Thrish Sumanasekera

I am an illustrator and maker based in London with experience in illustrating products such as greetings cards and prints as well as crafting handmade products such as clay pins, punch needle coasters and handmade tote bags. I am experienced in a variety of techniques, including sewing, painting, sculpting with clay and punch needle.

I have been running my illustration business since 2020, illustrating, designing and making products, as well as selling my work on Etsy and at craft fairs. Selling at fairs has made me very experienced in communicating with customers effectively to increase sales. In addition to this, I worked part time as a bookings manager for an art class for adults, taking bookings over the phone, developing my skills at increasing sales and speaking to customers about the class effectively.

In 2020, alongside starting my business, I worked at a warehouse producing birdfeeders. I worked in an assembly line amongst a team to assemble and pack products with accuracy in a timely manner to hit quotas.

I have also worked on a few short animated films, including the BAFTA award winning film, ‘Do Not Feed the Pigeons’ as a model maker, painting and assembling character props. I have also worked on the NFTS produced film ‘Homebird’ as a painter, colouring cell frames using Posca pens. During my work on these films, I have developed my skills with working with directors and clients, taking their direction to my work and adjusting it whilst also using my own talents.

BA Animation - Middlesex University, 2016 - 2019

Short course in costume making - Central St Martins, UAL