Briana Kranz — Live Event Fashion Illustrator, Pacific NW

Illustrator Briana Kranz has a flair for expressive line work, mark making and indulgent splashes of colour that make her an absolute natural in the world of fashion. It’s little surprise that her intuitive sense of style and beauty has caught the eye of some of the biggest names in haute couture. Carrying out both commissions for brands and portraiture at live fashion events, the Californian artist loves to experiment with lines, shapes and an array of media. When she’s not working, she enjoys soaking up nature’s beauty, and is an avid hiker, camper and rock collector. In the woods is where she feels most alive. As a young artist, Briana was inspired by Chuck Close and Helen Frankenthaler, for their expressiveness and structure respectively. More recent influences include David Downton, Stina Persson, Antonio Lopez and Kenneth Block. The latter has been a constant inspiration. “I love seeing bleed marks in the direct line in his marker work as it feels like you can see where he stopped to look at his reference from life or to think about his next move,” Briana explains.

Training

Briana majored in Illustration and Graphic Design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where now teaches fashion illustration alongside her bubbling freelance career.

Approach

With a background in graphic design, Briana looks for balance in her compositions. She works in multiple media, including ink, watercolour and pastel. “Experimentation as well as a seemingly effortless feel is what I strive for, with an element of realism or likeness,” she says.

Style

Briana’s style is sensitive, loose, intuitive and experimental. When drawing live, a fast and expressive style takes over, whereas her commissions are afforded more time and precision for a finer finish.