Follow Friday: Marcus Oakley
Graphic artist Marcus Oakley shares a very specific step in his creative process through his monochrome Instagram feed.
Marcus Oakley works as a freelance designer, creating colourful illustrations for clients like Anorak Magazine. Marcus’ Instagram feed however is surprisingly colour-free as he tends to share only black and white versions of his drawings.
Long-limbed people are a common feature on Marcus’ Instagram feed
I recently attended a talk by Marcus in which he addressed his stance of social media. Put simply, he aims to share something which isn’t just a sketch but isn’t the final piece either. This approach to Instagram means each drawing retains the spontaneity of the original sketch whilst being sleek enough to make up a cohesive collection. Wanting to see what Marcus does next is also bound to lead people to click that all import “link in bio” and explore his – much more colourful – portfolio in full.
Marcus’ drawings fit neatly within Instagram’s grid system
Drawings shared include everything from wonky plants and abstract shapes to long-limbed humans standing on their own arms. During the talk, Marcus also explained that he likes to consider the relationship what he is drawing has with the edge of the paper. This explains why the drawings fit so neatly inside the Instagram’s specific boxes.
His simplistic style allows Marcus to be prolific with his work and keep his Instagram feed regularly updated.
Marcus’ latest exhibition is suitably entitled “Drawingsssssss”
Marcus recently announced a new exhibition of his drawings, suitable entitled “Drawingsssssss” on his Instagram. The show launches on the 20th of October and continues until the 26th at Whitespace in Edinburgh.
Artwork by Marcus Oakley
I have had many conversation with other creatives about how much or how little we should share on social media. Not everyone can produce enough work to post only final pieces and an Instagram filled with just sketches doesn’t always look great when viewed as a grid. Marcus’ feed strikes the perfect balance. Refined enough to make for a great grid but unfinished enough to keep an air of intrigue.
Geometric characters are a regular feature on Marcus’ feed
Marcus’ drawings fit neatly within Instagram’s grid system
Artwork by Marcus Oakley