Karel Korp

Biography

Karel Korp (1967) graduated in art education and drawing from the Tallinn Pedagogical Institute in 1993. He is a head of the Estonian Graphic Designers’ Association and the member of the board for it's creative committee. Since 1997 Korp is an owner of the graphic design company Disainikorp. In addition to illustrating children’s books, Karel Korp has created illustrations for Eesti Pank, the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority, the Chancellor of Justice, the Estonian Employer’s Confederation, the Estonian Cooperation Assembly, and many other organizations and companies.

I was born into a family of journalists and as far as I know, none of my other relatives are artists, so I formed and developed independently. Creatively, I have a restless spirit and for a long time I have tested and experimented with different styles and techniques. At one point I was fascinated by the endless possibilities of computer graphics. Now, however, I have come back to paint and brush because the sensation provided by crafts cannot be achieved with computer programs. Looking at my current pictures, I feel like I have finally arrived home. The inner critic of my work has mellowed and I know what I aim for.
The background in journalism has helped me to author or co-create the concept of three award-winning children’s books. For example, in We Spook! We Haunt! pictures were finished before Leelo Tungal wrote stories to them, later the book received the Annual Children’s Literature Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.


Profile photo: Piia Ruber