In Valentine Dardel’s designs, colours blur, bleed, burst - and always surprise.
We’ve joined up with Valentine to create a rainbow-inspired print for our latest Rainbow of Hope artwork series. Scroll down to discover her bold new artwork, available for purchase now - with 100% of the profits going to NHS Charities Together.
Valentine Dardel’s work is colourful, but not in the way you’d expect. Instead of solely opting for clear-cut, classic shades, digital artist Valentine serves up iridescence and distortion. In fact, you’re just as likely to find the gradients of her designs in spilled petrol as you are a rainbow. Often abstract, but always intriguing, the French artist has built her practice on experimentation and versatility. After graduating from London’s Central Saint Martins, she launched a career as both a digital artist, illustrator, and textile designer. It’s no small feat, but Valentine has taken it in her stride. This year alone, she has committed to creating a new design poster every day - for 365 days. It may seem ambitious, but we’re certainly grateful for it. Valentine’s eye-popping designs liven up our Instagram feed every day, come rain or shine.
All of Valentine’s posters attempt to deliver something new. But some of our all-time favourites include a sci-fi-style face in metallic hues, an ultra-violet offering featuring vintage VHS tapes, and a pastel-toned scene above the skies. Whether the final image is grainy and soft-focus, or sharp and precise, Valentine always manages to give us a lesson in colour theory - and design experimentation.
Describe your style in 3 words.
Colourful, Bold, Versatile
What’s in your art toolkit?
Every digital software I can get my hands on. Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effect, C4D, and Dimension mainly.
Who was on your playlist whilst working on this project? Could you share your playlist with us?
The Fray and Jamie Scott. I love listening to sad songs while designing, it brings depth to my imagination.
Who are some artists you really admire at the moment?
Tom Coolen, Jeffrey , and David Stenbeck.
What are the positives you have come across during lockdown and how do you think it will change your point of view in the future?
I am very lucky as I have been locked down with my partner. We went through many arguments and grew a lot from them. I have learned how communication is powerful and precious. I was also able to spend most of my time on my personal projects and pursuing my quest for knowledge.
What are you looking forward to most when the lockdown is over?
Celebrating my birthday properly!
What’s your message to health workers right now?
Thank you so much for your strength and braveness facing these dark times. We need to reconsider the value of health workers in our society and give them the support they deserve.
Valentine's keen eye for contrasting, mesmeric colours has struck once again - this time in a print made in collaboration with Evermade. For our Rainbow of Hope series, Valentine has rearranged the colours of the rainbow into abstract halos of vibrancy. When we caught up with Valentine, she told us her aim was "to share and spread joy across the United Kingdom and beyond; to soothe our spirit with rainbow energy and give hope to all during the darkest times." Valentine's artwork is titled Brighter Horizon, and, above all else, it seeks to "support and thank our saviours, the health workers," Valentine affirmed.
You can purchase Valentine's limited edition print below - 100% of the profits will be donated directly to NHS Charities Together.
Valentine Dardel's artwork titled Brighter Horizon, with 100% profits of art print sales going to NHS Charities Together.
You can check out more of Valentine Dardel's work here.
