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S.britt

It’s no secret that retro is in, but S.britt seems to be a few steps ahead of everyone. Or I guess I should say a few decades ahead; while everyone tries to ape the stylized looks of the 50s and 60s, Stephan Britt masterfully (and with no formal art education) mimicks the looks of children’s illustrators from the 70s and 80s – right down to the hand-tooled look and traditional, non-digital materials. He lists Ezra Jack Keats, Ed Emberley, and Richard Scarry as influences (along with dozens of sunshiny indie-pop bands, which no doubt feed his inner child). I subscribe to his newsletter, but if you choose to do the same, be warned that you’ll never read any news — just occasional bizarre non-sequiturs that merely remind you to check out the site. (And with all these illustrators with names like S.britt, sThig, and SHAG, I’m beginning to think I need to change my name to sMartz)

  • http://www.illustrationfarm.com/ Steve Mack

    Yeah he’s the bees knees.

    I better change my name to sMack. I cave to peer pressure.

    -Steve

  • http://www.illustrationfarm.com Steve Mack

    Yeah he’s the bees knees.

    I better change my name to sMack. I cave to peer pressure.

    -Steve

  • http://www.bigistudio.com/ Chris Ryniak

    His stuff is actually all composed digitally. He does an amazing job of hiding it though.

  • http://www.bigistudio.com Chris Ryniak

    His stuff is actually all composed digitally. He does an amazing job of hiding it though.

  • http://www.robotjohnny.com/ Johnny

    True, Chris, but there’s still a difference between composing digitally, and creating the artwork entirely on the computer…

  • http://www.robotjohnny.com Johnny

    True, Chris, but there’s still a difference between composing digitally, and creating the artwork entirely on the computer…

  • http://www.smallmoonvalley.com/ frances

    I love his stuff….

  • http://www.smallmoonvalley.com frances

    I love his stuff….

  • http://www.bigistudio.com/ Chris Ryniak

    That’s why I said COMPOSED not ENTIRELY CREATED. doh

  • http://www.bigistudio.com Chris Ryniak

    That’s why I said COMPOSED not ENTIRELY CREATED. doh

  • http://sbritt.com/ Stephan

    Hello Chris!

    Yeah, I DO use the computer (Tandy TRS-80) as a sorta new-fangled cut and/or paster to achieve the look & feel that I want. I still create all my textures and layers the old fashioned way, just like grandma! I’d love to take a step back and not rely on technology so darn much, but I’m a busy Britt and I don’t have the time to watch paint dry (as thrilling as it can be!). I DO however love to snack on lead-based paint chips for inspiration.

    I’ve been using the S.britt signature ever since I was a lad and I have no idea why or what made me ever decide to start. Mostly likely I was trying to hide behind the embarrassment of my given name, Shoshanna Brittlestein :

  • http://sbritt.com Stephan

    Hello Chris!

    Yeah, I DO use the computer (Tandy TRS-80) as a sorta new-fangled cut and/or paster to achieve the look & feel that I want. I still create all my textures and layers the old fashioned way, just like grandma! I’d love to take a step back and not rely on technology so darn much, but I’m a busy Britt and I don’t have the time to watch paint dry (as thrilling as it can be!). I DO however love to snack on lead-based paint chips for inspiration.

    I’ve been using the S.britt signature ever since I was a lad and I have no idea why or what made me ever decide to start. Mostly likely I was trying to hide behind the embarrassment of my given name, Shoshanna Brittlestein :\

  • http://funkymasterm.deviantart.com/ Michael P.

    Yeh I think Stephan Britt’s work are all very wonderful and plain eye candy. The colours are charming, warm and friendly. It’s a site I am checking out every once a while because it will be inspering every time I visit it. I thought Stephan was doing everything in Painter the whole time. Seems like I was wrong

  • http://funkymasterm.deviantart.com/ Michael P.

    Yeh I think Stephan Britt’s work are all very wonderful and plain eye candy. The colours are charming, warm and friendly. It’s a site I am checking out every once a while because it will be inspering every time I visit it. I thought Stephan was doing everything in Painter the whole time. Seems like I was wrong

  • Amie

    I love S. Britt so great….

  • Amie

    I love S. Britt so great….

  • http://www.mandolindsay.blogspot.com/ Lindsay

    Oh Shoshanna…. your artwork makes me jealous.
    You do so well, let me have your babies.
    Oh Shoshanna…. can I pretend I know you.
    You illustration skills are devine.

    [to be sung to the tune of "Oh Danny Boy"]

  • http://www.mandolindsay.blogspot.com Lindsay

    Oh Shoshanna…. your artwork makes me jealous.
    You do so well, let me have your babies.
    Oh Shoshanna…. can I pretend I know you.
    You illustration skills are devine.

    [to be sung to the tune of "Oh Danny Boy"]

  • Carla

    His/your work is devine- i love it- and have just purchased a work as my first official art purchase for my new apartment-
    its love :)

  • Carla

    His/your work is devine- i love it- and have just purchased a work as my first official art purchase for my new apartment-
    its love :)

  • http://www.anthonybrennan.net/ atrain

    sWeet!

  • http://www.anthonybrennan.net/ atrain

    sWeet!

  • http://drawn.ca/2008/12/29/the-anatomy-of-a-commercial-art-gig-by-sbritt/ The Anatomy of a Commercial Art Gig by S.britt » Drawn! The Illustration and Cartooning Blog

    [...] Previously: S.britt’s New Doodle Room S.britt B.logs S.britt [...]

  • http://www.clipart4u.com/?p=8996 Clip Art 4 U » S.britt’s new doodle room

    [...] bright, colourful place populated with critters and fun artwork everywhere.Related: S.britt B.logs S.britt On My Desk: Creative Folk Share Their [...]