Illustrator Profile: Elizabeth Lang

Most pencils come equipped with erasers opposite their graphite, which affords an artist the ability to effortlessly transition between the processes of creating and removing. It is natural to see a mistake and feel the desire to fix it, but is it always necessary to erase the aspects of art that seem incorrect? In my interview with Ellie Lang, an illustrator for The Saint, Lang mentioned that she considers the phrase “trust the process,” when crafting an illustration. When applied to the prospect of embracing mistakes, this phrase helps artists understand the contribution of mistakes to their art and the importance of each step within the artistic process. 

Ellie Lang is a third-year medical student from Scotland who started illustrating for The Saint this semester. She learned about the application from an Art Society email, and the combination of her desire to try something new and to make the most of her final year at St Andrews motivated her to apply. Lang approaches each academic year with goals similar to those of new year’s resolutions, as she puts it, which encourages her to challenge herself both academically and creatively. Joining The Saint’s illustration team has not only fulfilled her resolution for the 2024-2025 academic year but has also granted her “a creative outlet alongside [her] degree.”

When creating an illustration for The Saint, Lang relies on the “mood the writer wants from the piece” to inform her execution of the illustration. Lang enjoys dedicating time to her illustrations, typically spending an evening creating the designs. She has also found that she has produced some of her favourite illustrations in a short time frame, which speaks to her talent as an artist. Lang often listens to music while illustrating, typically turning to Berlioz to enrich her illustrating experience. Berlioz’s Jasper Attlee uses the tagline, “If Matisse made house music,” to describe the relationship between Fauvism and the sonic themes of his music. The upbeat sounds of this jazz-house artist’s songs are imbued in Lang’s illustrations, which often feature saturated colours and bold, fluid lines. 

Aside from Berlioz, Lang takes inspiration from Pat Thomas, the artist who designs the covers of Berlioz albums, and Yoshitomo Nara, a Japanese artist whose “cartoonish style” is executed through his use of “unconventional materials.” Lang leans into the childlike qualities of art not only through her inspiration but also through the medium. She expresses her love for oil pastels and the “satisfaction” she finds when using them, attributing this love to her “inner child” and “the freestyle nature” of “scribbl[ing] on paper.” In contrast to the “vibrancy” of oil pastels, Lang also enjoys using a ballpoint pen for her drawings, appreciating the simplicity and convenience of this material. Her advice to artists is to “bring a pen and a little pocketbook anywhere you go, whether it’s to doodle or to draw what’s around you.” Both pastels and pens resist the ability to erase mistakes, emphasising the importance of simply making marks on a page rather than fixating on small details.

Art found its way into both the familial and educational aspects of Lang’s childhood, and she expresses her gratitude for having grown up in a family that appreciates art. Lang often accompanied her parents to art galleries on holidays, and she had the opportunity to “experimen[t] with different mediums” while studying art in school. Lang believes that there is “artistry in all aspects of life,” revealed through “artistic niche[s]” distinctive to everyone. Lang also acknowledges that finding an artistic niche takes time, and although she knows she is drawn to styles that “conve[y] movement and energy,” she is still finding her individual style. Moreover, artistic style does not need to remain constant, and Lang expresses that her “style varies,” and that this positive variability coincides with her faith in trusting the process when creating art. 

Trusting the process not only influenced the development of Lang’s art pieces, but it has also shaped her journey as an artist. Lang expresses that if does not pursue a career in Medicine, she could see herself working as an illustrator or owning a pottery studio. Lang’s adaptable approach to art allows her to explore different styles and techniques, contributing to her energetic and impressive illustrations for The Saint. 

Illustrator Profile Interview Questions

1. What year are you, where are you from, and what do you study?

I am in 3rd year studying medicine (my last year in St Andrews, so a very bittersweet year for me). I was born and raised in Scotland, but originally I’m Malaysian and Austrian.

2. How long have you been illustrating for The Saint?

Just started this year, so just this semester so far but loving every bit of it !

3. Why did you want to illustrate for The Saint / what motivated you to apply?

I have a strong ‘New Year's resolutions’ mindset when it comes to starting a new academic year and since it’s also my last year in St Andrews, my mindset was to just push myself in all aspects of life - and when I saw the notice for applications for The Saint advertised in an Art Soc email, I just went for it and I have absolutely no regrets. I’ve always loved art, whether that’s creating it, understanding it, feeling it - so I really find joy in having a creative outlet alongside my degree - it’s been super fulfilling all round.

4. Have you illustrated for any publications other than The Saint?

Currently doing an illustration for Unearth magazine ! (although I’m not actually a member of the unearth team, don’t worry - I’m a loyal member of The Saint, of course). But hey, if medicine doesn’t work out, I could so see myself doing illustration. Or having a pottery studio.

5. What is your process like when making an illustration for The Saint?

I think each piece is very individual - the key part for me is understanding what mood the writer wants from the piece. From there, I usually have a vague image within my brain of what I’m going for and I trust the process.

6. How long does it take to make an illustration?

I appreciate taking time for each illustration, usually I’ll dedicate an evening to creating, listening to music and (as said before) trusting the process. Although, that being said - some of my favorite illustrations have been made under a tight last minute deadline (maybe don’t tell the big boss that haha)

7. What is your favourite section to illustrate for?

So far I have mainly illustrated for the Art and Culture section - which leaves a lot of room for creative intuition.

8. How would you describe your style?

I would say that my style varies from a vibe to vibe basis. I think for a long time I got used to creating work that was more realistic, but lacked a signature creative feel - a style that was unique to me. I think I’m slowly finding it, I know I love style that conveys movement and energy.

9. What is your preferred medium?

I have always, and will always love oil pastels. Maybe it’s my inner child and the freestyle nature of how it feels to scribble on paper and the vibrancy of the colors, I just always find satisfaction within it. But at the same time, I love the simplicity of just a normal ballpoint pen on paper. Good advice I’ve heard is that it’s a good habit to bring a pen and a little pocket book anywhere you go, whether it’s to doodle or to draw what’s around you. I’m a simple creature - just give me pen and paper at any function.

10. What is your artistic background?

I’m grateful that I have come from a family where art and creativity has always been appreciated and so have always been surrounded by it, whether that was being pulled through art galleries by my parents on holidays or my dad drawing on the napkins in a restaurant to keep me entertained as a kid. I studied art and design as a subject in school and took free rein of all the free art supplies, that was when I really started experimenting with different mediums.

11. When did you realise you were artistic?

I honestly couldn’t tell you when I realised I was artistic. I think there is artistry in all aspects of life whether that’s through the art of painting, of music, of collecting trinkets, of cooking, etc. Everyone has their fun little artistic niche, which I think is the whole point of it all.

12. Do you take inspiration from any artists or illustrators?

I take a lot of inspiration from Pat Thomas - a London based artist who designs and illustrates the covers of Berlioz (the music I listen to while I draw) . It's like a modern take on Matisse. Also a big fan of Yoshitomo Nara, a Japanese artist who perfectly leans into the childlike cartoonish style creating a unique style with unconventional materials.

Illustration by Elizabeth Lang