Artist & Designer

Portfolio

Poppy Golder
I Am Not Afraid Green Orchids Medusa Painted Portrait The Curious Chicken
Illustration · Fine Art · Graphic Design · Mixed Media

A versatile visual artist with strong observational skills across painting, drawing, digital illustration, and mixed media. Experienced in botanical studies, figure work, character design, and commercial graphic design. Seeking opportunities in art technician, graphic design, and creative production roles.

Project 01

Botanical & Natural Forms

Exploring organic forms and natural textures through digital painting and traditional media. Working across multiple scales — from dense compositions to intimate close-up details — with a focus on colour accuracy, layering, and fine detail.

Digital painting Observational drawing Colour mixing Composition Botanical illustration
Green Orchids — Digital Painting
Green Orchids — Digital Painting (Full Composition)
Orchids — Selective Focus Study
Orchids — Selective Focus Study
Ivy — Observational Study
Ivy — Observational Study
Lily — Reference & Painted Observation
Lily — Reference & Painted Observation
Mixed Flowers — Acrylic Still Life
Mixed Flowers — Acrylic Still Life

Reflection

Through this series I developed stronger observational skills and a confident approach to colour mixing across both digital and traditional media. The lily piece shows my process — working from photographic reference to a faithful painted interpretation. Working at different scales taught me to balance fine detail with overall composition. These skills translate directly to print production, educational resources, and design work where image quality and accuracy matter.

Project 02

Figure & Character Work

Exploring the human figure and character design across a range of media — from painted portraiture to pencil character sketches and digital illustration. Each piece investigates expression, pose, and narrative.

Portraiture Character design Figure drawing Digital painting Narrative illustration
I Am Not Afraid — Painted Portrait
"I Am Not Afraid" — Painted Portrait with Typography
Painted Portrait
Painted Portrait — Colour, Expression & Character
Abstract Swirl
Abstract Swirl — Experimental Style
Character Sketch
Character Sketch — Anime-Influenced Line Work
Medusa
Medusa — Detailed Ink Illustration
BoJack Horseman × Hockney
BoJack Horseman × Hockney — Pop Culture Reinterpretation

Reflection

This body of work demonstrates range — from expressive painted portraiture to detailed ink illustration and pop culture reinterpretation. The Medusa drawing shows patience and intricate mark-making, while the BoJack/Hockney piece shows conceptual thinking and humour. The variety of media shows adaptability — a strength for art technician roles where supporting diverse projects and students is essential.

Project 03

Experimental & Mixed Media

Pushing creative boundaries through abstract expression, large-scale installation, and environmental themes. These pieces explore movement, texture, and form beyond literal representation.

Mixed media Large-scale work Abstract composition Installation Environmental themes
Sea Change — Exhibited Painting
"Sea Change" — Exhibited Painting on the Effects of Pollution (Gallery Installation View)
Large-Scale Installation
Large-Scale Installation — Two Paintings Displayed Together
Squid Studies
Squid Studies — Coloured Pencil
Fish Studies
Fish Studies — Environmental Illustration
Polar Bear
Polar Bear — Painted Study

Reflection

These pieces show creative confidence and a willingness to work at every scale — from detailed pencil studies to full wall-sized installations. The environmental thread running through "Sea Change", the fish studies, and the polar bear demonstrates conceptual thinking and the ability to sustain a theme across a body of work. For art technician and production roles, this flexibility — working across styles, scales, and materials — is exactly what's needed.

Project 04

Graphic Design & Applied Work

Applying artistic skills to commercial briefs — creating designs for real clients that balance visual impact with clear communication. These projects demonstrate layout, typography, illustration for purpose, and the ability to work to a client's needs.

Layout design Typography Client briefs Illustration for print Brand identity
Business Card Design
Business Card Design — Dolgoch Mill House Annex
Flyer Design
Flyer Design — Same Client, Portrait Format
The Curious Chicken
"The Curious Chicken" — Illustrated Children's Book Cover

Reflection

These design pieces show I can apply my illustration skills to real-world briefs. The Dolgoch Mill House project required adapting a single visual concept — Welsh landscape with dragon motif — across two formats while maintaining brand consistency and clear information hierarchy. The children's book cover demonstrates a completely different register: warm, playful character illustration with hand-drawn typography. Together, these pieces show the versatility and commercial awareness that design and artworker roles require.