A Conversation with Luke Lieske

What do you do? 

I am an illustrator and graphic designer and I make custom lettering, branding, and illustrations.  

What does your work space look like? Where do you like to create? 

I would describe my work space as very Americana. There are a lot of old advertisements, pennants, plants, and some taxidermy. You’ll see some of this stuff in the photo up top.  I really like all the old Americana stuff because I feel like their was so much passion and authenticity going into making all of it.  I mostly create out of my studio but theres times I’ll go to a local coffee shop and work just to switch things up.

What role does the pencil play in your process?

A crucial role.. All my work starts out with rough sketches using pencil and paper. I hash out a bunch of ideas fairly quickly and then choose from those which ones I’ll narrow down and finalize.

Why do you choose to work with pencils and, specifically, Blackwings?

I really like Blackwing pencils because of how smooth they feel when you are drawing with them. Another aspect of Blackwings I really like is that you can extend the eraser out and keep using it. 

What other tools are essential to your process?

Other essential tools besides paper and pencil are a wide variety of Micron pens, Sharpies, a vintage Stanley folding ruler, Staedtler eraser, reference books, coffee/water, a scanner, and a Macbook.

How do you overcome artist's block? Writer’s block, artist’s block, etc.

If I just keep the pencil moving on paper, sketching ideas, something good usually pops out from there. That does’t work all the time though so another way I overcome artists block is going for a long ride on my bicycle.  Something about that fresh air and exercise.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Leave everything and everyone better than when you found it.

Check out more work on Luke's website and Instagram