What sparked your interest in hyperrealism?

I've always been interested in hyperrealism, it's the first type of artwork that captured my attention when I was younger. It gave me that feeling of awe and how can someone do that?!

When did your passion for art start to develop into a career? How has your work evolved since then?

Well, I completed an art degree back in 2013 and to be honest I wasn't doing it to become an artist. It didn't really occur to me back then that it was a viable career. So my plan was to become an art teacher. 'What else do you do with an art degree, I thought?!'

After uni I decided it wasn't the right path for me and I didn't know what I wanted to do. I worked as a waitress, a manager of a pet shop and ended up as a teaching assistant in a primary school and learning British Sign Language to become a Communication Support Worker. During this time art took a back seat, when I did any, it was going back to the type of paintings I did at university; which were in a surreal abstract style and using acrylic.

Then about 6 years ago, I bought some cheap graphite pencils and just thought I'd try and draw my niece and it turned out quite well! This is where pencil and realism became a thing for me. I started taking on commissions for friends and family and started posting on Facebook and Instagram. This built up and I became a portrait artist full time, transitioning into colour pencil and pets. As amazing as it was making a living from my art, it didn't feel like it was what I was meant to be doing. I realised the parts of the drawings I enjoyed most were the inanimate objects, bits of material, textures. Particularly shiny bits. I then stumbled across a rose gold bottle opener in the shape of a figure and just thought 'I have to draw that', and that is where this whole journey of doing my originals started, with my drawing 'Metal Man'.

What is the process for creating one of your pieces; from start to finish?

It takes me a while to decide on an object I want to draw. There are plenty of shiny objects out there but not so many that draw me in and give me the, 'Oh you'd make a great drawing' vibe! Once I've found one, I then spend a few weeks taking photos on different days in different lights and usually have to narrow down the reference photos from over 500 photos. The lighting and angle of the photo makes such a difference to the composition.

How DO you achieve a hyperrealist style?

It's a strange question to me because it just comes naturally. It's really about layering the pencils to get the right tone and then making sure you've got the correct contrast between light and dark areas.

Which drawing has been your favourite to work on, and why?

It's got to be 'Metal Man' my first one. It was just exciting to draw something different and I was also a bit nervous. It's also just my favourite drawing to date, the composition and colours are just spot on for me!

If you could ask a question to any artist; dead or alive, who would it be, and why?

I'm not sure I'd have a question, but my favourite artist is 'Edward Hopper' so I'd love to just meet him/watch him paint. His use of light and dark and the eeriness he evokes on his paintings I just love. He was my inspiration for my paintings I used to do. I love a strong light source in an artwork.

What has been your greatest achievement so far as an artist?

I can't pinpoint a greatest achievement, it's a journey with a lot of ups and downs. Especially now that my focus is originals, rather than commissioned portraits; which was a more safe, steady income. One of my highs would probably be the sale of Metal Man. The first piece of art that I sold which was something I had chosen to draw, not something that was commissioned. Sometimes I find it hard to celebrate the wins as I'm always concentrating on what's next. I have so many ideas and things I want to do but I have to try and be patient, as there's only so much you can do when a drawing takes 100 hours plus and a month to execute.

Have you endured any challenges as an artist?

A challenge I currently have is a texture change in the paper I use. I'm very particular and I'm finding it difficult to produce the smooth layering currently and finding an alternative paper I like, is proving difficult. It's things like this that are out of your control which can be frustrating but I'm pushing through and making it work.

Why do you think art is important in society?

I think people are drawn to creative things and the quite individual emotions from looking at a piece. I also love the idea that people all over the world might have the same one of my prints and have a connection that they may never know about, but it's there. In the current climate with AI becoming such a presence, rather than eliminating the need for handmade art, I actually think people are seeing the value more, in human/handmade products.

HL (hannahlipseyartist.co.uk)