10 Questions with SKETJET - Jonathan Frübis
Jonathan Frübis, who goes under the name of SKETJET, is an illustrator and designer based in Mannheim/Germany. While working as an art director in various advertising agencies throughout the years, he founded SKETJET to pursue his passion - illustration and art. Since then, he has created interior art, murals and individual office design pieces for numerous corporate clients. By creating elaborate concepts with modern, contemporary art, everyday places become visual highlights. Apart from that, he spends his remaining time painting classical contemporary art paintings, with motives that show private moments from his life and people that are close to him.
Jonathan Frübis Portrait | Photo credit: Ana Shestner
ARTIST STATEMENT
"I think large formats affect their viewers in unique ways - they can dive deeper into the image and understand it better. Also when it comes to murals, I like the aspect of making art more accessible for everyone in public spaces." - Jonathan Frübis
Fauna At Night, Mural, 6x3 m, 2020 © Jonathan Frübis - SKETJET
INTERVIEW
First of all, let's introduce your alter ego, SKETJET. How would you describe him in 3 words?
Art and Design
What is your background, and when did you decide to become an artist?
I have always been into design and illustration, even as a child. My father has always painted a lot, so my brothers, sisters, and I also got into it. As a kid, I drew lots of comics or pranked my teachers with cartoons of them. My father is also a graphic designer, so it was obvious for me to become one too. In the past, it was also said that those who were artistically active were most likely to become graphic designers. So once I finished school, I started studying design and became an Art Director. As a designer, you do not often use illustrations for artistic stuff, so I founded my own company where I can do all this that I was missing in my main job.
Heart of Hearts, Canvas, 80x100 cm, 2020 © Jonathan Frübis - SKETJET
Heart of Hearts (Detail), Canvas, 80x100 cm, 2020 © Jonathan Frübis - SKETJET
Heart of Hearts (Detail), Canvas, 80x100 cm, 2020 © Jonathan Frübis - SKETJET
You work with illustration, painting but also murals. How does your practice change over those different mediums? And how do you choose which one to use for a specific subject?
The medium is always directed according to the customer. When I started to get into illustration, I focused only on pencil drawings. Time by time, I tried different methods of painting. I also experimented a lot during my studies in art school, so I got a feeling for which medium fits me the most. Since I work as a designer in advertising agencies, I did a lot of digital Illustrations, too. This is also how I create my templates for most of my artworks. But sometimes, I still prefer the traditional way and like it to switch to brushes and acrylics. I like to work with real colors and handle different Materials to paint on it. The colors, the strokes, how everything is mixed and interacts in its own way - in digital, you don't have this feeling. I also like to have something in your hands at the end of a work. Somehow, It seems more real, more haptic to me. The main factor is the purpose of the job: the client and the format. For me, the design component is very important in every artwork. How the motives, colors, and composition come together. The execution as a small drawing, a digital illustration, or a 150sqm mural for a wall facade is just a question of realization. But I like analog paintings the most.
Let's talk about your creative process. Where do you draw inspiration from nowadays?
I basically keep my eyes open and soak up everything that is artistically exciting for me. I also enjoy looking at the beautiful work of other artists and designers. This motivates me to do more and more art and be open to new techniques or different motives. I also like to get inspiration from the Internet for commissioned works that need to be a little more concrete in terms of content. Sometimes I see interesting parts in Photos or other Illustrations, which finally help me with my further ideas. This is the way I construct my art to a final piece.
What is your artistic routine when working? Could you walk us through a day in your studio?
It's not like I'm illustrating or creating every day. Especially as an illustrator, it's not easy to get the money to live. That's why I also work as a designer and earn most of my bread and butter with it. So I don't let myself be stressed by always having to illustrate something. Sometimes you have an idea and want to work on it, sometimes not - which is also ok. The most important thing is not to switch off completely, which I couldn't do, because it's too much fun for me. However, that is too much fun would be a lie because every artwork is actually quite an up and down of emotions. Often it's even total stress, and you find everything awful. In the end, however, I'm usually happy and glad that it has turned out quite well. You just have to start. That is the hardest decision.
Your paintings and your murals are very detailed but change significantly style-wise. What is your preferred style? Is there anything else you would like to experiment with?
That's probably a curse and a blessing at the same time. These days, every artist has to have his own distinguishing style and language of art. I don't know if it fits me - probably yes, but in a rather open way. The design follows function, how they say it. That's why most of my projects are done. I can represent many styles, why shouldn't I do that? But what I enjoy most is a painted, realistic style, such as in my painting "Madita". I would like to paint more pictures like this, perhaps a bit more abstract. Basically, I like the idea that the viewer has got more room to make his own thoughts and ideas about my art. I don't want to tell my detailed story about it.
Madita, Canvas, 80x100 cm, 2021 © Jonathan Frübis - SKETJET
Soeur, Canvas, 80x100 cm, 2020 © Jonathan Frübis - SKETJET
Have you ever thought about going full digital with your art? What is your take on NFTs and other digital forms of art?
I have already thought about that, too. After some research, I quickly realized that I needed a much larger community to be successful. Unfortunately, I don't see myself here yet. But maybe that will change.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have witnessed major changes in the art world. Despite slowly going back to the so-called normal, some of these changes are here to stay. What do you think of the art world today? Did it change for the better or worse, in your opinion?
Artists certainly had or have an extremely hard time during this time. I hope the bad times will change and more platforms for art and design will be offered in the future. Fortunately, not too much has changed in my immediate environment. My work as an artist has not really been affected and has rather remained the same, I would say.
What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future? Anything exciting you can tell us about?
I would like to continue painting large murals. Whether in public spaces on large facades or for startups in offices. I love large-scale art. It's exciting to transfer traditional painted styles to very large dimensions and make them accessible for public space. Currently, I am working on a project for a large inner-city playground. Here there are some wall surfaces which I now give a new coat of paint.
Lastly, what do you hope to accomplish in the upcoming year, both in career goals and personal life?
Of course, I hope to realize more exciting projects in the future - as an illustrator, artist, and designer. Another big passion for me is making music. I hope that I can continue making big steps with my band Dewy Pines - doing live shows and recording a CD would be great.
