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Interview · KUM Magazin #2 · April 2023

Isabella: urban watercolour, no overthinking

Head of props for film and TV, a half-timbered house in the countryside, her own brush set: Isabella of @_paperieur_ in conversation.

@_paperieur_ ↗

Urban-Watercolor-Illustration eines Hauses mit Baum von Isabella
Portrait of Isabella

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 the countryside in 2019. 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 implement them 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. Objects, landscapes, naked people… I hated it. After university I never did it again. Until the lockdown. Then it went very fast to find some of my old skills, and I’m still improving them.

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

Still searching… Other people always tell me that they can see my style. Me not :)

Urban watercolour illustration by IsabellaUrban watercolour illustration by Isabella

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.

The Urban Watercolor brush set KUM x paperieur

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 props 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 Taylor Hawkins (RIP).