Bath and North East Somerset Libraries

Jade, aka Navigator, is a local artist inspired by Manga. She shares her journey to becoming an artist, her process, and some of her favourite pieces. Click an image to enlarge.

“I am an illustration artist, and my work is inspired by manga artwork.

I create my artwork by sketching in pencil, then going over with a black liner pen, scanning the artwork onto my iPad and using Adobe Photoshop to digitise, edit and colour my artwork.

I have been practising as an artist for a number years, this all came from my illness; I started drawing manga with the long stays in hospital over the years, which helped with my pain.”

– Jade AKA Navigator

This character is inspired by Steampunk. Which is a genre that blends Victorian-era aesthetics, fashion and 19th-century technology with elements of science fiction.
Left

I enjoy adding backgrounds to some of my drawings, I feel it enhances the picture’s narrative and storytelling.
Right

This character is inspired by Steampunk. Which is a genre that blends Victorian-era aesthetics, fashion and 19th-century technology with elements of science fiction.

I enjoy adding backgrounds to some of my drawings, I feel it enhances the picture’s narrative and storytelling.

This is my drawing of a Japanese girl, drawn from my love of manga books and anime tv series. 

I tried to incorporate a traditional Japanese background, like those seen in historical Japan.
Left

Halloween and Steampunk gothic fashion blended together with bats in the background.
Right

This is my drawing of a Japanese girl, drawn from my love of manga books and anime tv series. 

I tried to incorporate a traditional Japanese background, like those seen in historical Japan.

Halloween and Steampunk gothic fashion blended together with bats in the background.

I love Halloween, it has always been my favourite time of year. And I frequently enjoy drawing Halloween themed manga illustrations.

You can see Jade’s work in Keynsham Library this month!