Kaitlin Brito is a talented illustrator who has mastered the art of balancing her passion for 'pure making' with the demands of her paid work. Her unique style, characterized by careful linework, bright flat colors, and a playful sense of nostalgia, has earned her recognition from prestigious organizations like the Society of Illustrators and clients such as Google, Disney, and The New York Times. However, her journey hasn't been without challenges. Brito has had to learn how to protect her creative process, especially during difficult stretches when she feels stuck or overwhelmed. She has developed a rule to prioritize 'pure making' over paid work, even if it means eating into the time set aside for commissioned projects. This approach not only helps her maintain her creativity but also improves her paid work by rewiring her mind to see the separation between her job and her personal drawing as less distinct.
One of Brito's favorite tools is a black ink pen, which forces her to commit to her ideas without turning back. This tool, combined with her natural instinct for line art, has shaped her artistic style. Brito's work often focuses on finding the wonder in ordinary subjects, such as beans, which she transforms into superheroes in her illustrations for NPR. Her vintage habit and collection of references from the 1950s, '60s, and '70s illustrations also influence her work, adding a unique charm to her creations.
When it comes to digital tools, Brito is careful to maintain the handmade quality of her traditional work. She has two firm rules for this: choosing a brush with no smoothing effect and not redrawing lines more than once if possible. These rules help her mimic the charm of analogue, can't-undo-your-mistakes work, ensuring her digital illustrations retain the same warmth and personality as her traditional pieces.
Brito is selective about her clients, favoring those who want a real back-and-forth and come to her for her specific voice. She has learned to spot briefs that won't deliver this, and her fix is to open up the floor to discuss written concepts or themes early on. This approach helps her gauge what the client is actually interested in and ensures a more collaborative and satisfying working relationship.
Despite the challenges of the fast-turnaround editorial jobs that some illustrators dread, Brito secretly enjoys them. She finds it faster to rely on concept than on the look, and she reads the draft over and over, pulling out any words or phrases with visual quality, then starts doodling in parts. This process helps her group puzzle pieces together before she can see how they'll fit, eventually falling into place in the nick of time.
When it comes to AI image tools, Brito is no longer as worried as she once was. She sees brands commissioning bespoke, human-made art and watching audiences respond to it as a reassurance. In fact, she believes that the moment has only sharpened her appetite to bring more physical mediums into her practice and to keep developing something unique to her, not some code. Her advice to her younger self is to stop and smell the roses, as real success that feels satisfying has lately looked quite simple: waking up every day and drawing.
In conclusion, Kaitlin Brito's journey as an illustrator is a testament to the power of balancing passion and practicality. Her ability to protect her creative process, maintain her unique style, and collaborate effectively with clients has allowed her to create work that is both personally fulfilling and professionally successful. Her advice to her younger self serves as a reminder that success is not just about output, but also about finding joy and satisfaction in the process of making and evolving.
