: the perfect symbiosis

The partnership between KUM and Anastasia unfolds as a harmonious symbiosis of two creative forces. At KUM, we are inspired by Anastasia’s talent and artistic vision. The precision of her artworks, combined with our passion for high quality art materials, promises an exciting collaboration that will inspire our customers and followers alike.

An exciting glimpse into the future

Looking forward to upcoming projects

The journey has just begun and we couldn’t be more excited to take you on the journey through this creative partnership with Anastasia. Together we will explore new creative horizons, share techniques and create a world of inspiration that goes far beyond the canvases.

We invite you to follow @handgemalt on Instagram so you don’t miss a moment of this exciting journey. Let Anastasia’s talent enchant and inspire you.

Don’t miss what’s coming – be there when @handgemalt and KUM together enrich the creative scene!

 

Review kumtogether 2023

by | Aug 18, 2023 | Allgemein

A day full of creativity, community and inspiration

Our first event – the “kumtogether” on the 8th of July in Nuremberg – was an unforgettable feast! The anticipation and excitement that accompanied us during the preparations was to turn into a true creative frenzy over the course of the day. From choosing the perfect location to setting the perfect date, it was an event that was planned with care and dedication. This day was to be a special moment of coming together and we were full of expectations.

The mission of our “kumtogether”

The origin of our idea was simple: we wanted to relive the magic we had experienced during Creativworld. But even more important was our goal of forging closer ties between our community and us. We’ll let others judge with pleasure whether we succeeded. But we could clearly feel a wave of creative energy hovering over all of us like an invisible energy field. It was this special vibe that accompanied us that day and connected us in a way that is hard to put into words. Unfortunately, the day passed far too quickly and we found ourselves in the evening with a feeling of fulfilment, but also of melancholy.

 

The immense support we received from Julian, Sue, Anastasia, Anja, Andrea, Isabella and Lotta during the event touched and encouraged us deeply. You were an essential part of this unforgettable experience.

2024

In the following days, we were often asked if we would plan this wonderful get-together again. Our answer is clear and unequivocal: Yes! For us, there is no question that there will be another kumtogether in 2024. Maybe not bigger, but certainly with fresh ideas and new concepts to make this special day a creative highlight once again. We can’t wait to dive into the world of creativity again together with our community and be inspired by the lively energy that connects us all.